Sadler 25 Mk II Buyer's Guide
Shopping the used Sadler 25 Mk II means looking at a small British cruiser-racer that David Sadler developed from the Contessa 26, with about 300 built and a wide spread of keel and rig options. The class is small enough to feel personal yet numerous enough that well-kept examples appear regularly in its home waters. Because many hulls were delivered part-finished for owner completion, the cabin you inspect may differ sharply from the next boat's.
Layouts on the Used Market
The Mk II came as a masthead sloop with standard and tall rigs, and with deep fin, shallow fin, bilge-keel, or centre-plate underbodies — the centre plate ranging from 2 ft 3 in raised to 4 ft 6 in lowered. Sleeping was forward V-berth for two, a starboard quarter berth, and a port settee berth, with some boats carrying a second starboard settee. From 1979 the factory added moulded galley and chart-table units with improved trim, so later boats tend to show more standardized joinery than early owner-finished shells.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
A chartplotter is commonly fitted to these boats, and solar is often seen as a sensible energy addition for a small diesel auxillary. Less universal but worth noting as owner upgrades are a dodger for cockpit shelter, an autopilot to back up the transom-hung rudder, and an EPIRB for offshore peace of mind. Buyers should weigh each cluster by consequence: navigation and power upgrades matter more than cosmetic additions on a 24-footer.
What to Inspect
The defining used-market caveat is the part-finished supply route: Sadler 25s were delivered so owners could customize their own boats, so inspect the quality of interior woodwork, wiring, and any non-factory systems closely anchor. On the mechanical side, confirm which engine is installed — most pre-1979 boats hold a Petter Mini 6 diesel, some later ones a BMW single-cylinder, and the used fleet also shows Dolphin two-stroke and Yanmar 1GM units, the last generally the best installation. Check the transom-hung rudder bearing and the self-steering or trim-tab attachments, as these are exposed and owner-dependent.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
The typical markets for the Sadler 25 Mk II are the United Kingdom and Ireland. For a buyer, the short checklist is: confirm keel type suits your mooring, verify engine variant and condition, scrutinize owner-finished interior work, and prefer a 1979-on boat if factory moulded galley and chart table matter. A careful survey of the part-finished interior is the single most important step before purchase.
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Sadler 25 Mk II. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 11 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 25 | 3 | $11,195 | — |
| Nov 25 | 2 | $7,452 | -33.4% |
| Jan 26 | 1 | $5,317 | -28.7% |
| Feb 26 | 1 | $12,719 | +139.2% |
| Mar 26 | 2 | $4,095 | -67.8% |
| Apr 26 | 6 | $8,612 | +110.3% |
| May 26 | 3 | $5,293 | -38.5% |
| Jun 26 | 2 | $6,525 | +23.3% |
| Jul 26 | 2 | $6,825 | +4.6% |
| Aug 26 | 1 | $5,962 | -12.6% |
| Sep 26 | 1 | $3,968 | -33.4% |
Where they're listed
Sadler 25 Mk II listings appear across 3 countries. United Kingdom has the most listings with 18 (85.7%), followed by Ireland and Belgium.
Country view
21 listings · 3 countries| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | $6,359 | 18 | 3 | 85.7% |
| Ireland | $5,429 | 2 | 0 | 9.5% |
| Belgium | $5,037 | 1 | 1 | 4.8% |