choosing a boat

[GBSalem]

Hello everyone just found this site and joined. I currently do not own a boat but i am in the research phase now and intend to buy by the end of the year. Its been a dream of mine to complete the great loop. I follow a few blogs of loopers who have done it on a C-Dory and i have noticed that when people ask them for comments about their boats they tell the new comers to consider doing it on venture 26 instead of a 25 ft cruiser or smaller. why is that? can 1 ft make that big of a difference? just trying to sort all this out, thanks for the help here. Bryan

[thataway]

Welcome aboard Bryan. "Salty" a C Dory 22 has made at least 3, maybe 4 great loop runs, Halcyon, and I believe at least one other 22 has done the loop. There are several 25's and at least one 26 which have made the loop.

The 25's and 26's are comparable, and both have enclosed heads, vs porti-potty under the V berth center filler.

Those 22 owners who first see a 25, are amazed at the greater room--especially for storage. We usually run our 25 stocked for a month of food--have to pick up water and fuel (plus Diet Coke for Marie).

Both boats are fully capable in doing the loop. The comfort level will be more in the 22. Incidentally row boats, PWC, 16 foot aluminum boats etc have all done the loop....just depends on what you are comfortable in.

[GBSalem]

thanks Bob for the reply. Did read it correctly that you say the comfort level on a 22 is more than a 25? why would that be? I was originally looking at ranger tugs but the more i narrow down the list the more i like the C-Dory. I have a truck that can pull the C Dory and I like the portability of it. I live in the middle of Virginia and go east and be in the James river in 3 hours or go west and be to knoxville and the Tennessee river in 4. Still alot to learn and i am sure ill get all the advice i can handle on here. keep it coming , thanks again
Bryan

[JamesTXSD]

[thataway]

oops, I did make a topo...sorry about that! The 25 would be my choice for the reasons James states. Plus it has a better ride. The boats all benefit from a Permatrim and trim tabs. I cannot count the number of times people have come up and said "I didn't believe the difference these would make in the ride". However none of the C Dory line are going to be comfortable in real 2 1/2 seas. You will be safe however. Your location is ideal--lots of other great waters for C Dorys in that area! Chesapeake Bay should be included.

[journey on]

We've done the great loop in a 36' sailboat. Journey On is a 25 and I wouldn't consider doing it in any less.

I have no idea what gives the Venture 26 it's added space, but hopefully it's the room in the V-berth which is a tad short for me at 6'. I just put my feet over on Judy's side and don't listen to the complaints. Both are 8' 6" wide, the 25 is wider outside, the 26 inside. I feel secure going forward on the 25, I'd have to try the 26. The 25 has balsa core, the 26 something else (I don't know). Since on the ICW you're staying inside the whole time the seakeeping capabilities are a wash. They're close enough the I'd guess that you'd have to go through them with a tape measure.

When we were on the ICW I saw a 22 but the guy was by himself so I assume the space was adequate for him. I'd also assume the enclosed head would be mandatory on any boat on which you'd spent more than 2 days, but that's up to you. The 25 has a refrig which I consider a plus (beer). Pressure water on the 25. Both have a Wallis stove. One can pass each other in the 25's aisle, a biggie for Judy.

One other thing the most important. We spent 2 years going around the ICW without doing the downhill river section. And that was barely adequate to see all the sights. Do a slow trip and smell the roses. If you want to set a certain miles/day, you're screwed and will miss a lot. Of course you're in Virginia and that makes reaching the ICW trivial. We shipped our boat both ways and that was a big deal. But take your time and you'll see and learn a lot. We took a month to go through the Eire Canal. And learned that Virginia had its own Constitution before the revolution, in fact several of them.

Above all do the trip, one of lifes Great Adventures.

Boris

[srbaum]

Bryan,
There is a 22 and a 26 on a lift, behind my home Portsmouth, VA. Take a drive and touch, feel and see the difference up close. Heck, if you come, it will give me a reason to get underway for a ride, like I really need a reason...

[hardee]

AS Bob said, The Great Loop has been done in boats plenty smaller than a 25, or even a 22. I have been on both the 25 and 26, and own a 22. I spent the first summer after I retired on my 22 for 100 days, mostly anchored out, and had 40 out of the first 48 days that it rained. I carried 2 months worth of food with me and had another 2 months worth in the truck. After 2 months, I went back to the truck and restocked the food and then back out again. Of course I was single handing, but I have had company on the boat for 2-3 weeks, and and some, (Bill and El) lived on the 22 for years. Agree that the 25 or 26 will have a better ride in 2 foot chop, have more storage room, bigger tanks, and the enclosed head and shower, but either one can do the Great Loop.

And, Welcome to the C-BRATS site. Lots here to read, learn and enjoy.

Harvey
SleepyC

[starcrafttom]

Two young girls from my area did the loop in a 16ft open boat. https://www.duroboat.com/SmallBoatBigSumme.htm