1976 Northern 25 vs 1980 Tanzer 26

[undaunted]

Hello everyone, I'm looking to close on my first day sailor and have narrowed things down to either the Northern 25 or Tanzer 26. I believe both are good boats but looking for opinions on one vs the other (sail-ability, comfort, etc). Tanzer community seems much bigger and more active which is a plus. Northern has a very comfortable cabin arrangement and head room. Also which one of these would be most capable for solo sail? Thanks in advance

[marciaanddave]

We owned and sailed a tanzer 26. We were only lake sailing, but it was easy to single hand. I thought it was a good boat. Slow, but forgiving. In all fairness the sails were quite old, I believe the main was original to the boat.

[undaunted]

Originally Posted by marciaanddave

We owned and sailed a tanzer 26. We were only lake sailing, but it was easy to single hand. I thought it was a good boat. Slow, but forgiving. In all fairness the sails were quite old, I believe the main was original to the boat.

Thanks for your reply! I'm leaning toward the Tanzer. I've haven't sailed / owned a boat in over 30 years when most of the boats that were built in the 70s/80s had original sails. So I'm wondering if you could expand on your comment about the old sails. If the sails are in good condition it shouldn't matter if they are original? Or is it more that because they were original you didn't want to push them too hard?

[Cheechako]

I have not heard of the Northern 25. So there is that. Some little known designs have the risk of sailing handling problems. It can be sail plan issues or it can be hull shape issues. Is the Northern by a reputable designer? Not all for sure, just saying, there can be. Tanzer's have a good rep.

[undaunted]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

I have not heard of the Northern 25. So there is that. Some little known designs have the risk of sailing handling problems. It can be sail plan issues or it can be hull shape issues. Is the Northern by a reputable designer? Not all for sure, just saying, there can be. Tanzer's have a good rep.

The Northern 25 is taken from the moulds of the O’Day Ranger 25, the difference being that the cabin top has been raised to provide standing headroom in the main cabin.

https://sailboatdata.com/sailboat/northern-25

Would love to hear from anyone in the community who owned one.

[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by undaunted

The Northern 25 is taken from the moulds of the O’Day Ranger 25, the difference being that the cabin top has been raised to provide standing headroom in the main cabin.

https://sailboatdata.com/sailboat/northern-25

Would love to hear from anyone in the community who owned one.

That looks pretty good with a skeg hung rudder on a 25 which is unusual...

[GordMay]

You can compare the 2 boats at Carl’s SailCalc
➥ Sail Calculator Pro v3.54 - 3200+ boats

See also ➥ Northern 25 - Used Sailboat Market in Canada
And ➥ Tanzer 26 - Used Sailboat Market in Canada

[LittleWing77]

Originally Posted by undaunted

The Northern 25 is taken from the moulds of the O’Day Ranger 25, the difference being that the cabin top has been raised to provide standing headroom in the main cabin.

https://sailboatdata.com/sailboat/northern-25

Would love to hear from anyone in the community who owned one.

Northern 25s are brilliant boats! and based on a Phil Rhodes design, if anyone knows those classic wooden yachts.

I would hands-down choose a Northern 25 over a Tanzer, but then I've very biased. To my mind, Tanzers are yet another water-condo, that don't sail well, but have lots of interior room.

Sorry to disagree with MarciaandDave above, but I sail on Northerns regularly and they are great cruising boats that sail well (with good sails, not blown-out old ones, please note).

Canadian Yachting - Northern 25
https://www.canadianyachting.ca/boat...69-northern-25

Fair winds,
LittleWing77

[LittleWing77]

P.S. If it's Just Peachy on Kijiji, she looks gorgeous...!

[Rosecroft]

I have a Northern 25 built in 1976 and love it! If you go in Wikipedia you will see a photo of it and more information on the boat's history etc. There were around 250 made in different configurations. Mine has a Volvo Penta Saildrive 110 with a MD5A engine. Others had inboards or just outboard setups. Last winter I had to change the Saildrive - a previous owner didn't drain the oil out of the lower unit in the Fall. Water had managed to get into the oil which froze over the winter and cracked the housing. Luckily I managed to find another identical drive unit.

Working on the engine and saildrive required long hours in the lockers, removal of the galley counter etc. Access is very difficult hence I am considering the pros and cons of making a hatch in the cockpit floor.

I often sail solo and so have added a roller furler. It is a pleasure to sail even in strong winds.

[Peter1949]

Phil Rhodes design❤️

[undaunted]

Thanks for the replies. Ended up buying the Tanzer 26 but it wasn't an easy decision. The Northern is a beautiful and very capable vessel.

[LittleWing77]

Originally Posted by undaunted

Thanks for the replies. Ended up buying the Tanzer 26 but it wasn't an easy decision. The Northern is a beautiful and very capable vessel.

Congrats on your new boat!

Now get out there and GO SAILING!
LittleWing77

[undaunted]

Thank you @LittleWing77! Taking position on Friday and planning to be out on the lower Ottawa Saturday / Sunday. My sailing skills are rusty at best so will need to clock some hours.

[LittleWing77]

Originally Posted by undaunted

Thank you @LittleWing77! Taking possession on Friday and planning to be out on the lower Ottawa Saturday / Sunday. My sailing skills are rusty at best so will need to clock some hours.

You'll be surprised how quickly your sailing skills come back. Just get out there doing it.

Remember to monitor the weather forecast! We could potentially get periphery cells from Henri drifting up here just before the weekend, if they don't get bounced off by this current high pressure...

LW77