Is This The PERFECT Pocket Cruiser? $8,000 Mint Bayfield 25 Sailboat | Full Tour

#boatfoolssailing #sailing #pocketcruiser Is This the PERFECT Pocket Cruiser? $8,000 Mint Bayfield 25 Sailboat | Full Tour On a blustery winter day in coastal Maine, with temperatures hovering around 15°F, I took a solo ferry trip to Islesboro to inspect what may be one of the best pocket cruiser sailboat finds under $10,000 — a 1986 Bayfield 25 that’s been in indoor storage since 2018. This Bayfield 25 is being sold by an estate, with an asking price of $8,000, and aside from the unknown condition of the Yanmar diesel, the boat appears to be a genuine time capsule — clean, original, and remarkably well preserved. Unfortunately, Canadian Ken and Captain Q (Captain Kew) couldn’t make this one, making it a true solo BoatFools mission: winter ferry schedules, cold decks, and a classic little cruiser hiding on a Maine island. In this video, I do a full walk-through and honest review of the Bayfield 25, covering condition, layout, design, performance, value, and what to watch out for before buying. CHAPTERS: 00:00 About to Open The Hatch! 00:33 Intro - On The Islesboro Ferry 02:15 Islesboro Marine - Intro to Bayfield 25 03:25 Keel, Rudder, Prop, and Hull 06:16 Going Up On Deck 06:30 The Cockpit 09:50 Going Forward to the Bow 15:40 Heading Below Deck! 18:09 The Galley 19:14 V-Berth and Head 21:47 The Engine - Incredible Access! 24:13 Final Thoughts TO CONTACT THE SELLER PLEASE EMAIL: baconmcgravy@gmail.com Link to the Mabel book: https://www.amazon.com/Mabel-Takes-Ferry-Emily-Chetkowski/dp/188015837X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=25OUMGGIRWCWV&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.kOnR-72Pi4qG2MYHhSi4gg.oDncfM1nWs26GAMInIBKnfrCIBOCGyGXbL9RqHqwb1w&dib_tag=se&keywords=mabel+takes+the+ferry&qid=1765575624&sprefix=mabel+takes+the+ferry%2Caps%2C393&sr=8-1 Why the Bayfield 25 Has a Loyal Following The Bayfield 25 is a beloved Canadian-built pocket cruiser designed by Ted Gozzard, known for its: Full keel stability and forgiving handling Shoal draft ideal for Maine and thin coastal waters Classic clipper bow with bowsprit Surprisingly roomy interior with near standing headroom This is a true classic plastic — simple, solid, and honest. - Bayfield 25 Specifications LOA: 25.0 ft (≈24 ft without bowsprit) LWL: 19.67 ft Beam: 8.0 ft Draft: 2.92 ft (shoal draft) Displacement: ~3,500 lbs Ballast: ~1,300 lbs Rig: Masthead sloop Keel: Full long keel Construction: Fiberglass hull with teak trim -Engine Typically fitted with a small inboard diesel This vessel appears equipped with a Yanmar Engine condition currently unknown — a survey is strongly recommended - Interior & Accommodations For a 25-footer, the Bayfield 25 makes smart use of space: V-berth forward Twin main-cabin settee berths Enclosed head to port Compact galley with alcohol stove and icebox Nearly 6 feet of headroom, rare at this size -Performance & Handling Extremely stable and predictable in rough conditions Tracks straight thanks to the full keel Not a racer — prefers a bit of wind Theoretical hull speed: ~5.9 knots Pros: solid construction, shoal draft, headroom, seaworthiness Cons: small cockpit, limited tankage, short waterline in light air - Value & Takeaway Bayfield 25s typically sell in the $8,000–$15,000 range, depending on condition. Finding one in this level of preservation — on an island, in winter, at the low end of the price range — raises a lot of interesting questions about value. Think of this episode as both a boat tour and a practical lesson in how to assess a small cruising sailboat. If you’re shopping for a pocket cruiser, a shoal-draft Maine cruiser, or a classic sailboat under $10,000, this is one you’ll want to see. - Drop your thoughts in the comments — would you take the winter ferry for a boat like this? And as always… get a survey. See you next time! -BoatFools Sailing Team