The Vertue 25 Sailboat
Specs & Key Performance Indicators

Published Specification for the Vertue 25

Underwater Profile: Long keel with transom-hung rudder

Hull Material: Various*

Length Overall: 25'3" (7.7m)

Waterline Length: 21'6" (6.6m)

Beam: 7'2" (2.2m)

Draft: 4'6" (1.4m)

Rig Type: Masthead sloop

Displacement: 11,000lb (4,990kg)

Designer: Jack Laurent Giles

Builder: E F Elkins Ltd (UK)

Year First Built: 1947

Number Built: 270

* 230 in wood, wood/epoxy or steel, plus 40 in GRP.

Published Design Ratios for the Vertue 25

1. Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 9.7

• 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: 40.9

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

3. Displacement/Length Ratio: 494

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

4. Comfort Ratio: 54.6

• 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: 1.3

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

Read more about these Key Performance Indicators...

Summary Analysis of the Design Ratios for the Vertue 25

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1. A Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of just 9.7 suggests that the Vertue 25 will need a stiff breeze to get her going. In light conditions, unless you've got plenty of time on your hands, motor-sailing may be the way to go.

2. A Ballast/Displacement Ratio of 40.9 means that the Vertue 25 will stand up well to her canvas in a blow, helping her to power through the waves.

3. A Displacement/Length Ratio of 494, tells us the Vertue 25 is firmly in the ultra-heavy displacement category. Load her up as much as you like and her performance will be hardly affected, not that it was ever startling. Few if any sailboats are built to this displacement category these days - but they remain popular with some long-distance sailors.

4. Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio of 54.6 suggests that crew comfort of a Vertue 25 in a seaway is similar to what you would associate with the motion of an extremely heavy bluewater boat - and that's as comfortable as life ever gets on a sailing boat!

5. The Capsize Screening Formula (CSF) of 1.3 indicates that a Vertue 25 would be a safer choice of sailboat for an ocean passage than one with a CSF of more than 2.0.