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The Everyman Boat: The Cal 25

Posted April 4, 2014

One of the great myths of sailing is that you have to have deep pockets to enjoy the sport. While it is true that some discretionary income is required, the annual cost of owning my 30-year-old boat is probably less than a week’s vacation in the Caribbean. And the enjoyment I get out of it is, well, priceless.

Curious as always about other people’s boats (OPB), I got to thinking about what might constitute the “everyman (or woman) boat,” a boat that is affordable, but fun and fast; one that is entry-level but with a pedigree for quality and venerability. Several might fill the bill, but the Cal 25 presents a strong case. For those on a budget, Cal 25s are hard to beat. They are cheap to buy, cheap to own, tough, and fun to race. In addition to active class associations based in Detroit, Port Huron, MI, and southern California, the Bay has found a home for them, too. Charlie Husar of Annapolis knows all of this probably better than anyone. He broods over a dozen of them on Spa Creek in his capacity as Chesapeake Cal 25 Association fleet captain.

Designed by Bill Lapworth and built originally by Jensen Marine, the Cal (short for California) 25 quickly earned a reputation around the marks. Starting in the early days of fiberglass, they are also bulletproof. The hulls are thick and solid, reflecting the as yet unknown lifespan of the material. About 1850 of them were built between 1965 and 1976. Marketed as racer-cruisers, the boat actually is a respectable racer; but as for cruising, let’s just say “serviceable” for a weekend. Husar estimates there are 40 to 50 Cal 25s on the Bay.

The sloops are distinguished by their spoon bows, counter stern and most notably, a flush deck all the way forward like an aircraft carrier. Standing headroom is only achieved with the pop top. A completely different second generation Cal 2-25 or MKII came out in 1977, but never caught on as a racer. My friend Mark Gradecak owned both models, but preferred the optional Yanmar inboard and actual headroom of the latter boat, though he admits the former was faster.

Husar seems to be the unofficial source of Cal 25 parts and repair solutions to keep the boats alive. North Sails can turn out stock mains or jibs as needed. Rubrails are a problem, so Husar bought 10 of them. He gets port lights from a California company that already has the templates. Much of his time is spent helping others keep the fleet going, and there isn’t much he doesn’t know about solving the inevitable problems that boats from the time of the Nixon administration can present. Husar’s own boat, Chicken Little, turns 40 this April, the youngster of the fleet.

A good deal of post-race gamming takes place on the docks among the tight little group. In short, the Cal 25 entices the sailor short on cash or just wanting to downsize with very appealing charm. Husar says you can buy a tired boat for a buck, or a tricked out one for $6000-$7000. Either way, you’ll have a blast of a time with this tried and true classic, and there’s a good bunch of folks eager to help along the way. by Steve Allan

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CAL25

The Cal 25 & History

The Cal 25 is one of the most popular and successful Cals ever built. Over 2,000 hulls were constructed, and although they were designed over 40 years ago, they remain one of the more popular one-design racing yachts throughout the U.S. with fleets in Detroit, MI; Annapolis, MD; New Orleans, LA; Long Beach, CA and more.

The boat was designed by Bill Lapworth and made by Jensen Marine in Costa Mesa, CA.

They are also one of the first boats to be designed as Racer/Cruisers which have both a cruising interior, but are set up for racing. They are also quite affordable, and relatively inexpensive to maintain. A well equipped Cal25 can be had for around $4000. Problem areas include the plywood cored deck, and transom. But the hull is solid glass and rarely has any problems.

The Everyman Boat: The Cal 25 –  SpinSheet

  • Cal25 Specs
  • C. William Lapworth
  • Jensen Marine
  • Calgan Marine
  • Bangor Punta
  • Owner's Manual & Brochure
  • National Historical
  • Chesapeake Historical
  • Detroit Historical
  • Long Beach Historical
  • Why choose a Cal 25

  Fin w/spade rudder

  Masthead Sloop

  25.0 ft

  20.0 ft

  8.0 ft

  286 ft

  4.0 ft

  4,000 lbs

  1,700 lbs

  29.8 ft

  10.0 ft

  25.0 ft

  11.0 ft

  149.0 ft

  137.5 ft

  1965     1976      2000

Jensen Marine/Cal Boats
Calgan Marine Ltd. (CAN)
Bangor Punta Corp

C. William Lapworth

C. William Lapworth 1919-2006

Excerpts from an interview conducted in 2004:

William “Bill” Lapworth was perhaps the foremost West Coast Naval Architect in the post World War II period. Born in Detroit, Michigan, he attended and graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in marine engineering and naval architecture. After serving in the navy during World War II, Lapworth settled on the west coast and became partners with Merle Davis who had a yacht design office in Los Angeles. Davis died less than a year later.

At first, Lapworth paid the bills by doing surveying work.

Soon he was designing a series of light displacement racing sailboats that began to win or place highly on the East and West Coasts, beginning with Flying Scotsman and Nalu II, 46′ — a four time Class C Transpac race winner and first overall in 1959. Next came the 50′ sloop Ichiban, second overall in the 1961 Transpac. By 1958, more than 70 of the wooden L-36′ sloops had been built; but, by then fiberglass was becoming the material of choice.

All this attracted the attention of boat builder Jack Jensen who, one day walked in to Lapworths office and, with a handshake, was to form one of the most successful relationships in yachting history.

The first boat boat for Jensen was a 24 footer which Jensen proposed to be called the Lapworth 24. But Lapworth felt that since he had previously designed a 24 footer for someone else, a new name was called for.

According to Lapworth, this is when they decided on the name ‘Cal’ boats.

Together, Lapworth and Jensen produced thousands of boats including the Cal 20 (the most successful with more than 1,900 boats produced from 1961 to 1972), 24, 28, 29, 30, 33, 34, 36, 39, 40, and 46. The Lapworth/Jensen association continued until the Jensen’s death in 1980.

In is later years Lapworth kept his own Cal 46 which he said was the favorite of all his designs.

Jensen Marine/Cal Boats

 Founded by Jack Jensen and originally located at Costa Mesa, CA. The company first sold the centerboard LAPWORTH 24 designed by Bill Lapworth. The Lapworth’s 24 sold well. The name was first changed to CALIFORNIA 24 and then CAL 24. The name Cal stuck with the company until it closed in 1986.

The 24 was a success and Jensen hired Lapworth to design several more yachts including a 27 foot pop-top racer/cruiser. (there would ultimately be 3 Cal 27’s)

The CAL 40 was introduced in 1963. These yachts became one of the most celebrated production racings yachts of all time.

Bangor Punta purchased Jensen Marine in 1965*.

Boats were still listed as being built by Jensen Marine for a number of years after this date. Jensen Marine also built RV/Motor homes for few years at the Costa Mesa plant.

The Cal Yacht factory was moved to Tampa, Florida in January of 1981. The factory remained in Tampa until March of 1985. It was then moved to Fall River, Massachusetts and was managed by Jim Hunt, son of yacht designer C. Raymond Hunt. Bangor Punta also owned O’Day Yachts and Prindle Catamarans.

Later there was Siegler Marine, Starcraft Sailboat Products, and then finally just Cal Boats. If all the later takeovers are included, Cal boats continued to be built until 1989.

(Eds. note: An attempt was made to list the boats as they were named by the manufacturer. For example, the second version of the CAL 30 was called the CAL 2-30. In cases where a later model used the same name as an ealier one, the boat is listed here with a unique identifier in parenthisis, such as CAL 24 (HUNT)to designate it as a separate model.)

Calgan Marine Ltd. (CAN)

 Founded by Al Nairne. Based in Vancouver, BC. During a visit to California, Nairne saw a CAL 20, and was so impressed that he made arrangements with Jack Jensen of Jensen Marine to build Cal boats in Canada. Calgan built some 300 Cals (20′ 25′ 28′ 29′), and developed its own line of Crown/Calgan sailboats, at its plant on Crown Street in North Vancouver, BC.

