Here you’ll find every scrap of info I can find on your boat. How she is built, how to fix her up and how to improve on what is already great. Thanks to the generous efforts of Ken Wheeler, the former production manager on the Ranger 26 at the Kent factory, who has opened his archive of knowledge, I have many technical drawings, sketches, descriptions and suggestions to help us keep the fleet “together” as it were.

I’ll add more as I have time but just to get things started… Ranger26lr

Ranger 26 Specifications

Boat Model: Ranger 26
Length on Deck (LoD): 24.75 ft
Length at Waterline (LWL): 22 ft
Beam: 8 ft
Sail Area (SA): 320 ft2
Displacement (Weight): 4750 lbs

Mast Raising & Lowering Instructions

Several skippers that have purchased a used Ranger 26’s have asked about the proper steps for raising and lowering the mast. For Factory provided steps, and additional options – Click Here!

Main Rigging Details

I’ve had a few people ask about the correct routing of the topping lift, Leech Line and Boom Vang (optional on some tall rig boats). This should help:

Jiffy Reefing Diagram

The Ranger 26 Doesn’t come with a Jiffy Reefing option, but many skippers have added Jiffy Reefing to their boats, and for good reason. Jiffy Reefing lets you drop your sail and keep it all tidy and easy to bungee up for storage on the boom. No more epic sail verses man battles on the high sea!

Jiffy Reefing Diagram for the Ranger 26 sailboat, Kent Washington.

Jiffy Reefing Diagram for the Ranger 26 sailboat, Kent Washington.

Tech-R26-Mast-Stanchion-Assembly-300dpi

Ranger 26 – Mast Stanchion Assembly

Tecj-R26-Mast-Strut-300dpi

Ranger 26 – Mast Strut – When pulling your center board to repair or replace, you’ll want to refer to this.

Tech-R26-Mast-Pedestal-300dpi

Ranger 26 – Mast Pedestal Detail – When mounting and running your main rigging to the house top for single handing, refer to this.

Centerboard Replacement

There are enough drawings, details and image about centerboards, repairs, and replacements that they warrant their own page! If you are all a drift about what to do… Click Here!

Center board  Keepers

I know I left them around here somewhere! Oh, that’s right I moved them to their own page! Now you can read all about Keepers, why you need them and how to replace them after you loose them! – Click Here!

Sails & Rigging

If you need to repair or replace a sail or two, or add a headsail, or upgrade your rigging, this is the place to find some helpful drawings and specs. – Click Here!

23 thoughts on “Tech Drawings”

  1. Julie Perkins

    In love with a 1978 Kent Ranger 26. Widow who is selling has very little information on it, and am having a hard time finding much on the web. Thanks for information you have provided. Any idea what a current average price would currently be? Owner does not know what its worth is. Thank you for any help you can provide.

    Reply
    • ranger26@searl.com

      Hi Julie,

      We’ve had our Ranger for decades and are still in love with it, so I know the feeling! I don’t know the current price of a good used R26, but I would bet they fall into the 7-12K range depending on condition, extras, trailer. It makes me sad to hear about a widow selling her husbands boat. They probably have lots of memories on it together. Best of luck to you. Bruce

      Reply
  2. Julie Perkins

    Thank you so very much for your response! Love this boat…tons of character, and seaworthiness as well. 1978 ranger has been kept in pristeen condition, and has a custom trailer, and dinghy included. Owner is asking 21,000. We were not surprised when we found no others in the southeast. However, we just returned from Whidbey Island in Washington, and no one we talked to at several marinas had a clue what we were talking about. Must be a cult boat! Mostly, just worried about finding parts- should they be needed. Current owner went to Washington and trailered it back to Georgia. Where did you find yours?

    Reply
    • ranger26@searl.com

      We got ours from the factory way back in 1977 or ’78 I think, new from a dealer in Portland on the Columbia river. I remember boarding her when we were kicking hulls up there looking for a boat to buy. it was love at first sight for us all. I was just 17, but my Mom & Dad loved it just as much.

      That price might be fine if it’s outfitted for sea water cruising with nice electronics and other amenities. Only about 80 hulls were produced because the economy took a slump and the sail boat market ran a ground… the only companies that were able to stay afloat with larger boats were those like Catalina, which made a much cheaper boat through economy of scale and simpler design and stripped down interior. They were nice enough boats, just not built like the Ranger in so many ways.

      Most parts that matter, you can find or replace with newer stuff. The only one that was a problem for us was the Stanchion Sheave. You can read about it here on the site and know that I have a perfect replacement part that I created from our failed one. It and the swing board are the only weak points of this boat but there are fixes or repair instructions here for those. you’ll not have to worry about much of anything else.

