Archambault Surprise 25 Buyer's Guide
The Archambault Surprise 25 is a one-design racer first built in 1977 and designed by Michel Joubert, with 1,550 completed before Archambault Boats closed in 2015. For a buyer scanning the used market, the boat presents as a well-supported class with multiple keel options and a race-first layout rather than a comfort cruiser.
Layouts on the Used Market
Used Surprise 25 boats appear with one of three keel choices delivered from the factory: a fixed fin, twin asymmetrical keels fitted with bulbs, or a swing keel configured for trailer transport. The swing-keel version is the one to seek for owners who want to haul the boat overland between inland and coastal venues. Below decks, every example provides sleeping for four via a bow "V"-berth and two straight settees in the main cabin, so accommodation differences between listings are minimal regardless of keel type.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
On the used market, a spinnaker and an autopilot are commonly fitted, supporting the boat's one-design racing and short-handed handling. Lithium batteries appear as a less common owner upgrade, relevant for crews who want expanded energy reserve without adding weight. Buyers should view the presence of a spinnaker as standard race equipment and treat lithium upgrades as a sign of a modernized electrical system rather than a baseline expectation.
What to Inspect
The deck construction uses a balsa core over solid fibreglass balsa-cored fibreglass, so any used survey should focus on deck-fitting seals and signs of core moisture around the mast step and cockpit. Because the mast is deck-stepped with wire rigging and a single set of swept spreaders, check chainplate bulkheads for stress and confirm rudder tube play in the internally mounted spade rudder. These are the structural points where an older racer's history will show.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
Typical markets for the used Surprise 25 are Switzerland, Italy, Germany, France, and Austria. For a shopper, the checklist is straightforward: confirm which keel configuration is fitted and whether it matches intended use; verify deck-core condition and rudder bearing wear; and check for a spinnaker and autopilot as common equipment. The active class club remains a strong reason to buy, keeping rules and racing accessible long after the original builder closed.
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Archambault Surprise 25. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 13 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 25 | 1 | $21,731 | — |
| Sep 25 | 6 | $27,629 | +27.1% |
| Oct 25 | 1 | $8,740 | -68.4% |
| Nov 25 | 3 | $32,286 | +269.4% |
| Dec 25 | 3 | $40,978 | +26.9% |
| Jan 26 | 1 | $3,146 | -92.3% |
| Feb 26 | 3 | $13,983 | +344.5% |
| Mar 26 | 1 | $6,209 | -55.6% |
| Apr 26 | 6 | $21,564 | +247.3% |
| May 26 | 4 | $20,445 | -5.2% |
| Jun 26 | 2 | $18,827 | -7.9% |
| Jul 26 | 1 | $49,671 | +163.8% |
| Aug 26 | 3 | $22,352 | -55.0% |
Where they're listed
Archambault Surprise 25 listings appear across 5 countries. Switzerland has the most listings with 23 (67.6%), followed by Italy and Germany.
Country view
34 listings · 5 countries| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Switzerland | $27,940 | 23 | 4 | 67.6% |
| Italy | $10,487 | 5 | 1 | 14.7% |
| Germany | $22,723 | 4 | 1 | 11.8% |
| Austria | $29,715 | 1 | 1 | 2.9% |
| France | $15,188 | 1 | 0 | 2.9% |
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
4 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archambault Surprise 25You are here | — | $ 23,567 | 34 | 7 |
| Hunter Boats Delta 25 | 24.44' | $ 5,772 | 16 | 1 |
| Archambault Surpise | 31.3' | $ 43,087 | 11 | 3 |
| Beneteau First 25 | 24.61' | $ 8,908 | 10 | 2 |