As our boats age, we sometimes need to replace or upgrade sails and rigging. I don’t everything there is to know about the Ranger 26’s rigging and sails, and most of the companies that supplied the original parts and materials are long gone, but the following section should help a lot.

Some Skippers have inquired about adding a headsail to their boat. I don’t have the specific details and parts list for this factory option, and I don’t have any other owners submitted information. But I do have some shop drawings and blue prints, that are of somewhat poor quality. I’ve done what I can to carefully scan and enhance (and sometimes darkening lines and text on the poor quality photo copies that I have, so they are not great, but they should suffice.

NOTE: – More Info Is Coming For This Section –

Main Sail Plan with Main, Jib, basic rigging and headsail attachment points and optional headsail design. Note, this drawing shows the headsail stay attaching to a post coming out of the deck just behind the bow pulpit. No Ranger that I’m aware actually has such a post. Adding one would be a pain, a lot of work and I wouldn’t do it. See the below drawing for a simpler and probably stronger design.


Main Sail Plan with Main, Jib, basic rigging and headsail attachment points and optional
headsail design. Also shows Drifter, Genoa, sail square footage.
This is an additional view to the first one that provides much of the same information up top, and some more, and internal cabin and below the water line view.
Note that the headsail stay attaches just directly to the tip of the bow, I would use a 3/16″ stainless steel strap that could be about 8″ long, bolted through the glass a the bow’s nose, and come up through the space left by the bow pulpit fiberglass (about 1″ slot there) and then bent to the correct angle to follow the path of the stay. So, three holes in the lower part of the strap, some space for the bend and to get above the deck height and then a couple holes for the stay and the sail shackle. I would consider twisting the strap as it bends maybe so that it’s narrow edges follow the boat to stern and the flats are parallel with the boats keep. This might minimize toe “jam” and keep the shackle behind the stay rather than to it’s side.
Warning! I’m not a rigger. Your boat yard probably has a much better solution than this 😉
Also, be sure to check out Erica Liepelt’s Stargazer head sail install link at the bottom of this page for detailed photos of a Ranger 26 that has done this and is still afloat 😉


Main Sail Measurements for the “Tall Rig” or “Racing Rig” version of the Ranger 26. I have the Tall Rig, but I can assure you that it has no noticeable effect on how far behind you’ll be when you loose the race! 😉
Honestly, I’m not sure what these numbers are but I’m believe they are measurements for the new main sail.
Mast Pedestal – On House Top – View from forward port side of boat.
Mast Pedestal Opposite Side – viewed from forward starboard side.

Head Sail Install

Erica Liepelt (Star Gazer) has been kind enough to share some details of the Head Sail installation on the Star Gazer. Click here!