Built on a steel hull, the 25DS combines the volume of a motoryacht with a serious ketch rig and a sheltered interior intended for comfortable long passages. “DS” stands for Deck Saloon, and that elevated, glazed living area defines the yacht. It provides panoramic views and natural light while keeping the sea in sight even in foul weather.
Design and Construction
Almost every 25DS has a steel hull. Steel provides unparalleled impact resistance and stiffness for blue-water use and, unlike fiberglass, can be repaired in almost any port worldwide. It also damps noise and vibration, contributing to a quieter, smoother ride on passage.
Jongert paired the hull with a full- or semi-displacement form and a deep keel, often a Scheel design. This wide, relatively shallow keel profile provides good stability and hydrodynamic lift while allowing access to shallower anchorages than a full-fin keel would permit.
Beam is generous, typically 6.5 to 7 meters, which contributes directly to initial stability and interior volume. Draft ranges from 3.0 to 3.5 meters, supporting excellent upwind performance and directional stability. Together, the hull and keel provide exceptional stability and a forgiving motion, minimizing pitch and roll.
Rig, Machinery, and Handling
Most 25DS yachts are ketch-rigged, with a tall mainmast and a shorter mizzen aft. The divided sail plan is versatile across a range of wind conditions. By reducing the height of the individual sails, it also lowers the center of effort and adds to stability.
Sophisticated hydraulic systems considerably ease sail handling. Winches, furling gear, bow thrusters, and anchor windlasses are hydraulically driven, and fully hydraulic sail handling allows even a couple to manage the yacht with relative ease.
Power comes from a commercially rated diesel, often a Mercedes-Benz or MAN producing 200 to 300 horsepower. Fuel capacity exceeds 5,000 liters, providing long motoring range for both calms and close-quarters maneuvering.
Deck and Accommodations
The deck saloon is an elevated, weather-protected space with a generous dining area and comfortable lounge. Large windows fill it with natural light.
The surrounding and lower-deck accommodations are almost always semi-custom, so no two yachts are identical. Even so, most follow a broadly similar arrangement. A full-beam owner’s stateroom aft typically includes an island berth, ample storage, and a private en-suite head. Forward of the saloon are two or three guest cabins, each with its own head.
Dedicated crew quarters occupy the furthest-forward part of the yacht, with cabins, heads, and often a crew mess. The galley lies discreetly to port or starboard near the crew area for service. It is a professional-grade workspace equipped with large refrigerators, freezers, ovens, and sometimes dishwashers.
Interior finishes include solid teak, mahogany, and cherry joinery, along with planked teak-and-holly floors. Outside, wide, uncluttered teak decks and high bulwarks aid safe movement around the yacht. The deep cockpit serves as both the steering station and an outdoor lounge, often shaded by a hardtop or bimini.
Equipment and Systems
Jongert engineered the 25DS with redundancy in mind. Dual generators, multiple battery banks, commercial-grade pumps, and backup steering, communication, and navigation paths are common.
Climate control, watermakers, and entertainment systems extend the yacht’s self-sufficiency offshore. Hydraulic swim platforms and integrated tender garages reflect its dual role as a passage-maker and private retreat. Over the years, many owners have also added diving compressors, extensive tender garages, or small workshops.
The Verdict
The Jongert 25DS is a substantial, semi-custom deck-saloon ketch for owners who want steel-hull security and motoryacht volume under sail. Its generous beam and Scheel keel provide stable, forgiving passage-making, while hydraulic systems make a 25-meter yacht manageable by a small crew.
Interior arrangements vary from hull to hull, but the full-beam aft owner’s suite and separation between the owner’s suite and forward crew quarters remain consistent strengths. With redundant systems and extensive onboard infrastructure, the 25DS is a serious ocean cruiser designed for extended, independent voyaging.
Pros
- Steel hull with global repairability and a quiet, stiff ride
- Scheel keel and generous beam provide stability while retaining access to shallower anchorages
- Ketch rig and hydraulic systems make a 25-meter yacht manageable short-handed
- Full-beam aft owner’s stateroom and separate crew quarters
- Redundant generators, battery banks, and critical systems for offshore use
Cons
- Deep 3.0 to 3.5 meter draft limits access to some cruising grounds
- Semi-custom layouts mean survey considerations and owner familiarity vary from hull to hull
- Hydraulic and redundant systems bring greater maintenance complexity
