25' lancer sailboat

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Lancer 25 a good choice over others of its class?

• Thread starter Southcoasting
• Start date Nov 1, 2011
• Brand-Specific Forums

Southcoasting

I have seen one local to me for cheap but unsure of the boat itself...I will probably get skewed responses since I am asking Lancer owners afterall but I like the lines of it and it has a full keel which I think it makes it more stable than other of its size...The other popular options in 25 being the O'Day and the Catalina... Been also considering a Tartan 27 local to me that needs work to it's deck & rails (wood is all beat up on rails)but is pretty much ready to sail as well (engine, sails, electrical) I like the modern looks of it although it is an older 70's boat...I know there is one guy on here Don that has said plenty about his and loves it but just wondering what you thought as a first boat for my wife and I (31 & 28). We want to have occasional guests as well...Obviously, we know it won't fit 10 as that is not very smart to try anyways... Just looking for something good to start with that will be manageable (trailerable)  

I have just aquired a lancer 28, its just as bad as any other boat, unless you have money to spend on a pacific sea craft, a southern cross, or a halberg rassy. You get what you pay for, the lancer i have, has a keel i dont like, which is a fiberglass keel, filled with ballast, it has no reinforcing under any of the deck fittings, the forward hatch in the coach roof is a joke, it is held closed with one little hook, the companion way is way too big, (but some people like that) their is berths for what is claimed seven people, but their is no way, two adults can sleep in the forward v berth, one small adult would be all, with the table down, it has five six foot berths, which is way too much for a boat that size, and the result is, a lot of lost storage space. No nav station, no chart table, more a sort of floating trailer, my wife likes it though, but she isnt planning on any sailing, she is planning to stay at a marina, and invite friends down, so i guess it suits her. A lot of the components, are very good, well made, but just slapped on. The freshwater tank is only fifteen gallons, smallest of any boat i have ever owned. the hull and deck seem quite solid, though i have heard other people say this is not the case. I have stripped mine, taken the toe rails off, i am going to glass the hull deck joint, (would recomend that on just about any production boat) I am going to re bed all the fittings, replace the bulkheads. Their are no proper chain plates for the stayes, just a plate under the deck, that holds another plate that passes through the deck, onto which the stays are secured, i reckon if i sailed it hard enough, i could break that plate through the deck and lose the rig. I am replacing the hull deck self tapping screws with bolts, which with that and glassing the hull deck joint, and re bedding the deck fittings and toe rails, should get rid of all the leaks, the pulling of the deck by the mast transfering weight through the stays, loosens the hull deck seal, and you get water in. I swapped a porsch i had for mine, i am quite happy with it, as i knew what i was getting when i got it, the previous owner had spent money on her, but he didnt do work, I dont have to spend a lot of money, i just have to do work, he put a new rig on her, new sails, new and very expensive covers on all the cushions, new foam, new stove, new toilet,new liner in the the cabin, but he didnt bother stopping the rot, so the nice boat he had is now stripped. Will take me to about april to finish her, upgrade the electrical, probably cost 400, (solar panel double the batteries etc) glassing the hull deck and bedding in all deck fittings, probably, 200, bulheads, could be about 400, depending on whether i use marine ply or exterior. re painting the hull after the crap job he did, maybe 200, but i will spray that myself. I willl use the old marine ply from the bulkheads to re-enforce the fittings, probably use several gallons of fiberglass resin, and forty dollars a gallon, even the original hatch covers, under the cushions, handnt been seriously protected from moisture, i took those out, sanded them,and varnished them, maybe half hours work per hatch cover, the ones i have to replace due to rot, maybe an hour per hatch cover. I am happy with the boat, lot of good sturdy components, but looks like they gave all these components to one man, and said "build it as fast as you can" Like i say, only thing i dont like is the keel, and that is because, i dont understand it.  

Hello Southcoasting, I acquired a trailerable 1976 Lancer 25 in June. I am new to sailing having learned to sail last summer in Florida. I have really enjoyed reburbishing my Lancer and learning to sail her. I am unable to compare her with other boats of comparable size, however, I love my Lancer. Last weekend, on a local lake we overtook a Catalina 25! While the Catalina, due to her deeper draft, was able to point a little higher on a close hauled, we were still faster. I agree with the previous posting that the chainplates are a weak point. I have plans to strenghten mine next spring. Rudder could be a little larger to improve handling when slow. Launching and recovering are easy with this boat. My son and I are able to step the mast and be ready to launch in less than 30 minutes. Overall, I'm very happy with my Lancer 25, probably because my standards are so low, but I don't know the difference! Ignorance is bliss, I guess.  

