Evelyn 25.5 Information, Review, Specs

Conceived by the esteemed designer and builder Edward Robert "Bob" Evelyn, the Evelyn 25.5 represents Formula Yachts' commitment to crafting high-performance sailing yachts during their operational period from 1979 to 1985. Evelyn's vision prioritized a balance between competitive racing capabilities and the comfort necessary for cruising sailors.

The Evelyn 25.5 first entered production in 1981, built by Robert Evelyn's own Formula Yachts facility, which operated until 1985. Evelyn's overarching design philosophy, evident across his creations for Formula Yachts, focused on "light displacement, fast racer-cruisers," emphasizing efficient hull forms and minimizing weight to achieve speed without sacrificing fundamental cruising comforts. While specific variations like MkI or MkII models are not widely documented, the Evelyn 25.5 is a distinct model within the Evelyn lineup, often differentiated from the slightly faster Evelyn 25 and Evelyn 26 designs. Its prototype, "Prophet," immediately proved the success of Evelyn's design principles by securing a win at the 1981 MORC Internationals.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Evelyn 25.5 is engineered for lively performance, a hallmark of Robert Evelyn's designs. With a sail area to displacement ratio of approximately 20.01, she is well-suited for light-air conditions, demonstrating an ability to generate speed even when the wind is soft. Her ballast to displacement ratio, around 33.3%, coupled with a lead fin keel, suggests a reasonable degree of stiffness and stability, allowing her to stand up to a breeze while maintaining a performance edge. The low displacement to length ratio of approximately 170 further underscores her design as a lighter, more nimble vessel, characteristic of a performance-oriented boat rather than a heavy cruiser. The fin keel design contributes to "splendid manoeuvrability," making her responsive at the helm. The masthead sloop rig, a simple and effective design, ensures that sail area is carried efficiently for stability and drive.

Accommodations and Layout

Information regarding the detailed interior layout of the Evelyn 25.5 is not extensively documented in widely available resources. However, reviews suggest that, for a boat of its size, the Evelyn 25.5 offers a comparatively spacious interior, reportedly "more spacy than 50% of all other designs". While specific descriptions of V-berths, galleys, or salon arrangements are scarce, it can be inferred that the interior provides functional accommodations typical of racer-cruisers of its era, designed to facilitate weekend cruising or short offshore excursions. The overall comfort ratio for the Evelyn 25.5 is noted as "just below average" when compared to similar sailboats, indicating a focus on performance over extensive creature comforts.

Owner's Perspectives

While comprehensive owner reviews are not readily available, some anecdotal evidence suggests that the Evelyn 25.5 is generally well-regarded among its owners. One owner, for example, reportedly held the 25.5 in high esteem, considering it "one of the better boats". These sentiments align with the boat's design philosophy as a competent racer-cruiser, appreciated for its sailing characteristics and solid build quality, consistent with Formula Yachts' reputation for producing well-designed vessels.