22 cruiser seaworthiness compared to larger express cruisers

wrasse

I'm considering buying a 22 cruiser as it's getting cold here and I'm dying to get on the water and do some cruising! I have a cobalt 27ft dayboat that I love to use in the summer but it's really a fair weather only boat.

I did alot of reading on this site and 22 cruiser seem to have a good reputation for seaworthiness due to it's hull design, and ability to plane at low speeds. I'm also considering a larger searay express cruiser in the 28-30ft range with full canvas for colder weather cruising needs but leaning heavily toward the dory.

The enclosed pilothouse on the dory is great but with that said, which craft/hull would do better strictly from handling of rougher waters? ie, which would be more seaworthy? I know, very different boats and boating, just curious which would do better and be safer when puget sound gets rough.

CatyMae n Steve · Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2007 9:13 am Post subject:

Ultimately, it'll boil down to your personal comfort and preferences (since you're probably buying the boat for you and not for me Smile

). Obviously, as owners of C-Dory boats, the majority of us feel the C-Dory is very seaworthy -- any boat is as good as the operator's judgment!

Caty

oldgrowth · Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2007 3:28 pm Post subject:

I know very little about the Sea Ray Express Cruiser, but question why you are comparing a 22-foot C-Dory to a 30-foot Sea Ray. Why not look at the 25 C-Dory Cruiser or the 255 Tomcat. Size wise they would match up better to the 28 to 30-foot Sea Ray.
________
Dave

wrasse · Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2007 5:07 pm Post subject:

It's because I would get the 22 as a second boat or sell the cobalt and just get 30 searay. A cobalt and 25 c-dory would be too much money tied up in boating =)

ryder · Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2007 5:43 pm Post subject:

I think you need to define what seaworthy means to you. For example the heavier a boat is the more comfortable it will be. But if you are talking about falling off a wave in a c-dory or a sea -ray.....c-dory wins hands down. Don't under estimate the building process where c-dorys eliminate the hull deck joint. That's a very big deal in my opinion. I was a marine surveyor for many years and i trust a c-dory over a sea ray any day of the week. That being said..creature comforts, smoother ride . more room, fuel isnt a concern and fair weather boating. Sea Ray is your boat.

regards
Jim D

JamesTXSD · Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2007 5:43 pm Post subject:

Hmmm... since you'd be buying a CD-22 as a second boat, you've opened up a whole 'nother comparison. When things get rough in Puget Sound, you could load the 22 up on the trailer and easily take it someplace where it isn't rough. Cool

Try that with a 30' SeaRay.

At the risk of offending some, when things turn crappy, bigger is usually better. But in this case, you're comparing different hull forms... making that "bigger" comparison less valid.

Ask here, and we'll tell you how much we like our C-Dorys. Go to a SeaRay forum, and they'll tell you how good those boats are. Go to most boat brokers and tell 'em you're deciding between those two boats, and they'll likely tell you to come back when you're serious. Wink

SeaWolf Joe might be able to shed some insight on the differences. Good luck with your decisions.

Best wishes,
Jim B.
Wild Blue (CD-25 that works just right as a day-tripper and a long-term cruiser)

Sea Wolf · Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2007 6:39 pm Post subject:

ryder · Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2007 6:52 pm Post subject:

Joe Said....

JamesTXSD · Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2007 6:55 pm Post subject:

OMG, Joe!!!!

With #11, you're going to get the folks here all upset to the point that they'll set up a suicide watch! Twisted Evil

Yeah, I know... back to my corner.

Best wishes,
Jim B.

Bill3558 · Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2007 7:08 pm Post subject:

I can say this about it. I found myself 22 miles offshore last weekend in 3 to 5 foot seas. Forcast called for 1-2, thats why I went out to the artificial reef, but it went sour in the afternoon.

Uncomfortable ride back, but never was scared. Wipers going constantly. Quartering following sea made you keep alert because the stern would sometimes kick around and the boat would "head up". Autopilot not able to keep up with it. Made 12-15 knows back. Not blazing speed, but thats not why I bought the boat.

And only one lousy spanish machrel to show for it. Love the boat the more I use it.

By the way, I keep my boat in the water. Across from me is a brand new $300,000 Sea Ray. I think its a 34 footer. Gorgeous boat. The wife and I took an evening cruise last week. When we got back to the dock the SeaRay owners were hanging out with a drink as any good marina boat owner should. They said they were going to go out but it looked too rough.

Come to think of it I have only seen the boat out once.

thataway · Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2007 7:08 pm Post subject:

We owned a 28 foot Rinker (comperable to the 28 foot Sea Ray) and the 22 C Dory at the same time. As far as ultimate seaworthyness, the C Dory wins hands down. But you will not be able to go as fast--maybe--as in the Sea Ray. The reason is that even in a moderate V boat--lets say 20 degree dead rise, there is a limit--and you have to either be on a plane or at displacement speed. With the Sea Ray, the planing speed will be about 17 knots min--maybe slightly higher. Try bucking into true 4- 5 foot seas with the Sea Ray--it will be very uncomforatable--try running displacement speed of 7 knots, it will also be uncomfortable. If you want to run the C Dory 22, you can run it at 8 or 12 knots--and still have an acceptable ride--depending on the weather. The C Dory acellorates rapidly (assuming it is properly powered) and you can work the waves--you will not be able to do that with the Sea Ray. Also the cabin will be much more comfortable in the C Dory--with the Wallas heater/stove. The Canvas cuts the wind, but does not retain the heat.

Having said all of this--the C Dory is not for everyone. It is a boat which will pound, if driven too fast in chop--so that has to be taken into account. We have come across from the San Juans to Sequim in 30 to 35 knots of wind against the current and averaged about 10 knots--but it was working the waves, and speeding up when we could--slowing down when necessary.

The point about the hull to deck joint is excellent. There was a comparison of hull to deck joints, with photos on "The Hull Truth" currently. It is amazing how poorly most boats hull to deck joints are made. The C Dory is glassed over, and when the rub rail is riveted on, then epoxy is put over the rivet. Basically a monique hull, which is very strong.

Bill3558 · Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2007 7:12 pm Post subject:

I should have added to my post that total fuel burn for the day was 23 gallons. Thats getting more important every day.

oldgrowth · Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2007 10:13 pm Post subject:

wrasse · Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2007 10:33 pm Post subject:

Because 8+ half naked people crammed in a CD25 bumping loud music and drinking Beer

on lake washington on a hot summer day would be kind of odd and would get me kicked off this site Very Happy

My cobalt was built for that amongst others.

I was thinking 30 searay would be a do it all boat but, I think going for a more specialized second cooler weather boat route would be better and also save on moorage/operating costs. Besides, I'll have hard enough time convincing my significant other to come out with me on a blistery january day... my friends??? Well, forget them until the summer Mr. Green

The little CD22 seems so versatile, boaterhoming, weekend couples cruising to a nice port, attempt at fishing, etc,

I think the more I think about it CD22 fits me and my current lifestyle.

DaveS · Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 12:06 am Post subject: