american 25 sailboat

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Sailboat Guide

US 25 is a 25 ′ 0 ″ / 7.6 m monohull sailboat designed by Gary Mull and built by Bayliner (Buccaneer/US Yachts) between 1981 and 1982.

Rig and Sails

Auxilary power, accomodations, calculations.

The theoretical maximum speed that a displacement hull can move efficiently through the water is determined by it's waterline length and displacement. It may be unable to reach this speed if the boat is underpowered or heavily loaded, though it may exceed this speed given enough power. Read more.

Classic hull speed formula:

Hull Speed = 1.34 x √LWL

Max Speed/Length ratio = 8.26 ÷ Displacement/Length ratio .311 Hull Speed = Max Speed/Length ratio x √LWL

Sail Area / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the power of the sails relative to the weight of the boat. The higher the number, the higher the performance, but the harder the boat will be to handle. This ratio is a "non-dimensional" value that facilitates comparisons between boats of different types and sizes. Read more.

SA/D = SA ÷ (D ÷ 64) 2/3

SA : Sail area in square feet, derived by adding the mainsail area to 100% of the foretriangle area (the lateral area above the deck between the mast and the forestay).
D : Displacement in pounds.

Ballast / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the stability of a boat's hull that suggests how well a monohull will stand up to its sails. The ballast displacement ratio indicates how much of the weight of a boat is placed for maximum stability against capsizing and is an indicator of stiffness and resistance to capsize.

Ballast / Displacement * 100

Displacement / Length Ratio

A measure of the weight of the boat relative to it's length at the waterline. The higher a boat’s D/L ratio, the more easily it will carry a load and the more comfortable its motion will be. The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more.

D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³

D: Displacement of the boat in pounds.
LWL: Waterline length in feet

Comfort Ratio

This ratio assess how quickly and abruptly a boat’s hull reacts to waves in a significant seaway, these being the elements of a boat’s motion most likely to cause seasickness. Read more.

Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam 1.33 )

D: Displacement of the boat in pounds
LOA: Length overall in feet
Beam: Width of boat at the widest point in feet

Capsize Screening Formula

This formula attempts to indicate whether a given boat might be too wide and light to readily right itself after being overturned in extreme conditions. Read more.

CSV = Beam ÷ ³√(D / 64)

It is likely that it derived from the Mull designed CHASER 25 1/4 ton. Similar to the BUCCANEER 250, part of the BUCCANEER line built by Bayliner. Later it became the TRITON 25. Shoal draft version: 2.67’/.81m. A keel/cb version was also available.

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US Yacht 25' - Are they as bad as they say?

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Hi, I'm getting ready to purchase a 25' US Yacht for $2500, but I recently read that they are built from the molds once used for Bayliner boats. Apparently Bayliner sold the design to Pearson, who built a few boats and then they sold it to US Yacht who used it for a few years in the early 80's. The boat I'm looking at seems pretty decent, and has everything I'm looking for (except headroom). It seems well built and solid, it has a split backstay, in mast halyards, in boom outhaul, cockpit forward traveler, Lewmar winches, an enclosed head, operable portholes, a decent sail inventory, etc. I don't plan on having a survey done, as I don't think it's worth paying 20% of the boats purchase price to have someone tell me what I already know. I've gone over every inch and I haven't found any issues. No water penetration, no loose hardware, no chain plate problems, (teak bulkheads), no soft spots, nothing really stands out. All in all it appears to be a decent little boat, which makes me wonder why everyone I've talked to says they are pieces of junk. Has anyone owned or been intimate with one of these? This picture is not the actually boat, but exactly like it. US 25

THAT pic is not a pic of a typicaly Bayliner that most of us know about. In reality, that boat looks like a decent designed and sailable boat. The bayliners that I know about in that range would have a deck another 1-2' higher and another row of windows. I also do not recall any problems with some of the US Yacht boats built. Yes a spin off of Bayliner, that did go BK in the 80's, but a lot of BB's did that do to the recession at the time, including Cal, O'Day, Islander, Erickson etc that built nice boats. Marty

Some owner reviews here: http://www.sailboatowners.com/reviews/revread.tpl?fno=499.93&id=11837863117890830 Sounds like it is not put together any better than the Bayliner though it looks better.

Excellent, thanks camaraderie, that was some good info. Now I don't know what to do...

