The design has sleeping accommodation for four people. Cabin headroom is 54 in (137 cm).[1][3]
For sailing downwind the design may be equipped with a symmetrical spinnaker.[1]
The design has a PHRF racing average handicap of 228 and a hull speed of 6.0 kn (11.1 km/h).[3]
Operational history
The boat is supported by an active class club that organizes racing events, the Quarter Ton Class.[5]
In a 2010 review Steve Henkel wrote, "in 1969, U.S. Steel, anxious to take part in the boom in leisure market goods, bought Hughes Boatworks Ltd. of Centralia, Ontario, Canada, and began selling boats under the North Star Yachts brand name. In 1971, the company contracted with Sparkman & Stephens to design the North Star 500 (25) with the notion of competing in Quarter Ton races. The new design promptly won the quarter ton World Championship. However, production of the boat was discontinued in 1973, perhaps partly because she was a comparatively well built but expensive toy with a single purpose, namely to win quarter ton races. The recession of 1973-1974 also may have been a factor in her demise. Best features: She's a fast quarter tonner. Worst features: The North Star has the least headroom in her comp group, and the deepest draft, both of which limits her utility as a cruising boat. For example, one of her competitors, the C&C 25 ... which came out in 1972, has less draft, more headroom, and a lot more space below, and according to her PHRF rating, may be a faster boat."[3]