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Merit 25
Designer: Paul Yates  ·  Builder: Merit Marine Inc.  ·  First built: 1978
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About the Merit 25

Despite limited detailed specifications being readily available, the Merit 25 represents an intriguing entry in the compact cruiser market from an era when builders focused on creating seaworthy boats with traditional sailing characteristics. This quarter-century length sailboat appears designed with coastal cruising and weekend adventures in mind, offering a balance between manageable size and genuine cruising capability. Merit Marine built boats with a reputation for solid construction and practical layouts, and the Merit 25 likely continues this tradition. At this length, the boat would be well-suited for day sailing, short coastal passages, and serving as an excellent training platform for sailors looking to develop their skills on a more substantial vessel than typical daysailers provide. The Merit 25 would appeal to sailors seeking a boat that can handle varied conditions while remaining trailer-friendly and affordable to maintain. Given Merit's design philosophy, expect a comfortable cockpit arrangement and a cabin layout that maximizes the available space for extended stays aboard. This makes it an attractive option for sailors wanting to explore coastal waters with the confidence that comes from a well-built, traditionally designed sailboat.

Market Price Estimate Beta
$4,000 – $8,500
typical asking price · boat only
Median $6,250  ·  2 listings used
Boat only
$4,000 – $8,500 2
With trailer
$5,500 – $5,500 3
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) 24.50 ft / 7.47 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 20.00 ft / 6.10 m
Beam 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
Max Draft 4.00 ft / 1.22 m
Displacement 2,900.00 lb / 1,315 kg
Ballast 1,050.00 lb / 476 kg
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Paul Yates
Builder Merit Marine Inc.
First Built 1978
Number Built 780
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
171
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
36.21
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
161.83
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. 3.43 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 21.85
J (Foretriangle Base) 9.66 ft / 2.94 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 277.00 ft² / 25.73 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) 161.83
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