I sailed on one of these years ago - very small cockpit since they try to cram some accomodation into a smallish hull. Decent performance for a small boat, though. It is actually a Gary Mull design - which is a good thing - but of concern, for example, was that fact that the main bulkhead was not tabbed into the hull. I can recall seeing light between the hull liner and the bulkhead edge. The US 22 and 25 were Mull, the Buccaneer 295/US30 and 33 were Doug Peterson designs - decent pedigrees but reputedly poor execution. But at least from a design point of view they were leaps ahead of the infamous Buccaneers that most associate with the name (and Bayliner).

Has anyone owned or been intimate with one of these? Click to expand...

Not a Bayliner Buccaneer Have you ever heard of a US Yacht with blisters? I know of expensive boats 2-3 years old with them. That says alot about these 25+ year old boats! They aren 't tanks like the Buccs, but they aren't all that sluggish either... Brian US30 Wu-Wei

What 2-3 year old boats have you seen with blisters? Brand names please!!

us 25 I just recently bought a US 25 and I love it! The cockpit is a bit cramped and the tiller seems a little long, and getting to the outboard can be an adventure but over all I think she is a fine craft and I look forward to many happy years at the helm! How ever I have found it very difficult to locate much info on this model....any help would be appreciated!

The issue is what you cant SEE Which would be all the wood stringers that have a high ROT rate i am sure sailnet member US27inKS can give you expert advise on were to check as he did a COMPLETE rebuild of a 27'

When are manufacturers going to start using trex decking in place of wood?

The orginal Bayliner 25 was a boat to stay away from. It was designed with to little of a sail area, too much freeboard with little if any input from a sailing aspect of boating being developed by the powerboat manufacturer. The US 25 however is quite different. I owned one and outsailed alot of 25ft buidlt by others and gave more room than most. The teck sole was a nice added. I wished I had gone with the US29, since the head room was missing. The quality was good. Hope you are enjoying

I have a US25 and it's great. There are quite a few threads on this forum with both sides speaking out, but I say to make sure to listen to those that own them and sail them regularly. Very well balanced boat with a good amount of space inside and out for it's size. As for the tiller issue, I replaced my wine with a shorter one made out of hazelnut wood. I thought it was too long too. Agreed on the headroom, just a few more inches in height would be nice.

GraemeInCanada said: I have a US25 and it's great. There are quite a few threads on this forum with both sides speaking out, but I say to make sure to listen to those that own them and sail them regularly. Very well balanced boat with a good amount of space inside and out for it's size. As for the tiller issue, I replaced my wine with a shorter one made out of hazelnut wood. I thought it was too long too. Agreed on the headroom, just a few more inches in height would be nice. Click to expand...

theres a 78 bucanneer 25ft asking 4 grand near where i live. Just FYI, i live in montreal but i'm currently visting my parents in Alabama. heres the link: BUCCANEER - Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu Voiliers à vendre - Kijiji Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu What do you think about this one?

No kidding, but he is leaving for a month.:laugher

The US Yachts were actually decent built boats. They weren't fast, but they were decent cruisers. Things to look for are bulkheads being rotted, as well as the teak/holly sole will be trashed. The windows leaked (like everything 30+ years old). They do sail quite well, and the fin keel model will hold up in a blow like nobody's business. They aren't pointing machines, but who cares its a $2500 sailboat. If the bulkheads are good, the chainplates are good, standing rigging is passable. Mast straight and all hardware still present... You're 99% there. Other thing to check is the rudder post, these wobble (not a big deal), but you'll have to shim it to keep it from dropping the rudder. Not unusual to hear of the rudders falling out, again, take some precautions and you'll be fine. My father bought a brand new US 27 in 1981 (I was his crew). It was a HELLUVA boat. We sailed it on Lake Norman, NC for 4 years, then moved it to NJ and sailed it on Barnegat. We actually raced it a lot, lost lots... We only ever placed when the winds were 30+ sustained, and a water spout formed on the lake. As for the US 25? My brother owned one for 10+ years (just sold it about 4 years ago)... Windows leaked like a strainer. Sailed it like mad though. They go over quick, then harden up nicely about 20 degrees. Trick to get them moving is a decent sized genoa. On the 27 we had a 170 we used up until the winds his 20+, on the 25 my brother never had more than a 110, and because of it, spent many a hot day with light winds going very slow. These are masthead rigs with blade mains, again headsail is the key. If you want any more information feel free to PM me.

Hilarious...

I can see why this guy has been banned from other forums, his internet cojones' keep getting in the way.

Did he say when that month starts?

Attitude is everything........well, at least for some folks.