Bangor Punta Corp.

 Bangor Punta Corporation (traded on the NYSE under BNK) was an American conglomerate and Fortune 500 Company founded in 1964. It bought out O’Day Corp. and Jensen Marine as well as a number of other well-known companies primarily in the pleasure craft, firearms and general aviation industries. It was acquired by Lear Siegler, Inc. in 1984.

Owner’s Guide Original Cal25 Brochure 1987 Nat Constitution SeaBreeze Newsletter Chesapeake Fleet History Fleet Captain’s Commentary 1989 Detroit News Letter Cal Clews Detroit Boat Show Late 60s Long Beach report on 1980 Nationals Schreiber Detroit Fleet History Long Beach Newletter – W. Wright

The Cal 25 National Class Association

By Peggy Walsh-Sarnecki reprinted here with Permission of The Detroit Free Press Love to own a sailboat but leery of those boat-show price tags? Stop worrying. There are used boats out there that are every bit as much fun as a new boat, and that leave you enough cash to pay for the slip. One good candidate is the Cal 25, said Peter Wenzler, Bayview Yacht Club’s race chairman.Wenzler has a Cal 25 named O. Henry, and he’s sold on this class of boats for beginners and advanced sailors alike.

“It’s very affordable,” Wenzler said. “You can get into them for about $2,000 (see the Classifieds ) at the low end and about $5,000 at the top.” Beginners will like its stability. The boat doesn’t carry an excessive amount of sail. This means it’s not likely to blow over in an unexpected breeze. It has a roomy cockpit with bench seating for six, and it sleeps four.

Experienced sailors will like the one-design racing in a competitive fleet. Don’t be put off by the PHRF rating of 222. It doesn’t matter what the numbers are when you’re on the starting line jockeying for position — you’ll have your share of thrills.

They just won’t die Cal 25s were built from 1965 to 1972, but the class just won’t die. Bill and Sally Martin of Ann Arbor are two of the most experienced sailors in the area. Their Santa Cruz 70, Stripes, is a consistent Port Huron to Mackinac contender in the big boat class. They started sailing in a Cal 25 called Getaway. They had the boat for six years and then did what most big boat sailors do: progressively moved up in size until they landed in their 70-footer.

Recently their son found an old Cal 25, and the Martins are back to racing with the Cal 25 fleet in the National Offshore One-Design Regatta, commonly called the NOODS, and the annual end-of-season race from Bayview Yacht Club to the North Channel.

Their new Cal 25’s name is reminiscent of the days when the Martins named three of their boats, including the current one, Stars and Stripes. Then Dennis Conner stole the name for his America’s Cup boat and the Martins re-christened theirSanta Cruz 70 Stripes. The new Cal 25? It’s named Stars &.

“It was in the boneyard. The best thing that could have happened to it was a mercy killing,” Martin joked about his new boat. He restored the boat a little more meticulously than the average Cal 25 owner. He won’t say how much he’s spent on it — he says he doesn’t even know.

‘The best deal going’ But talking to Martin, it’s clear it’s a labor of love. “It is the best deal going,” Martin said. “I think in particular in the Detroit area for a boat, because it can do everything you want it to do. If you want to go out with your family and day-sail, it’s easy to sail. If you want to take your family and go overnight, you can do it. And if you want to race it, it’s got an incredibly great one-design class.” “And …they are dirt cheap,” Martin said.

Wenzler said many of the older boats need to have the decking plywood replaced and a support beam placed under the mast. Some of the boats on the market have had this repair.

But if it hasn’t been done, it’s a job the owners can do by themselves, Wenzler said. He even offered to tell Cal 25 owners how to do it, if they just stop in and see him at work. He’s manager of Thomas Hardware in Grosse Pointe Farms, where many local sailors go for their nautical needs. “In the last three or four years, we’ve had a real resurgence of the class,” Wenzler said. “With a little elbow grease, it doesn’t take much to get them competitive.”

Peggy Walsh-Sarnecki can be reached at by E-mail at pwalsh@freepress.com

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cal 2 25 sailboat review

A roomy pocket-cruiser that’s a breeze to sail

It’s not hard to understand why the original Cal 25 appealed to so many sailors. It was relatively inexpensive, easy to maintain, comfortable below deck and fun to sail. Jensen Marine built 1,848 of these compact racer-cruisers between 1965 and 1976, making the Cal 25 one of the company’s most popular boats. But like most things, there was room for improvement and changing preferences among the sailing community resulted in the Cal 25-2, also known as the Cal 25 MkII. 

cal 2 25 sailboat review

C. William “Bill” Lapworth designed both sloops and successfully incorporated suggestions into the updated model. He widened the beam from 8 feet to 9 feet, beefed up the toerail height, increased the cabin standing room, added privacy to the head, and made it possible for buyers to opt for an inboard diesel instead of an outboard engine.

From 1977 to 1983, Jensen Marine, which in 1965 was purchased by Bangor Punta Marine in Cosa Mesa, California, built 392 Cal 25-2s, many of which can be found sailing in California, Texas, the Great Lakes and the southern reaches of the Eastern Seaboard.

First impressions

The Cal 25-2 is Lapworth’s second-generation cruiser. Unlike the original Cal 25, which featured a trunk cabin and was recognized for its flat-top deck, the Cal 25-2 has a raised cabin and a distinctly different profile.

At first glance, the newer design incorporated wider side decks that made it easier for sailors to move fore and aft, and the shrouds were attached inboard rather than to the outside of the hull, further clearing the side deck passageway. The toerails were beefed up to a height of nearly 2 inches. 

More surprises were in store below deck. The interior was reconfigured with 5 feet 10 inches of headroom in the saloon, and 5 feet 6 inches in the head, which previously had no privacy screen. The V-berth was made roomy enough for two full-size adults, so it became possible for a small family to cruise comfortably for more than an overnight. 

Construction

The Cal 25-2 was constructed using the traditional hand-laid fiberglass layering process. It is considered a sturdy boat that has withstood the test of time. The design featured a fin keel with spade rudder and tiller steering. The keel encapsulated 2,000 pounds of lead, eliminated concern about failing keel bolts and giving the well-balanced hull a displacement of 4,500 pounds. 

What to look for

Like any older boat, the Cal 25-2 may exhibit wear from general use, repeated seasonal haul outs and relaunchings that cause the hull to flex or distort, and lax maintenance. Some owners have expressed concern about excessive mast compression as evidenced by fiberglass crazing at the maststep on deck or near the interior cabin liner just beneath it. Potential buyers should inspect for cabintop sag in that area. Indicators of excessive compression also include slack standing rigging and failure of the sliding head privacy door to operate smoothly. Through-hull fittings should also be inspected for wear and standing rigging checked for swage cracks. Based on reports from owners, the electrical system may also require attention if it was improperly installed after the original purchase. 

cal 2 25 sailboat review

Any spongy areas on the foredeck could be the result of water infusion in the fiberglass layers and subsequent delamination, often caused by leaky chainplates. 

“Cal did a very good job with delamination by getting the excess resin out during production,” said Tennessee yacht broker Chris Rooke who has two Cal 25-2s in his inventory. 

The Cal 25-2 is a well-designed and nicely equipped masthead sloop. Although only 25 feet long it has the appearance of a larger boat, partially due to its 9-foot beam that allows for wide decks. The traveler is located on the bridgedeck just before the opening to the companionway, where it doesn’t interfere with those seated in the cockpit. 

The boat has tiller steering. Stainless bow and stern pulpits along with stainless stanchions provide a rugged support system for the boat’s lifelines. A stainless swim ladder is attached to the stern. 

Although the original winches are not self-tailing, they are strategically positioned and adequate in number, as are the cleats. The cabintop features wooden grabrails, the foredeck a hinged hatch. 

