Axopar 25 Cross Top (2023-)

Brief Summary

The Axopar 25 Cross Top was designed to take the features of her larger siblings and bring them to a smaller platform. She has a cabin for sleeping and versatile amenities on deck. Gather at the bow where there’s a large sundeck or at the cockpit where the 25 can be ordered in three different versions.

Test Results

Specifications

Length Overall	25 ' 8 m
Beam	7' 4" 2.23 m
Dry Weight	3,858 lbs. 1,750 kg
Tested Weight	5,004 lbs. 2,270 kg
Draft	2' 9" 0.85 m
Fuel Capacity	60 gal. 227 L
Total Weight	5,004 lbs. 2,270 kg

Acceleration Times & Conditions

Time to Plane	4.1 seconds
0 to 30	8.5 seconds
Props	16x17x3 Enertia
Load	2 persons; 21 gal. fuel; 50 lb. gear
Climate	86 deg., 89 humid; wind: 15-20 mph, seas: <1

Engine Options

Tested Engine	1 x 250-hp Mercury Verado V6
Std. Power	Mercury Verado V6 x 250hp
Opt. Power	Mercury Verado V6 x 250hp

Captain's Report

Mission

Axopar created the 25 Cross Top to take the dayboat concept into the evenings and the overnights while adhering to the legacy DNA of the brand.  That DNA includes a plumb bow, narrow forefoot, low freeboard and a stepped hull. 

Major Features 

• Asymmetric layout
• Large console with dual swivel seating
• Hand-laminated hull
• Twin-stepped hull design with a plumb bow
• Integrated engine bracket
• Hull set up with tunnel for thrusters
• Integrated bulwark steps
• Aluminum fuel tank
• All hardware 316 stainless-steel
• Adjustable height windscreen
• Cabin for overnighting

Performance

The Axopar 25 has an LOA of 25’ (7.62 m), a beam of 7’4” (2.23 m) and a draft of 2’9” (.85 m).  With an empty weight of 3,858 lbs. (1,750 kg), 35 percent fuel, two people onboard and test power, we had an estimated test weight of 5,004 lbs. (2,270 kg).   

With the single 250-hp Mercury Verado turning a 16x17 prop and run up to 6000 RPM, our speed topped out at 49 MPH.  Best cruise came in at 3500 RPM and 24.5 MPH.  At that speed, the 7 GPH fuel burn translated into 3.5 MPG and a range of 189 statute miles, while still holding back a 10 percent reserve of the boat’s 60-gallon (227.12 L) total fuel capacity.   

In acceleration tests, we reached planing speed in an average of 4.1 seconds. Twenty MPH was reached in 6 seconds, 30 in 8.5 seconds and 40 MPH in an average of 12.9 seconds.  

Handling

At full speed, the hull will tend to hit the waves and transfer that hit through the entire length, so there’s no real slam factor.  Slow to cruise speed and the hull has more time to penetrate the waves. This is much more comfortable as now the penetration is allowed to happen.  In hard-over performance turns, she tends to fall off the turn at about the ¾ point and then the stern kicks around.  This makes her an excellent watersports platform, especially in tight confines where turning space is limited. 

Boat Inspection

Cockpit

The cockpit of our test boat had the U-Seating layout with an optional pedestal table in the center.  Lower the table with a shorter pedestal and a cushion can be added to create a sunpad. 

Between the side seats, there’s 35” (88.9 cm) of open space when the table is left out of the equation.  There’s open storage under the side seats.  The aft seat has a hinged seat base accessing storage inside that also includes the battery switches and shore power connectivity.  Padded seatbacks attach to the side bulwarks and the aft seatback is on two pedestals that insert into receivers in the caprail. 

There’s a large in-deck storage space that opens on dual gas-assist struts.  Inside is plenty of open storage space that includes dedicated storage for the dual batteries, the shore power unit, the steering pump and the fuel tank.  Under the lid, there’s dedicated space for the dual table pedestals. 

Two other layouts are offered for this area.  One simply deletes the side sofas and keeps the aft sofa.  The other removes all sofas and adds a large on-deck storage compartment with sunpad on top.  There’s a backrest that can fit across the sunpad or lengthwise for “tour boat” style seating that has guests facing towards the sides. 

The forward seats at the helm can be rotated around to join the gathering at the aft seats.  Under the helm seats, there’s dedicated storage for a life raft, which is required in the EU.  In North America, preservation of life will likely be superseded by a carry-on cooler.  There’s an option for having a sink and refrigerator under the two seats that will tilt forward to expose this option.  Bulwarks to the sides are 27” (68.58 cm) high and the grab rails are mounted just inside, rather than above the caprails. 

Above all is the hardtop that measures 9’ x 6’8” (1.74 m x 2.03 m).  Supports are powder-coated black.  Additional black cross members are under the canvas center of the overhead. 

Bow

The Axopar 25 Cross Top has an asymmetrical layout so we access the bow from the port sidedeck.  Rail height at the bow is 14” (35.56 cm).  There’s a 52” x 42” (132.08 cm x 106.68 cm) sunpad with angled seatbacks that follow the rake of the windshield.  Beverage holders are to both sides and fabric grab handles are sewn into the center of the sunpad. 

Helm

The helm is portside-mounted.  An optional 12” (30.48 cm) Simrad EVO3 display is available.  Electrical switches are below and flanked by two beverage holders.  To the left of the wheel, there’s a bow thruster joystick.  To the right is a USB plug, the stereo remote and a joystick for the trim tabs that is much more intuitive to use than rocker switches. 

There are dual seats and both slide fore and aft.  Each includes a flip bolster and, as we discussed earlier, they rotate around to join the gatherings behind.  The ¼” (.64 cm) windshield can be tilted high or low by loosening thumbscrews to the sides. 

Cabin

The cabin is accessed via an acrylic sliding door to the right side of the helm.  It’s suitable for overnighting, which adds greatly to the utility of the Axopar 25 Cross Top.  Features start with the berth that measures in at 78” (198.12 cm) front to rear. While it has a basic trapezoidal shape, the middle comes in at a 50” (127 cm) width.  Storage nets are to both sides and an overhead hatch allows natural light and ventilation. Headroom over the berth is 22” (55.88 cm).

Aft and to port, there’s a sink with a breaker panel just behind.  Right alongside there’s a cushioned seat that lifts to reveal the electric flush toilet.  A window just above supplements the natural light from the forward hatch.  The aft bulkhead includes fabric storage pouches. 

Optional Equipment 

• U-Sofa layout
• Multi-Storage sunbed for cockpit
• Electric flush freshwater toilet with 6.6-gal (25 L) holding tank
• Freshwater shower with 6.6-gal (25 L) tank
• Eight deck lights
• Trim tabs
• Waterski frame over engine
• Bow thruster
• Anchor windlass
• Cockpit table
• Soft decking
• Thru-hull transducer
• Simrad NSS EVO 3S chartplotter
• Shore Power
• Seatbase with refrigerator and sink
• Sunbed cushions for U-Sofa in the cockpit

Observations

What’s most impressive about the 25 Cross Top is how Axopar managed to add so many of the features from her larger siblings into a boat with a smaller footprint without making it feel cramped or hard to move about in. It’s a remarkably comfortable boat and surprisingly functional.