I think I'm that "Don" so I won't go on too much but I'll answer a couple of observations and add a concern or two. 1) Weak chain plates. The boats are 35 years old and have yet to pull through in all sorts of weather. Don't worry about it. Inspect your rigging though. 2) One little hook to hold my forward hatch down . . . has proven MORE than enough to do the job. 3) Your Lancer WILL sleep 5. I know. It's close quarters but everybody will be gently rocked to sleep while reclined on a cushion. 4) Your Lancer may leak some. Mine does and it drives my lovely bride nuts. This spring I'll rebed my rails and hardware and all will be fine. 5) She's as fast as any other boat in her class. I've been to 6 1/2 knots, hull speed. 6) She doesn't point as well as deeper keel boats, but she gets closer to the beach and on to the trailer just fine. 7) I hope you aren't a big guy because the head needs quite a bit of docking finesse to complete the paper work. 8) She is a great starter boat and if we had picked another, more ungainly boat, our sailing days would have ended in divorce, shortly after registering the trailer. 9) If you'll trailer her often, install a Johnson lever in the stay that you detach to step. $35 well spent. 10) Get out there and sail like crazy. Keep in mind that the cockpit is a perfect place for passion; either for sailing or . . . . a little thing that I call "Merlot time". Don Maine  

Good evening Southcoasting. Good Old Boat reviewed the original Lancer 25 in their January/February 2011 edition and I posted a review that included the Mark IV & Mark V, which can be found at this following link. http://forums.lancer.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=777787&highlight=steve22116 One of the features I most enjoy with the Lancer is having "standing" head room in a 25' boat. Yes, the keel is wider that required but I do like being able to stand up while dressing. Also, I've posted many of my completed tasks on this forum and you can search for author steve22116 to get additional ideas. Steve  

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LANCER 25 Detailed Review

If you are a boat enthusiast looking to get more information on specs, built, make, etc. of different boats, then here is a complete review of LANCER 25. Built by Endeavour Yacht Corp. (USA) and designed by Alan Payne, the boat was first built in 1975. It has a hull type of Fin w/spade rudder and LOA is 7.52. Its sail area/displacement ratio 17.60. Its auxiliary power tank, manufactured by undefined, runs on undefined.

LANCER 25 has retained its value as a result of superior building, a solid reputation, and a devoted owner base. Read on to find out more about LANCER 25 and decide if it is a fit for your boating needs.

Boat Information

Boat specifications, sail boat calculation, rig and sail specs, accomodations, contributions, who designed the lancer 25.

LANCER 25 was designed by Alan Payne.

Who builds LANCER 25?

LANCER 25 is built by Endeavour Yacht Corp. (USA).

When was LANCER 25 first built?

LANCER 25 was first built in 1975.

How long is LANCER 25?

LANCER 25 is 6.12 m in length.

Member Boats at HarborMoor

The Lancer 25 is a 24.67ft fractional sloop designed by W. Shad Turner and built in fiberglass by Endeavour Yacht Corp. (USA) between 1975 and 1984.

The Lancer 25 is a light sailboat which is a reasonably good performer. It is stable / stiff and has a low righting capability if capsized. It is best suited as a day-boat.

Lancer 25 for sale elsewhere on the web:

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Review of Lancer 25

Basic specs., sailing characteristics.

This section covers widely used rules of thumb to describe the sailing characteristics. Please note that even though the calculations are correct, the interpretation of the results might not be valid for extreme boats.

What is Capsize Screening Formula (CSF)?

The capsize screening value for Lancer 25 is 2.13, indicating that this boat would not be accepted to participate in ocean races.

What is Theoretical Maximum Hull Speed?

The theoretical maximal speed of a displacement boat of this length is 6.0 knots. The term "Theoretical Maximum Hull Speed" is widely used even though a boat can sail faster. The term shall be interpreted as above the theoretical speed a great additional power is necessary for a small gain in speed.

The immersion rate is defined as the weight required to sink the boat a certain level. The immersion rate for Lancer 25 is about 100 kg/cm, alternatively 560 lbs/inch. Meaning: if you load 100 kg cargo on the boat then it will sink 1 cm. Alternatively, if you load 560 lbs cargo on the boat it will sink 1 inch.

Sailing statistics

This section is statistical comparison with similar boats of the same category. The basis of the following statistical computations is our unique database with more than 26,000 different boat types and 350,000 data points.

What is Motion Comfort Ratio (MCR)?

What is L/B (Length Beam Ratio)?

What is Displacement Length Ratio?