Upkeep is the deal (the windows leak, like in my Capri 25, and my Capri 22, at 30+ yeras the seals/windows crack and leak, duh)...as for kenneth... well, I think he stands out as a colossal waste of electrons, other than that... who cares? The OP asked a question are they horribly built as has been said. They aren't any worse than, a Catalina, or a Hunter, or a MacGregor, evidence is they are still being sailed 30 years later, and they were a production boat. They have their issues, as they all do. My personal experience with the 27, and the 25 is they are tough boats, sail well, but aren't going to set the water on fire with speed. With that they are big for their size (cruiser class). The US Yacht brand is slightly different than the Buccaneer or Bayliner models, they are arguably lighter, and less ugly, and generally better laid out.

SHNOOL said: Upkeep is the deal (the windows leak, like in my Capri 25, and my Capri 22, at 30+ yeras the seals/windows crack and leak, duh)...as for kenneth... well, I think he stands out as a colossal waste of electrons, other than that... who cares? The OP asked a question are they horribly built as has been said. They aren't any worse than, a Catalina, or a Hunter, or a MacGregor, evidence is they are still being sailed 30 years later, and they were a production boat. They have their issues, as they all do. My personal experience with the 27, and the 25 is they are tough boats, sail well, but aren't going to set the water on fire with speed. With that they are big for their size (cruiser class). The US Yacht brand is slightly different than the Buccaneer or Bayliner models, they are arguably lighter, and less ugly, and generally better laid out. Click to expand...

Yes but when they were Us yacht the topsides and lines changed sugnificantly as I understand it they eventually became the Triton molds before they were (are) abandoned. Yep I understand the molds still exist. Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

Hi. I thought I have a US25, but now I think its a Buccaneer 255. Its a 1979 model and US yachts didnt take over til 1981. Plus it has a Volvo sail drive 50s 7.5 hp. None of the US yachts seem to have one, or Buccaneer 250s. I found the specs on the 255, but no pics. Its all is the same as the US 25 and Buc 250 except it weighs 4100 instead of 3750, and the spec said 3.5 ft draft but mine has a deep keel. I was wondering where the extra weight comes from? The sail drive weighs under 70 lbs. Does anyone know about these Buccaneer 255s. I dont think there are that many of them.

I cant speak of the exact model but the Buccaneers as I recall had taller topsides than the US line. I'm betting this is where the weight difference is. Keep in mind those weights are "average" as with all boats and can vary as much as 20% within the production. The buccs and bayliners may have been the same hulls but the layouts and decks were different. As also said the topsides were taller on the older models. Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

Ok, i found a magazine ad for the 1979 buccaneer 250. Go figure? Its sister ship is the 255 and comes with an inboard. Extra weight must be from fuels tank, exhaust, blower, and stuff like that. The 250 weighs 3750, just like the us yachts version. If you got the optional galley, then the cabin is layed out like the Us 25. Mystery solved

Looks like a nice boat I would go for it. Have you looked at any San Juans same year nice boat as well, Or a Captive 240 fast but tender and a nice interior as well.

?
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Specs for American 25' sailboat 1976 approx

Thread starter Duane
Start date Feb 26, 2006
Forums for All Owners
Trailer Sailors

I am looking for the complete specs for my boat. It is a American 25' approx. 1976. I need as many measurements as possible in order to modify a trailer to fit it. Also need the mast height and mastr height above water (can I make it under the 2nd street bridge in Long Beach, CA?) Would also like sailing buddy contacts to discuss modifications, sails etc. Also any modifications you have made on your boat, especially any for singlehanding and heavy weather sailing in Pacific ocean.ThanksDuane

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Sailboat Reviews

Remarkably roomy for such a small boat, the 25 is well finishedand offers enough performance for racing.

Just a few years ago, the prospective buyer of a 25′ sailboat knew that some serious compromises awaited him. His 25-footer would probably have little more than sitting headroom, might have four shelves that could reasonably be called berths, and probably had a head stowed under the forward berth. The galley? With luck, a two-burner alcohol stove, maybe a sink, and a water tank holding ten gallons.

Auxiliary power? Usually a 6 hp outboard hanging off the stern or in a well in the lazarette.

With today’s economy, more and more people who once might have considered a 30-footer are downscaling their size expectations to something more realistic, perhaps a 25- or 27-footer. While they may downgrade their expectations in terms of the length of their boats, they have not downgraded their expectations in terms of the size boat they want. This is not the contradiction it may seem. The fact is that there are a number of boats less than 27′ in overall length that offer room and features akin to those offered in older 30′ boats.

For better or worse, economic reality has forced many of us to downsize our boat expectations in much the way we downsized our automobile expectations.

