Jaguar Yacht Owners
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The Jaguar 25 was designed
in the early 1970s by Frank Butler of Catalina Yachts, USA. As such, in
America , she was the Catalina25, evolving into the Catalina250, & remaining
in production there until the early ‘90s. In terms of numbers built, inclusive
of those built by other manufacturers under licence, the 25 is one of, if
not the, most successful boat of her class. She was the third of a line
of three Catalina boats built under licence by Eric Birch in Canvey Island,
under the banner of Jaguar Yachts, (See also the 22 & 27), & were
produced from the mid 70s to the mid 80s. It is believed that 940 were built.
CONSTRUCTION
The 25 followed the, by now,
established modular construction techniques that allowed Jaguar to become
one of the most profitable builders of the time. The hull has a liner that
forms the basis of most of the furniture, although a fair amount of teak
veneer disguises the excess glassfibre. Construction was chop strand mat
with orthophthalic resins, & a balsa cored deck.
Rigging in both Mk1 &
Mk2 guises was mast head, the Mk2 having the shrouds moved inboard, spreaders
swept back slightly, & a baby stay replacing the forward lowers. The
mast is deck stepped with a kingpost below.
Three keel variations were
offered, twin, fin, & swing keel. (Similar to the 22)
ACCOMMODATION
There were 2 options below;
one being the dinette to port, with opposed seating, & a berth /seat
opposite: the other being an "L" shaped seat around the saloon
table. In both cases the table drops to form a small double berth. Abaft
this there is a small but well executed & comprehensive galley, opposite
of which is an excellent ¼ berth- enlarged in the outboard powered
models. Forward of the saloon is the heads/hanginging locker, & forward
again is a double V berth with infill. There is abundant underseat storage.
There can be few craft of
this size & vintage that offer such accommodation. The cockpit is large
with comfortably angled coamings, 1 large deep locker & a smaller rope
locker. Transom hung rudder.
ENGINE: Outboard or 7.5 hp
Volvo saildrive diesel
There is probably no other
yacht of this size/vintage that is so versatile. The 25 sails very well,
& is comfortable & safe. Many,by now will be modified; but in terms
of value for money, the competitors will be the Mirage 26, or the Marcon
Tomahawk.
Summary by L Milton
Jaguar 25
Summary
Summary