SA/D (Sail Area Displacement ratio) Indicates how fast the boat is in light wind: - Cruising Boats have ratios 10-15 - Cruiser-Racers have ratios 16-20 - Racers have ratios above 20 - High-Performance Racers have ratios above 24 Sail-area/displacement ratio (SA/D ratio): 17.55

Maintenance

If you need to renew parts of your running rig and is not quite sure of the dimensions, you may find the estimates computed below useful.

This section shown boat owner's changes, improvements, etc. Here you might find inspiration for your boat.

Do you have changes/improvements you would like to share? Upload a photo and describe what to look for.

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If you have any comments to the review, improvement suggestions, or the like, feel free to contact us . Criticism helps us to improve.

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Lancer 25 Boats for sale

1969 Chris-Craft 25 Lancer Sportsfisher

Stanwood, Washington

Make Chris-Craft

Model 25 Lancer Sportsfisher

Category Antique And Classic

Posted 3 Weeks Ago

This 1969 Chris Craft 25 Lancer Sportfish has no visible signs of blemish, tears or wear at all from top to bottom. The 2000 Highliner tandem trailer shows no signs of damage or excessive wear throughout. Stock #360069 Yanmar Diesel, Very low hours! Pristine Condition!! Windlass, Electric head and more! This Beauty is a true gem that encapsulates the timeless elegance of a bygone era. Its exterior exudes charm and sophistication, and the well-maintained hull sparkles in the sunlight. Step inside to discover rich wood accents and plush seating that harken back to a time of true craftsmanship. An electric head with a holding tank is a must for cruising or fishing. Every aspect of this Chris speaks to how well it was cared for throughout its history. If you're a connoisseur of classic boats, this is an opportunity to own a piece of nautical history that embodies elegance. Don't miss your chance to sail into the future while embracing the past. Reason for selling is scaling down in size.

1978 25 foot Lancer Sailboat

Rockvale, Tennessee

Make Lancer

Category Daysailer Sailboats

Length 25.0

Posted Over 1 Month

Good lancer sailboat for sale. Honda 5hp 4 stroke outboard motor.

1979 Lancer Sailboat 25ft large keel *Masthead Rigged*

Cumming, Georgia

25ft Lancer almost a full keel (black below waterline with red lines above)"sailboatdata.com/viewrecord.asp?class_id=6127" (in sailboatdata it shows fractional rig but my boat is masthead rigged) Very sturdy boat with dual axle trailer 9.9 Sailmaster outboard - mn: J10SELCDB ( not running needs head rebuild low compression 50/60) *just re-greased bearings and added bearing buddies to dual axle trailer.Boat has several new items on it (just to name a few) - New wiring, DC panel and two batteries with solar charger (marine wiring and heat sealed connections) (panel relocated to above waist at eye level) - New Marine VHF radio and antenna (mast antenna not installed yet) (Standard Horizon GX1300B) - New JVC marine stereo (KMR355U) - New sink pump - Mark 6 V PUMP, Galley self priming hand pump "WHALE" - New bilge pump 750 plus a manual bilge pump (not installed yet) The boat is currently on the hard with some repair work/cleaning being done to it. I am hoping to have it finished as time/money is available. It has a small leak around both of the cockpit drains at the water line (port and starboard). Standing rig is sturdy though decent ware in spots. Running rig is OK as well. From the cockpit to starboard going forward you have a birth /w storage under , DC panel at eye level, storage shelving, sink and under sink storage, VHF and Stereo at eye level then dinette table that makes into a double birth (house battery under seat). Continue forward you have bulkhead with speaker mounted, sail storage and porta potty with additional anchor stowage in the bow point.From cockpit to port side going forward you have another single birth /w storage under, shelving and cooking area with more storage at knee. Another settee that converts to double birth /w storage under, bulk head with speaker mounted then same as starboard with sail storage and cabinet in the v area.Cockpit has lazarette to transom with motor mounted. Sails include main, jib, genoa, storm head sail and one other head sail. Strong deck with no leaks. Has anchor locker with anchor and 75ft rope with chain. It has standing room you can walk in this boat! Sleeps 4-5. Lots of other items comes with the boat. I am mainly having problems getting the time for this boat as I purchased it to sail but ended up doing more work on it than sailing. It is a fine boat though needs attention. It is not ready to go sailing again just yet but very close. Also, the cockpit is in need of a little work for the storage places above the seats. They need to be reinstalled. One new storage box purchased to be installed. The cockpit is pretty large for this boat and the companionway is extra wide.The inside flooring (carpet) was pulled out as it was no good and the plan was to repaint the flooring and resurface the teak part. I know it will look very nice with this little bit of work. Let me know if your interested and I will be happy to talk more about it.*note: I reserve the right to withdraw this listing for any reason. listed price is for current state. As-is. Once repair for cockpit drains completed the listing price will increase. For those of you who are interested ...this price was adjusted to include the work involved in getting it back on the water(leak repaired) and age of vessel. In this NADA value no extra options were chosen at all.ValuesPrint Suggested List – We have included manufacturer's suggested retail pricing (MSRP) to assist in the financing, insuring and appraising of vessels. The MSRP is the manufacturer's and/or distributor's highest suggested retail price in the U.S.A. when the unit was new. The MSRP is furnished by the manufacturer and/or distributor and are assumed to be correct. Unless indicated, the MSRP does not include destination charges, dealer set-up, state or local taxes, license tags or insurance." style="margin: 0px; padding: 5px 10px 0px 5px; font-size: 15px; color: rgb(41, 78, 146); font-style: inherit; text-align: right;">Suggested List PriceLow Retail Value — A low retail valued boat will show excessive wear and tear either cosmetically and/or mechanically. This boat may or may not be in running order. The buyer can expect to invest in cosmetic and/or mechanical work. Low retail vessels usually are not found on a dealer's lot. Low Retail is not a trade-in value." style="margin: 0px; padding: 5px 10px 0px 5px; font-size: 15px; color: rgb(41, 78, 146); font-style: inherit; text-align: right;">Low RetailAverage Retail Value — An average retail valued boat should be in good condition with no visible damage or defects. This boat will show moderate wear and tear and will be in sound running condition. The buyer may need to invest in either minor cosmetic or mechanical work." style="margin: 0px; padding: 5px 10px 0px 5px; font-size: 15px; color: rgb(41, 78, 146); font-style: inherit; text-align: right;">Average RetailBase Price$11,000$3,720$4,240Options: (add) Outboard Motor: (change) 1986 Johnson 10SELCD 2-Stroke Series (x1)$1,958$445$500Trailer: (change) 1979 Tandem 30 Feet $970$1,090TOTAL PRICE:$12,958$5,135$5,830

