Minor Offshore 25

There's little doubt the new Minor Offshore 25 is a multipurpose boat. "You can use it as a pocket cruiser, go fishing or commute to your island home," says Carl Skarne. His company, Skarne Marine in Milford, Connecticut, imports the Minor Offshore line from Finland. "You can take it out in any kind of weather and know you'll get back safely," Skarne says. "And it's also trailerable."

I've been a fan of the Minor brand since I took the 31, big brother to the 25, to Maine last year and cruised for several days. The 25, I found, has all the attributes of the 31, just in a smaller package. It's an all-weather vessel with a fully enclosed pilothouse; high, walk-around side decks; a large, open cockpit; and a hull that performs well in a seaway.

Not all boats are for all people, and the Minor Offshore series definitely has a personality of its own. But if you want a salty-looking, solid, well-built boat with a lot of safety and comfort features, then the Minor Offshore 25 has a lot to offer. On top of all that, it's also fun to drive.

The pilothouse alone is enough reason to like this boat. It includes a pair of seats with four-way adjustment, plus a U-shape Ultrasound lounge aft that can hold another four people. Visibility is excellent on all quarters, and you can open a large sunroof for more ventilation. Port and starboard doors give easy access to the side decks; they also latch open to provide more air. There's a small galley on the port side and a fridge under the driver's seat, plus lots of storage under other seats and the sole.

Below, the forward cabin has a V-berth and an enclosed head. Aft, you can take out the stainless gates to open up the back of the cockpit and haul a dink or other small boat aboard. A large hatch gives easy access to the engine compartment, while you also can lift up a teak grate in the swim platform to access the stern drive.

Skarne Marine; www.skarnemarine.com

Shelter doesn't compromise the view.