The Olson 25 sits at the less extreme end of the ultralight-displacement sport-boat world. Even so, it can outperform cruising boats much larger than itself while remaining suitable for comfortable family weekends.
Design and Construction
George Olson took an unconventional path to the drawing board. He never completed a formal education or earned a naval-architecture diploma, yet he produced a hull that helped bring ultralight-displacement boats to the production market.
The design has a fin keel, spade rudder, 9-foot beam, and a displacement of 2,900 pounds. Its 1,300 pounds of lead ballast produces a 44.8 percent ballast-to-displacement ratio, which explains much of the boat’s poise.
The Pacific Boats versions are generally regarded as the better-built boats. They’re lighter, with cored hulls, no headliner, and more race-friendly stanchions. Ericson later added a headliner to tidy the interior. That refinement came at a cost, making the cabin harder to move around in and deck hardware much more difficult to re-bed.
Rig, Handling, and Performance
The Olson 25 carries a masthead sloop rig with double spreaders and inline shrouds. Its geometry doesn’t allow the backstay to do much mast shaping. It does, however, let the trimmer control headstay tension precisely—a useful trade-off for a boat intended for midweek racing.
Class rules limit the headsail to 155 percent, the largest permitted under both class and PHRF rules.
On the water, the Olson 25 comes across as a small, affordable, easy-to-handle performance boat. Despite its modest length, it can outperform much larger cruising boats.
Accommodations
Although conceived as a sport boat, the Olson 25 can handle comfortable family weekends and is also well suited to family daysailing. The interior is no cruiser’s condo, but it works for short stays aboard with children or friends.
The original specification included an alcohol stove, which remains aboard some boats. Owners have also refined their cabins over time; upgraded lighting appears on at least one well-kept example.
Known Issues and Builder Differences
The Ericson-built boats have two specific drawbacks. First, the headliner that tidied the interior also made it harder to move around and complicated deck-hardware re-bedding.
Second, Ericson fitted stanchions that cant inward. These make hiking out more difficult than on the Pacific Boats version, which has more race-friendly stanchions.
Refits and Ownership
Owners have modernized their boats in measured ways. Documented upgrades include a Raymarine tridata and refreshed cabin lighting. Some boats retain the original alcohol stove.
The Verdict
The Olson 25 is a genuine entry-level ultralight that punches above its length. It’s easy to handle and quick enough to embarrass bigger cruising boats, while still accommodating family daysails and weekends aboard.
The differences between builders reward careful shopping. The Pacific Boats version is the purist’s choice: lighter, simpler, and more race-oriented. The Ericson version adds interior finish, but at the cost of serviceability, cabin movement, and room to hike out.
Pros
- Ultralight sport-boat performance in a 25-foot, dry-sailable package
- Can outrun much larger cruising boats
- Pacific Boats versions are light, cored, and race-oriented
- Easy to handle
- Suitable for family weekends and daysailing
Cons
- Ericson’s headliner hinders movement and deck-hardware re-bedding
- Ericson’s inward-canted stanchions restrict hiking out
- The backstay offers limited mast-shaping capability
