C&C 25 Sailboat Review, Specs, and Listings

Design and Construction

The Mark I has an almost uninterrupted slope from the cabin top to the bow deck, a profile that period reviewers thought gave the boat a decidedly dated look. Beneath that plain deck, however, the construction is thoughtful. The cabin top is well insulated, while a bulkhead and a ridiculously oversized beam support the mast step.

The hull is predominantly fiberglass with wood trim. The transom-hung rudder is heavy duty, in keeping with the rest of the boat, and very well balanced.

The C&C 25 is a moderate-weight boat, displacing 4,300 pounds and carrying 1,900 pounds of lead ballast. Its fixed fin keel draws 3.75 feet. With a waterline length of 20.67 feet, the boat has a theoretical hull speed of 6.09 knots.

Introduced in the early 1980s, the Mark II retained the original hull design but adopted a more modern look, with a truck cabin raised forward and a slightly deeper keel.

Rig and Handling

The C&C 25 carries a masthead sloop rig with the following standard dimensions:

I: 31.50 feet
J: 11 feet
P: 26.50 feet
E: 10 feet

The Mark I’s sail plan includes a 136-square-foot mainsail, along with jibs and genoas of up to roughly 262 square feet. Asymmetrical and spinnaker options are near 432 and 534 square feet, respectively.

Instead of a traveler, the mainsheet leads to a block on each side of the transom and ends at a cam-cleated block. This arrangement keeps the cockpit uncluttered. The split backstay is easy to adjust without excessive reaching.

On the water, the boat is very stable and stiff. Writing in SailSavvy, test sailors found that, with a 150 genoa and standard main, it moved forward with authority in 15 to 20 knots of wind. They recorded 7.5 knots on a beam reach. The trade-off for that initial stiffness is low righting capability if capsized.

Accommodations and Stowage

Given its 10-gallon freshwater capacity, the Mark I is best understood as a day boat. The V-berth is quite comfortable, although the low overhead creates slight claustrophobia. The starboard settee extends to about twin size.

The head is to port, opposite a closet, and has no sink or shower. The galley is divided across the companionway: a pump-faucet sink sits to port, with an icebox and stovetop space to starboard. A small rotating table seats four in one position, then swings aside to open up more room. A single step down from the cockpit reveals a surprising amount of pantry space.

There are no quarter berths, but two large lazarettes extend beneath the cockpit sole. An additional transom-front compartment holds a battery, outboard tank, and cedar bucket. In the cockpit, an adult over six feet tall can stretch out on either side.

Known Issues and Limitations

The sources document no structural defects or systemic failures on the C&C 25. Its main caveats are inherent in the design rather than signs of faulty construction.

Low righting capability if capsized means that a knockdown demands prompt action from the crew. The 10-gallon freshwater capacity limits the boat to day use or very short coastal hops. The sloping cabin-top profile is a cosmetic observation tied to its era, not a defect.

The transom storage compartment, lazarettes, and divided galley are practical, but they also reflect the boat’s minimal liveaboard provisioning.

The Verdict

The C&C 25 Mark I is a stiff, quick MORC-class sloop with honest construction and a balanced, transom-hung rudder. It suits sailors who value handling in a breeze and straightforward cockpit controls more than cabin luxury. The Mark II updated the appearance and keel without changing the proven hull.

By tankage, it’s a day boat—not by capability.

Pros

Very stable and stiff, with a well-balanced, heavy-duty rudder
Out-sails its PHRF 222 rating in a breeze; 7.5 knots was recorded on a beam reach
Deep lazarettes and additional transom storage
Split backstay and transom-mounted mainsheet keep the cockpit clear

Cons