1982 Lancer 38ft CC Sailboat on 5th Wheel Trailer

Fresno, California

Model Center Cockpit

Category Cruiser Motorcycles

Length 38.0

1982 Lancer 38ft Sailboat, boat has a roller fuling jib and roller furling main. The motor is a volvo diesel I believe 25hp 3 cylinder that starts rightup. It has a saildrive transmission that functions. I also will include an extra transmission (top part not the bottom part) The boat does not have any major electronis some old radar that turns on. Some of the wood has sustained water damage but will have to be replace. The boat is complete and intact. The hull does have some blisters that will require some attention. the boat has an autopilot that works. I have a clear title, the boat is registgered in California and will update the registration number and add additional pictures as time permits.

1982 Lancer 38ft CC Sailboat on 5th Wheel Trailer With Extras

1985 Lancer 25P

Corpus Christi, Texas

1985 Lancer 25P    If you have been undecided about wanting a sail or power boat this boat might be the answer. A great sailing sail boat for a sunset cruse, a weekend away but also a fast motorboat to get somewhere fast or an afternoon pulling the kids on a water toy. If you were thinking a 25 foot boat is to small, for you need To look at this one. The biggest 25 footer I have ever seen. Some of the highlights are. Standing headroomInclosed head with showerFull double size bedSettee that will seat 6Plenty of storageStoveAnd much more. If you are looking for the best of both worlds (power and sail) you need to take a look at this Lancer 25Give me a call with questions or for a showingEARL ETTER

1983 Lancer 30

Miami, Florida

Private Seller (305) 298-7699 Photos Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3 Photo 4 Photo 5 Photo 6 Photo 7 Close Request Information * Name First Name * Email Telephone (optional) Best Time to Contact Anytime Morning Mid-day Evening Question/Comments (optional) Shop Safely: Protect Your Money. By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use. Contact Seller 1983 Lancer 30, Shoal draft( 4'6" ), 20 hp Yanmar ( complete overhaul , 75 hours) new windlass, new harken rolling furling, new radio, new batteries and charger, new stackable sail cover, new water pump, new Garmin plot charter, new cabin and cockpit cushions, new ceiling panels, new swim platform, new vent, new cabin fans and lights, new fresh water shower on transom, bottom painted two years ago and cleaned monthly, microwave, stirring wheel, auto pilot and Bimini top. $25,000 in upgrades, I'm looking at buying a bigger boat. Great deal!!!! 3052987699 Be sure: Get a boat history report|Finance this boat|Get an insurance quote|