Then came a new generation of small cruising auxiliaries. The modern 25′ “family” sailboat has 6′ headroom, berths for a family of five—if privacy isn’t a high priority—enclosed head, and perhaps an inboard diesel engine. A regular miniature yacht.

The Ericson 25+ is a good example. The proof of the popularity of this concept shows in the numbers. Over 660 units were built in the first three years after the Ericson 25+ was introduced in late 1978.

Designer Bruce King had a long and successful relationship with Ericson Yachts, starting with the Ericson 23, 30, 32, and 41 of the late 1960s. He has not been exclusively an Ericson “house” designer—witness the magnificent Herreshoff-inspired 90′ ketch Whitehawk to his design—but the vast majority of Ericson boats came from his board.

Bruce King and Ericson found a formula not unlike that of Bill Shaw and Pearson: build a wide range of boats of similar type in two to three foot increments, develop customer loyalty, and watch the customers move up through the ranks. Keep the really popular models, such as the Pearson 35 or the Ericson 35, and bring out other models every few years to catch the latest trend. That formula worked whether you were on the East Coast or the West, and like Pearson, Ericson had the formula down pat.

With the exception of a few forays into the cruising market with the clipper-bowed Cruising 31 and the Cruising 38 (later to be called Independence), the Ericson formula produced a well finished cruiserracer with good sailing characteristics. The Ericson 25+ was part of this successful formula.

Construction

The hull of the Ericson 25+ is a solid hand layup. A molded fiberglass body pan is glassed to the inside of the hull, functioning as the base for much of the interior furniture and adding a certain amount of rigidity to the hull. The deck, cockpit, and cabin trunk molding is balsa cored, with plywood replacing the balsa in high stress areas such as under the deck-stepped mast and where deck hardware is mounted.

Exterior glasswork is of good quality, with little roving printthrough, Gelcoat work is good.

The hull-to-deck joint depends on a secondary chemical bond. Both the hull and deck have an external molded flange. Glass-reinforced polyester resin is used as a bedding compound between these flanges. The inside of this joint is then lapped with four layers of fiberglass mat and cloth. This joint is covered on the outside by a plastic extrusion with a soft plastic insert which functions as a rub rail. We prefer a mechanically fastened hull-to-deck joint, because the strength of secondary chemical bonds is very difficult to evaluate.

The deck of the 25+ has a remarkably solid feel thanks to its cored construction. Neither the deck, cockpit, nor cabin top had any of the sponginess frequently associated with small boats.

Deck hardware of the 25+ is well mounted. Stanchions, pulpits, cleats, and winches have adequate aluminum bearing plates. The tiller head is a substantial chrome-plated bronze casting, The transom is plywood cored, greatly adding to its rigidity.

The mast of the 25+ is a black, deck-stepped extrusion. The stainless steel mast step looks surprisingly fragile. Because the mast is designed to be owner-stepped if desired, the forward lower half of the base of the mast is cut away to allow the mast to pivot forward for lowering. We doubt if there are many owners who will step their own masts. The design of the mast step to facilitate raising and lowering has greatly reduced the bearing surface of the heel of the mast.

In contrast to the mast step, the shroud chainplates are of surprisingly heavy construction. The 25+ utilizes Navtec chainplates, shroud terminals, and turnbuckles. Chainplates are strongly tied to the hull.

All through hull fittings below the waterline have Zytel valves, a reinforced plastic. Most have double-clamped hoses, but the icebox drain hose has a single clamp. Although modern plastics are strong, we suggest that you carefully inventory through hull fittings, as they are a major culprit in many sinkings of otherwise undamaged boats. Plastic valves may be immune to electrolysis, but they cannot be forgotten any more than bronze seacocks can be ignored.

Handling Under Sail

Despite the chubbiness of the 25+, owners report that she is a fast boat under sail. There are a number of features that contribute to this speed, She has minimum wetted surface, despite a displacement that is average for her overall length, though fairly light for a waterline length of almost 22′.

The Ericson 25+, 28+, and 30+ all feature Bruce King’s trademark, the “delta” fin keel. King states that this keel form has very low induced drag, and the 25’s performance reinforces his belief. The optional shoal draft keel reduces draft a foot, reduces lateral plane, and no doubt reduces windward ability, Unless you are bound and determined to have a boat drawing under four feet, by all means get the deeper draft version.

The rig of the 25+ is a high aspect ratio 7/8 sloop rig. The mainsail hoist of 31.5′ is unusual for a 25′ boat. In light air, tall rigs are usually faster, and we would expect the boat’s best point of sail to be upwind in light air. Since a great deal of the sailing in the world seems to be upwind in light air, this approach to the rig is a rational one.