Rooke has sold several Cals over the past 20 years and he’s quick to point out the main cabin in the Cal 25-2 “isn’t simply big, it was laid out to be lived in.” He noted, for example, the head compartment closes with a sliding door, ensuring privacy without sacrificing valuable cabin space. The boat has five full-size berths—two settees, a quarter berth and room for two adults in the V-berth. The galley is laid out efficiently with a 4.5-cubic foot icebox, two-burner alcohol stove, single-basin stainless sink, and a 21-gallon freshwater tank. Dinner is served on a fold-down dinette table.

While the original Cal 25 relied on an outboard engine, the Cal 25-2 offered the options of a 15-horsepower gasoline OMC Saildrive, an 11-horsepower Universal 5411 inboard diesel, or an 11-horsepower Yanmar inboard diesel. Like any engine, it should be inspected for oil and fuel leaks, worn belts, tired gaskets, secure mounting bolts and overall alignment. 

The Cal 25-2 performs remarkably well in light winds, mostly thanks to its tall rig, generous 314 square feet of sail area, flat bottom and balanced keel. The mainsail is on the small side, making it easy to handle and pair with a variety of headsails or roller-furling adjustments. The boat has a traveler and boom vang to help tweak the sails. 

We had the opportunity to sail a Cal 25-2 last summer in windy San Francisco Bay. It was easy to see why fans of this boat describe it as nimble and balanced. The deep keel and wide beam make it less tender. Sailing downwind was effortless. The boat also points nicely, as we found during a fast run from the San Francisco Marina to Sausalito and a jog around Alcatraz and Angel Island. Waves splashed the cockpit whenever we were on a beam reach. And since the bay has a strong tide near the Golden Gate Bridge, it wasn’t surprising the boat pounded as we headed upwind in a chop. 

Roomy below deck, ruggedly constructed, affordable and fun to helm, the Cal 25-2 sails like a bigger boat, making it an ideal choice for daysailing or coastal cruising with a small family.

LOA 25’3”; LWL 22’; Beam 9’; Draft 4’6”; Draft shoal  3’6’; Displacement 4,500 lb.; Ballast  2,000 lb.; Sail area   314 sq. ft.

SAILING’s Value Guide

(5-sailboat rating system)

PRICE:  The asking price for a Cal 25-2 ranges from $5,000 to $10,000.  (3.5 sailboats)

DESIGN QUALITY: The Cal 25-2 was designed by C. William “Bill” Lapworth and is often cited for its comfort, efficiency, roominess and ease of handling. The boat features a spade rudder and fin keel, and is known for its well-balanced helm. Lapworth was responsible for many Cal designs, including the most-popular Cal 20 and the much-admired Cal 40.  (3.5 sailboats)

CONSTRUCTION QUALITY: Jensen Marine, purchased by Bangor Punta Marine in 1965, built the boats in California with hand laid-up fiberglass and quality materials, including stainless steel, aircraft-grade aluminum and interior teak.  (3 sailboats)

USER-FRIENDLINESS:  Known for its responsiveness and balance, the Cal 25-2 features roller furling and a boom vang. Owners say the tiller is so balanced a 60-pound person can easily handle the boat in 25 knots of breeze. (3.5 sailboats)

SAFETY: The 9-foot beam and wide side decks with inboard shrouds make it easy for sailors to move fore and aft. The cockpit offers protection from the weather and features a bridgedeck to keep water from entering the cabin.  (3 sailboats)

TYPICAL CONDITION:  The condition of a Cal 25-2 can range from needing only TLC to a boat needing costly upgrades, such as self-tailing winches, upgraded electronics and instrumentation, self-steering system and new sails. (2.5 sailboats)

REFITTING: Many owners have added self-tailing winches, replaced the portable toilet, upgraded the stove to non-pressurized alcohol, added self-steering and brought control lines back to the cockpit.  (2.5 sailboats)

SUPPORT: The Cal 25 Owners Association www.Cal25.org maintains an active presence online. Jensen Marine is no longer in business.  (3.5 sailboats)

AVAILABILITY: Five Cal 25-2s were for sale in the U.S. in early 2019. The boat was in production for seven years from 1977 to 1983, and 392 boats were built. Another version under license was built and sold in Brazil as the Martinique 25, which had a shoal draft of 3 feet, 5 inches. (2.5 sailboats)

INVESTMENT AND RESALE:  Given that a Cal 25-2 in top condition sells for between $8,000 and $10,000 and has all the features of a 27-footer, makes it a great buy for a used compact cruiser. The boat is a great value, as one broker put it, “You couldn’t make a Cal 25 with an inboard diesel today for less than $95,000.”(3 sailboats)

Overall SVG Rating: 3 sailboats

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cal 2 25 sailboat review


magazine, February 1998)


Aficionados of '60s designs quickly recognize the Cal 25 as a classic collaboration of Bill Lapworth and Jack Jensen. From the spoon bow to the flattish transom, from the wide cove strip to the raised deck with long rectangular portlights, the Cal 25 cuts a handsome profile. Lapworth usually saved his best work for what was below the waterline and the 25 is no exception. Like a miniature Cal 40, the 25 features a long fin keel and spade rudder, which was a radical concept in 1965, and a relatively long waterline of 20 feet. The displacement of 4,000 pounds was considered quite light, although the cast lead ballast of 1,700 pounds certainly helps keep the 25 on its feet. In fact, the Cal 25 is a remarkably stiff boat, as numerous ocean passages attest, and is by no means over-canvassed with 286 square feet of sail area. By comparison, the Cal 25, yesterday’s nimble racer, is heavier and has less sail area than a typical modern pocket cruiser like the Catalina 250.


The Cal 25 hull is solid fiberglass and typical of the construction methods of the day: it is rather thick, resin rich, and often not all that fair with occasional hard spots and “print throughs”, which means that the underlying glass fabric is visible in the surface of the hull. The one-piece molded deck was reinforced with plywood. The hull and deck joint, which is set on a small flange, is riveted and covered with a 6-inch fiberglass tape from the inside. It is covered with a rubber rubrail and therefore subject to damage from impact. The lead keel is externally fastened and the spade rudder is draped over a robust stainless steel stock. The forward bulkheads, which are usually mahogany-faced plywood, and tabbed to the hull, front a deck beam, which was actually molded into the deck and supports the deck-stepped spar. The inboard chainplates are bolted through the bulkheads as well.


As with any older boat, especially one that has been raced hard and put away wet, there are many problems to be aware of before purchasing. With Cal 25’s, however, it is difficult to comment on general problems because the boats have usually been retrofit by previous owners along the way and one can't always be sure what has and hasn't been upgraded. Still, there are some common flaws to be on the lookout for. A lot of old Cal 25’s have soft decks, some are spongy. Invariably the plywood has rotted, usually the result of a deck leak, and needs to be replaced. At least the plywood is accessible in most places. Although it is a big job, it is possible to stiffen wet deck sections with new marine-grade plywood, although the purchase price should certainly reflect this time-consuming repair project. If the deck is soft, it’s likely that the main deck beam may be sagging or worse, delaminating. Again, this is not a task for the mechanically challenged, yet it is certainly a do-it-yourself-type task if you have adequate woodworking and fiberglass skills. John Hall, who owns a 1970 Cal 25, , suggests adding a new mast compression post at the same time.

