Design and Construction
Butler’s brief was a performance cruiser with one-design ambitions, and the Capri 25 delivers that hybrid character through a fin keel and internally mounted spade rudder steered by tiller, with a spooned raked stem and vertical transom. The hull is predominantly hand-laid fiberglass with plywood core reinforcement in the deck, and the lighter build came partly from omitting the cabin furniture and on-deck anchor locker found on the cruising Catalina 25. A shoal-draft wing-keel version exists for shallower venues. Against the Catalina 25 she carries slightly more sail area on a sleeker fin, and testers found her way faster; her PHRF average of 171 sits 54 seconds quicker than the Catalina 25 and just 3 seconds off the mile pace of the legendary J/24.
Rig and Handling
The boat’s rig is described differently across sources: one authority calls it a fractional sloop with a deck-stepped mast, while the construction reference lists a masthead Bermuda sloop with a cabin-top halyard winch pair and two jib winches on the cockpit coamings. What is consistent is the racing intent—a spinnaker is part of the inventory for club competition, and the split cockpit places the mainsheet traveler just ahead of the tiller for clean crew movement. With a sail-area-to-displacement ratio near 19 and a ballast ratio around 36 percent, the Capri 25 is lively rather than sluggish, and one owner describes a wide deck and decent interior volume for the length.
Accommodations
Below, the Capri 25 is more spartan than the cruising Catalina 25 but roomier than a J/24, with six inches more headroom than that benchmark racer. The layout centers on a bow V-berth, two settee berths in the main cabin, and two quarter berths aft in some configurations, with basic galley provisions—a sink and icebox tucked under the companionway ladder—and a chemical head beneath the forward berth. Cabin materials are modest formica, plywood trim, and molded liners, which keeps weight down and maintenance simple. A transom-mounted outboard of 6 to 10 horsepower provides auxiliary power.
Known Issues
Decades of service have exposed a predictable set of weaknesses. Water intrusion around stanchions and chainplates has caused deck-core soft spots, a direct consequence of the plywood-reinforced deck construction meeting failed bedding. Many surviving boats still carry their original wire standing rigging and need replacement for safety as the metal ages. Early hulls used foam-core rudders that can absorb water and lose integrity, a fault tied to the spade rudder configuration. Gelcoat crazing on deck and topsides is mostly cosmetic but sometimes extensive, and the electrical system’s simplicity often demands rewiring or panel upgrades for reliable modern use.
Refits and Ownership
Owners have responded to the design’s limits with targeted upgrades. A common refit is rudder replacement or transom reinforcement to carry the heavier modern outboards that exceed the original 6 to 10 horsepower norm. The straightforward fiberglass construction and trailerable nature keep the boat accessible to DIY owners, and the one-design class structure supports a continuing racing community.
The Verdict
The Capri 25 is a lean, quick 1980s design that punches above its length against established racers while offering just enough cabin to cruise. Its weaknesses are concentrated in aging systems and water-prone deck cores, but the simple build makes them tractable.
Pros
- Faster than the Catalina 25 and nearly on pace with a J/24 under PHRF
- Trailerable with a light, easily handled rig
- More below-deck room than a J/24 with practical berth layout
Cons
- Foam-core early rudders can take on water
- Deck-core soft spots from stanchion and chainplate leaks
- Original wire rigging and simple electricals often need replacement
