22 Cruiser vs. 25

[localboy]

So my wife and I went to the Everett boat show. I wanted her to see a 22 Cruiser. Sit in it, lie in the V berth etc so she can judge it for our needs/wants. The first words out of her mouth: "Oh, this is too small". They didn't have a 25 at the show, so after speaking with Brian, we drove up to Mt Vernon on Sunday to check out a 25. No luck. The one they had was locked up and the guy there didn't have the key to get into the warehouse. Our wants are the ability to do longer cruises up/down the Puget Sound, San Juans and Gulf Islands. Me, my wife and and our grandaughter. It'd be nice to take my son/daughter-in-law too, but 4 adults and a youngster. So I know this is difficult to answer, but:

What are the advantages vs disadvantages of the two?
Likes/dislikes?
What problems are consistent with the 25 vs the 22 Cruiser?
The head & shower: good/bad? Maintenance?
How much more space/storage/berths for sleeping?

Any feedback would be great.

We'll be looking for a used one. Just gotta decide on which one. Cost vs benefits analysis sorta speak.

[dotnmarty]

Lake Union SeaRay has a used 2007 25footer, loaded, no trailer, advertized for $85,000, here
http://www.lakeunionsearay.com/content05.asp?nav=77707&

[Anita Marie]

I like a few on the site have had both boats. The 25 has a lot more storage, seating for 3.5 plus helm seat, wider V-berth, head/shower, fresh demand water pump with a larger tank and a DC frig. It also has a reversable port seat that does not need to be moved and will sit two.
The boat is much bigger requiring bigger motors, bigger tow vehicle. It also is not as fuel efficient as a 22.
I have had my 25 for almost 3 years and it has taken some time for me to get comfortable with it. I did love my 22 very much but that was a selfish thing because it was easier to handle and fish from than a 25 when you are single handling it.
For us it comes down to my wifes comfort level. She wants to go boating with the 25 but was not as excited to go when we had the 22. If you are going to do extended cruising with more than two people I would recommend the 25.

Fred

[Alyssa Jean]

I am in the same boat as Fred. Literally. I had a 22 and now have a 25. (also a 16).

I live on Guemes Is. just across from Cap Sante Marina. I would be glad to meet you sometime at the marina and take you and your wife out for a run. You can get behind the controls and get a feel for the boat. You can PM me. We will not be available from Mar 19 -Apr 17. I will be at the marina this week-end both Friday and Sat 10AM-4PM at a USCG Auxiliary Vessel Safety Check table and my boat will be there then. I could probably easily break away for an hour then if that works for you.

[JamesTXSD]

Hi Mark,

If you go through the archives, you will find a bunch of threads on this topic... it seems to come up pretty regularly. There are supporters for both boats, and it could be argued that you could make either work.

There are those who say simpler is better and those who feel more (room and amenities) makes the cruising better. Getting in both boats would be the best, and I see you've already had an invite (and from a guy who has owned both).

We were where you are... and at the 06 Seattle Boat Show went back and forth between the two, and my wife said, "the 25." For us, more room and amenities makes it more comfortable to stay out longer. You will certainly hear from others who are very comfortable on the 22. Read Bill and El's Halcyon Days threads - they've been everywhere in their 22. Look over the Wild Blue cruising thread here on Grand Adventures to see how we use our 25.

The best boat is undoubtedly the one that will work for your needs. Good luck with the decisions.

Best wishes,
Jim B.

[localboy]

Thanks for all the replies. I did a search and found some opinions but I'll have to do more when I have free time.

I believe my wife was correct in her assessment that in the 22 we'd be constantly bumping into each other inside the cabin. She actually didn't mind the porta-potty, BUT an enclosed head/shower would be a LOT nicer for her and the grandchild. She is comparing the cabin space with my brother's 30' sail boat. It has all the amenities, and I think that influenced her opinion quite a bit. We did a San Juans trip on it last summer and that is what got her. She loved it! No phones, no TV. She spent hours looking for shells/rocks etc on the beach and reading. When we got back she was HOOKED.

Pulling a 25 is not a problem as I planned ahead and bought an F-250 Super Duty.

[localboy]

[thataway]

We also have a 25 now and up graded from a 22 (actually to a Tom Cat 255 also--which has even more room and a better ride--with about the same fuel economy--but more speed).

