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Kirby 25
Designer: Bruce Kirby  ·  Builder: Mirage Yachts Ltd.  ·  First built: 1978
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About the Kirby 25

With limited specifications available, the Kirby 25 represents a lesser-known entry in the 25-foot sailboat market that deserves consideration from sailors seeking an alternative to more mainstream designs. This boat appears to have been produced in relatively small numbers, which often indicates either a specialized design focus or a builder catering to specific regional preferences. Given its 25-foot length, this sailboat falls squarely into the versatile small cruiser category, making it potentially suitable for both day sailing and weekend coastal cruising. Boats in this size range typically offer a good balance between manageable handling for smaller crews and sufficient interior space for basic overnight accommodations. The Kirby name suggests this may be a design with British or Commonwealth origins, as the Kirby surname has historical connections to boatbuilding in those regions. Without extensive specification data available, prospective buyers would be wise to conduct thorough individual inspections and seek out existing owners for firsthand accounts of the boat's sailing characteristics and construction quality. The limited availability of information could present both challenges and opportunities for buyers willing to research this potentially underappreciated design.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 25.17 ft / 7.67 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 20.75 ft / 6.32 m
Beam 8.75 ft / 2.67 m
Max Draft 4.17 ft / 1.27 m
Displacement 3,150.00 lb / 1,429 kg
Ballast 1,150.00 lb / 522 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 289.00 ft² / 26.85 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Bruce Kirby
Builder Mirage Yachts Ltd.
First Built 1978
Last Built 1982
Related Sailboats Cc 25 · Tanzer 25 · Cal 2 25 · San Juan 26 · Contessa 25 Peterson
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
174
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
21.57
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
12.26
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
2.39
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. 6.1
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
3.87
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. 648.74
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 26.5
J (Foretriangle Base) 9.0
P (Mainsail Luff) 30.25
E (Mainsail Foot) 11.25
SA Fore 119.25
SA Main 170.16
How It Compares

vs. Cal 2 25, Cc 25, Contessa 25 Peterson, San Juan 26, Tanzer 25

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Kirby 25 ★
25.2 ft
Cal 2 25
25.3 ft
Cc 25
25.2 ft
Contessa 25 Peterson
25.2 ft
San Juan 26
25.1 ft
Tanzer 25
25.3 ft
LWL
Kirby 25 ★
20.8 ft
Cal 2 25
22.0 ft
Cc 25
20.7 ft
Contessa 25 Peterson
21.0 ft
San Juan 26
21.7 ft
Tanzer 25
21.8 ft
Beam
Kirby 25 ★
8.8 ft
Cal 2 25
9.0 ft
Cc 25
8.6 ft
Contessa 25 Peterson
9.4 ft
San Juan 26
8.0 ft
Tanzer 25
9.6 ft
Displacement
Kirby 25 ★
3 lbs
Cal 2 25
4 lbs
Cc 25
4 lbs
Contessa 25 Peterson
4 lbs
San Juan 26
4 lbs
Tanzer 25
4 lbs
Ballast
Kirby 25 ★
1 lbs
Cal 2 25
2 lbs
Cc 25
1 lbs
Contessa 25 Peterson
2 lbs
San Juan 26
2 lbs
Tanzer 25
1 lbs
Sail Area
Kirby 25 ★
289 sq ft
Cal 2 25
314 sq ft
Cc 25
306 sq ft
Contessa 25 Peterson
350 sq ft
San Juan 26
Tanzer 25
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Kirby 25 ★
174 s/nm
Cal 2 25
Cc 25
Contessa 25 Peterson
San Juan 26
240 s/nm
Tanzer 25
180 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Kirby 25 ★
21.6
Cal 2 25
18.5
Cc 25
18.6
Contessa 25 Peterson
20.3
San Juan 26
Tanzer 25
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Kirby 25 ★
Cal 2 25
44.4 %
Cc 25
44.2 %
Contessa 25 Peterson
45.7 %
San Juan 26
45.5 %
Tanzer 25
39.3 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Kirby 25 ★
12.3
Cal 2 25
16.2
Cc 25
17.2
Contessa 25 Peterson
16.1
San Juan 26
Tanzer 25
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Kirby 25 ★
2.39
Cal 2 25
2.18
Cc 25
2.11
Contessa 25 Peterson
2.27
San Juan 26
Tanzer 25
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Kirby 25 ★
Cal 2 25
188
Cc 25
217
Contessa 25 Peterson
221
San Juan 26
193
Tanzer 25
180
Hull Speed
Kirby 25 ★
6.1 kts
Cal 2 25
6.3 kts
Cc 25
6.1 kts
Contessa 25 Peterson
6.1 kts
San Juan 26
Tanzer 25
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Kirby 25 ★
3.9
Cal 2 25
3.0
Cc 25
2.7
Contessa 25 Peterson
San Juan 26
Tanzer 25
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