The Merit 25 is designed for cruising comfort rather than racing.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
6.0 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 20.0′, the Merit 25 tops out around 6.0 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √20.0′ LWL = 6.0 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
PHRF Rating
171s/nm
Typical cruiser — designed for comfort and ease, not podium finishes.
Ballast / Displacement
36.2%
Typical cruising ballast — balanced stability and motion underway.
Displacement / Length
162
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Hull Speed
6.0kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
3lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Merit 25 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Merit 25
Typical cruiser — designed for comfort and ease, not podium finishes.
Capri 25 Catalina
Santana 525
Venture 24
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Merit 25.
| Merit 25 | Capri 25 Catalina | Santana 525 | Seidelmann 25 Sd | Tanzer 75 | Venture 24 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 24.5 | 24.6 | 24.6 | 24.5 | 24.6 | 24.6 |
| LWL | 20.0 | 19.2 | 18.5 | 20.0 | 21.8 | 21.3 |
| Beam | 8.0 | 9.2 | 9.3 | 9.5 | 8.0 | 7.9 |
| Displacement | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 2 |
| Ballast | 1 | 900 | 950 | 2 | 1 | 575 |
| Sail Area | — | 276 | 261 | — | 236 | — |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | 171 | 174 | 189 | — | — | 234 |
| SA/Disp | — | 21.5 | 23.4 | — | 15.6 | — |
| Bal/Disp | 36.2 | 30.5 | 39.6 | 47.8 | 42.1 | 27.4 |
| Comfort | — | 11.5 | 9.3 | — | 16.2 | — |
| Capsize | — | 2.56 | 2.79 | — | 2.05 | — |
| Hull Speed | — | 5.9 | 5.8 | — | 6.3 | — |