With the addition of a backstay adjuster—easy because of the split backstay—it is possible to induce a reasonable amount of mast bend to control sail shape. A full width mainsheet traveler mounted on the cockpit bridgedeck greatly enhances mainsail control.

Shroud chainplates are set well inboard, allowing narrow headsail sheeting angles. The genoa track is also located inboard, almost against the cabin side.

There is no main boom topping lift, We think this is pretty indefensible on a cruising boat, and despite the additional windage, a topping lift is greatly to be desired on a racing boat. Without a topping lift, reefing becomes a real exercise in agility. Dropping the mainsail is greatly complicated, especially when cruising shorthanded. Should the main halyard break when sailing close hauled, the main boom could brain anyone sitting on the leeward side of the cockpit.

Two-speed Barient headsail sheet winches were standard in later boats. There is room on the cockpit coamings both for the addition of secondary winches for spinnaker handling and the replacement of the standard winches with larger ones. A single halyard winch is mounted on the mast, There is no main halyard winch. We would choose the optional aftleading halyards to facilitate shorthanded cruising.

The 25+ should sail with almost any other production cruiser-racer of her size. Her wide beam and deep draft should offset the additional heeling moment of the tall rig. Like all wide modern boats she should be sailed on her feet. Get the crew weight out on the weather rail in a breeze, and she should carry sail well.

Handling Under Power

There were probably more power options for the 25+ than any similar-sized boat on the market. They included: outboard power, OMC gas saildrive, Volvo diesel saildrive, and Yanmar diesel inboard.

The 25+ is small enough to be driven fairly well by a 10-hp outboard. There was about a $3,500 difference in equipping the boat with an outboard engine versus the diesel inboard. The choice depended largely on how the boat was to be used. Few boats of this size are used for long-distance cruising. For daysailing and racing, an outboard engine is more than adequate.

If extended coastal cruising is to be the boat’s primary activity, then one of the inboard options should be considered. Frankly, we have little love for saildrive installations. If you really want an inboard engine, the Yanmar single cylinder inboard diesel is the real choice. No matter which engine is in the boat, it is equipped with a 20-gallon aluminum fuel tank.

With a one-cylinder diesel engine, given a fourknot cruising speed and fuel consumption of about 1/4 gallon per hour, the range under power is almost 350 miles—a truly astounding range for a 25′ boat, That’s probably more range under power than the average boat is likely to need for an entire season.

Deck Layout

With shroud chainplates set well inboard, and a reasonably narrow cabin trunk, working on the deck of the 25+ is fairly easy. There is adequate room between the shrouds and the lifelines to walk outboard of the shrouds with ease.

There is a small foredeck anchor well, adequate for the stowage of a single Danforth and rode. There are no bow chocks, but there are two cleats located forward at the outboard edge of the deck.

Molded-in nonskid of a color contrasting to the primary deck color was standard on the Ericson. This relieves eyestrain in bright sunlight and reduces the basically austere external appearance of the boat.

The cockpit of the 25+ is comfortable. Coamings are angled outward rather than being vertical, allowing a more natural sitting posture. As in most tiller-steered boats, the sweep of the tiller occupies a large percentage of the cockpit volume. In port, the tiller swings up and out of the way, providing un-crowded seating for up to six adults.

A single cockpit scupper 1—1/ 2″ in diameter is recessed in a well at the back of the cockpit. The well allows water to drain on either tack. A stainless steel strainer over the scupper reduces its effective area by over 50%. Since the drain size is large enough to pass on through almost any debris that is likely to be found in the cockpit, we would remove the strainer for sailing. A single 1-1/2″ diameter scupper has more cross sectional area than two 1″ drains, and is less likely to clog.

There are two cockpit lockers. The starboard cockpit locker is a shallow pan suitable for storing small items such as winch handles and sail ties. At its after corner is a deeper bin which could make a handy icebox for cold drinks. The port locker is a large, deep affair which unfortunately suffers from the common failing of not being adequately separated from the under-cockpit area, A snap-in Dacron bag would convert this locker to reasonable sail stowage.

The companionway uses thick, well-made solid teak dropboards with proper step joints to prevent spray from working below, Unfortunately, the very strong taper to the companionway slides allows them to be removed by lifting less than an inch. For sailing in rough water, a positive means of securing these slides—a sliding bolt, for example—must be installed.

