Single hand
"Do they come set up to single hand, or does that require extra work??"
This depends entirely upon what the previous owner has done.
It's generally not a factory-added feature and I would expect to have to do some "maintenance buying" if not immediately, in the near future to keep it as you'd want.
As for moving up. I think that everybody would like the space that a C25 has to offer but if you are trailering the boat, consider the weight and the tow vehicle's size. The C25 may easily weigh a ton or more w/trailer than a comparative C22 when all is said and done.
Another comment, in this boat size, (C22-25) having a lot of people in the cockpit is more a social moment rather than a sailing one. During the "voyage" in my photo below, I found myself more often trying not to step on people as I tried to move about behind their backs and adjust the lines even though I have it set up for single-handing. I also found that at one point, a C25 would have been a better boat so that I could get 3' further forward and consequently 3' further away from the incessant din of the conversation. Sailing with a crowd on board, I find that people will invariably be sitting on the control lines and generally our dear friends don't know what a clew is much less have one about sailing. One should also consider their safety in that pushing the boat too hard or going out in more 'iffy' weather conditions isn't necessarily such a good idea. So, I'd suggest that the real sailing where you are really putting the boat through it's paces is done with the bare essentials in the way of a crew who are seasoned. This is not to say that social events aren't good experiences. They are to be cherished but I'd bet that you will always be feeling like you need a bigger boat just about no mater what you choose to buy in this 'smaller boat' range.