2013 MITSUBISHI LANCER 4 DOOR SEDAN

Hilo, Hawaii

Fuel Consumption: City: 18 mpg, Fuel Consumption: Highway: 25 mpg, Remote power door locks, Power windows, Cruise controls on steering wheel, Cruise control, 4-wheel ABS Brakes, Front Ventilated disc brakes, 1st and 2nd row curtain head airbags, Passenger Airbag, Side airbag, Rear spoiler: Wing, Bluetooth wireless phone connectivity, In-Dash single CD player, FUSE, MP3 player, SiriusXM AM/FM/Satellite Radio, Radio Data System, SiriusXM Satellite Radio(TM), Speed Sensitive Audio Volume Control, Surround Audio, Total Number of Speakers: 6, Intercooled Turbo, Braking Assist, ABS and Driveline Traction Control, Stability control, Privacy glass: Light, Machined aluminum rims, Wheel Diameter: 18, Wheel Width: 7.5, Driver knee airbags, Front fog/driving lights, Leather/metal-look steering wheel trim, Leather shift knob trim, Piano black dash trim, Piano black door trim, Trip computer, External temperature display, Tachometer, Manufacturer's 0-60mph acceleration time (seconds): 6.7 s, Power remote driver mirror adjustment, Power remote passenger mirror adjustment, Dual vanity mirrors, Audio controls on steering wheel, Mechanical remote trunk release, Front reading lights, Anti-theft alarm system, Premium cloth seat upholstery, Bucket front seats, Rear bench, Fold forward seatback rear seats, Rear seats center armrest, Tilt-adjustable steering wheel, Transmission gear shifting controls on steering wheel, Power steering, Suspension class: Sport, Interior air filtration, Automatic front air conditioning, Tire Pressure Monitoring System, Cargo area light, Max cargo capacity: 10 cu.ft., Vehicle Emissions: LEV II, Fuel Type: Premium unleaded, Fuel Capacity: 14.5 gal., Instrumentation: Low fuel level, Clock: In-radio display, Coil front spring, Regular front stabilizer bar, Independent front suspension classification, Strut front suspension, Four-wheel Independent Suspension, Coil rear spring, Rear Stabilizer Bar: Regular, Independent rear suspension, Multi-link rear suspension, Front and rear suspension stabilizer bars, Variable intermittent front wipers Our Location is: Orchid Isle Auto Center - 1030 Kanoelehua Avenue, Hilo, HI, 96720 Disclaimer: All vehicles subject to prior sale. We reserve the right to make changes without notice, and are not responsible for errors or omissions. All prices exclude government fees and taxes, any finance charges, and any emissions test charge.

1986 Lancer 38ft Center Cockpit Sailboat on 5th Wheel Trailer

1986 Lancer 38ft Sailboat, boat has a roller fuling jib and roller furling main. The motor is a volvo diesel I believe 25hp 3 cylinder that starts rightup. It has a saildrive transmission that functions. I also will include an extra transmission (top part not the bottom part) The boat does not have any major electronis some old radar that turns on. Some of the wood has sustained water damage but will have to be replace. The boat is complete and intact. The hull does have some blisters that will require some attention. the boat has an autopilot that works. I have a clear title, the boat is registgered in California and will update the registration number and add additional pictures as time permits.

2009 Chris-Craft Corsair 22

St. Petersburg, Florida

2009 Chris-Craft Corsair 22 After years of requests from our customers, we have designed a new Corsair 22. It is a great step between the Lancer and the Corsair 25 with all of the beautiful styling details you have come to expect from the closed-deck and cuddy cabin boats of Chris-Craft. Shown here in our Luxury Trim Edition package, the unique design is Chris-Craft through and through. Includes bimini top, Kenwood sound package

2001 Chris-Craft 26 Constellation

Cape Coral, Florida

2001 Chris-Craft 26 Constellation 2001 Chris-Craft 26 constellation with a Generator  The Chris-Craft name goes back to 1884, when Chris Smith got married, settled down and began building small craft and racing boats in Algonac, Mich. By the 1950s and ’60s the company was one of the largest builders in the world, and nearly half the boats in the United States came out of its factories. Popular models included the Catalina, a 50-foot cabin boat that slept 10, and the family-priced Cavalier overnighter. Chris-Craft’s line of Constellation cabin cruisers, or “Connies,” was one of its most popular, and the 26 Constellation carries on that nameplate. Intended as a family overnighter, it’s a recent design that’s no longer in production, and most — if not all — of the boats were built between 2001 and ’03. After financial struggles in the 1980s and ’90s, Chris-Craft, now based in Florida under new ownership, has made a comeback with a line of distinctive, high-end runabouts and family cruisers from 20 to 40 feet. feet. Chris-Craft offerings today include the open Launch, Lancer and Catalina models from 20 to 28 feet, Corsair cuddy models from 25 to 36 feet, and the 40 Roamer family cruiser. Give us a call or stop by. Danny at Boater's Paradise 239-573-6256

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• Sailboat Reviews

This maximum-size trailer sailer shows the compromises needed to haul a boat on the road.

