Differences between C-Dory and a Cape Cruiser

[NancyandBud]

Look the same. Different construction, builder????

[NORO LIM]

Endless threads on this topic, if you search around the site even a little bit. The story is filled with controversy, intrigue, mystery . . .

The "Cape Cruiser" was only built for for a couple of years - in a 23' ("Venture") and 26' ("Marinaut") version. The molds for those two boats are now used by the current C-Dory builder to make the 23 Venture and the 26 Venture. (The current version of the "Marinaut" is (or maybe not?) being built by another builder and is a 21' boat. - That's another story.) The history of which "C-Dory" company built which version of which boat during which years is, well, complicated.

Short summary. The Cape Cruiser/23 Venture has a little more deadrise at the stern than the C-Dory. It's a little longer. It's a little wider. It's a little heavier. It generally has a slightly more "finished" interior. It's a little more expensive.

They're both great boats.

[Will-C]

The difference in between a 23' Cape Cruiser and a C-Dory Venture 23 are fairly minimal. The steps in the Ventures make it easier to enter and exit the cockpit. Ventures came with factory storage under the v berth. Ours had an insulated interior that eliminated condensation drips. Some Cape Cruisers were only rated for 120 hp. The Ventures were rated for 150 hp. The 2008 Ventures came with window coverings, hot water heater, interior grab rails, shore power and a galvanic isolator, battery charger, tilt wheel helm, wooden steering wheel and raw water wash down. They were plumbed for a live well. They had electrically pumped hot and cold water. The Ventures had three duplex 120 volt outlets along with a couple 12vdc sockets. The Ventures came with a fairly useless baby refrigerator located under the helm seat. The port seat could be flipped to either face forward or face the dinette. The hulls were basically the same. They were both sort of the evolution of the 22" Cruiser. Not quite as cute but a little roomier and probably a 1000 pounds heavier to pull. I'm sure others will chime in.
D.D.

[Larry H]

The difference is that the CD 22 was designed in 1987 as a lightweight fishing boat, carrying a 70hp two stroke (lightweight) motor.

The Cape Cruiser/Venture was designed in 2005 by the son of the original designer, to have a more modern hull form, and to carry modern higher hp, heavier motors.

The Cape Cruiser/Venture hull has more deadrise, rides smoother, has more interior room, more headroom inside, and in the C-Dory version, has a fully lined interior.

To say the Cape Cruiser and the CD 22 are the same is like saying a 2005 Honda is the same as a 1987 Honda. The Cape Cruiser is a more modern design evolution of the C-Dory hull.

[jennykatz]

Dave and Larry have summed it up Having owned both a cc 23 venture and a cd 22 cruiser There are some minor and major differences

We bought the cc-23 for the cockpit space and I liked the more finished look of the fiberglass interior (I know some still like the wood finish) We had the cd 22 with a 90 hp Suzuki It got over 4mpg and top speed was over 35 mph If they both are equipped the same the weight is not much more then 500-600lb On the original paperwork they were weighed in at around 2600 lb then they went to 2900 lb but that was with shore power,battery charger ,plugs ,windlass,tundra fridge ,wash down,and water pressure pump. The cd-23 venture had what Dave has reported it was a lot nicer finished boat but the hulls and tops were the same .

Differences cc-23 /cd-23 VS. cd-22
1-wider boat for more cockpit space seating for 4 instead of 2
2-a little bit larger v-berth wider longer ,also the anchor locker was enclosed
3-It still would only sit 2 at the dinette
4-6ft 4in headroom instead of 6ft 2 in
5-splashwell was protected vs open in cd-22
6-fuel economy about the same if loaded the same
7-A MUCH MUCH BETTER RIDE The sweet spot for the cc-23 hull is 22-24mph whereas the cd-22 it's about 15-18 mph

Just my 12 year observation with these wonderful boats Either way you go these boats are Great

BTW When I was selling Monterys ,Rinkers,Chapparell and the like my wife wanted a 25 ft cruiser I told her no we have the Best cruiser our cd-22 and now we have even a better one with the cc-23

[NancyandBud]

Thanks for taking the time to give such informative posts!!!!!