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Reactor 25
Designer: Paul Whiting  ·  Builder: Paul Whiting (Nz)  ·  First built: 1968
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About the Reactor 25

Paul Whiting's Reactor 25 stands as a notable example of late 1960s New Zealand yacht design, representing the era's shift toward modern fin keel configurations. Built between 1968 and 1973 with only 70 hulls produced, this masthead sloop demonstrates the craftsmanship and design philosophy that made New Zealand builders internationally respected. The boat's proportions reveal a design focused on performance sailing. With a displacement of 5,000 pounds and 2,000 pounds of ballast, the Reactor 25 achieves a comfortable balance between stability and speed. The fin keel with spade rudder configuration provides responsive handling, while the 270 square feet of sail area delivers spirited performance in moderate conditions. Her comfort ratio of 19.5 suggests this yacht favors performance over pure cruising comfort, making her well-suited for coastal sailing, club racing, and weekend adventures. The capsize screening formula of 2.04 indicates reasonable offshore capability for experienced sailors, though coastal waters remain her natural environment. Solid fiberglass construction ensures durability, while the relatively narrow production run makes finding one today somewhat challenging. For sailors seeking a classic design with modern sailing characteristics and New Zealand pedigree, the Reactor 25 offers an appealing blend of performance and character.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 25.00 ft / 7.62 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 21.00 ft / 6.40 m
Beam 8.70 ft / 2.65 m
Max Draft 4.50 ft / 1.37 m
Displacement 5,000.00 lb / 2,268 kg
Ballast 2,000.00 lb / 907 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Sail Area (Reported) 270.00 ft² / 25.08 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG solid laminate
Designer Paul Whiting
Builder Paul Whiting (NZ)
First Built 1968
Last Built 1973
Number Built 70
Owner Reviews

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Performance Ratios
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
 14.82
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
 40
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
 241.03
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
 19.5
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
 2.04
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. 6.14 kn
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. 652.81 pounds/inch
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Volvo
Engine Type Diesel
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