The Smokey 25 is aggressively canvassed for its weight, with a quick, snappy motion best suited to day sailing.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 18.0′, the Smokey 25 tops out around 5.7 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √18.0′ LWL = 5.7 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
SA / Displacement
22.7
Performance-oriented — carries a lot of canvas for its weight.
Ballast / Displacement
41.9%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
165
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Comfort Ratio
10.1
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
2.53
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
525lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
Motion & Offshore Suitability
Two ratios that matter most when you're planning passages — how the boat feels in a seaway, and whether the hull geometry is suitable for open ocean.
Comfort Ratio
10.1
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
2.53
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Smokey 25 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
Dehler 25
198s/nm
Coronado 25
231s/nm
Oday 25
239s/nm
Cape Dory 25
261s/nm
Estimated Speed by Wind
Rough boat speed estimates at different true wind speeds and points of sail — derived from hull speed, SA/D, and displacement, not measured polars.
| Point of Sail |
6 kts TWS |
10 kts TWS |
15 kts TWS |
20 kts TWS |
| Close-hauled40–50° |
2.6 |
3.3 |
3.7 |
3.9 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.2 |
4.0 |
4.5 |
4.7 |
| Beam Reach90° |
3.9 |
4.9 |
5.5 |
6.0 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.6 |
4.6 |
5.1 |
5.5 |
| Run150–180° |
2.9 |
3.7 |
4.1 |
4.3 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (5.7 kts),
SA/D (22.7), and empirical efficiency curves — not instrument-measured
polars. Real-world speed varies with sea state, bottom condition, sail trim, and current.
Speeds in gold approach hull speed;
bold gold means near or at hull speed.
Wind Range & Comfort Envelope
Estimated wind ranges for comfortable sailing on the Smokey 25 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–5 kts
5–18 kts
18–28 kts
28+ kts
Ghosting
0–5 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
5–18 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
18–28 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
28+ kts
Storm conditions. Storm jib or bare poles. Seek shelter if coastal.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Smokey 25.
|
Smokey 25 |
Cape Dory 25 |
Coronado 25 |
Dehler 25 |
Oday 25 |
Yamaha 25 2 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
24.9 |
24.8 |
25.0 |
24.8 |
24.8 |
24.8 |
| LWL |
18.0 |
18.0 |
20.1 |
21.8 |
21.0 |
19.3 |
| Beam |
8.2 |
7.3 |
8.0 |
8.3 |
8.0 |
9.0 |
| Displacement |
2 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
4 |
3 |
| Ballast |
900 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
| Sail Area |
236 |
264 |
299 |
254 |
270 |
298 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
261 |
231 |
198 |
239 |
— |
| SA/Disp |
22.7 |
16.8 |
17.6 |
18.6 |
17.2 |
19.8 |
| Bal/Disp |
41.9 |
42.5 |
47.8 |
45.9 |
— |
38.2 |
| Comfort |
10.1 |
22.0 |
20.2 |
13.2 |
17.5 |
14.9 |
| Capsize |
2.53 |
1.83 |
1.94 |
2.24 |
2.02 |
2.31 |
| Hull Speed |
5.7 |
5.7 |
6.0 |
6.3 |
6.1 |
5.9 |