The forward bulkheads may also need attention. If the bulk heads are pulling away from the hull, they can usually be wrangled back into place, especially when the rig is out of the boat, and refiberglassed.If they have begun to rot, usually caused by leaking chainplates, it may be necessary to replace them. Unless you are literally stealing the boat, you should probably look for another 25. Another common problem is leaking portlights. Originally, they were safety glass and if you need to replace them, use Plexiglas® or LEXAN®. Also, the rubrail is often in sad repair and needs to be replaced. Fortunately, Steve Seal of Seal’s Spars and Rigging in Alameda, California, has new rub rails available. When hauled, check the rudder for any signs of cracking. The original rudder was light sandwich construction, subject to cracking, especially after a cold winter on the hard. Seal, who was a rigger with Jensen Marine in the '60’s, is an excellent resource for Cal owners and can help you track down a new rudder if necessary. Also, Cal 25’s have a tendency to blister, although they are certainly not unique in this category.

One item to inspect carefully is the electrical system. The original boats came with an "optional" electrical system, that was basic to say the least. Most boats come with some type of owner-installed electrical system and these can vary wildly. Carefully check the panel and wiring, being alert to twisted wire and taped-over connections. These are not only a nuisance and cause electrical instruments to fail, they can be dangerous. One final item to check carefully is the main companionway hatch on older boats. The original design was a three-piece model that not only slid on tracks, but popped up. Many of these hatches were retrofitted at some point so be sure to check the construction carefully.

The cockpit is the most distinctive feature on the Cal 25. It is 7 feet 6 inches long, which represents 30 percent of the LOA, and is quite comfortable. It can easily accommodate four adults. John Hall remembers a time when he had 12 people on board on the Columbia River. In a way it is surprising that the 25 has such a proud record of offshore sailing because the voluminous cockpit and huge companionway are certainly not designed for bluewater sailing. The 25 is a tiller boat and, although I'm sure some have probably been retrofitted with wheel steering, I have never seen or heard of one.

Although pulpits and lifelines were options, most boats on the market have them. Be sure to carefully check that they are through-bolted with backing plates, as owners often undertook this upgrade themselves.




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cal 2 25 sailboat review

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cal 2 25 sailboat review

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Covering the boat is one of the last steps in the winterizing process which readies all of your boat systems for the coming temperature drop. (Photo/ Marc Robic)

Winterizing: Make It Easy With Checklists

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cal 2 25 sailboat review

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cal 2 25 sailboat review

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cal 2 25 sailboat review

Sailing Gear for Kids

cal 2 25 sailboat review

What’s the Best Sunscreen?

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UV Clothing: Is It Worth the Hype?

cal 2 25 sailboat review

Preparing Yourself for Solo Sailing

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cal 2 25 sailboat review

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cal 2 25 sailboat review

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cal 2 25 sailboat review

Dear Readers

  • Sailboat Reviews

Bill Lapworth's mid-'70s racer/cruiser is still active today, and a bargain to boot.

cal 2 25 sailboat review

Jack Jensen formed one of the country’s most successful fiberglass boatbuilding companies in 1959—Jensen Marine—when it introduced the Lapworth 24 centerboarder. Not long after, the name was changed to Cal. Based in Costa Mesa, California, the model name stood for the state of its origin. The Cal 24 got the company going, no doubt helped by the much publicized circumnavigation of teenager Robin Lee Graham, documented in book and film by the name of Dove.

The famous ocean racer, the Cal 40, with its divided keel and rudder, came along about 1965. Our story begins in 1970, with the introduction of the Cal 29, another of the company’s many successful designs. Looking for something similar but a bit smaller, the company asked designer Bill Lapworth for a 27- footer, which at first was the Cal 27, a fin keel, spade rudder design with a convertible pop top; another incarnation of this basic hull was the T/2. But the concept of the 29 found its full expression in the Cal 2-27, which began production in 1975 and continued to 1977, after which it was again modified and called simply the Cal 27…again. Production of it ceased in 1986. In the mid-’70s Jensen Marine was bought by Bangor Punta and moved east to Fall River, Massachusetts. O’Day was part of the company business, too, run by Jim Hunt, son of yacht designer C. Raymond Hunt. By the end of the 1980s operations ceased, due to the severe downturn in boat sales, the same tailspin that caught Pearson and many others.

Cal 2-27

Design & Construction The Cal 2-27 (and the 1980s Cal 27) is somewhat different than the first Cal 27 and T/2. Where the earlier design had a relatively flat underbody, the 2- 27 shows a somewhat beamier and fuller hull, with a displacement/length ratio of 278, compared to 218 for the initial design. The 2-27’s displacement of 6,700 lbs. was up from 5,400 Lbs., beam was 3″ greater, and the waterline 3″ less. Where the T/2 had a funny fixed cabin to provide headroom (a problem with the pop-top 27), the 2-27 gave 6′ 2″ headroom throughout. So she was conceived to appeal more to family sailing than racing. Like the 27, the 2-27 also incorporated a small skeg to provide a bearing for the rudder, a feature of many Lapworth designs of that period.

The hull is solid fiberglass and ballast is internal lead, dropped into an “envelope keel.” The deck was cored with plywood sections set in a mish-mash of resin and glass, held down by sandbags until cured. Fred Cook, vice-president of Schaefer Marine, who worked for Cal during those years, jokingly said they called it “early vacuum bagging.”

The hull-to-deck joint was sealed with putty and glassed over on the inside. The interior incorporates a half pan which would include the cabin sole and hull stiffeners; above that the berths and other furniture were wood. Unusual in a production boat, the bulkheads were bonded to the hull and deck (this means a soft liner to cover the overhead, instead of a fiberglass molding). These are real pluses.

Most owners rate construction as excellent, employing the term “overbuilt.” One owner said, “The Cal 2-27 has been well-designed and constructed and rigged with good quality materials.” Cook said he knows of one 27 that cruised the South Pacific. “They’re bombproof,” he said.

There are some complaints, however, one of the more common being inadequate backing plates for stanchions and deck hardware. A number of owners said they fabricated their own to correct this weakness. Other criticisms include gelcoat crazing (which is common to most older boats), difficulty in sealing chainplates at the deck, need for ground tackle system (e.g., bow roller, chocks, anchor well, etc.), hulldeck joint leaks, gate valves on through-hulls, lightweight companionway drop boards, loose rudder post, and opening ports in head that hold water. There always are a few detractors of any design, it seems, and we did receive a response from one owner who said the boat “is not well built (leaks, poor hatches, siphoning effect through head, poor adjuststanchions).

I installed backing plates, new hatches, electronics, traveler, etc.” After which he concluded it is a good family boat, suitable for day racing “if upgraded.”

The interior is roomy, with a V-berth forward, settees amidships, and the galley aft, under the companionway and bridge deck (nice feature).

The only wrinkle is that the head is part of the forward cabin, so there are some complaints about lack of privacy. “There is an upside,” wrote one owner. “The forward cabin is truly a mini-stateroom, much less claustrophobic than other boats of similar size.” On the later model 27s, a folding door was added to separate the head from the V-berth. The same owner also mentioned that with the galley athwartship, companionway traffic crosses over it. Storage space is a bit limited, and though the counter is long and provides some good uncluttered space for working, some aspects of it are awkward, such as the ice box, which requires putting a knee on the port settee and sticking your head under the overhead to look inside.

The berths are all of good length at 6′ 4″. (In the late-model 27s, the galley was given an L-shape, taking space from the starboard settee, so that the foot of the berth was shoved into the hanging locker; it’s doubtful a tall person would be comfortable on it.) Pilot berths were offered as options, so that the boat could sleep six persons.

Cal 2-27

Performance Owner comments about sailing performance range from criticism to jubilation. The owner of a 1976 model says the boat is probably 1,000 lbs. overweight and slow. Others said it is the “fastest moderate displacement 27-footer I know of,” and it is an “extremely fast boat rarely beaten, then only by some pure racers.” The majority of survey respondents, however, rate the boat’s speed upwind and downwind as average to above average. Most owners seem to agree that the 2-27 is quite stable, heeling to 20 degrees and settling in. Regarding balance, again responses vary widely; a few say it is skittish, needing “a high degree of sail adjustment to balance.” But most say it handles nicely until higher wind speeds are experienced, when weather helm can become a problem. One owner said, “Weather helm can be minimized by proper rigging and sail trim adjustments.” On the whole, owners seem to feel the boat behaves well, even in the blustery conditions of the San Francisco Bay area. “A good sailing boat,” seems to sum it up.