It is gratifying to see a real bridgedeck in a boat this size. Except for the strong taper to the companionway sides, this is one of the best designed cockpits we have seen in a small boat.

The amount of interior volume in the 25+ is truly remarkable. The boat easily has the headroom and elbow room of most older 30-footers.

The forepeak contains the usual V-berth with a filler to form a nominal double. We truly mean nominal. Two normal-sized people simply do not fit in the forward berth of the Ericson 25+. Consider it a large single instead, or a double for two children. Water and holding tanks occupy the space under the berth.

The 25+ has a genuine enclosed, standup head, an almost unheard of luxury in a boat this size. The head has an opening port for ventilation. There are two small lockers in the head, but both are largely occupied by plumbing hoses.

Opposite the head is a small hanging locker. This locker is fully lined with teak plywood, a nice finishing touch.

It is in the main cabin that the 25+ really shines. Headroom is an honest 6′. Two comfortable settee berths seat 6 in comfort, A fold-down drop-leaf table is big enough to serve 4, and is one of the sturdier tables of this type that we have seen.

The main cabin of the 25+ is well finished with a combination of off-white fiberglass and teak. This is a very successful decorating job, without so much teak as to turn the interior into a cave but with enough to give a well finished appearance. A ceiling of teak strips became standard later on in the production run, and the cabin trunk sides are veneered in teak. A teak and holly cabin sole came standard, with two access hatches to the bilge.

There is a real bilge, unusual in a boat of this size. The strainer for the cockpit-mounted Whale Gusher pump is accessible through a cabin sole hatch.

Under the settee on each side of the cabin there are storage bins. These make use of molded polyethylene drop-in liners, a most practical solution which recognizes the reality that under-seat storage is rarely, if ever, completely dry. An optional extension to the starboard settee converts it to a double berth, but at the expense of easy access to the storage bins underneath.

The galley is surprisingly complete for a 25′ boat. There is a well-insulated icebox of five cubic foot capacity. The insulation is exposed in the port cockpit locker, and will be vulnerable to damage from items stowed there. It could easily be sealed off with either plywood or fiberglass to protect it. The icebox lid is an uninsulated molding advertised as a removable serving tray. If it is used as a serving tray, then the icebox is uncovered, allowing the ice to melt. Whoever thought up that bright idea should go back to the drawing board or look around for some common sense.

For some reason, icebox lids are one of the poorest design features of most sailboats, It’s quite remarkable on boats with otherwise thoughtful design and construction to see poor icebox design. Perhaps there is collusion between the Union of Icebox Designers and the Association of Manufacturers of Ice to maximize the consumption of ice aboard sailboats.

There are storage lockers both above and below the icebox-stove counter. The stove is a recessed Kenyon two-burner alcohol unit with a cutting block cover, These stoves have the fuel fill located between the two burners, and we feel they are a poor choice for use aboard a boat. The burners must be absolutely cool before the fuel tank is filled to eliminate the possibility of explosion or fire.

It is not necessary to step on the galley counter when coming down the companionway. This is a real plus. Footprints on the counters have never appealed to us.

A human-sized quarterberth is a welcome feature. With adequate headroom over, it eliminates the coffinlike aura of so many small-boat quarterberths, and is without a doubt the roomiest, most comfortable berth on the boat.

With an outboard engine, the room under the cockpit that would normally house an inboard is given over to storage. The tiny one-cylinder Yanmar diesel would easily shoehorn into the same space.

Without a doubt, the interior of the Ericson 25+ is a real accomplishment, It is well finished, generally well designed, and remarkably roomy for a boat of this overall length. There is some miniaturization of components, such as the galley sink, head sink, and hanging locker. Nonetheless, she’s a big little boat, and would be truly comfortable for extended coastal cruising for a couple. That is something that can rarely be said for a 25′ boat.

Conclusions

Ericson came very close to achieving their goals in the 25+. She is about as much boat as can be crammed into this overall length.

An interesting option is an E-Z Loader trailer. With a beam of over 9′ and a weight of 5,000 pounds, the 25+ is no trailer sailer. It takes a large, powerful car or truck to tow a boat of this size, and the beam could present legal problems in some states. The trailer would be most useful for taking the boat home for winter storage, rather than frequent over-the-road transport.

Workmanship and finish detail are generally of good stock boat quality. Exposed joiner work is good. Fillet bonding varies from good to only fair, with glasswork generally good.

The Ericson 25+ is a good small cruiser for a young family, and offers enough sailing performance to be a reasonable choice for club racing.