Lancer Yachts was an offshoot of the remarkably complex and inbred family tree known as California boatbuilding. Lancer principals Dick Valdes and Maury Threinen founded Columbia Yachts back in the late 1950s, built boats under contract for Islander, sold Columbia to Whittaker, and got back into the sailboat business in 1974 by forming Lancer Yachts.

The names that passed through this Columbia connection read like a who’s who of fiberglass boatbuilding. Designer Bruce King was a draftsman for Columbia. Ericson founder Kurt Densmore was a Columbia plant manager, and Frank Butler—owner of Catalina Yachts, probably the biggest sailboat builder in the country—ran the Coronado division of Columbia.

It’s no wonder that many California-built boats from the 1970s bear a strong family resemblance: they’re practically first cousins.

Lancer Yachts built a rather astonishing variety of boats before going out of business in 1986. None of the Lancers can be considered a classic. Rather, the boats were a mirror of their times, and this constant change may have been what finally did in the company.

In 1983 alone, Lancer offered 13 different boats ranging in size from a 25′ trailer sailer to a 65′ motorsailer. The sheer variety of models reduces efficiency in production, and to stay competitive in price, you must shave profit margins closer and closer.

Perhaps the most interesting boats ever produced by Lancer were those in a series of high-performance motorsailers built in the mid-1980s. These boats ranged from the 25′ Powersailer up to the 65′ Motorsailer, and were characterized by huge engines relative to their displacements in an attempt to get both powerboat and sailboat performance out of the same hull. The Powersailer 27, for example, was designed for outboards of up to 200 hp. The 44′ high-performance motorsailer had engine options up to twin 200 hp turbocharged diesels.

The idea was to capture a crossover market which really wanted a powerboat, but felt that sailboats were the way to go due to real or imagined fuel shortages.

Needless to say, these boats had a somewhat limited appeal, and the return of cheap oil spelled their doom.

By comparison, the Lancer 28, built from 1977 to 1985, seems a rather tame and ordinary boat.

Part of the variety in the Lancer line stems from the use of a number of different designers. Most builders use a single designer or design team. Lancer was building designs by Bill Lee, C&C, Bruce Farr, and Shad Turner—all at the same time.

Turner designed both the 25 and 28, the smallest Lancers from 1977 to 1983. Both are shoal-draft fixed-keel trailerables. The 25 and 28 are attractive boats with short ends, flattish sheer, and Swan-type bubble deckhouses.

When the Lancer 28 entered production in 1977, trailer sailers were a hot item. And the more you could cram into a boat that could be towed behind your car, the better the consumer liked it.

Sailing Performance

In a lot of ways, the Lancer 28 is a good study in the compromises that are inherent in creating a relatively big boat that can be lugged around from place to place on a trailer. Sailing performance is one of those compromises.

Small boats get stability either from wide beam or deep, heavy keels. The Lancer 28 has neither.

To keep weight to a level that can be towed behind a car, trailerables such as the Lancer 28 tend to be lighter in weight and more lightly ballasted than boats of the same size designed to be kept in the water rather than taken home at the end of the day. The

Lancer 28’s 44% ballast/displacement ratio may sound high, but the actual amount of ballast—2200 pounds—is fairly low for a 28′ boat. By way of comparison, the Ranger 28, at about the same displacement, has 600 pounds more ballast.

It’s not just the weight of ballast that counts, it’s the location. Because of the Lancer 28’s shoal draft— less than 3’—the ballast cannot be located very far down. A fin keel 28-footer of the same displacement would draw 4′ or more, and have a correspondingly lower center of gravity.

What this means is that the Lancer 28 is tippy. Most owners in our survey consider the boat about average in stability, but in our experience, an “average” rating usually means a fairly tender boat.

The narrow 8′ beam doesn’t help stability, either. In many states 8′ is as wide as you can go without special trailering permits, so you find an awful lot of trailer sailers 8′ wide, no matter what their length.

The fixed keel of the Lancer 28 is a poor shape for windward performance. The keel is a hollow fiberglass box, with the cabin sole dropped down inside it. The keel is much wider than it should be for good performance, and its long, shallow shape does little as an efficient foil.

This is a boat that must be sailed upright. When the boat heels over, there is little to stop it from moving sideways. A centerboard would probably make a dramatic improvement in windward performance, but it was not an option.

Off the wind, performance is substantially better. Owners rate it average to above average in reaching and downwind performance.

