Design and Construction
The Evasion 25 is a solid-fibreglass monohull with a full keel and a keel-mounted rudder, the latter arrangement giving responsive steering that suits close-quarters work. The hull is solid laminate for durability, while the deck is balsa-cored—a construction choice that trades some simplicity below for stiffness and insulation overhead. Wood trim is present. With a beam of 8.73 feet and a displacement of 6,063 pounds backed by 1,764 pounds of iron ballast, the boat carries a ballast-to-displacement ratio near 29 percent, a figure that places her firmly in the stable, moderate-motion cruiser camp rather than the lively racer bracket. The 21.33-foot waterline and 3.84-foot draft reflect a long-keeled hull whose theoretical hull speed is calculated at about 5.95 knots.
Rig and Handling
Above the deck, the Evasion 25 carries a masthead sloop rig with a Bermuda sail plan and roughly 399 square feet of canvas, yielding a sail-area-to-displacement ratio of approximately 19.26—modest, and consistent with a boat built to motor when the breeze fails rather than to chase handicap lines. The cockpit is laid out for secure handling, and the surrounding deck plan facilitates easy movement and sail handling, a useful attribute on a 26-footer where one crewmember does most of the work. A 12-horsepower inboard diesel is the typical power plant, reinforcing the motorsailer brief: the freedom to choose between sailing and motoring for the most pleasurable cruising experience.
Accommodations
Below, the Evasion 25 sleeps up to five. A forward double V-berth anchors the bow, with the head just aft of that cabin. The main salon holds a convertible dinette, and an aft quarter berth on the port side extends the sleeping capacity. The galley sits on the port side just forward of the companionway and is equipped with a two-burner stove, an icebox, and a sink—compact but complete for mid-season cruising. Cabin headroom reaches up to 68 inches, enough for seated comfort though not for tall sailors to stand upright except perhaps under the hatch. Beneteau promoted the cockpit itself as a sheltered space from wind, rain, or sun, extending the livable area outdoors when the weather is marginal.
The Verdict
The Evasion 25 is a small, honest motorsailer from the late-1970s Beneteau catalogue: simple solid-glass hull, forgiving full-keel manners, and a five-berth interior that punches above her length for coastal cruising. She will not win races, and her sail plan is conservative, but as a low-count, purpose-built escape boat she remains a coherent expression of André Bénéteau’s cruising brief.
Pros
- Solid fibreglass hull with balsa-cored deck for durability and stiffness
- Full keel with keel-mounted rudder gives stable, responsive handling
- Sleeps five with forward V-berth, convertible dinette, and aft quarter berth
- Complete port-side galley with stove, icebox, and sink
- Inboard diesel supports the motorsailer concept when wind is light
Cons
- Sail-area-to-displacement ratio near 19 limits performance under sail alone
- 68-inch maximum headroom restricts standing comfort below
- Only about 300 built, so individual condition varies widely by ownership history
