Small Boat, Serious Yacht! This Morris Frances 26 is a Wonder | TOUR

• February 07, 2026 by BoatFools Sailing |
• Language: EN
• Play Time: 00:28:25
• SAILING YOUTUBERS

#boattour #morrisyachts #classicsailboat #boatfoolssailing #sailboatreview

[[02/17/2026 SOLD]] Small Boat, Serious Yacht! This Morris Frances 26 is a Wonder | TOUR
Welcome back to BoatFools Sailing! Today Captain Kew (Q) and I remotely tour “Wildwood,” a Morris Frances 26 — an iconic Chuck Paine–designed pocket cruiser that perfectly captures the spirit of a proper little yacht. Built by Morris Yachts and later repurchased and completely refit by founder Tom Morris in 2001 for his personal use, Wildwood blends pedigree, craftsmanship, and real-world sailing capability in a 26-foot package.

THIS SAILBOAT IS FOR SALE. Please contact the seller with any questions: [[SOLD]]
There is a recent survey available for serious inquiries.

As always, be kind and courteous!

CHAPTERS
00:00 The Frances 26 Sailing
00:10 Intro to the Morris Frances 26
02:22 A Brief History
07:29 Her Beautiful Paint Job
08:37 Keel, Topsides, and Deck
17:17 Below Decks!
19:05 V-Berth & Head
19:35 Galley
20:34 Videos of Wildwood Sailing and at the Dock
22:08 Hear The Engine Running
23:55 Reviewing SailboatData on the Morris Frances 26
25:51 Final Thoughts on This Delightful Sailboat

MORE INFORMATION BELOW:

This classic fiberglass sailboat features Timeless New England lines, bronze deck hardware, Hinckley-style flush portlights, and Tom Morris’s own personal touches — including a Nanni 2-cylinder diesel and a custom Harken mainsheet traveler arrangement. From her bronze hawse pipes fore and aft to her elegant sheer and heavy displacement hull, Wildwood is as delightful to sail as she is to admire at the dock. She even appeared on page 97 of Ferenc Máté’s Best Boats and served as a cover model in Morris Yachts promotional materials — true provenance for classic sailboat lovers.

Currently sailing in freshwater on Lake Ontario, this Morris Frances 26 has benefited from thoughtful upgrades and careful ownership, making her an ideal solo sailor, couples cruiser, or bluewater-capable pocket yacht for those seeking traditional design with modern reliability.

Key Features & Upgrades

Designer: Chuck Paine
Builder: Morris Yachts, Southwest Harbor, Maine
Notable Owner/Refit: Tom Morris (2001 full refit)
Engine: Nanni 2-cylinder diesel (~350 hrs est.)
Heating: Wallas 1300 BTU forced hot air heater
Sails: New Quantum mainsail & jib (2023)

Rigging & Deck Gear:

Forespar spinnaker pole
Forespar boom vang
Harken lazy jacks
Bronze Lewmar 16 ST primaries
Alloy Lewmar ST cabin-top winches
Detachable inner forestay w/ quick release
Ash shroud rollers
Electronics & Navigation (2023–2024):
Garmin GMI-20 multi-gauge
Garmin GPSmap 741
GND-10 gWind masthead anemometer
Airmar DST-810 triducer
NMEA 2000 backbone network

Comfort & Interior:

New interior cushions (2023)
Wallas heater (2001)
Fusion MS-RA210 Bluetooth stereo & speakers (2023)
Alcohol stove, icebox, bronze opening ports, Dorade vents
Deck & Hardware:
New custom mahogany forward hatch w/ bronze deadlight (2022)
New rudder cheeks (mahogany) (2020)
Cockpit awning (zips to dodger)
Spare tiller
Kuuma rail-mount propane BBQ
Bruce anchor w/ chain & rode
Autohelm ST4000 tiller pilot

Why the Morris Frances 26?

The Morris Frances 26 is widely respected among sailors for its heavy displacement, high ballast ratio, keel-hung rudder, and sea-kindly motion. With classic lines inspired by traditional working boats and modern fiberglass construction, it delivers comfort offshore, confidence in chop, and low maintenance ownership. More than 200 were built, and well-kept examples remain highly sought after in the classic sailboat and pocket cruiser markets.

Wildwood stands out thanks to her Tom Morris refit provenance, freshwater history, and recent upgrades, making her a rare blend of heritage and practicality. If you’re searching for a bluewater-capable 26-foot sailboat, classic yacht under 30 feet, or a solo cruising sailboat with pedigree, this Morris Frances deserves a close look.

Tune in next week for a BoatFools Top 10 Countdown with Canadian Ken!

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