The boat was built with both fractional and masthead rigs, with the fractional rig stepped further forward. The fractional boat should be better balanced, and is faster.

The Lancer 28 is no speed demon, with an average PHRF rating of 258 for the masthead version. The fractional rig is about 10 seconds per mile faster. By way of comparison, the Hunter 27 rates about 216, the Ericson 27 about 220, the Ranger 28 about 186, the Catalina 27 about 204. Any of these boats will chew up and spit out the Lancer 28.

You don’t buy this boat for speed. It’s a noncompetitive daysailer and weekend trailer cruiser.

Most Lancers under 30′ were powered by outboards, although inboard engines were frequently options. An inboard engine in the Lancer 28 adds several hundred pounds of weight to a boat that is already near the upper limit for trailering.

While most Lancer 28s have outboards, a number of different inboard engine configurations and models were used over the course of production, including

Petter, Renault and Yanmar diesels; a 10 hp gas inboard; and an OMC saildrive.

If the boat is really to be trailered, an outboard engine is preferable. An outboard can be flushed with fresh water after every cruise in salt water. The outboard and its fuel tank will come in at less than half the weight of any of the inboards. When the time comes to replace the engine, an outboard will cost about half what an inboard will cost, and you don’t have to worry about whether or not it will fit in the boat.

The outboard well in the stern of the Lancer 28 is pretty good. The engine stays in the water even in rough conditions, and the weight isn’t can’tilevered out over the stern to add to pitching moment. We’d be wary of purchasing a boat with a saildrive that has been used in salt water. A lot of owners are less than faithful about flushing out saildrives after each use, yet the innards are as vulnerable to corrosion as an outboard.

Likewise, parts for small diesel inboards are disproportionately expensive, and may be hard to find for any of the engines used in the boat except the Yanmar.

The inboard engine is tucked in a box under the companionway ladder, and owners rate the installation about average for accessibility.

A 10-horse outboard will move this boat along just fine, even in a chop. Take good care of it—flushing with fresh water after use in salt water—and an outboard will easily last for seven or eight years. Neglect it, and your first season may be its last.

Construction

To keep weight down for trailering, construction of the Lancer 28 is fairly light. To keep price down, finish detail is not particularly refined.

In its description of their fleet, Lancer described the 28 as bringing “real ocean-going capability to trailer boating.” We think you’d have to use a lot of imagination to consider this a boat for serious sailing in the ocean: the design and construction are those of a coastal cruiser and daysailer.

With the masthead rig, a compression column in the middle of the main cabin is required for under-deck support; the fractional rig utilizes the forward bulkhead.

Check for compression and stress cracks around either mast step.

The companionway dropboards are light plywood, and the companionway opening has so much taper that the boards can be removed by lifting them only a few inches. This may be convenient and give a lot of ventilation below, but it also means that the dropboards could fall out in a severe knockdown. The sliding companionway hatch is also wide, and not well sealed against boarding waves.

Several owners in our survey comment that the mast tabernacle is not strong enough, and that there is a lot of friction in the system when raising and lowering the mast.

The rig is quite tall—about 31′ above the top of the cabin with the masthead rig, and the fractional rig is taller still—so a lot of care is required in stepping and un-stepping the mast. That’s one trade-off with a maximum-size trailerable boat: you’re getting at the limit for easy rigging and unrigging without a fairly sophisticated tabernacle, which the boat doesn’t have.

Owner complaints about structural flaws include leaking hull-to-deck joints and leaking ports. Finding deck leaks is complicated by the vinyl headliner. Water may find its way along a circuitous route before it deposits itself on your head, and leaks may be next to impossible to trace. Look carefully for signs of drips and discoloration on the vinyl, particularly around every joint in the liner.

In general, there are numerous reports of deck leaks in our surveys. This is fairly common in relatively inexpensive mass-produced boats such as the Lancer 28, but it is a problem that can make your life miserable when cruising.

Although bottom blistering is usually less of a problem with trailerable boats than with boats kept in the water, several owners report blistering or other types of gelcoat flaws, such as crazing or stress cracks.

The Lancer 28 was designed in a time when it was fashionable to jam the maximum number of berths in the shortest possible overall boat length. It is true that there are six berths in the original version of this boat. It is also true that headroom at the aft end of the main cabin is 6′ 2″. However, just as the rooms in tract houses look a lot smaller in the flesh than they look in those wonderful wide-angle architectural photographs, the reality of the interior of the Lancer 28 is a little different from the promise.

Main cabin headroom comes from dropping the cabin sole 1′ into the keel stub. What this means is that you have a very long, narrow section of cabin sole over which there is reasonable headroom. But the effect is a little strange: you feel like you’re standing in a hole.