The Atomic 4 gasoline engine was installed in many boats, with a single-cylinder 12-hp Farymann diesel as an option that few chose. Some boats were fitted with outboards instead. We have also heard from owners with Volvo MB10A and 11-hp. Universal diesels. A number of owners said accessibility was less than ideal. And not many Farymann diesel owners had much good to say about it—“Electrolysis just ate it up and it was difficult to get parts.” Diesel owners also said they felt their boats were underpowered. The owner of an outboard model said, “Inboard engine is a must; do not recommend outboard.” And there were the usual complaints about control when backing.

Cal 2-27

Conclusion Despite what may appear to be a litany of gripes from owners of the Cal 2-27, they appear, by and large, to be a happy lot. None reported major problems with the boat, rather small stuff that can be corrected. Overall integrity of the hull and deck structures seems to be above average.

As the years went by, the interior was upgraded with more teak veneers, opening ports and better equipment.

Owners feel the boat stands up well to windy conditions, stating they feel safe in the boat because she is stable, does not heel excessively, and remains under control when the usual precautions have been taken (i.e., shortening sail).

The more serious considerations for a potential buyer will be general condition, and in that regard a number of respondents said they’d never seen a really ratty Cal 2-27, adding that the owner group has a sense of pride and camaraderie. Indeed, in California there are a number of very active fleets that turn out in double figures for scheduled racing events.

For cruising, the boat seems best suited to two persons-a number of owners said so. The cockpit, which seems to be of sufficient size, again is most comfortable with just two to three persons, especially when tiller steered. But for weekend and short cruises, the boat is more than adequate.

Cal 2-27

Price of the Cal 2-27, when new in 1975, was $11,950 base, but this did not include sails and many other essential accessories. Today that boat sells for about $14,000 to $15,000.

The “Price History” chart, using data from the BUC Research Used Boat Price Guide, shows a large increase in prices in 1986; remember that during the late 1970s and into the mid-1980s, new boat prices accelerated, drawing used boat prices along, so that one could occasionally make money on an older boat. But the market collapsed in the late 1980s, accounting for the dramatic decrease in 1988 values. As we have discussed before, during this period BUC generally depreciated values until, in the early 1990s, brokers protested that because the used boat market was to a large extent cleared of mediocre boats, those that remained were actually commanding somewhat higher prices than a few years before. BUC responded by saying it had adjusted values for some boats slightly upward based on spot identification of those particular boats.

In fact, it seems to us that BUC has increased values across the board in 1993 and 1994, which is reflected in the slight upturn in prices for last year. We’re not convinced this is justified. When we checked other publications for asking prices, we found surprisingly few 2-27s and 27s listed.

Those mid-70s models we did find ranged from a low of $9,000 to $15,900. So while we think the BUC prices for these boats are pretty much on target, we do think you can find some boats for less. We doubt BUC would disagree.

RELATED ARTICLES MORE FROM AUTHOR

CROWN 28 is a Lapworth built & designed boat, that is based off the CAL-2-27 molds. Lapworth is Canadian and took the CAL design and improved upon it in CANADA, then unleashed the CROWN 28 in 1975 or so. The CROWN 28 is an undervalued boat when you consider the improvements on the CAL 2-27, it is built from and how the CAL 2-27 with worse capsize ratings and worse speed ratings, well, the CROWN 28 is the upgraded CAL 2-27, but people don;t know or realize!!!

Look in CANADA and find a CROWN 28, it’s the improved CAL 2-27 from the early to mid 70’s!!!!

Iam still looking for information on the Cal 2-30 Made by Jensen. Did find a sales brochure but nothing like a review or one for sale.I found one I can buy but would like to know more about it.

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cal 2 25 sailboat review

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Cal 25 Burning Desire and Smitten 

Designed by C. William “Bill” Lapworth, this stout 25 ft keelboat is comfortable below deck and fun to sail.  The Cal-2 25' performs well in light winds, due to its tall rig, large sail area, flat bottom and balanced keel.  Roomy below deck, ruggedly constructed, and fun to helm, the Cal-2 25' sails like a bigger boat, making it an ideal choice for daysailing or coastal cruising with a small family.

Pricing: See current rental price list

Cal 25s are great for day sailing and training and are a perfect beginner boat. Not setup for night time or overnight use. 

Boat Specifications

LOA (Length Overall): 25 feet

LWL (Length at Waterline): 20 feet 

Beam: Approximately 8 feet 

Draft: Approximately 4 feet

Displacement: 4,000 lbs 

Sail Area: 273 square feet 

Mast Height: 32 feet 

Hull Material: Typically fiberglass

Keel Type: Fin keel

Rigging: Masthead sloop rig

Rental Expections

Upto 2 hours of Fuel per day of rental is included in the rental cost. Please refuel to 1 inch below the filler line and provide your receipts if you motor over this. 

Damage Policy

At Afterguard you are responsible for any damage to boats caused during your rental, upto the value of our insurance deductible. 

Tow Insurance

You should carry your own Tow Insurance which should be shown at reception or emailed to [email protected] before rental

Overnight Mooring

We can provide ownership, Insurance and rental documentation and will be happy to work with the marina at your destination to ensure they have the paperwork they need for you to stay. Requires 48 hours notice. 

PFD and Safety Equipment

We provide a personal flotation device (PFD aka lifejacket) and optional other equipment for every member of your crew. We strongly recommend PFDs are worn when outside the cabin while underway. Use it before the boat begins to move to avoid risk when leaving or coming in to the docks.

Cooking on Board

O'Hana has a propane stove and boat gas grill. We supply basic cooking implements - Pots, Pans and tableware as well as basic condiments such as salt and pepper. 

If you have images of Ohana we could use here, please email them to [email protected]

cal 2 25 sailboat review

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  • Sailboat Guide

Cal 25 is a 25 ′ 0 ″ / 7.6 m monohull sailboat designed by C. William Lapworth and built by Bangor Punta Corp., Jensen Marine/Cal Boats, and Calgan Marine Ltd. between 1965 and 1976.

Drawing of Cal 25

Rig and Sails

Auxilary power, accomodations, calculations.

The theoretical maximum speed that a displacement hull can move efficiently through the water is determined by it's waterline length and displacement. It may be unable to reach this speed if the boat is underpowered or heavily loaded, though it may exceed this speed given enough power. Read more.

Classic hull speed formula:

Hull Speed = 1.34 x √LWL

Max Speed/Length ratio = 8.26 ÷ Displacement/Length ratio .311 Hull Speed = Max Speed/Length ratio x √LWL

Sail Area / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the power of the sails relative to the weight of the boat. The higher the number, the higher the performance, but the harder the boat will be to handle. This ratio is a "non-dimensional" value that facilitates comparisons between boats of different types and sizes. Read more.

SA/D = SA ÷ (D ÷ 64) 2/3

  • SA : Sail area in square feet, derived by adding the mainsail area to 100% of the foretriangle area (the lateral area above the deck between the mast and the forestay).
  • D : Displacement in pounds.

Ballast / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the stability of a boat's hull that suggests how well a monohull will stand up to its sails. The ballast displacement ratio indicates how much of the weight of a boat is placed for maximum stability against capsizing and is an indicator of stiffness and resistance to capsize.

Ballast / Displacement * 100

Displacement / Length Ratio

A measure of the weight of the boat relative to it's length at the waterline. The higher a boat’s D/L ratio, the more easily it will carry a load and the more comfortable its motion will be. The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more.