You already have the truck--the Explorer would have been enough for the 22--but you got the 250, which is a good truck for the 25.

We went to the 25 because of the room in the foreward bunk and ease of getting into the bunk. I am 6'2" and about 190 lbs, Marie is 5'8" and about 125 lbs. We both have back problems, and the 25 is easier to get in and out of. My son (6'4")who also uses the 25 felt that the 22 was too cramped for him. The actual length increase is only 2" between the 22 and 25, but the width is considrably more--and the "door" opening is also larger. The storage is about twice in the 25 than the 22.

I would say get a 22 prior to 2003--most of the new ones have been OK--but there have been a few problems. I have a 2003 25 and the boat had multiple problems--some due to abuse from the owner. It is entirely fixed and C Dory paid for the repairs. But you have to understand what the problems are and how to prevent or fix them. The newer boats have a bit better finish in some ways. I don't know about the current crop of boat's issues yet.

The ride in the 25 will be slightly better than in the 22--trim tabs are essential for both--and probably the Permatrim is a good edition. Get a large enough motor--especially if you are going to take several people and be gone for some time.


Any 30 foot boat will have more room. The "size" of a boat's interiior, is more related to the volume than the length. A couple of feet of beam will give a lot more room inside. You can find 30 foot power boats, which have a large head, stall shower, two double bunks, a single bunk and pull out sofa to sleep 7, comfortably (such as the Carver 30 aft cabin). But that is not trailerable--and will use loads of fuel.

The maintance will be about the same (except fuel use and depending if you get two engines.. the oil changes etc) The other posts and above cover the disadvantages/advantages. Galleys are almost the same in both--slightly more storage in the 25 under the sink.

[seahooked]

Mark,
I'll give you another ride option. I expect to be hanging out with the boat on Saturday (around noon +/-) and would be happy to give you and your wife a ride. I'm at Edmonds Marina so it may be convenient for you. If interested send me a pm.
Regards,

[localboy]

[Capital Sea]

If we had a 50 footer we could expand on why that is the way to go but this is not the choice we made. As near as I can tell, the comments from the CD25 owners above are all true but their is much to consider.
Regarding room and your boat show impression you may want to take a ride in a 22 with a camper canvas and take into account that at the boat show you were both standing when in practice one of you will be at the helm when under way.
The comments above regarding fishing should be considered as well as crabbing. The larger you get the trickier these activities get.
In regard to towing, this was a major issue for us and we use a v6 Toyota tacoma 4x4 with the 22 on a tandem trailer. This boat can safely be trailered over the pass and state to state with good gas milage. If you add width and weight then you will need a dedicated tow vehicle or you will pay at the pumps all year long.
As for the 4th seat issue, well we solved that with a jump seat added just inside the door. We have been getting good use out of this as we motor around on cold spring days or motor home from Olympia at night after a dinner out.

[Pat Anderson]

Like Fred, David and Bob, we have had both. It is always a trade-off. Extra elbow room (heck, quite a bit more room all around), head, hot water, fridge on the plus side. More expensive, bigger tow vehicle required, less fuel efficiency on the negative side. I have crabbed out of both, not a factor that comes into play in my opinion. But you already know all of this. The CD22 is an excellent boat, we enjoyed the heck out of ours, but we also would have a hard time going back to a 22 now...

[Capital Sea]

Pat/Patty etal, setting aside the fact that you can only be wrong since we just took delivery of our 22, I would point out that I was only posting the 22 point of view since most of the advice being given was from folks for whom the 25 was the best choice.
After 13 years our 17' Arima grew by 5' so heck I think you all are crazy. This thing has room all over the place.

[marvin4239]

My GF and I just spent 12 days in my 22 and we were perfectly comfortable with the room but had there been another person aboard it would have been uncomfortable. Both of us have done a lot of RV ing so we are accustomed to cramped spaces. I typically cruise alone so the 22 is easier for me to handle I'm not sure I could handle the 25 alone. There's a substanial difference in cost between the 22 and the 25 but if you buy the 22 and then decide you need the 25 you'll loose money. If I were crusing full time with my GF I'd go with the 25 for the added storage space.

[localboy]