It’s hard to imagine what it would be like to sail across an ocean aboard a 25-foot boat. And yet, that’s exactly what some sailors have done on a Searunner 25. These boats were designed to be tough … and SAFE … because they feature a cockpit squarely in the middle of the boat. This makes it harder for a crew member to fall off the vessel, from either accident or surging sea.

Designed by Jim Brown in 1968, the 25’ is the smallest boat within the Searunner series. Built from 1/4" plywood, it is a light displacement hull that weighs just 2500 lbs. This boat is designed to fold for transport on a seasonal basis – folding/unfolding takes a few hours with a couple of strong people. It is intended for inland and coastal cruising although a few have made ocean passages. All the features of the larger boats include; a central cockpit with a centerboard trunk under, a cutter rig, twin cabins, and molded chine, plywood construction. The cabins are compact and bunks will accommodate a 6’2” person with comfort. 5hp outboard motor power is standard.

The Searunner 25 is 25 x 16.5 foot (foldable to 7.9 foot) that weighs 2500 lbs and can carry a payload of 500 lbs. The cutter rig is on a 28 foot aluminium mast with a mainsail of 122 square foot, a staysail of 79 square foot and a jib of 113 square foot with a 210 square foot genoa. The length to beam on the main hull is 7 to 1. The draft ranges from 1.4 foot to 5 foot over the centreboard under the cockpit floor. The main hull at the gunnel is 3.75 foot wide. The floats are 21.5 foot long and have over 150 % buoyancy. A 5 hp outboard provides the power.

This is an excellent coastal cruiser and is a good sea boat. People who have sailed the boat say its very responsive and can perform well with its deep centreboard. Several have crossed oceans including one that sailed from California to Hawaii single handed using its windvane for steering for the majority of the way.