Bayfield 25

[jimmoser]

I'm just getting started in a search for a larger boat. Saw a Bayfield 25 that seems well outfitted. Any comments on that model will be appreciated.

[BubbleheadMd]

Here's a link that will give you some information:

Bayfield 25

With a keel like that, you won't turn on a dime. Doesn't mean it's a bad boat though.

[bljones]

They aren't racers, not light air boats, and the cockpit isn't huge, but it's hard to find a better appointed small boat. Full headroom, enclosed head and decent galley make it a boat to look at for weekending for a couple. It's more like a 23' boat, when you figure that the bowsprit is included in the LOA. Beware , some of the older boats are powered with obsolete diesels with NLA parts.

[Faster]

Cute, cozy character boat, comfy for its size but with the attributes (or lack) already suggested.

[junkrig]

I've never even seen one in the flesh but the pictures make me drool.

[bljones]

We thought about buying one, but bought our Georgian 23 instead when we realized it had the same amount of living space with a larger cockpit, and slightly better performance thanks to the fin keel.

[capecodda]

Boat 3 (now on 5) was a Bayfield 36 which we sailed for 4 years. What I remember:

- Roomy for its size (with sprit it was 41 ft I think), fairly beamy for a "traditional" design
- Had a Yanmar that was rock solid
- Full keel, slow but stiff, unlikely to snag lobsta pots
- Cutter rig (not sure about the 25) but was nice when it piped up
- One issue with a small amount of water in encapsulated keel found at survey during purchase, which wasn't bad and relatively easy to correct

If you're into go fast, point high, light wind sailing this isn't the boat. If you want traditional looks, stiff, full keel, nice in a stiff breeze, pretty good in a seaway, this might be for you. We had a lot of fun with it.

Disclaimer, experience was not with the 25.