The Olson 25 was designed in 1984 by George Olson, Santa Cruz surfer and sailor, who was also responsible for the Santa Cruz 27, the Moore 24, and the Olson 30. The Olson 25 remains especially popular in its home state, with one-design fleets found primarily on the San Francisco Bay. Intended as versatile boat for racing and for weekend sails, the boat is crewed by three to six people. It has a lead keel and an aluminum mast and flies a main, jib, 155% genoa, and 95% spinnaker.