tomcat vs other cdorrys for offshore?

[nuccifilms]

i'm a year away from getting my 1st boat, perhaps even my only boat. i'm super sold on the cdorys, but also been looking at rosborough r246 and seasports. once i do have my own boat, i'll no longer be doing my offshore overnight charters out of southern CA. also, i will have my wife aboard in my own boat, where it will be a whole different experience.

now, the cdory 22 would cost half as much and maybe 1/3 cheaper to run maintain. and we could live with it space wise. however, i understand the catamaran hull and twin outboards would sure be nice 50 miles out? the rocking of a monohull is nothing to me, but my wife gets seasick. and of course, i will still appreciate a more stable platform. but as far as other perks of a bigger, more powerful, less important, since i expect i'll be driving it more like a trawler most wherever i go.

so in terms of safety and comfort, should i spring for the added sea-worthiness of a T255?

[westward]

Since you have a year I'd suggest test rides on both. They are completely different animals. I think your 1/3 variable cost estimate is low: The 22 runs on 90-115HP (originally designed around a 2-stroke 70) and the Tomcat on 300-350HP. The Tomcat is in a whole different category with respect to weight, size, trailer/tow requirements, moorage space, etc. and the 22 is really more of a day boat IMO. I believe the Rosborough has round chines and will thusly roll quite a bit during normal operation. It is also a big, heavy boat but most efficient under 15MPH. I saw one last weekend with a single Honda 130 which the owners said was quite adequate for their use. The Tomcat is big, heavy, and stable, has a proper head, and will appeal to a reluctant spouse for ocean runs much more than the other 2 if you can afford it. Best of luck! Mike

[Ordutch1975]

If my primary focus was offshore I’d definitely include the seasport 24 explorer. It’s not cheap but worth looking at.

[Wandering Sagebrush]

[nuccifilms]

i expect to be relocating to within 15 miles of shore, so hauling and dry storing my vessel at home during the week will help towards maintenance costs. the abundant cat space is the real icing on the cake to T255's stability. the seasport 24 does have a full head, unlike the cdory 22, which wife will appreciate on our all- weekend trips. i'm also looking at 10-15 year old models, so those seasport 24s are easily in my $40k$70k price range. still love the RF-246 for it's single outboard setup, but the comment on it's increased roll may be something i'll need to explore in a sea trial. again, performance is not a big factor on any choice, as i will mostly troll to wherever i go.

[colbysmith]

I think many of us would beg to differ on looking at the CD-22 as a day boat. We've spent up to 3 weeks at a stretch on ours, and I know there are others that have done longer. Sure it's smaller than the 25's and Tomcats. But the problem with space is, everyone seems to need more regardless which size boat they are on! I completely agree with get out and ride on the different ones you are looking at! Colby

[nuccifilms]

i concur. comfort (and cost) is a relative thing. i've been doing 2 fishing charters a month, spending$1,000/month. my wife stays in a hotel, while i'm shoulder to shoulder, dealing with line tangles on a VERY compromised time on the water. the fun i'll have with my wife onboard, on ANY boat that can safely stay out 40 miles offshore. in that respect, the cozy, economic CD22 will be a dream!

[thataway]

[hardee]

[nuccifilms]

much good criticism. and on top of my wife's seasickness, she has the woman's prerogative of changing her mind like the wind. 1 am certainly not resting a $50K+ purchase on that? she'll be gung-ho the 1st time out, and it'll be hell to pay, if she's ever aboard when things get rough.

my post is not fantasy, as it is managed risk. . . when she's aboard, it will be strictly bottom fishing outside the bay. i know an elderly couple that makes routine runs to catalina island on their 23' parker. and whatever compromise i have to make to just be on water every weekend, is OK, if that means a CD22 that never looses sight of land, so be it. the T255 evaluation, is more for my big boys outings in mind.

[Art in Fairfield Harbour]

As one who has just bought a well maintained, used C-Dory 22 Cruiser, I can safely say the wife does not like the portable toilet in the cabin sleeping area, or the pounding of a flat bottom in only a 1 foot chop at barely planing speed. At displacement speed it is OK, but rough.

As one who lived in S CA, I can also remember my son who never gets seasick, getting seasick in an 20 foot boat due to the typical about 10 second period, 5 foot high, pacific Ocean swells outside LA Harbor, not the waves.

Consider the 25 foot C-Dory as a minimum to get a separate head! And probably with a marine toilet rather than a porta-potty. She will also appreciate the fancier amenities in the 25.

Running that far ofshore, I would want twin engines even on a 25 C-Dory.

Not being familiar with the T-Cat in the Pacific, I would definitely want a ride in one in a heavy swell at displacement speed. I would also look at the "Twin-V" cat that is extensively used for off shore fishing out of the Florida Keys. It seems to handle off shore well, but does not have a great cabin as it does not have a deep area between the two hulls.

YOU HAVE TIME! YOU AND YOUR WIFE SHOULD TAKE TEST RIDES!

[Jazzmanic]

[nuccifilms]

art, thanks so much for that. again, my wife won't ever see 40 miles out, even with her claiming she will. and of course, she (expects) a bathroom w/door. i just can't bank too much in what she wants now, not knowing what she'll want next week.

i see myself sleeping a lot at anchor off catalina island on my 2-3 day outings, and i don't really like the liveaboard accommodations of the twin V cat. i love the T255 more than anythig, but admittedly, there's a huge gap between it and a CD22 in boat ownership. as someone said, "they're 2 different animals" i suppose that is where the CD25, RF246 and seasport 2400 all come in.

perhaps CD25 is my sweet spot, since i favor outboards?

[thataway]

Art,:

[South of Heaven]

Nucci: Go bigger. If you're already questioning certain aspects of the ride and amenities then save yourself the hassle of moving up later.

IMHO, out of the boats you have mentioned: I would vote for the Rosborough 24 first.

My next choice would be the Tomcat 255.

Finally I'd choose the 25 cruiser.

All 3 are great rigs! But that's how I'd choose if someone was holding a gun to my head......These are just my own opinions, nothing more.

PS: Since you didn't mention the 26 Venture I didn't include it. BUT if it's on your radar then I'd change my votes! The 26 Venture is VERY NICE.....