D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³

  • D: Displacement of the boat in pounds.
  • LWL: Waterline length in feet

Comfort Ratio

This ratio assess how quickly and abruptly a boat’s hull reacts to waves in a significant seaway, these being the elements of a boat’s motion most likely to cause seasickness. Read more.

Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam 1.33 )

  • D: Displacement of the boat in pounds
  • LOA: Length overall in feet
  • Beam: Width of boat at the widest point in feet

Capsize Screening Formula

This formula attempts to indicate whether a given boat might be too wide and light to readily right itself after being overturned in extreme conditions. Read more.

CSV = Beam ÷ ³√(D / 64)

Flush deck with ‘pop top’ companionway. One of the most popular CAL models. A completely different design from the later Cal 2-25.

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The Cal 25 is a 25.0ft masthead sloop designed by C. William Lapworth and built in fiberglass by Jensen Marine/Cal Boats between 1965 and 1976.

1848 units have been built..

The Cal 25 is a moderate weight sailboat which is a good performer. It is very stable / stiff and has a low righting capability if capsized. It is best suited as a day-boat.

Cal 25 sailboat under sail

Cal 25 for sale elsewhere on the web:

cal 2 25 sailboat review

Main features

Model Cal 25
Length 25 ft
Beam 8 ft
Draft 4 ft
Country United states (North America)
Estimated price $ 0 ??

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cal 2 25 sailboat review

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Sail area / displ. 18.24
Ballast / displ. 42.50 %
Displ. / length 223.21
Comfort ratio 18.01
Capsize 2.02
Hull type Monohull fin keel with spade rudder
Construction Fiberglass
Waterline length 20 ft
Maximum draft 4 ft
Displacement 4000 lbs
Ballast 1700 lbs
Hull speed 5.99 knots

cal 2 25 sailboat review

We help you build your own hydraulic steering system - Lecomble & Schmitt

Rigging Masthead Sloop
Sail area (100%) 286 sq.ft
Air draft 0 ft ??
Sail area fore 149 sq.ft
Sail area main 137.50 sq.ft
I 29.80 ft
J 10 ft
P 25 ft
E 11 ft
Nb engines 1
Total power 0 HP
Fuel capacity 0 gals

Accommodations

Water capacity 0 gals
Headroom 0 ft
Nb of cabins 0
Nb of berths 0
Nb heads 0

Builder data

Builder Jensen Marine/Cal Boats
Designer C. William Lapworth
First built 1965
Last built 1976
Number built 1848

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Check out this Cal 25 for me

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Greetings all I'm new to the forum, been lurking for a while, trying to pick up tips and so on, and am looking to buy my first boat. I've found this Cal 25 Picasa Web Albums - GamerKev - Cal 25 on Craigslist. The Cal 25 would suit my purposes well, singlehandable, can race, good for taking friends out, forgiving. The owner wants $3200 (negotiable) which would be in my price range. Hull, rigging, shrouds, rudder, etc all seem pretty good. I got a look at two of the sails, they were pretty clean and crisp, with a nice cover. He has three more sails to include as well. Hardware isn't anything to write home about, but not rusted at all and the lines are nice. Bottom needs paint, but there were no blisters that I could see. It has some issues: Outboard is questionable Needs cosmetic work, especially inside No stern pulpit Bilge pump inoperable Electronics active but he doesn't know if the instruments work(?!) These I think I can handle since I kinda wanted a fixer-upper for the summer, to sail next year, but the main concern is the deck over the cabin. Common problem with these boats apparently. He has leaking which is coming through the fittings, making them rust, and making a giant mess of everything. I snapped a few pictures of them. I'm thinking of offering $2K for it, given all the issues it has. The question I have for everyone today is: is that deck problem a deal breaker no matter the price? Or is there a fix that can be attained without spending more than the boat is worth? He said he had another buyer, but even if that is true, I have a feeling they'll run screaming once they get an idea of the work involved. Any advice would be much appreciated. He said I could go look at it again myself if I wanted to, so I can get more pics if anyone thinks it will help. Like I said, a Cal 25 is my first choice, but you won't break my heart if you suggest I let this one go. Thanks in advance.  

cal 2 25 sailboat review

Sailrkev- First, I think that $2000 is way too high a price for this boat. IMHO, it isn't worth that much, just based on the issues I can see in the photos. I'd recommend you read the Boat Inspection Trip Tips thread I started, as it will help you determine whether this boat is worth looking into further or not...  

In Southern California that would be a free boat, and he probably wouldn't get too many takers. Cal 25s are good boats, but find another one.  

I agree, way to high, to much work. I do like Cal 25's, easy sailing Ok for weekends. but it's a buyers market out there. I would Look around more  

cal 2 25 sailboat review

Given that your profile does not indicate where you're located, the following link may not be helpful as other than a point of reference but check-out Cal-25 Sailboat  

That would be perfect, but with no trailer, a bit out of reach... Oh well Thanks for the tip, anyway  

Cal 25 I am sorry but I think you mistyped. You did mean to say he was paying you $3000 to take it -right?  

cal 2 25 sailboat review

It's funny, but I've been following sailboat ads for a few years. This year seems surprisingly poor, as if anyone who can hold on to their boat is doing so (and fewer people are upgrading and selling off previously-loved boats). The loved boats are kept, and only the drags are on the market. Maybe I'm being harsh, but I think the quality used to be better.  

Sailrkev-- Given that Edgewater Maryland is only about 800 miles, it might be worth renting a trailor and driving dow to pick the boat up, no? The asking proce seems really fair. FWIW...  

svHyLyte said: Sailrkev-- Given that Edgewater Maryland is only about 800 miles, it might be worth renting a trailor and driving dow to pick the boat up, no? The asking proce seems really fair. FWIW... Click to expand...

boats in MD If you are willing to truck it from MD I know of 2 boats for sale. They are as follows: 1977-78 ? Helms 27 Universall diesel (runs) Needs TLC and cleaning $3500k 1980's? Islander 30 Volvo diesel (runs) Has some soft spots where chainplates were leaking and also some leaks at stanchion bases. Needs TLC and cleaning $5000k both are in much better shape than the Cal 25 in pictures. Both could be sailed with a good cleaning and organizing.  

There are number of nice fixer-upper boats in my marina alone that can be bought for $1.00, and that's negotiable. Similar in condition to that one. If you want to buy a sailboat, now is the time. People across the country are abandoning perfectly good boats because they can't afford the dockage. Good luck! Best Regards, e .::.  

Kev-- For the sake of the exercise, call A&B Marine Trucking in Annapolis at 800-843-5265 and ask them what they would charge to transport the yacht from Bert Jabins Yard in Annapolis to Milwaukee. They trucked our 42' 21000 lb yacht from Annapolis to Tampa Florida for $2,900.00 and I suspect they'd charge you a heck of a lot less than that for that little Cal given the current state of the economy. Moreover, I suspect the Seller will likely give up the boat for a good deal less than the asking for the same reason. Jabins will charge you to pull the mast and lift the boat onto the truck but for that boat it shouldn't be much at all and she looks like a sweet boat (most Cal's are! We had one for 20+ years!) FWIW... s/v HyLyte PS: Of course, you could also sail her up to the Hudson and bring her through the Erie Canal with the mast on deck and then sail her from Lake Erie. I would!  

There is a little Cal (22?) for $1 that needs work, but is solid, in Toledo Ohio marina. You could have it sailing in a couple of weeks. Best Regards, e .::.  

