Cockwells has launched the Duchy 25, a 2.5-tonne, outboard-powered Duchy that tows on a road trailer and seats six, ahead of its world debut at Southampton International Boat Show on 19–28 September.
The figure that matters most in Cockwells’ announcement of the Duchy 25 is 2.5 tonnes. That is the weight of the boat, and it means this new member of the Duchy Motor Launches family can live on a trailer behind a car rather than on a mooring. The first boat is now in the water, and the Duchy 25 will be shown to the public for the first time at SIBS25, the Southampton International Boat Show, which runs from 19 to 28 September.
A smaller, lighter Duchy that keeps the proportions
Cockwells calls the 25 the little sister of the range, and the description is fair. The hull is a touch shorter and shallower than the other Duchys and the boat is lighter all round, but the open cockpit still seats six and the lines are recognisably Duchy. It is intended for rivers, estuaries and coastal water, and because it tows, the cruising ground is wherever you are prepared to drive. Cockwells’ own examples are the Thames, the French Riviera and the Italian lakes; an Australian owner will have their own list.
Like every Duchy, the 25 is a semi-production boat, and the fit-out and options are worked out with each owner. Cockwells makes the point that the option list has been thought through rather than bolted on.
Outboard choice: 40hp to 200hp, petrol or electric
The 25 is built around an outboard, and Cockwells has used that to offer a wide spread of power. The range runs from 40hp to 200hp, and the owner can pick petrol or electric.
In the case of the Duchy 25, to meet an increasing demand for flexible outboard engines, you can choose between 40hp and 200hp to suit your personal requirements for speed and performance. You can also select from traditional petrol or electric engines to match your preferred style of boating.
Dave Cockwell, Founder, Cockwells
Whether you require a petrol outboard for longer, coastal journeys and punching through the waves, or prefer an electric engine to cruise quietly down rivers with emission-free propulsion and a minimal wake, the choice is entirely yours.
Dave Cockwell, Founder, Cockwells
The cockpit
With no engine box in the way, the cockpit is given over to people. There is waterproof upholstery around a varnished table that lifts out when it is not needed, a day bed for anyone who would rather lie down, and an unobstructed view in every direction. The helm and companion seats adjust and have footrests, and a windscreen keeps the spray off. A spray hood and a full cover are available for days when the weather turns.
Below: a double berth, a galley and a proper heads
The cabin is small but complete. The seating converts into a V-shaped double, and an infill cushion turns the cockpit into a second berth, so two people can stay out for a weekend without feeling they are camping. Cockwells lists:
- Galley with an induction hob, a sink, a refrigerator and cupboard space, plus Duchy-branded crockery and glassware
- An enclosed heads with an electric toilet, a hand-held hot-water shower, a sink and storage
- A fitted toolbox drawer stocked with the essentials
- Seating that converts to a double V-berth, with a cockpit infill for a second berth
Deck and helm
The decks are synthetic teak, which looks right and needs little attention. A bathing platform sits either side of the outboard, and the aft seat folds forward so getting in and out of the water is easy. Side decks are kept low, with stainless steel grab rails and handles where you want them when moving about. At the helm there is a 9-inch Raymarine touchscreen, and the boat’s systems are controlled through a digital switching set-up that Cockwells codes in-house.
Also at Southampton: Hardy 45 European and Duchy 35 ‘Siala’
Cockwells is on stands M112 to M114 at SIBS25. Alongside the 25, visitors will see the new Hardy 45 European, launched in Cornwall by HRH The Princess Royal earlier this year, and Siala, a twin-cabin Duchy 35.
What the Duchy 25 means for Australian and New Zealand owners
Davis Marine Brokerage is the exclusive Australian and New Zealand dealer for Duchy Motor Launches, Hardy Motor Yachts and Cockwells SuperYacht Tenders, and a Duchy 25 can be ordered through us for delivery to Sydney. We import each boat and handle delivery and commissioning here, and demonstrations on Sydney Harbour can be arranged from Fergusons Marina at The Spit in Mosman.
The 25 answers a question that comes up with any classic launch: is there one for someone who does not want a marina berth or a mooring? A 2.5-tonne boat on a trailer can be kept at home and launched where the weather and the season suit, and the electric outboard option opens up quiet waterways where a petrol engine is unwelcome. For anyone weighing the 25 against the bigger boats, the Duchy 27 and the Duchy 35 give a sense of what more length buys; the first Duchy 35 for Australia was sold in December 2022 and arrived in Sydney in May 2023, and our piece on the Duchy 35 on Sydney Harbour shows how it sits here. The Duchy difference page covers what is common to all of them.
To talk about a Duchy 25 specification, or to be kept informed as the first boats are delivered, use our contact page or call Sam Davis on 0408 864 111. Cockwells’ launch announcement, with the full photo set, is on the Cockwells website.
Frequently asked questions
How heavy is the Duchy 25 and can it be towed?
The Duchy 25 weighs 2.5 tonnes, which Cockwells says makes it easy to tow on a road trailer to different cruising grounds. Its hull is slightly shorter and shallower than the other Duchy models, and the outboard engine frees up space in the cockpit.
What engine options does the Duchy 25 have?
The Duchy 25 is outboard-powered, with a choice of engines from 40hp to 200hp. Owners can choose between a petrol outboard, suited to longer coastal runs, or an electric outboard for quiet, emission-free cruising on rivers with minimal wake. The outboard also frees up space in the cockpit.
How many people does the Duchy 25 carry, and can you sleep aboard?
The open cockpit seats up to six guests. For overnighting, the cabin seating converts to a double V-berth and a cushion infill turns the cockpit into a further berth. The cabin also has a galley with an induction hob, sink and fridge, and an enclosed heads with an electric toilet and hot shower.
When and where will the Duchy 25 be shown?
The Duchy 25 makes its world debut at SIBS25, the Southampton International Boat Show, which runs from 19 to 28 September. Cockwells is on stands M112 to M114, where it is also showing the new Hardy 45 European and ‘Siala’, a twin-cabin Duchy 35.
Can I buy a Duchy 25 in Australia or New Zealand?
Yes. Davis Marine Brokerage in Mosman, Sydney, is the exclusive Australian and New Zealand dealer for Duchy Motor Launches. Orders for the Duchy 25 go through DMB, which imports the boat and handles delivery and commissioning in Sydney. Demonstrations on Sydney Harbour can be arranged from Fergusons Marina.
Davis Marine Brokerage is the exclusive Australian and New Zealand dealer for Duchy Motor Launches, Hardy Motor Yachts and Cockwells SuperYacht Tenders. To talk about a new build, a demonstration on Sydney Harbour or a pre-owned Duchy, call Sam Davis on 0408 864 111 or send an enquiry.
About the author
Sam Davis is the Director and Lead Broker at Davis Marine Brokerage, Fergusons Marina, Mosman. Brokering on Sydney Harbour for over a decade, he is a NSW State Councillor of the Boating Industry Association and the Australian and New Zealand dealer for Duchy, Hardy and Cockwells SuperYacht Tenders.
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