Jaguar 25 Test report

From Yachting & Boating, December 1982

The Jaguar 25 has been on the sailing scene for a good many years. In fact some 350 have already been built. We never the less thought there was some justification in reporting it as a new boat on two counts. The first and foremost point being a series of changes to the rig, the layout and construction. The second point is that the marketing company is now Canvey Yacht Builders. They are the same team that has always built the Jaguar range but they have only recently taken over the marketing function. The first of the mark II Jaguar 25s was waiting at the top of the slipway on Canvey Point when I arrived, awaiting its first wetting. This happened slightly faster than expected when the rope being used to lower it down the slip found a rough edge on the trailer and quickly chaffed through. The launching was therefore quite spectacular and I found myself afloat, the only problem that remained was that I felt a need for a crew, who was standing gazing at the end of a frayed piece of rope ashore!!

The particular Jaguar 25 we were to sail had no inboard or outboard engine although both options are available. As an inboard the builders recommend either the Bukh DV8, or the Volvo MD5B both with sail drive propulsion units. Our test sail took us out into the Thames Estuary where a gusty force 4 to 5 was blowing from the south west. We were sailing with the full mainsail of 119 sq. ft. and a working jib of 148 sq. ft. That is really quite a lot of canvas for a 25 ft. boat in those conditions. Certainly if we had been on passage to somewhere we could (and would) have snugged the boat down by putting at least one slab reef in the main and possibly hoping for a smaller jib.

However, we were not on passage and we were thoroughly enjoying ourselves. The boat was exhilerating to sail and, most important, it was completely under control. Considering the boat had only been in the water for an hour and the mast put up only just before the launch she sailed extremely well. She did carry some weather helm, but nothing excessive considering the amount of sail area. In fact it is possible that in light conditions you could experience some lee helm.

The boat responded well to the transom hung rudder, which even in the heavy gusts that laid the boat over kept a grip of the water. The sea was relatively quiet considering the wind conditions, we certainly kept dry back in the cockpit. One of the changes in the rig has been to sweep back the crosstrees and bring both the lower and cap shrouds inboard, this has helped a great deal with the set of the jib when sailing to windward and it has made movement around the sidedecks that much easier. The babystay forward, another new addition, keeps the rig stiff and gives a useful grab hold on the fore deck. The grab rails on the cabin top and the guard rails complete the feeling of security.

All in all we had an enjoyable and at times exciting sail culminating in a tricky beat to windward up a narrow channel, to the jetty, which the boat took in her stride.

I think perhaps the working jib could be slightly smaller, or perhaps have a set of reef points to remove another 20 odd sq. ft. I am sure the boat could take at least a force six without having to resort to a storm jib which is only 50 sq. ft. The sail wardrobe does include 3 sizes of genoa apart from the jib so there are plenty of options to increase the sail area.

Our arrival back on the jetty gave me the opportunity to look around the boat. The cockpit is of ample size and self draining with a large sail locker to port and locker to starboard that reveals a tray that is very useful for stowing that odd piece of line, winch handles, etc, without having to stand on your head to reach down two or three feet into a larger locker.

Access to the cabin is easy with a low bridge deck and a wide hatchway. Down below the space has been well used with a dinette arrangement to port that converts to a double berth. It is unfortunate that this berth is only really designed for the children of the family, it is only 5ft. l0in. in length, to make it usable by adults there is a fill In cushion (that also doubles as a backrest) which joins the port double berth to the single on the starboard side that gives an area of almost 6ft. by 8ft. I am loath to call such a vast area a berth!

To port of the hatchway is the galley with its sink unit and alcohol stove and plenty of cupboard space. Forward of the 'Cleopatra' berth, past the main bulkhead is the heads and a hanging locker. Then forward again are two full size berths. Coming after there is a quarter berth to starboard which has been extended under the cockpit sole (unless you have an inboard engine). This makes the quarter berth into a double although the inboard partner should not have very wide hips as the height above the centre is a little restrictive. The amount of berth space available I calculate is enough for eight people although I suggest this is a little extreme in a 25ft.boat unless an orgy is contemplated.

The interior is moulded although this is well hidden by the use of teak and the cushion fabric, the headlining is also moulded although very neat. The boat is available in several stages and with fin or bilge keels. The budget sail away version has a price of just under £8,000 including VAT, you would have to add to this such things as cushions, pulpit, pushpit, galley equipment, toilet, navigation lights, etc.There are two other alternatives. A standard boat which includes bunk cushions, cabin steps, fiddle rails, etc.,or the deluxe version that has everything. The de luxe price is just over £10,000 including VAT. That seems like a very reasonable valuation for a comfortable boat that performs well.