Differances between F 25 vs F 26 ?

Diablo · Post by **Diablo** » Sat Apr 24, 2010 11:10 pm

Hi,

I was hoping the group could provide feedback on the diferances between the F 25 & F 26? Beyond the dimensional differances are there noticable performance, speed, ride comfort, rough water handling, creature conforts, fuel economy, etc... differances between the two models?

Stripermann2 · Post by **Stripermann2** » Mon Apr 26, 2010 8:01 am

Well, for what it's worth...and since I don't know the 25 and 26 models well, a guy on another forum replied to a post I made regarding the CL ad using Ken's pictures. (Vabeach1234) Someone else here can say for sure. Not sure of engine, speed, or other modification differences.

In his response, he says that the boat in Ken's picture is not an F26 but an F25. His example of an F26 is pictured below.

Here is his reply.
Pardon the second post, I couldn't edit - that is not an F26, is an F25. You can tell them apart by looking at the side, the F26 gunwhale swept up about midships, the F25 was straight - here is a real F26:

vabeach1234 · Post by **vabeach1234** » Mon Apr 26, 2010 9:15 am

Diablo,
Of course by the numbers, the beam is narrower on the F25 than the F26 by a few inches but I'm not sure of the performance differences. Usually, the beamer the boat, the larger the cabin.

Jamie,
I have a JPG of the 1972 spec sheet for the Trojan models for that year, and my boat is right in line with the specs for the F26.

Stripermann2 · Post by **Stripermann2** » Mon Apr 26, 2010 9:25 am

No Ken,

I posted your story on BE as a possible scam. The last poster (reply) stated that your boat was an F25...

http://www.boatered.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=137502

vabeach1234 · Post by **vabeach1234** » Mon Apr 26, 2010 9:46 am

Sorry Jamie,
I misunderstood your post.

Thanks for the heads up.

cclark75006 · Post by **cclark75006** » Mon Apr 26, 2010 10:31 am

My F25 (a 251) Transom no is TRJ 4362-1173-251 and on the Capacity Plate say Hull Serial no. 251-4362
It measures a 10 ft plus a little beam... but it does have the upward sweeping gunwale look to it, like a F26 !!

turtlem1969 · Post by **turtlem1969** » Mon Apr 26, 2010 5:28 pm

my f25 looks just like the pic of that "f26"

Diablo · Post by **Diablo** » Wed Apr 28, 2010 4:46 pm

Thanks you all for the feedback.

I'm pretty firmilar with the appearance and dimensions differances between the F 25 and F 26. I'd like to get a better understanding of the differances in the ride, handling, durability, performance, etc. if any exist. Other than the looks and the size are there reasons to pick one model over the other?

Thanks

cookscomp · Post by **cookscomp** » Thu Apr 29, 2010 1:22 am

boaterguy: I've owned both the 'Model 253' F-25 and the 'Model 261' F-26. And if you plan to spend weekends on your new boat, I recommend sticking with the 'Model 261' F-26 for the extra space. The head and berths are both much larger on the F-26. A lot more storage. And the F-26 was more deluxe in it's appointments.

Here's an approximate breakdown of major differences:

'70-'72 25' Sea Raider (Model 250): FG hull. Straight sheerline. Plywood topside construction.
'71-'72 F-26 (Model 260): Straight sheerline. Large cabin windows. Long fore deck. Optional flybridge. Rarely seen model.
'73-'74 F-25 (Model 251/252): 10' beam. Sweeping sheerline. Solid teak interior trim/teak veneer paneling. Teak cockpit sole and helm. Optional teak cockpit trim and toerail. Optional add-on type hardtop. No flybridge option. Mercruiser 233HP power. Semi-tunneled prop shaft.
'75-up F-26 (Model 261): 10' beam (This is the Model 251/252 stretched one ft.). Solid teak interior trim/teak veneer paneling. Teak cockpit sole and helm. Optional teak cockpit trim and toe rail. Optional HT and flybridge. Mercruiser 233HP power (Ford 351 2V). Semi-tunneled prop shaft eliminated.
'77-up F-26 (Model 261): Changed to FG cockpit sole and helm. Chrysler 225HP power (Chrysler 318 4V).
'75-up F-25 (Model 253): 9'-4" beam. Straight sheerline. Faux wood-grained laminate interior paneling thru-out, FG cockpit sole and helm. Optional HT. No flybridge option. Chrysler 225 power.

