The Parker Dawson 26 is an American trailerable sailboat that was designed by Robert Finch as a cruiser and first built in 1972.
[1][2][3][4] The design has been sold by a number of different manufacturers under several names, including the Midship 25, Dawson 25, Nauset 26 and Bombay 26.
[1][5] The Parker Dawson 26 is a recreational keelboat, built predominantly of fiberglass, with wood trim.
[1] The design has an unusual configuration for a boat of its size, with a cabin forward and one aft, with a center cockpit.
[3] In a 2010 review Steve Henkel wrote, "this pocket cruiser is unique in several respects: (1) she has two separate cabins plus a center cockpit, which can be enclosed in canvas to serve as a third cabin; (2) a fixed-keel version with beefed-up rigging has crossed the Atlantic and a good part of the Pacific, indicating at least a smidgen of seaworthiness; and (3) she is trailerable and ramp-launchable despite her relatively heavy displacement for her size—provided your truck or SUV can handle 8,000 pound loads.
A variety of options were available from various marketers (Midship Yachts, Dawson, Parker-Dawson, Nauset Marine, others) who offered at various times inboard diesel, inboard gas, and outboard power; fixed shoal keel or swing keel; wheel or tiller steering; and sloop rig or ketch.
Owners have complained about a lack of helm feel and drag on early models; later boats were given push-pull cable steering gear rather than the pull-pull variety, which evidently solved the problem.