Paul Whiting's Reactor 25 stands as a notable example of late 1960s New Zealand yacht design, representing the era's shift toward modern fin keel configurations. Built between 1968 and 1973 with only 70 hulls produced, this masthead sloop demonstrates the craftsmanship and design philosophy that made New Zealand builders internationally respected. The boat's proportions reveal a design focused on performance sailing. With a displacement of 5,000 pounds and 2,000 pounds of ballast, the Reactor 25 achieves a comfortable balance between stability and speed. The fin keel with spade rudder configuration provides responsive handling, while the 270 square feet of sail area delivers spirited performance in moderate conditions. Her comfort ratio of 19.5 suggests this yacht favors performance over pure cruising comfort, making her well-suited for coastal sailing, club racing, and weekend adventures. The capsize screening formula of 2.04 indicates reasonable offshore capability for experienced sailors, though coastal waters remain her natural environment. Solid fiberglass construction ensures durability, while the relatively narrow production run makes finding one today somewhat challenging. For sailors seeking a classic design with modern sailing characteristics and New Zealand pedigree, the Reactor 25 offers an appealing blend of performance and character.
No owner reviews yet — be the first to share your experience with this boat.
What is the Reactor 25's sail area to displacement ratio?
The Reactor 25 has a Sail Area to Displacement ratio (SA/D) of 14.82. Values between 14–18 are typical cruising sailboats; 18–22 is cruiser/racer; over 22 is performance racing.
What is the Reactor 25's comfort ratio?
The Reactor 25 has a Ted Brewer Comfort Ratio of 19.5. A ratio over 30 indicates good offshore comfort; over 40 is very comfortable offshore.
Is the Reactor 25 safe for offshore sailing?
The Reactor 25 has a Capsize Screening Formula value of 2.04. Values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing; under 1.8 is ideal.
What is the hull speed of the Reactor 25?
The theoretical hull speed of the Reactor 25 is 6.14 kn knots, calculated from its waterline length.
How much does a Reactor 25 weigh?
The Reactor 25 has a displacement of 5,000.00 lb and a length overall (LOA) of 25.00 ft.
Who designed the Reactor 25?
The Reactor 25 was designed by Paul Whiting, first built in 1968.