[1][2] The design was built by the Yamaha Motor Company in Japan starting in 1979, but it is now out of production.
[1][2][3] The Yamaha 26 design was based upon Magician IV, a prototype boat that won the 1978 Quarter Ton class.
It has a fractional sloop rig, a raked stem, a raised and squared-off reverse transom with an integral swimming ladder, an internally mounted spade-type rudder controlled by a tiller and a fixed fin keel.
[1] The boat is fitted with a Japanese Yanmar 1GM diesel engine of 7.5 hp (6 kW).
[2] The design has a PHRF racing average handicap of 201 with a high of 192 and low of 215.