Frankly, this dropped cabin sole is a pretty mediocre idea. In the galley, where you could use the headroom, it’s not even easy to turn around because the dropped sole is so narrow. You’d be better off sitting on a little folding stool.

Without the dropped sole, headroom would be 5’2″ or so. You would have trouble selling that amount of headroom in a 28-footer, even a trailerable boat.

Forward, there is a narrow double berth with a storage locker below. In 1979, the forepeak berth was replaced in the Mark V version with a sail storage area. There is no provision for ventilation in this space. The bubble-type deckhouse fairs into the foredeck over the forward cabin, so there is reasonable sitting headroom over the berth. Actually, “cabin” is a misnomer: it is really just a berth, separated from the head by a bulkhead.

Just aft of the forward berth, a narrow head compartment spans the width of the boat. It gives you as much privacy as you can get in a trailer boat—which isn’t that much—and has a hatch overhead for ventilation. Some of these boats are equipped with self-contained toilets, while others have more conventional overboard-discharge toilets. Your sailing waters will dictate which arrangement you need.

There are two berths in the main cabin, On the port side is a conventional settee berth. On the starboard side, the dinette table drops to form a fairly wide berth, but don’t let anyone try to tell you it’s a double.

Dinettes don’t really work on narrow boats. You feel like you’re sitting in a narrow booth at the corner drugstore, which is fine if you happen to be a teenager—but not if you’re an adult. In this case, it’s a really tight squeeze for four people to fit into the dinette. On the other hand, it’s great seating for two.

Over the years, Lancer has actually done some pretty inventive things with interiors. Their boats had a California/European crossbred look that was always the talk of boatshow crowds, with wild colors and fabrics.

But the interior of the Lancer 28 is basically Neo-Padded Cell. Almost every surface is covered with either carpeting, upholstery, or padded vinyl.

Lancer isn’t the only builder guilty of this. Early Swans such as the Swan 43 were similarly padded.

It may seem like a good idea—if you get thrown against it you won’t get hurt—but we’ve never cared for the look of padding. Owning a boat is precariously close to insanity in any case: reminders of that when belowdecks are not particularly welcome.

The galley occupies both sides of the aft end of the main cabin, with a two-burner stove and lockers to port, and a sink, icebox and lockers to starboard. It’s quite workable.

Aft, there are quarterberths under both sides of the cockpit. They are very narrow at the foot. Your head and shoulders, however, are not stuffed under the cockpit, so the berths are not claustrophobic, although they are likely to be pretty hot in warm weather.

It’s not realistic to expect a lot of interior room in a hull as narrow as the Lancer 28. But the boat has a relatively long waterline, and the low-profile cabin trunk is also quite long, increasing the feeling of space.

Conclusions

The Lancer 28 is a maximum-size trailerable boat. The weight of about 5000 pounds will require a serious pulling vehicle if anything other than a once yearly trip to and from the launching ramp is planned.

Despite the six berths in the boat, we wouldn’t recommend it for four adults for anything longer than a weekend. For a young family with several children, the Lancer 28 could be seen as a floating camper.

The performance compromises that are a result of the shoal keel, high center of gravity and narrow beam have to be weighed against the fact that you can put the boat behind a big car or truck and take off for cruising areas that you might otherwise never reach with a 28′ boat.

If you really aren’t going to trailer the boat, there are a lot of other boats around 28′ long that will give you better performance and better accommodations. The extra foot or so of beam and ton of displacement that you would get in most non-trailerable 28-footers translates into a lot more usable volume, and in most cases, better performance. At the same time, a Lancer 28 costs less than most 28-footers.

Keeping a boat in a marina or on a mooring can be an expensive proposition. You can greatly reduce your sailing costs by owning a trailerable boat. The problem is that a trailerable as big as the Lancer 28 is a bit of a handful to tow, launch, and rig. You’re not going to hitch it up to the family station wagon after a day at the office and launch it for an evening cruise.

If you need a trailerable boat that can accommodate two adults and several children for relatively short-term cruising, the Lancer 28 makes sense. But don’t expect to get six berths, “full headroom,” shoal draft, and trailerability in a 28′ boat without some fairly substantial compromises.

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Thanks for the information on the Lancer28.My wife and me own a Lancer 28 we took it on a 6 day sail in puget sound and she did just fine had no problems.Handle great than our 23 ft American the 28 would turn on dime no problem on sailing her.

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Lancer 25 MK 5

Lancer 25 MK 5 is a 24 ′ 8 ″ / 7.5 m monohull sailboat designed by W. Shad Turner and built by Lancer Yacht Corp. starting in 1982.

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)

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