      My round port hole lights are falling apart (plastic) and I’ve not found a replacement for them yet, (other than the beautiful but expensive bronze ones listed on the resource page) but I might create some of those this winter if I get around to it. If I do, I’ll have a little bit more affordable option for those you could use if yours ever give out. All in all… the boat is way overbuilt and very stout. Very few failure points on it.

      I think the thing I love about the Rangers is that while they may not be the swiftest racing boat on the water, they handle nicely, are built very well, are great for actually living on when cruising and they literally ooze charm!

      Bruce

      Reply
  4. George

    That’s great! My wife and I are picking up a refurbished Kent ranger 26 this week! I’m glad that you have this site, not only for the information, but also to be part of a small group of owners of a rare beauty!

    Reply
  5. John R Frank

    Just bought a 1974 Ranger 26 (Kent, WA version). All stripped down inside and out. Now prepping, then painting, then putting interior back together.

    I was wondering two things:
    1. Does anyone have a diagram of the deck gear placement including rigging. I was given a box of blocks and gear and a deck full of holes.

    2. A diagram of the wiring in the interior. I have wiring throughout the cabin, with a elec panel. Not sure which are for lights, the mast, or other.

    I have restored 4 sailboats and learning everyday. This is my biggest project to date.
    Thanks,
    John

    Reply
  7. Drew Jacobs

    Drew,

    I am 85% into the process of negotiation and the purchasing of a Kent Ranger 26.
    A critical focus in my final acceptance focuses around the ” Stanchion Sheave ”
    Is there currently ( 4-23-2018 ) the availability of and to purchase the Marine Bronze Alloy
    replacement “Stanchion Sheave” If so is the price still close to what has been mentioned in
    previous communication. If I successfully conclude this process I will be excited to join as a proud
    owner any social / support system that may exist.
    social and support system that may exist.

    Reply
  8. Andrew ( Drew) Jacobs

    This is Drew
    4-25-2018

    I am negotiating the purchase of a Kent Ranger 26. In this process of determining value
    I am looking at the reconditioning of the centerboard mechanism. Is the Marine Grade Bronze Stanchion Sheave still available to purchase at or near the price mentioned. I love this boat but wish to enter into this with eyes wide open and with fair evaluation. Thank you very kindly for any information. I hope in the effort to inquire this information I have not caused a double entry or request,

    Best regards to All

    Reply
    • ranger26@searl.com

      Hi Drew, sorry for the delay, I’m not able to check this frequently as I would like!
      I do still have a couple of them. $550 plus $25 shipping. I ship them priority mail so it comes within a couple days after I ship (which I am sometimes a little slow at ;-).

      As far as the boat itself… It’s a really great boat! You’ll love yours!

      Bruce

      Reply
        • ranger26@searl.com

          Hi Jeffrey,

          I’m sorry for the delay in responding.

          I’ve had one of my 7 email accounts down, and didn’t realize it until a couple days ago.
          I do have one or two left, yes. I’ve got one other person interested so I guess I better go count! Please feel free to call me. I’ll send you my contact info via email.
          Thanks!
          Bruce

          Reply
  9. Dan Feldman

    Been reading through your Ranger 26 and I have decided to sell it. Would love to talk to you about it. My phone no is 760-793-0719. Thanks…

    Reply
    • ranger26@searl.com

      Hi Dan, I’ve been super crazy all summer, no sailing :-(, but I saw this finally and wanted to make sure you saw the post by Adam Nash, who is interested about buying a Ranger26 🙂
      If you are still selling, I’d be happy to list your boat also. Bruce

      Reply
  10. CJ

    Hi all – I have a ’78 Ranger, and am looking for information to basically, drill and bolt-in the centerboard in the down position permanently, then chop the hardware in the bilge and glass it off. This will close of the exposed through hole subject to corrosion and allow the boat to sit in salt water for extended periods of time. I’m wondering if anyone knows about this process, or has had it done

    Reply
    • ranger26@searl.com

      I think you’ll have to make up a solution on this CJ.

      I vaguely remember someone doing something like this years ago, and there might be some info about it in the archives of the yahoo groups pages, which were moved to a new home last year. But I don’t have anything to help you with this. Sorry!

      Bruce

      Reply
  11. LEE MASON

    Hi,

    Looking for rigging info (what goes where) as I purchased a Kent ranger 26 with most removed for painting.

    Also, it has Lewmar 16 winches (single and two speed) apart for maintenance. A diagram/instructions would be helpful for reassembly.

    Thanks

    Reply
    • Bruce

      Hi Lee,

      I’m sorry, I just posted some more rigging info on the main sail, there is a photo with some lines named and showing where they go and what they do. Check out the Sails & Rigging Section of the Tech Drawings page. I’ll post more as I can.

      Bruce

      Reply

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