Any one know of any good modifications for a 1976 26' tanzer, yes, we have a project

[Ericsstinnett]

The key word seems to be most, how do I remain a member of the ones that return, gear wise?

[pmarble]

I own a Tanzer 26'. Like some have said, if the boat currently has no damage, the rudder upgrade is a good move (if it hasn't already been done) cost about $600 US.

Where are you located? Love to see the boat and let you see mine.

[grantmc]

Originally Posted by Ericsstinnett

Also it would seem like a 6 HP would move the boat easy on a calm day, any thoughts if I take it to blue water. Maybe a 9.9 HP. Or should I stay to the inner coastal waterways and bays. I was hoping I could in time take this boat out into the actual gulf of Mexico, good idea or bad?

You can go anywhere. Don't be discouraged by the comments about sea state and motoring. When there's a sea state then there must be wind and you sail. And of course the opposite, when the sea is flat you need to motor cause there's no wind. 4hp will be fine, but it will need to be mounted so the prop is deep enough. Usually easiest to just use the boat's own tiller to steer and leave the motor set to run straight.
You can sail anywhere in that boat, People have sailed around the world in boats smaller, and engineless. One hassle of doing overnight trips will be no electricity. An inboard has an alternator of course, few outboards do. But hey with modern LCDs, perhaps a solar panel and a couple of packs of batteries you can have great fun.

[Ericsstinnett]

I'm still not sure of the rudder. But will upgrade it. I'll finish paper work aquiring the boat this week. The boat is currently in Aransas Pass, north of Corpus Christi, it would be great to see another tanzer 26. From what I understand the boat has a great following.

[TrentePieds]

Quote: "I'm picking up a 40 HP Mercury"

Oh, dear! Are you planning to water-ski behind a Tanzer 26? Won't work!

You are gonna be down so far by the stern that you won't be able to sail her either :-)!

But it prolly won't matter. You'll soon get tires of living aboard a Tanzer 26 - or any other 26-er :-)

TrentePieds

[grantmc]

typo

Originally Posted by Ericsstinnett

I'm still not sure of the rudder. But will upgrade it. I'll finish paper work acquiring the boat this week. The boat is currently in Aransas Pass, north of Corpus Christi, it would be great to see another tanzer 26. From what I understand the boat has a great following.

Why not just get the boat, learn to sail her and see how it feels to you before you start planning structural changes. And you certainly don't to make such changes because someone completely unknown on a forum thinks you should.

Weather helm is much like gun control, some people like the positive feedback and others prefer a light helm. And it's all somewhat irrelevant until you're out in over 20 or so knots anyway. Find out what you prefer because it is very much a matter of taste. The guy that came up with the new rudder design probably had weak arms or maybe he took his dear old Mum out sailing. Who knows.

[Ardbeg]

Get rid of that outboard PERIOD. If inland a 10hp Honda would be perfect 4 stroke of course. If going offshore look at a 15 hp Honda 4 stroke.... or equal competitor. Many years ago I had a Tanzer 22. Raced it. Had a Merc 4 stroke 8 hp. Just right. Keel needs a good sand blast then build up undercoat and then ablative depending on where you are sailing. The iron keel will tend to bubble. I grew up less than 20 miles from Tanzer factory so we grew up with those boats.

[DivingOtter]

My boat is Santana 2023 with water ballast and a swing board and weight wise sits around 4K lbs. we have a 6hp Merc 4 stroke and I wouldn't go any less than that on mine.

[Sailmonkey]

Bilge pump is no biggie, get a jabsco diaphragm pump, small, no problem priming, keeps the pump out of the water. Etc.....

http://www.starmarinedepot.com/jabsc...FUo8gQodZPMHgw


Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[pmarble]

Originally Posted by Ericsstinnett

I'm still not sure of the rudder. But will upgrade it. I'll finish paper work aquiring the boat this week. The boat is currently in Aransas Pass, north of Corpus Christi, it would be great to see another tanzer 26. From what I understand the boat has a great following.

I'm in Panama City Florida...send me your email pmarble1@gmail.com

[ramblinrod]

Originally Posted by Ericsstinnett

What is a 1976 26' tanzer made of and can anyone tell me about them. Looking for any simple advice on modifications, retrofit, and customizing them, also any problems with them. It will be a liveabord boat, and I'm on a budget, but will try to get some pics up. I'll be looking at it tomorrow Oct 8 2016 for the first time.

Cheers, Eric Stinnett

Assuming you have limited experience in boat ownership, my best advice is live with it for a year before modifying anything. Most boat designers are fart smuckers and made it right in the first place.

Just fix what is broken or about to break, and if you must spend money on it, put it into new sails. (You won't get much money back when (not if) you sell within 3 years, but at least you will learn what good sails sail like.

As for motor, the best for that boat is a 8 HP 2 stroke. Just the right oomph for little weight. (Most 9.9 HP were detuned 15s and 30 to 50% heavier than 8s.

If you must go 4 stroke, Yamaha made the lightest 8's (not a detuned 10).

What ever motor, go with a 15" (not 9") motor lift that is for a much heavier motor. (The rated lift is just too hard to lift while
leaning over the transom in any kind of sea.

Many have issues with moisture ingress in the foreword hatch lid, so that may be a great first fibreglass project.

For living aboard, consider how you will deal with:
Fresh water (a gallon per day per person, being conservative)
Sanitation (what goes in must come out, 1/2 gallon per day per person)
Refrigeration (dorm fridge if on shore power, else 2 x 5 day igloo coolers.
Cooking (portable butane stove is a good and inexpensive solution)

[Ericsstinnett]

all of that is really useful everyone, thanks so much for the quick replys. :-)

[Billnpr]

Old,old mercury did have a 40 which was 4hp. Not big enough for you and if used in salt water probably eaten up aluminum.

[ramblinrod]

Originally Posted by Billnpr

Old,old mercury did have a 40 which was 4hp. Not big enough for you and if used in salt water probably eaten up aluminum.

A 4 hp would be ideal for beer can racing to get to and from the start line, and OK for liveaboard if just needed to get to and from pump out station, but not big enough for cruising