Unlike many small cruiser-racers which concentrate on interior volume and forsake sailing ability, the 25+ really will sail. This means that the new sailor will not quickly outgrow her as he or she learns what makes a boat go fast. With good hardware such as Barient and Navtec and a fairly high degree of finish detail, it is easy to see why the boat fetches the prices it does.

For those used to less-expensive 25-footers, the cost will be a shock. It helps a little to think of her as a 28-footer with the stern cut off.

With an inboard diesel, a good light air rig, and lots of interior volume, she’s a good little cruising boat for a couple. A maximum boat for minimum length, she’s a modern solution to skyrocketing costs of sailing. At maximum price for her length when new, she’s not an example of “more for less,” but then, there’s no free lunch in the sailboat market. That’s for sure.

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What Sailboats Are Made In The USA?

‍ Key Takeaways

Catalina and J/Boats are proud of their American standard of creating sailboats
Sailboats made in the US follow a strict consistency to craftsmanship and performance
Many US branded sailboats rival top competitors across the world
There are various reasons why many sailors believe American made sailboats are best
The US has a long history of sailing and you could say it is in their blood

‍ The United States has some of the best sailboats in the sailing world. But what sailboats are made in the USA?

Some of the most popular sailboat brands made in the US are Catalina Yachts, J/Boats, and Hinckley. Other top US made sailboat brand companies include Island Packet Yachts and Tartan Yachts. The US is known for its robust sailing manufacturing and rich maritime history.

In my experience, casual sailors or those wanting to explore more can find quality boats that are made in the US. Many of the boats made in the US have developed an outstanding reputation with some lasting over five decades.

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‍ Top 10 Sailboats Made in the USA

A lot of boaters want to know exactly where their sailboat was created. Many favor a boat that was made from an American company that sets an industry standard versus cheaper comparable overseas. Not to say that all boats made elsewhere are bad but consistency is key in the US.

In a lot of situations buying an American made sailboat is best for those that live near the company. It makes it a thousand times easier to order parts or to get first hand knowledge of your boat when the company that built it is right around the corner.

The Catalina lineup offers plenty of options to choose from when it comes to casual sailing boats or yachts. The company is located in Largo, Florida and has sustained a good reputation for their durable and performance on the water.

Since 1969 they have become America’s largest sailboat builder. They also rival top competitors such as Nautor’s Swan for the sailboat market.

J/Boats are unique and set themselves apart from other types of sailboats like their J/22 and J/70 models. They have been established in Newport, Rhode Island since 1977.

They have everything you can think of for sailboats with the customer in mind. These luxury and sleek designs that they offer help to combat anything the water has in store.

Hinckley Yachts

Hinckley had their sailing origins date back to 1928 in Southwest Harbor, Maine but is now headquartered in Rhode Island. Many sailors are drawn to the craftsmanship and luxury attributes of these sailboats.

The Bermuda 40 for example are timeless classics that use high quality materials. Many of their designs have proven to be fan favorites.

Island Packet Yachts

Island Packet has been aiming towards making sailboats in Largo, FLorida that are treasured among various generations. Their IP 349 and IP 439 models are some of the best sailboats you can find on the market.

Sailors love these American made sailboats. These are typically due to their reliability and comfort you can achieve while exploring blue water areas.

Tartan Yachts

Tartan has been around since 1960 in Ohio and has developed beloved sailboats. Their most popular models are the 3400 and 4000 but they also have new classics in the making.

They even have a program where you can bring your old Tartan and talk with the team to see about restoring your old classic for a given price. This allows you to hang onto your treasured sailboat and potentially one day have it restored to its former glory.

Morris Yachts

Morris has roots in Maine around 1972. They are owned by Hinckley and they make some excellent modern models for sailboats.

The M36 and M42 are classics that many agree are excellent options for any level of sailor. They feature other models that are geared towards larger families or you are wanting more living space throughout the boat.

Viking Yacht Company

Viking is based in New Jersey and has some of the best yachts you can possibly imagine. Their 44C and 48C are some of their best moderate sized models but they get even crazier with their 92C offering.

If you want a true American experience on a yacht you cannot go wrong with anything Viking has in store. They have a wide range of models to suit your needs for luxury on the ocean.

Oyster Yachts

Oyster Yachts have been around for over 50 years and have dominated the Rhode Island area for yachts. One appealing feature that stands out compared to other sailboat brands is that you can customize a majority of your boat online before having to pick it up. Oyster has a boat for you that is able to handle blue water capabilities and luxury.