As far as handling, the 26' hulls are less prone to over-planing, but because they are 700lbs heavier, they have a slightly slower top speed. Shy away from boats re-powered with a big block motor like the 454. These hulls are already at their design limits with the stock small block. (Saw one joker on Craigslist recently who mounted twin 225HP Evinrude O/B's on an F-26, claiming, "50MPH on the GPS, which is surprising for the size of the boat." ...uh, right.) Finally, beware, as many F-25's are being incorrectly marketed as F-26's.

Hope this helps in your search.
_________________
Current Boats:
1976 Model 261 F-26 HT
1972 Model 440 F-36 Tri-Cabin
1962 Model VUC-18 Chris Craft Cavalier

First Trojan:
1978 Model 253 F-25 HT

Stripermann2 · Post by **Stripermann2** » Thu Apr 29, 2010 7:03 am

So if I understand this correctly, perhaps Ken's boat is a model 260 with out the sheer line...

cclark75006 · Post by **cclark75006** » Thu Apr 29, 2010 2:59 pm

To: cookscomp: Thanks for the detail run down of various models and differences. . I recently bought a 1974 F25 H/T (251) and was wondering about those differences.
One questions you may know the answer....My 1974 has the Merc Ford for sure but say 225 hp on the port side of the engine. Will that be a 302 cid or 351 cid? I have the full teak cockpit, prop tunnel etc, as you described the 251

any difference between the 251 and 252 ?

thanks

cookscomp · Post by **cookscomp** » Fri Apr 30, 2010 1:21 am

I wish I could take credit for the info but that belongs to a member named jon e quest. In the subject line on my previous post I tried to give him credit. I simply copied and pasted his reply from a couple years ago. I searched a couple minutes and found the old post. Anyway, I have a F26 with the Ford 351 and it's a 233 hp mercruiser. So I assume the 225 you mention is a 302. I didn't think the 302 was a stock motor though. I was thinking the chysler 318 and ford 351 were factory engines. Not sure about that. Hopefully jon e quest will chime in sometime again. I have some old manuals from my boat 1975 and a brochure from trojan for that year. Happy to share if needed. I'm still a couple weeks away from launch. New swim platform, interior cushions and minor bottom work before painting. Happy boating, Tim

Rodman · Post by **Rodman** » Fri Apr 30, 2010 4:34 am

Wow I have this model

'71-'72 F-26 (Model 260): Straight sheerline. Large cabin windows. Long fore deck. Optional flybridge. Rarely seen model.

MattSC · Post by **MattSC** » Sat May 01, 2010 5:46 am

The 225hp engine was a chrysler 318, which was a really good engine

jon_e_quest · Post by **jon_e_quest** » Sat May 01, 2010 10:34 am

I think what some don't realize is that Trojan built two completely different F-25 designs, and two completely different F-26 designs.

1. The early F-26 ('71-'72) looks like no other Trojan with it's long foredeck and set back superstructure. Quite honestly, there are certain similarities to Reinell designs of that period.
2. The early Model 251/252 F-25 ('73-'74) is often mistaken for the later Model 261 F-26 ('75-on) because one was a direct development of the other. Basically, stretch a Model 251/252 and you get a Model 261.
3. The later Model 253 F-25 ('75-on) with it's stubby foredeck is often thought of as the only F-25 design for the reason stated in number 2.

BTW, the difference between the Model 251 and 252 was that one was the 'cruiser version', and the other was the 'fishing version'. The so-called 'cruiser version' had a flat, 'one-level' cockpit deck and the so-called 'fishing version' had a stepped-down cockpit deck, recessed cleats, and no taffrail... same as the F-32 Sportfisherman of '73.

Trojan Boat Forum

Differances between F 25 vs F 26 ?

Differances between F 25 vs F 26 ?

This is pasted from jon e quest in a previous discussion