Perry’s brief was simple: a good cruising boat needn’t be slow. The Mirage 25 reflects that conviction in its hull form and sailplan. It’s a fiberglass monohull with a transom-hung rudder and a choice of fin or shoal keel.
Design and Construction
At 25 ft. 2 in. overall with a 21 ft. waterline, the Mirage 25 displaces 4,400 lbs and carries 1,600 lbs of lead ballast. That’s only 36 per cent of its total weight, a low fraction that would normally make a boat tender. Instead, the hull shape and buoyancy allow it to stabilize at a moderate angle rather than heel excessively.
Perry achieved the boat’s volume by carrying a wide beam aft and raising the cabintop. The result is an unusual profile, but the benefits become clear below.
The fiberglass hull has a special guaranteed leak-proof hull-deck joint, with the deck overhanging slightly. An extruded alloy external toe-rail sheds water. The boat was offered with a choice of fin or shoal keel. The chainplates are well anchored, and the mast step rests on a sturdy structural floor. The deck-stepped rig is also properly grounded through to the keel.
Rig, Performance, and Handling
The Mirage 25 carries a moderate 283 sq. ft. masthead-sloop sailplan. It provides enough sail area to keep the boat moving in light air without leaving it overcanvased.
The boom has two internal reefing lines and an internal outhaul, all fitted with stoppers. Because the boom doesn’t extend far into the cockpit, it’s practical to double-sheet the mainsail to either side of the cabintop. Both halyards lead aft to a cabintop winch just forward of the cockpit, allowing two people to handle the sails from the cockpit without difficulty.
Test sailors found the Mirage 25 comfortable to steer and suitably responsive. Writing in Canadian Boating, reviewers noted that it had proved gratifyingly fast in informal and formal competition, even against boats of real racing pedigree. One owner reported that racing boats passed his only when sailing dead downwind in light air.
Accommodations
The interior—and particularly its unusual layout—is one of the Mirage 25’s most striking features. It offers civilized cruising comfort for two to four people, and as many as four adults can weekend aboard cheerfully. A wide beam and 5 ft. 11 in. of headroom create a remarkable sense of space. Two generous fixed windows on each side and a large forward hatch bring in plenty of light.
The saloon has two roomy settee berths and a generous V-berth. An optional forward bulkhead with a door can close off the V-berth, while an optional fifth pull-out berth converts the port settee into a double.
Finishes include a white molded-fiberglass headliner, cream-brown tweed upholstery, teak fiddles and bulkheads, and a textured gray sole. Teak veneer was optional. A removable, floor-mounted teak table folds out of the way between the settees.
The fully enclosed head is in the port quarters and was rated first-rate even for boats well over 30 feet. However, one tester disliked the stainless-steel hanging bar positioned directly behind the toilet.
An L-shaped galley occupies the aft starboard corner. It includes a roomy icebox and ample stowage. The foot of the starboard settee extends beneath the counter and optional two-burner stove. A larger stove with an oven is also possible, though it shortens the berth—a trade-off confirmed by Mirage Yachts president Dick Steffen.
Equipment and Options
Without an inboard engine, the Mirage 25 comes with a single battery and a six-function fuse panel adequate for its outboard-powered systems. Standard equipment includes bow and stern pulpits but only one set of lifelines. The swim ladder was an optional extra.
The modular interior options included the forward bulkhead, pull-out berth, teak sole, and larger galley. These allowed an owner to tailor the boat without structural work. With a few minor modifications, a couple could cruise indefinitely aboard.
Known Issues
Period testers identified a few shortcomings, most of them relatively minor. The cockpit locker covers are attached with two small strap hinges that testers thought might be vulnerable; they suggested a piano hinge as an improvement.
The galley sink was considered too shallow for offshore cooking, although there is room to fit a deeper one. The icebox itself is well insulated, but the countertop above it has no insulation.
The head’s plumbing fixtures were priced as options rather than standard equipment. This was an odd choice that the builder left to individual owner preference. The stainless-steel hanging bar directly behind the toilet also drew criticism from one tester.
The Verdict
The Mirage 25 is a thoughtfully packaged small cruiser that punches above its length. Perry gave it real speed, a responsive helm, and a spacious interior that feels closer to that of a 28-footer. Its weaknesses are minor and largely confined to galley details and cockpit hardware. Overall, it remains a sensible used-market option for couples and small families.
Pros
- Unusual layout provides civilized comfort for four, with 5 ft. 11 in. of headroom
- Fast and responsive under a moderate masthead rig
- Easy sail handling from the cockpit
- Leak-proof hull-deck joint and well-anchored chainplates
- Flexible interior options that require no structural changes
Cons
- Shallow sink and uninsulated countertop above the icebox call for owner remedies
- Cockpit locker hinges are light-duty
- Head plumbing was left as a costly option
