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Comet 800 to Pianello del Lario - Sailing Cabin Cruiser (25 ft) review
Sailing yacht · 25 ft (8 m) · Domaso
expert score
Key specs
- Builder
- Comar shipyard
- Model
- Comet 800
- Length
- 25 ft (8 m)
- Guests
- 6
Verdict
A compact Finot-designed cruiser with lively upwind manners, simple systems, and classic coastal-croising appeal. Its strengths are light-air efficiency and manageable handling, while interior volume and tankage are modest by modern standards.
Pros
- +Compact, efficient hull with a proven Finot design
- +Masthead sloop rig gives straightforward sail handling
- +Fin keel and spade rudder support responsive steering
- +Shallow enough for many lake and coastal marinas
Cons
- −Interior space is limited compared with newer 25-foot cruisers
- −Tank capacities are small for extended cruising
- −Older layout and build standards can feel dated
- −Performance depends heavily on condition and refit quality
The Comet 800 is a classic 25-foot Comar cruiser designed by Groupe Finot, built in fiberglass with a fin keel and spade rudder. Its proportions are balanced and practical rather than spacious, with a narrow-to-moderate beam and a layout typical of 1970s–1980s cruising sailboats. That makes it appealing to sailors who value simplicity and traditional lines over maximum interior volume.
On the water, the boat’s sail area-to-displacement balance and light displacement give it a lively feel, especially in moderate conditions. The fin keel and spade rudder make it responsive at the helm, and the masthead sloop rig is easy to manage for a small crew. As with many boats of this era, outright speed and stiffness are good for the size, but final behavior will depend on the specific boat’s sail inventory, engine installation, and maintenance.
Comfort is adequate for short cruising or weekends, but this is not a large-cabin yacht. Available public listings suggest modest tankage and interiors generally arranged for 4 to 6 people, which is workable for day sailing and short trips but tight for longer passages. Overall value is solid if the boat has been well maintained or refitted, since older Comet 800s can offer enjoyable sailing at a relatively accessible entry point into small-boat cruising.
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