The 325 developed from the Tony Castro-designed Parker 31, which itself grew out of his Passagemaker 30. She carries the marque’s lifting-keel philosophy forward in a distinctly modern form.
Design and Construction
The 325’s defining feature is her fairly radical lifting wing keel, a design that was unique for its era and remains unusual today. Nearly 1.5 tonnes of ballast sits in the keel as a lead wing on a stainless steel shaft. The winged ballast is bolted to a set of vertical stainless steel shafts, with the hydraulic ram between them.
The keel is encapsulated within a set of skins designed to fill with water, part of the engineering behind a yacht intended to take the ground. Unlike the original Super Seal 26, the 325 carries all her ballast in the keel. She displaces 7,800 lb, with 2,650 lb of lead ballast, and has a beam of 10ft 6in. Those are moderate proportions for a boat of her era, and her lines reflect Bill Parker’s aversion to broad sterns.
A shaft-log, rather than a P-bracket, offers reassurance on a boat that periodically takes the ground. Buyers could also specify a good deal of customisation when the boat was new.
Rig, Performance, and Handling
By all accounts, the Parker 325 is a fast and powerful all-rounder. Sailing upwind in about 10 knots of breeze, test sailors found that she heeled quite readily but accelerated to just shy of five knots. Yachting Monthly’s reviewer described her as initially tender—a trait consistent with boats that have good ultimate stability and can carry sail in heavy weather.
The well-balanced rudder gives a finger-light helm in flat water. However, the rudders hinge rather than lifting vertically, and their 4ft 7in depth complicates maneuvering when the keel is raised above rudder depth.
With the keel fully raised, the boat draws just over 2ft and will sit happily on the wing without added support, giving her a genuine advantage in shallow water. Most examples have wheel steering. The pedestal was set farther aft than on the prototype, allowing space for a traveller immediately forward of it. In keeping with period practice, the chainplates for the caps, lowers, and continuous intermediates sit in the middle of the side decks.
Accommodation
The interior necessarily works around the keel case, and Parker handled the challenge well. Its position allows for a forecabin berth more than 6ft 8in long. Alongside it is a roomy heads compartment to starboard, accessible from either the forecabin or the saloon.
The chart table sits to port of the keel case. The saloon and galley are comfortably proportioned, with just over 6ft of headroom. A beautifully made drop-leaf saloon table forms the centrepiece of the cabin. It’s a Parker trademark and has reportedly seated as many as ten people. An aft cabin runs athwartships beneath the cockpit.
Known Issues
Corrosion of the keel’s hydraulic ram is common because dissimilar metals sit close together in seawater, making anodes essential. The fastenings connecting the mechanism to the lead keel have also been known to shear off.
On deck, the through-bolted chainplate arrangements are prone to water ingress. High moisture readings are frequently found around those areas.
Verdict
The Parker 325 is a thoughtful and versatile cruiser. Her lifting wing keel and shallow draft open waters that are inaccessible to many boats of similar size, while the practical, well-joineried interior supports genuine life aboard.
She rewards an owner who stays on top of the keel hydraulics and deck hardware. In return, she offers a tender but capable hull that’s quick upwind and light on the helm.
Pros
- Lifting wing keel draws just over 2ft when raised and allows the boat to sit unsupported on the wing
- All ballast carried in the lead wing keel
- Shaft-log is well suited to a boat designed to take the ground
- Practical interior arranged around the keel case
- Long forecabin berth and roomy heads compartment
- Finger-light helm and good heavy-weather sail-carrying ability
Cons
- Corrosion of the keel hydraulic ram is common, and fastenings can shear
- Through-bolted chainplates are prone to water ingress
- Rudder depth limits maneuvering with the keel raised
- Initially tender in a light breeze