Broward Yachts

Broward is actually a superyacht builder that often gets lumped into the sailboat category since they are luxury boats that are blue water capable. This shipyard is located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and has designed over 300 yachts to date since 1948.

In fact they earn the business of sailboat owners that are on the fence about other sailboat brands that are looking for a yacht. They are a one of kind yacht brand that deserves a shout out from the sailboat community.

Boston Whaler

Boston Whaler is not exactly a modern sailboat either but is a blue water cruiser that is perfect for any situation out on the water. These boat builders from Florida helped make the perfect boat for fishing or cruising in blue water territories. You can find various models such as the Vantage or Conquest to help fit your blue water needs.

Are Sailboats Made Better in the US?

Quality and performance are very important for a sailboat brand to remain in business. Many boat brands in the US have been around for several decades and you do not do that by accident. Boat builders have to create something special for a good price or depending on the market value.

Rich History

The US has a rich maritime history that bodes well with their craftsmanship and dedication to making the perfect sailboat. Many companies such as Catalina and Island Packet have established themselves as some of the best in the US that many boat owners would agree with.

What Makes a Brand Unique

Many sailboat brands offer various models to cater to a wider range of buyers. These could be a cruiser series or sport series for example. Some even consider it their house on the water as long as it is seaworthy.

The design team will also need to factor in living space and effortless performance to be considered a luxury sailboat. If a brand offers a lot of options to fit many needs then that boat brand is one step ahead of the competition.

Rivals Across the Globe

It is important to understand that there are other top quality sailboat brands in the world and that some American made brands rival those found in France and Sweden. Nautor’s Swan and Dufor are to name a few.

Your Sailing Desires and Budget

Claiming that one brand is better than another is simply based on market opinion and your current situation. Your budget and sailing goals will ultimately help shape what you believe is the best sailboat or whether or not the US has the best ones period.

Why is Sailing Popular in the US?

Sailing has been popular around various parts of the world for centuries. As technology and attention to detail has evolved over the years it has created the foundation for the love of sailing.

Florida is Home to Sailing

Many boat builders aim to make the best boats in places where sailing should thrive. Florida for example is the highest rate of boat owners in the US. You will likely see many brands of boats especially a French brand or two.

People Love the Water

There are roughly 12 million registered boats in the US for recreational purposes. There are many purposes for boats on the water such as racing or fishing. A sailboat will help you cover a lot of those activities on the water and Americans tend to spend a lot of time on the ocean.

Recreational use is a driving force for Americans that want to spend more time on the water. Sailboats are likely the reason for most of these numbers especially in parts of Maine or further up the east coast of the US.

Daniel Wade

I've personally had thousands of questions about sailing and sailboats over the years. As I learn and experience sailing, and the community, I share the answers that work and make sense to me, here on Life of Sailing.

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Welcome to American Sail

Builder of small sailboats, catamarans, and daysailers.

Small sailboats are our specialty! We've made fun family sailboats for over 40 years.

American Sail got its start over 40 years ago in 1976 with the purchase of the Aqua Cat catamaran. Over the years we have grown to offer many more sailboats in our line including a larger version of the Aqua Cat and four daysailers that are the Aqua Finn Daysailer, Pennant Daysailer, American 14.6, and American 18 Daysailer.

If you're looking for the best small sailboats you've come to the right place. All of our family daysailers are designed for fun and not hard-core racing. Any of our boats can be rigged by one person in under 20 minutes.

We are factory direct. If you have any questions regarding pricing or parts orders please do not hesitate to give us a call at 800-844-2399 or use our CONTACT FORM .

Beam: 14'5' Draft: 5'3'

Beam: 16' Draft: 6.5'

Beam: 9'6' Draft: 4'6'

Beam: 10' Draft: 5'

Beam: 8'' Draft: 30'

Beam: 8' Draft: 4'

Beam: 8' Draft: 2'

Beam: 7'10' Draft: 3'6'

Beam: 7.83' Draft: 2'

Beam: 8' Draft: 2.25'

Beam: 7.83' Draft: 1.83'

Beam: 6' Draft: 2'

Beam: 7.83' Draft: 5.00'

Beam: 7'

Beam: 7' Draft: 1'

Beam: 5' Draft: 4'

Beam: 7' Draft: 4'

Draft: 2'

Beam: 6' Draft: 48'

Beam: 5'8'

Beam: 4.5' Draft: 2.5'

Beam: 6.2' Draft: 1-3'

Beam: 6.2' Draft: 3.6'

Beam: 6'2''' Draft: 3'6''

Beam: 6' Draft: 3.5'

Beam: 6'' Draft: 3.5'