Cape Dory 25 Buyer's Guide
Shopping the brokerage market for a used Cape Dory 25 means considering a 1973–1982 George Stadel III design built by Cape Dory Yachts in 845 examples — a traditional full-keel masthead sloop whose conservative construction and modest dimensions have kept a steady population afloat. The boat trails only its own reputation for joinery and bronze hardware among small cruisers of the era, and a buyer should weigh those attractions against the realities of a trailerable masthead sloop with limited headroom.
Layouts on the Used Market
Charter four-cabin layouts appear more often on the resale scene, though the standard arrangement is also available and ex-charter boats are a common sight. Either version sleeps four on a bow V-berth and side bunks, with a companionway-split galley, a Porta-Potty head behind a privacy door, and a folding dinette. The low freeboard means anyone above five feet cannot stand below, so the interior reads as a cozy cruiser rather than a liveaboard. A 24-gallon polypropylene water tank sits forward, and a hanging wet locker with storage compartments completes the plan.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
Because the factory left the Cape Dory 25 lightly equipped, the used fleet shows owner additions clustered around comfort and navigation. A frequent owner upgrade is a chartplotter, which brings modern wayfinding to a boat whose original instrumentation was minimal. Canvas additions are common too: a dodger and a bimini frequently appear, extending usable cockpit time in sun and spray. Air conditioning shows up as a less common owner upgrade, practical only at a dock given the boat's 5-to-15-horsepower outboard and 8-gallon gasoline capacity. None of these should be assumed present — they mark the upper tier of what sellers have added.
What to Inspect
The deck-stepped aluminum mast and boom are vulnerable to pitting after weather exposure, so examine the mast step and surrounding structure for corrosion anchor. Balsa-cored decks demand a check for soft spots or discoloration at every penetration, since compromised coring is the classic failure path. Bronze six portholes and through-hulls should be tested for integrity, and the stainless steel deck hardware — stanchions, rails, turnbuckles — reviewed for crevice corrosion where it meets the teak. The lazarette well housing the outboard and portable tank warrants a look for trapped moisture or fuel residue, and the two one-inch cockpit scuppers should run clear.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
The Cape Dory 25 is typically found in the United States, Canada, and Australia. For a buyer, the checklist is short and structural: confirm mast-step condition, probe the balsa deck for rot, verify bronze through-hulls, and assess the lazarette for fuel or water ingress. A clean example rewards with encapsulated ballast, a full keel guarding rudder and prop, and the rare-wood interior that defines the marque.
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Cape Dory 25. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 14 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 25 | 2 | $3,750 | — |
| May 25 | 4 | $9,050 | +141.3% |
| Jun 25 | 2 | $7,750 | -14.4% |
| Jul 25 | 2 | $4,000 | -48.4% |
| Aug 25 | 2 | $12,250 | +206.3% |
| Sep 25 | 6 | $13,000 | +6.1% |
| Oct 25 | 1 | $4,900 | -62.3% |
| Jan 26 | 3 | $25,000 | +410.2% |
| Feb 26 | 1 | $8,999 | -64.0% |
| Mar 26 | 8 | $9,750 | +8.3% |
| Apr 26 | 2 | $5,750 | -41.0% |
| Jun 26 | 5 | $5,500 | -4.3% |
| Jul 26 | 2 | $14,000 | +154.5% |
| Aug 26 | 1 | $4,000 | -71.4% |
Where they're listed
Cape Dory 25 listings appear across 3 countries. United States has the most listings with 27 (93.1%), followed by Australia and Canada.
Country view
29 listings · 3 countries| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $8,999 | 27 | 8 | 93.1% |
| Australia | $13,987 | 1 | 0 | 3.4% |
| Canada | $10,000 | 1 | 0 | 3.4% |