My word. A thread on what a 25' $2000 boat looks like. It's 25 foot? It floats? It's probably worth $2000, if that's all you have and you're willing to invest effort and future money into it. I doubt anyone has seen the pristine 25' $2000 boat. Of course, this is the market we're talking about. And the addition of another $1000 to the kitty may reveal that there are a lot more $3000 25' boats out there that are a better "value" than there are $2000 boats.  

cal 2 25 sailboat review

I've done my share of boat fixups, but I like to choose my battles carefully. The pictures of that Cal are sending shivers up my spine. I'd take it for free if I had a free and convenient place to work on it. Maybe. Or not.  

cal 2 25 sailboat review

In November 2008 I bought my 25' C&C for $1500 from a guy that couldn't use it and didn't want to pay the dockage on it. This link shows the condition it was in when I went to buy it. C&C 25 Sailboat Photo Gallery by Don Haller at pbase.com It was and is in waaayyyyyyyyy better shape than this Cal. I mean wayyy better shape. I'd look around some more if I were you. There are lots of others available. Like someone else said... there are a lot more to choose from in the 2500-3000 range if you can go that high. Then perhaps you can work that price down a little once you find a sound boat with a better foundation for your project.  

cal 2 25 sailboat review

I've got a Starwind 22 with trailer for sale. All you have to do is put your gear on board and sail off. I will neg. on the price. Starwind 22  

cal 2 25 sailboat review

Kev, Sailboats grow on trees. Unless you are absolutely in love with this particular boat, and you want to spend ALL your free time, and alot of money getting her in shape to sail, you should pass on this one. There are just too many other boats of the same relative size, capabilities, price, etc. that are ready to sail right now to justifying sinking your hopes and dreams into this one. Just my 2 cents.  

cal 2 25 sailboat review

$1500 if the motor is good and the boat has a set of cushions. The Cal's a good boat with a great hull, but this one was run hard and put away wet. You're leaking through those bolts that were installed withouot backplates. Mildew indicates long exposure to moisture. Better check all of the plywood to make sure it's not spongy. Check the overhead around the trim of the pop-top. If the ply is spongy, you're also leaking there. You'll have to pull the wood off and inspect. The motor is my biggest concern. I just saw a good used 9.9 4-stroke longshaft Merc rigged for remote throttle for $2k. If the outboard is questionable, assume replacement! If you don't trust your outboard and don't know how to dock under sail, then you need a new outboard. This is not in need of cosmetic work. This is a full-fledged fixer-upper. If you have the time and the $2k for repairs, paint, and upgrades (5k if you want to go fancy, like me), it's a great first boat, otherwise pass. -Mike 1968 Cal 25, "Sattar"  

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Cal 25-2 for bluewater sailing?

  • Thread starter Veladora25
  • Start date Apr 5, 2014
  • Brand-Specific Forums

Hey everyone, I'm leaving the army in a year or two, selling everything and sailing from CA to FL via the Panama canal. That's the plan, anyway. I own a Cal 25-2 and am wondering what your thoughts are on using this boat to do the trip, assuming that she's in good condition and outfitted with the essentials. Am I going to die? hahaha Seriously, should I upgrade to a 32 or 36'? I will have the ability to upgrade, but would rather not spend the money if I don't need to, because after all this fun, I have to go find a job, and need some dough for the job-hunting period. I have only used her in Monterey Bay. I've only been out in 20 knots of wind and swells of 11 feet or so. I can't say if she handles well or not--I have no other experience to compare with. I've done one 25-mile trip with no issues, and am doing the 100 mile trip up to San Fran next month.  

Assuming she's in good condition, she can probably handle more than you can. Practice, be prepared for the unexpected, ask at places ( like here), get as much knowledge as you can. I think Zeehag will have some experience on this plan.  

Thanks for the response. Is Zeehag on this forum?  

Kestle

I'd replace the chainplates and strengthen the rigging before you go. Use the old set as your spare. I'd also have a complete steering replacement on board. Three radios, with one and a compass in a faraday cage, to protect against lightning. Also, get and learn to use a drogue. Just my two bits. Have fun! Jeff  

Veladora25 said: Thanks for the response. Is Zeehag on this forum? Click to expand

Kings Gambit

Kings Gambit

Questions Hey, that's a big trip. Are you going alone (single-handing)? When was the boat last surveyed? Does it have radar? Have you ever sailed at night, and have you ever anchored the boat?  

Bill1565

Veladora25 said: Hey everyone, I'm leaving the army in a year or two, selling everything and sailing from CA to FL via the Panama canal. That's the plan, anyway. I own a Cal 25-2 and am wondering what your thoughts are on using this boat to do the trip, assuming that she's in good condition and outfitted with the essentials. Am I going to die? hahaha Seriously, should I upgrade to a 32 or 36'? I will have the ability to upgrade, but would rather not spend the money if I don't need to, because after all this fun, I have to go find a job, and need some dough for the job-hunting period. I have only used her in Monterey Bay. I've only been out in 20 knots of wind and swells of 11 feet or so. I can't say if she handles well or not--I have no other experience to compare with. I've done one 25-mile trip with no issues, and am doing the 100 mile trip up to San Fran next month.[/QUOTE Google Steve and JaJa Martin . They circumnavigated in a Cal 25. Had two kids en route. Click to expand

Hey Veladora I just purchased a cal 25-2 that is in Moss Landing. Would love to compare notes and hear about your trip up the coast. Send me a note when you can.  

Cal Santa Cruz

Skyware said: Hey Veladora I just purchased a cal 25-2 that is in Moss Landing. Would love to compare notes and hear about your trip up the coast. Send me a note when you can. Click to expand

i have a 65 cal 25-1 and am wanting to do the same but from columbia river to the gulf using the panama canal any advice on sailing these boats? i will have a kicker mototr. and am looking at eather a Furuno 1622 radar for 350 needs cable or a Raytheon R20X 24 mile for 300 or a furuno radar,model 1831 for 100 any ideas?  

centerline

Veladora25 said: Hey everyone, I'm leaving the army in a year or two, selling everything and sailing from CA to FL via the Panama canal. That's the plan, anyway. I own a Cal 25-2 and am wondering what your thoughts are on using this boat to do the trip, assuming that she's in good condition and outfitted with the essentials. Am I going to die? hahaha Seriously, should I upgrade to a 32 or 36'? I will have the ability to upgrade, but would rather not spend the money if I don't need to, because after all this fun, I have to go find a job, and need some dough for the job-hunting period. I have only used her in Monterey Bay. I've only been out in 20 knots of wind and swells of 11 feet or so. I can't say if she handles well or not--I have no other experience to compare with. I've done one 25-mile trip with no issues, and am doing the 100 mile trip up to San Fran next month. Click to expand
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IMAGES

  1. Cal 2 25

    cal 2 25 sailboat review

  2. Cal 25-2

    cal 2 25 sailboat review

  3. SailboatData.com

    cal 2 25 sailboat review

  4. 1978 Cal 2-25 sailboat for sale in Florida

    cal 2 25 sailboat review

  5. Jensen Marine/Cal Boats

    cal 2 25 sailboat review

  6. CAL 2-25, 1980, Rogersville, Alabama, sailboat for sale from Sailing Texas

    cal 2 25 sailboat review

VIDEO

  1. Wicked Salty Sailing Merit 25

  2. Sailing a Catalina 25

  3. Single Handing My Cal 2-29

  4. Yamaha 22' vs 25'

  5. CATALINA 25 GALLEY AND HEAD REPAIRS & UPGRADES! YOUR GONNA LIKE THESE!

  6. The Performance Sailboat from Island Packet: Blue Jacket 40 Boat Review

COMMENTS

  1. CAL 2-25

    Sometimes referred to as CAL 25-2 or CAL 25 MKII. This second version of the CAL 25 with it's trunk cabin, is a completely different design from the earlier model. A Universal 11 HP Diesel was offered as an option. Thanks to 2-25 owner Rick Shepler for providing updated information. Another version under license was built and sold in Brazil as ...

  2. Opinions on Cal 2-25

    Boat Review Forum. SailNet is a forum community dedicated to Sailing enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about sailing, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, ... This week I am going to look at two 1979 Cal 2-25 boats. One is in very good condition, so I am told, and the other needs a "little TLC", whatever that means. They are both ...

