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Sailfish 25
Designer: Angus Primrose  ·  Builder: Maxim Marine (Uk)  ·  First built: 1978
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About the Sailfish 25

Designed by renowned naval architect Angus Primrose and built by Maxim Marine in the UK, this compact 25-footer represents a thoughtful approach to small boat cruising from the late 1970s era. With 800 hulls launched since production began in 1978, the design has proven its appeal among sailors seeking a manageable yet capable coastal cruiser. The boat's lifting keel configuration makes it particularly versatile for exploring shallow waters and accessing beaches or drying moorings that would be impossible for fixed-keel vessels. This feature, combined with the moderate 5,000-pound displacement, creates an ideal platform for gunkholing and coastal exploration. The fractional sloop rig provides balanced sail handling characteristics that won't overwhelm a small crew. Primrose's design philosophy emphasized seaworthiness over pure speed, evident in the conservative proportions and robust fiberglass construction. The low comfort ratio of 18.24 indicates a relatively stiff, quick motion that prioritizes sailing performance over anchored comfort, while the capsize screening value of 2.19 suggests reasonable stability for coastal work. With a hull speed approaching six knots, the boat offers respectable performance for day sailing and weekend cruising in protected to semi-protected waters.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 25.42 ft / 7.75 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 20.00 ft / 6.10 m
Beam 9.33 ft / 2.84 m
Max Draft 5.00 ft / 1.52 m
Min Draft 1.16 ft / 0.35 m
Displacement 5,000.00 lb / 2,268 kg
Design & Construction
Hull Type Lifting Keel
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Angus Primrose
Builder Maxim Marine (UK)
First Built 1978
Number Built 800
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Performance Ratios
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
279.02
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
18.24
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
2.19
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. 5.99 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. 666.74 pounds/inch
Engine & Accommodations
Fuel Capacity 14 gals / 53 L
Water Capacity 30 gals / 114 L
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