The Sadler 25 Sailboat

The Sadler 25, a masthead sloop, was designed by David Sadler and built in the UK by Sadler Yachts Ltd.

A Sadler 25 Mk II fitter with a windvane self-steering gear, although a trim tab system would probably have worked well on the transom-hung rudder

Published Specification for the Sadler 25 MkII

Underwater Configuration: Fin keel and transom-hung rudder

Hull Material: GRP (fibreglass)

Length Overall: 24' 4" / 7.4m

Waterline Length: 19' 2" / 5.8m

Beam: 8' 9" / 2.7m

Draft: 4' 8" / 1.4m

Rig Type: Masthead Sloop

Displacement: 4,000lb / 1,814kg

Designer: David Sadler

Builder: Sadler Yachts Ltd (UK)

Year First Built: 1974

Year Last Built: 1981

Number Built: 200+

Owners Association: Sadler & Starlight Owners Association

A modified version - the Sadler 25 Mk 3 - was produced in 1979 with a taller mast and consequential increase in sail area. As a result, the sail area/displacement ratio increased to 16.87 resulting in an increase in performance, particularly in light airs.

Published Design Ratios for the Sadler 25 MkII

1. Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 15.8

Less than 16 would be considered under-powered;
16 to 20 would indicate reasonably good performance;
Over 20 suggests relatively high performance.

2. Ballast/Displacement Ratio: 47.6

Under 40: less stiff, less powerful
Over 40: stiffer, more powerful

3. Displacement/Length Ratio: 253

Under 100: Ultralight
100 to 200: Light
200 to 275: Moderate
275 to 350: Heavy
Over 350: Ultraheavy

4. Comfort Ratio: 16.6

Under 20 indicates a lightweight racing boat
20 to 30 indicates a coastal cruiser
30 to 40 indicates a moderate offshore cruising boat
40 to 50 indicates a heavy offshore boat
Over 50 indicates an extremely heavy offshore boat

5. Capsize Screening Formula: 2.2

Under 2.0 (the lower the better): Better suited for ocean passages
Over 2.0: Less suited for ocean passages

Summary Analysis of Published Design Ratios for the Sadler 25

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1. A Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of just 15.8 suggests that she'll need a stiff breeze to get her going. In any other conditions, unless you've got plenty of time on your hands, motor-sailing will be the way to go.

2. A Ballast/Displacement Ratio of 47.6 means that she'll stand up well to her canvas in a blow, helping her to power through the waves.

3. A Displacement/Length Ratio of 253, tells us she's a moderate displacement cruiser, which means she'll carry all your cruising gear without it having a dramatic effect on her performance. Most of today's sailboats intended for offshore cruising fall into this displacement category.

4. Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio of 16.6 suggests that crew comfort in a seaway is similar to what you would associate with the motion of a lightweight racing boat. Upwind she'll slam enough to shake your fillings out with a motion that cruising sailors have no desire to get used to.

5. The Capsize Screening Formula (CSF) of 2.2 indicates that a Sadler 25 would not be the wisest choice of sailboat for ocean passage-making owing to the lower resistance to capsize in strong winds and heavy seas that is associated with similar sailboats that have a CSF of 2.0 and above.