The Beneteau 25 Platu, designed by renowned naval architect Bruce Farr and first built in 1997, is a high-performance racing sailboat, particularly popular in one-design racing circuits. Its sleek design and impressive sail-to-displacement ratio make it an agile and competitive boat, favored by sailors seeking speed and precision on the water.
Design and Construction
With a length overall (LOA) of 7.49 meters (24.58 feet) and a beam of 2.59 meters (8.50 feet), the Beneteau 25 Platu is designed for speed and maneuverability. Its fin keel with a bulb and spade rudder configuration provides excellent control and responsiveness, especially in upwind conditions. The boat’s relatively lightweight displacement of 1,250 kg (2,755 lbs) combined with a 510 kg (1,124 lbs) iron ballast ensures stability without compromising speed.
Constructed using fiberglass (FG), the Platu 25 offers durability and strength, while maintaining a balance between lightness and rigidity, crucial for competitive sailing.
Performance
The fractional sloop rig gives sailors the ability to finely tune the sails, optimizing performance in a wide range of wind conditions. The sail area of 28.99 m² (312 ft²) provides ample power to drive the boat to its theoretical hull speed of 6.31 knots, making it highly competitive in one-design racing events. The Sail Area to Displacement ratio (SA/Displ) of 25.47 underscores its performance-oriented design, highlighting its ability to accelerate quickly and perform well in light to moderate wind.
On-Water Behavior
With a Ballast-to-Displacement ratio of 40.80%, the Beneteau 25 Platu achieves a strong balance between speed and stability, making it responsive and easy to handle even for relatively novice sailors. However, its low comfort ratio of 10.75 reflects its racing focus, indicating that it is designed more for speed than cruising comfort. The capsize screening index of 2.43 suggests the boat is intended primarily for inshore racing, and while capable, it may not be ideal for heavy offshore conditions.
Conclusion
The Beneteau 25 Platu is a versatile, high-performance racing sailboat, ideal for sailors looking to engage in competitive one-design racing. Its sharp design, coupled with advanced handling capabilities, ensures it remains a popular choice for racing enthusiasts worldwide. Built for speed and agility rather than comfort, the Platu 25 offers an exciting and challenging sailing experience, especially for those who prioritize racing performance over cruising.
Specifications
| Hull Type | Fin w/bulb & spade rudder |
| Rigging Type | Fractional Sloop |
| LOA | 24.58 ft / 7.49 m |
| LWL | 22.17 ft / 6.76 m |
| Sail Area (reported) | 312.00 ft² / 28.99 m² |
| Beam | 8.50 ft / 2.59 m |
| Displacement | 2,755.00 lb / 1,250 kg |
| Ballast | 1,124.00 lb / 510 kg |
| Max Draft | 5.17 ft / 1.58 m |
| Construction | Fiberglass (FG) |
| Ballast Type | Iron |
| First Built | 1997 |
| Builder | Beneteau |
| Designer | Bruce Farr |
| Sailboat Calculations | |
| S.A. / Displacement | 25.47 |
| Ballast / Displacement | 40.80 |
| Displacement / Length | 112.87 |
| Comfort Ratio | 10.75 |
| Capsize Screening Formula | 2.43 |
| Hull Speed | 6.31 kn |
| Pounds/Inch Immersion | 673.33 pounds/inch |
| Rig and Sail Particulars | |
| I | 29.86 ft / 9.10 m |
| J | 8.53 ft / 2.60 m |
| P | 30.84 ft / 9.40 m |
| E | 11.98 ft / 3.65 m |
| S.A. Fore | 127.35 ft² / 11.83 m² |
| S.A. Main | 184.73 ft² / 17.16 m² |
| S.A. Total (100% Fore + Main Triangles) | 312.08 ft² / 28.99 m² |
| Est. Forestay Length | 31.05 ft / 9.46 m |
| Additional Notes | |
| Also built in New Zealand as the PLATU by McDell Marine. | |
Disclaimer
The considerations and analyses presented regarding the Beneteau 25 Platu sailboat are of a general nature and are based on the available information and technical data on this model, interpreted to the best of our knowledge and understanding. It is important to note that the specific characteristics of any particular sailboat may vary due to custom modifications, maintenance performed, and conditions of use over time, among other factors. Therefore, the details and performance of the boat you are considering may not exactly match the information provided here.
We strongly recommend that, before making any purchasing or usage decisions, you conduct a detailed inspection of the boat in question, consult with nautical professionals and other sailors, and consider your personal needs, expectations, and capabilities. Each sailboat may have unique particularities that affect its performance and suitability for different types of sailing and sailors.
The information contained in this analysis should be used as a general guide and not as a definitive reference. Professional evaluation and personal inspection are essential to ensure that the boat meets your specific requirements and expectations.