KIRBY 25
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 25.17 ft |
| LWL | 20.75 ft |
| Beam | 8.75 ft |
| Draft | 4.17 ft |
| Displacement | 3,150 lb |
| Ballast | 1,150.1 lb |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 6.1 kn |
Rig & Sails
| Iforetriangle height | 26.5 ft |
| Jforetriangle base | 9 ft |
| Pmainsail luff | 30.25 ft |
| Emainsail foot | 11.25 ft |
| FLforestay | 9 ft |
| Mainsail | 303 sq ft |
| Jib (100%) | 119.3 sq ft |
| Spinnaker | 202.7 sq ft |
About the KIRBY 25
Thanks to Chuck Lanning for providing additional information and corrections.
Designed by Bruce Kirby and built by Mirage Yachts Ltd. (CAN) from 1978–1982, the Kirby 25 is a compact cruiser with 223 hulls produced. It is widely recognized for its efficient fractional sloop rig and manageable size, though owners frequently report structural concerns regarding the keel and deck.
- Best for:
- This boat suits coastal cruisers and weekend sailors seeking a trailerable package with good performance, as evidenced by the high prevalence of bow thruster and davit installations for easy handling.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a displacement of 3150.0 lb and a capsize ratio of 2.39, the Kirby 25 is primarily a coastal cruiser rather than a bluewater passagemaker, though its robust construction allows for protected offshore use.
- Comparables:
- Comparable to other 1970s-80s trailerable cruisers like the O'Day 23 or Catalina 22, the Kirby 25 distinguishes itself with a higher SA/D ratio of 21.57 and a fractional rig, offering better upwind performance than many full-rigged contemporaries.
Performance
ORC Performance Data(2 certificates)
Measured performance data from ORC (Offshore Racing Congress) certificates.
Polar Diagram
Boat speed (kn) vs. true wind angle. Source: ORC
Racing Ratings
Triple Number
ORC Measured
Sail Areas (ORC)
Speed Table (kn)
| TWA \ TWS | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 20 | 24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52° | 3.6 | 4.8 | 5.6 | 5.9 | 6.1 | 6.2 | 6.2 | 6.3 | 6.2 |
| 60° | 3.9 | 5.1 | 5.7 | 6.0 | 6.3 | 6.4 | 6.4 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| 75° | 4.0 | 5.2 | 5.8 | 6.2 | 6.4 | 6.6 | 6.8 | 6.9 | 7.0 |
| 90° | 3.9 | 5.1 | 5.8 | 6.2 | 6.5 | 6.7 | 7.0 | 7.3 | 7.6 |
| 110° | 3.7 | 5.0 | 5.8 | 6.3 | 6.6 | 7.0 | 7.4 | 8.0 | 8.7 |
| 120° | 3.5 | 4.8 | 5.7 | 6.2 | 6.5 | 6.9 | 7.4 | 8.6 | 10.1 |
| 135° | 3.1 | 4.2 | 5.2 | 5.9 | 6.3 | 6.7 | 7.1 | 8.3 | 11.0 |
| 150° | 2.5 | 3.6 | 4.6 | 5.4 | 6.0 | 6.3 | 6.7 | 7.5 | 9.3 |
| Beat VMG | 2.3 | 3.2 | 3.8 | 4.2 | 4.4 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.4 | 4.2 |
| Run VMG | 2.1 | 3.1 | 4.0 | 4.7 | 5.4 | 5.9 | 6.2 | 6.9 | 8.1 |
Market Price
Estimated Cost of Ownership
Based on 25.17ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
30 reported issues across 9 systems for the KIRBY 25, compiled from owner reports in sailing forums and owner-association material.
Unlock the full inspection report
Thinking of buying a KIRBY 25? This is an in-depth report on the faults this model is known for — so you know exactly what to check when you walk the boat. For the price of a coffee.
- ✓ All 30 specific issues — severity, symptoms & fixes
- ✓ Model-specific pre-purchase inspection checklist
- ✓ Downloadable PDF to take to your surveyor — yours to keep
One-time $2.99 · secure checkout by Stripe · instant access · 30 days online, PDF yours to keep
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