  3. The Everyman Boat: The Cal 25

    Designed by Bill Lapworth and built originally by Jensen Marine, the Cal (short for California) 25 quickly earned a reputation around the marks. Starting in the early days of fiberglass, they are also bulletproof. The hulls are thick and solid, reflecting the as yet unknown lifespan of the material. About 1850 of them were built between 1965 ...

  4. The Cal 25 & History

    The Cal 25 is one of the most popular and successful Cals ever built. Over 2,000 hulls were constructed, and although they were designed over 40 years ago, they remain one of the more popular one-design racing yachts throughout the U.S. with fleets in Detroit, MI; Annapolis, MD; New Orleans, LA; Long Beach, CA and more. The boat was designed by ...

  5. Cal 25-2

    PRICE: The asking price for a Cal 25-2 ranges from $5,000 to $10,000. (3.5 sailboats) DESIGN QUALITY: The Cal 25-2 was designed by C. William "Bill" Lapworth and is often cited for its comfort, efficiency, roominess and ease of handling. The boat features a spade rudder and fin keel, and is known for its well-balanced helm.

  6. Cal 25: Simple, able and cheap

    A Cal 25 is a logical boat to test the waters of family sailing before committing to a bigger or newer boat and a big monthly payment. First impressions Aficionados of '60s designs quickly recognize the Cal 25 as a classic collaboration of Bill Lapworth and Jack Jensen. From the spoon bow to the flattish transom, from the wide cove strip to the ...

  7. Cal 2-25

    Cal 2-25 is a 25′ 3″ / 7.7 m monohull sailboat designed by C. William Lapworth and built by Bangor Punta Corp. and Jensen Marine/Cal Boats between 1977 and 1983. ... (D ÷ 64) 2/3. SA: Sail area in square feet, derived by adding the mainsail area to 100% of the foretriangle area (the lateral area above the deck between the mast and the ...

  8. Cal 2-25

    The Cal 2-25 was mostly sailed as a cruising sailboat and was not widely raced. [8] In a 1994 review, Richard Sherwood wrote, "Bill Lapworth designs boats with long waterlines, spade rudders, and moderate to light displacement. The result is a compromise between a cruiser and a racer." [3]

  9. Cal 2-25

    What a great boat. Purchased "Juliet" not even a year ago (renamed her) and have enjoyed this boat very much. Moved up from a Spirit 6.5 and really appreciate the headroom, interior layout and QUALITY!\u000BNo major problems and Juliet is in really ggod shape for a 1980 Model.

  10. CAL 25

    Discount Sails-Cal_25. Electric Yacht. New Rudders. Sail Trailers. SeaWaterPro. SBD App - BR. top 1 ads row1. top 2 ads row2. top 3 ads row2. CAL 25. Save to Favorites ... Like the LWL, it will vary with the weights of fuel, water, stores and equipment. A boat's actual draft is usually somewhat more than the original designed or advertised ...

  11. Difference Between Cal 25, 2-25,

    John. Oct 3, 2003. #2. cal 25's. There were only two versions of the 25's the flat top and the 25 MK 2. They are completely different boats by different designers. the flat top was by Lapworth and the mk2 by Hunt.u000bBoth are good boats the newer mk2 has better creature comforts the older one sails better downwind.u000bIn my opinion they are ...

  12. Cal 2 25

    The Cal 2 25 is a 25.25ft masthead sloop designed by C. William Lapworth and built in fiberglass by Jensen Marine/Cal Boats between 1977 and 1983. 392 units have been built. The Cal 2 25 is a light sailboat which is a good performer. It is very stable / stiff and has a low righting capability if capsized. It is best suited as a day-boat. There ...

  13. Cal 2-27

    Sailboat Reviews; Sailboats 21-30ft; Cal 2-27 Bill Lapworth's mid-'70s racer/cruiser is still active today, and a bargain to boot. By. Darrell Nicholson - Published: June 1, 1995. 2. Facebook. ... 2021 At 12:25 pm. Iam still looking for information on the Cal 2-30 Made by Jensen. Did find a sales brochure but nothing like a review or one for ...

  14. Cal 25 (2)

    Burning Desire and Smitten. Designed by C. William "Bill" Lapworth, this stout 25 ft keelboat is comfortable below deck and fun to sail. The Cal-2 25' performs well in light winds, due to its tall rig, large sail area, flat bottom and balanced keel. Roomy below deck, ruggedly constructed, and fun to helm, the Cal-2 25' sails like a bigger ...

  15. Evaluating a Cal 2-29

    Oct 9, 2005. #4. The Beam One flaw in the Cal designs, including my 2-29, is the transverse steel beam under the wood post that supports the mast that takes the downward thrust of the mast. It is under the fiberglass portion that you step over to get to the head. This beam is regular steel that sits in an area that regularly gets wet so check ...

  16. Cal 25

    The Cal 25 is a small recreational keelboat, built predominantly of fiberglass, with wood trim. It has a masthead sloop rig, an internally-mounted spade-type rudder and a fixed fin keel. It displaces 4,000 lb (1,814 kg) and carries 1,700 lb (771 kg) of lead ballast. The boat has a draft of 4.00 ft (1.22 m) with the standard keel fitted.

  17. Checking out a Cal 29

    I spent a lot of time on an older cal 25, have sailed some 27, 29, 30, 33 and 39 models. I think them all very good to excellent sailing boats. Interior wise thay are fairly basic, usuually vinyl interiors, simple may be a better word, but they sail wonderfully, can race to their ratings.

  18. Cal 25

    A completely different design from the later Cal 2-25. Embed this page on your own website by copying and pasting this code. Cal 25 is a 25′ 0″ / 7.6 m monohull sailboat designed by C. William Lapworth and built by Bangor Punta Corp., Jensen Marine/Cal Boats, and Calgan Marine Ltd. between 1965 and 1976.

  19. Cal 25-2 (cal 25mkII) Upgrades Just FYI for Cal 25-2 Owners

    Come join the discussion about sailing, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, repairs, reviews, maintenance, and more! Cal 25-2 (cal 25mkII) Upgrades Just FYI for Cal 25-2 Owners ... the Cal 25-2 is just as good of a sailing boat. If you look at the things we did, quite a few of them bring the center of effort aft. This gives better ...

  20. Cal 25

    The Cal 25 is a 25.0ft masthead sloop designed by C. William Lapworth and built in fiberglass by Jensen Marine/Cal Boats between 1965 and 1976. 1848 units have been built. The Cal 25 is a moderate weight sailboat which is a good performer. It is very stable / stiff and has a low righting capability if capsized. It is best suited as a day-boat.

  21. Check out this Cal 25 for me

    The Cal 25 would suit my purposes well, singlehandable, can race, good for taking friends out, forgiving. The owner wants $3200 (negotiable) which would be in my price range. Hull, rigging, shrouds, rudder, etc all seem pretty good. I got a look at two of the sails, they were pretty clean and crisp, with a nice cover.

  22. CAL 2-30

    236.25 ft² / 21.95 m² ... Download Boat Record: Notes. Although all were designed by Lapworth, the CAL 2-30 is completely different from the earlier CAL 30, and the later CAL 3-30. Some versions of 2-30 came with a masthead rig. I: 40.0' ... A sail area/displacement ratio below 16 would be considered under powered;

  23. Cal 25-2 for bluewater sailing?

    3,983. Cal 34-III, MacGregor 25 Salem, Oregon. Oct 30, 2014. #11. Veladora25 said: Hey everyone, I'm leaving the army in a year or two, selling everything and sailing from CA to FL via the Panama canal. That's the plan, anyway. I own a Cal 25-2 and am wondering what your thoughts are on using this boat to do the trip, assuming that she's in ...