The latest addition to the class of small sports boats with a hull length of around 25 feet is called the Kiss 25. To build this small racer, the Danish team at Kiss Yachting have teamed up with the lightweight construction specialists at Neo Yachts in Italy. There, the Kiss 25 is manufactured entirely from carbon fibre – using a sandwich construction and the vacuum infusion process. As a manufacturer, Neo Yachts is a well-known and successful name in the construction of proven and particularly high-performance carbon-fibre sailing yachts ranging from 35 to 60 feet in hull length.
The Kiss 25 is intended to hold its own both as an international one-design class and as a strong contender in the ORC and IRC handicap classes – according to the stated intention of the initiators, Thomas Frederiksen and Chris Nørgaard from Copenhagen, who have themselves already gained experience in the established recreational sailing classes J/70 and Melges 24. They devised the concept and design of the Kiss 25.
Only the very best
The carbon rig is supplied by the manufacturer Pauger in Hungary. Without exception, the deck fittings are supplied by the premium manufacturer Harken. The bowsprit for the top gennaker can be extended from the cockpit and adds an impressive 1.80 metres to the hull. Despite stringent class rules – which are still being developed to establish a one-design class – the buyer is free to choose their own sailmaker, as is generally the case with one-design pleasure craft.
The all-carbon construction is said to weigh just around 750 kilograms when ready to sail. With a sail area of 35.5 square metres when sailing close-hauled (square-top mainsail and genoa), the sail area ratio (the ratio of sail area to total weight) is an exceptionally high 6.5, which clearly places the boat in the top performance segment. The Kiss 25 is sailed by a crew of three, four or a maximum of five people. There is no upper limit on the crew’s combined weight, even for regattas in the one-design class.
Easy sailing, easy handling
With a width of 2.50 metres and thanks to its light weight, the Kiss 25 can be easily transported by road on a trailer. In addition, the sporty T-keel can be fully stowed away. The deep, slender single rudder, positioned well below the stern, is housed in a cassette and can also be removed in just a few simple steps.
The first Kiss 25 is currently under construction at Neo Yachts in Italy and is due to be completed and delivered at the end of 2026. Its world premiere is scheduled for January 2027 at the boot boat show in Düsseldorf. The shipyard has also announced an initial price: the boat is expected to cost 142,200 euros (gross, including 19% VAT) – fully equipped and ready for racing in accordance with class rules. The sails are not included in the base price. Depending on the manufacturer and quality, a further minimum of 12,000 euros must be budgeted for a set of regatta sails.
Technical Specifications for the Kiss 25
- Designer: Kiss Yachting
- Shipyard: Neo Yachts, Bari (Italy)
- CE design category: C
- Fuselage length: 7.62 m
- Overall length including bowsprit: 9.42 m
- Width: 2.50 m
- Draught: 1.80 m
- Weight: 750 kg
- Mainsail: 21.9 m²
- Jib: 13.6 m²
- Gennaker: 66.4 m²
- Code Zero: 41.5 m²
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Michael Good
Editor Test & Technology
