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Cape Dory 25
Designer: George Stadel  ·  Builder: Cape Dory Yachts  ·  First built: 1973
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About the Cape Dory 25

Built by Cape Dory Yachts during the company's heyday, this 25-footer represents the builder's commitment to traditional construction and seaworthy design. Cape Dory earned a stellar reputation among cruising sailors for creating robust, well-built boats that prioritized safety and reliability over racing performance. This compact cruiser embodies the classic Cape Dory philosophy of heavy displacement construction with a full keel configuration. The design emphasizes stability and predictable handling characteristics that inspire confidence in coastal cruising conditions. Like other boats in the Cape Dory lineup, the 25 features quality fiberglass construction with attention to structural integrity throughout. The boat's conservative sail plan and traditional lines make it well-suited for weekend coastal cruising and short-range passages. While not designed for racing, the Cape Dory 25 offers the kind of solid, dependable performance that appeals to sailors who value seaworthiness over speed. The cabin provides basic but functional accommodations for a couple or small family. For sailors seeking a traditional pocket cruiser with Cape Dory's renowned build quality, this model delivers the classic sailing experience the brand became famous for during its years of production.

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Market Price Estimate Beta
$4,000 – $9,400
typical asking price
Median $7,500  ·  7 listings used
All listings
$4,000 – $9,400 7
Rate a listing price
$
About this estimate
  • Prices are based on recent asking prices from public listings — not actual sale prices, which are typically lower.
  • Condition is not factored in. A well-maintained boat with new sails and engine can be worth significantly more than a project boat of the same model.
  • Location affects price. Boats in landlocked states or areas with fewer buyers often sell for less than those on the coast.
  • Year of manufacture is not filtered. Older examples of this model will generally be priced lower than newer ones.
  • Included equipment varies widely. A boat with a full suite of electronics, dodger, and new standing rigging may command a large premium.
  • Outliers are automatically excluded using statistical filtering to improve accuracy, but some bad data may remain.
Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 24.83 ft / 7.57 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 18.00 ft / 5.49 m
Beam 7.25 ft / 2.21 m
Max Draft 3.00 ft / 0.91 m
Displacement 4,000.00 lb / 1,814 kg
Ballast 1,700.00 lb / 771 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 264.00 ft² / 24.53 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Long Keel
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer George Stadel
Builder Cape Dory Yachts
First Built 1973
Last Built 1982
Related Sailboats Oday 25 · Bayfield 25 · Ericson 25 · South Coast 25 · Lancer 25
Owner Reviews

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Performance Ratios
PHRF Rating PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) is a national racing handicap measured in seconds per nautical mile. Lower values indicate faster boats. Ratings are sourced from US Sailing's national database (median across 60+ regional fleets).
Under 0 — Ultralight racer0–90 — Performance racer90–150 — Cruiser/racer150–210 — Typical cruiserOver 210 — Heavy/slow cruiser
261
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
16.81
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
22.02
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
1.83
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 5.69
S# (Speed Number) The Speed Number (S#) is a quick performance index. Higher values indicate a faster, more powerful design relative to its size.
Under 3.0 — Slow cruiser3.0–5.0 — Average cruiser5.0–7.0 — Performance cruiserOver 7.0 — Racer
1.68
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 466.29
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 27.58
J (Foretriangle Base) 9.0
P (Mainsail Luff) 24.0
E (Mainsail Foot) 11.5
SA Fore 124.11
SA Main 138.0
How It Compares

vs. Bayfield 25, Ericson 25, Lancer 25, Oday 25, South Coast 25

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Cape Dory 25 ★
24.8 ft
Bayfield 25
25.0 ft
Ericson 25
24.7 ft
Lancer 25
24.7 ft
Oday 25
24.8 ft
South Coast 25
25.0 ft
LWL
Cape Dory 25 ★
18.0 ft
Bayfield 25
19.7 ft
Ericson 25
20.8 ft
Lancer 25
20.1 ft
Oday 25
21.0 ft
South Coast 25
20.5 ft
Beam
Cape Dory 25 ★
7.3 ft
Bayfield 25
8.0 ft
Ericson 25
8.0 ft
Lancer 25
8.0 ft
Oday 25
8.0 ft
South Coast 25
7.5 ft
Displacement
Cape Dory 25 ★
4 lbs
Bayfield 25
3 lbs
Ericson 25
5 lbs
Lancer 25
3 lbs
Oday 25
4 lbs
South Coast 25
4 lbs
Ballast
Cape Dory 25 ★
1 lbs
Bayfield 25
1 lbs
Ericson 25
2 lbs
Lancer 25
1 lbs
Oday 25
1 lbs
South Coast 25
1 lbs
Sail Area
Cape Dory 25 ★
264 sq ft
Bayfield 25
Ericson 25
Lancer 25
248 sq ft
Oday 25
270 sq ft
South Coast 25
299 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Cape Dory 25 ★
261 s/nm
Bayfield 25
261 s/nm
Ericson 25
222 s/nm
Lancer 25
264 s/nm
Oday 25
239 s/nm
South Coast 25
258 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Cape Dory 25 ★
16.8
Bayfield 25
Ericson 25
Lancer 25
17.6
Oday 25
17.2
South Coast 25
18.4
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Cape Dory 25 ★
Bayfield 25
37.1 %
Ericson 25
49.0 %
Lancer 25
Oday 25
South Coast 25
42.9 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Cape Dory 25 ★
22.0
Bayfield 25
Ericson 25
Lancer 25
15.3
Oday 25
17.5
South Coast 25
20.3
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Cape Dory 25 ★
1.83
Bayfield 25
Ericson 25
Lancer 25
2.13
Oday 25
2.02
South Coast 25
1.86
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Cape Dory 25 ★
Bayfield 25
205
Ericson 25
251
Lancer 25
Oday 25
South Coast 25
217
Hull Speed
Cape Dory 25 ★
5.7 kts
Bayfield 25
Ericson 25
Lancer 25
6.0 kts
Oday 25
6.1 kts
South Coast 25
6.1 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Cape Dory 25 ★
1.7
Bayfield 25
Ericson 25
Lancer 25
Oday 25
2.8
South Coast 25
2.7
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