What boat would you move up to?

[curioustraveler]

Greeting C-Brats,

I can't believe I'm actually asking this...more thinking out loud than anything. I'm researching my next boat and I'm looking for suggestions on boats I may not be thinking of. What have you considered moving up to, or have you seen other's move up, to with similar look/feel/functionality/utility of a C-Dory, around 30 feet?

I purchased my 22 Cruiser last Spring after searching and searching for the perfect boat. I love C-Dory's for many reasons and finally found one that fit the bill. My primary goal was to introduce my wife to weekend trips on the water. Well, the boat has served us perfectly and we absolutely love her. My wife's had so much fun that we actually moved to a nice marina this year so that we could take advantage of the amenities and spend more time on the water.

For 80% of what we do, our boat is perfect. However, now that we have a slip in a "real" marina, we're finding we want to go hang out on her more. We both work remotely a significant amount of time and would love to go work on the boat. We also want our 60 pound dog with us. The 22 is too small for this. There's not enough room to work and our dog has difficulty finding a place to get comfortable. Being in Maryland, we have to keep the door closed and the AC on.

So I'm entertaining the idea of a larger boat but I still want to stay under 30 feet, and I want a boat with a pilothouse or similar enclosed cabin. The obvious possibilities are a C-Dory 25 or TomCat, or RangerTug. The problem is I don't think these are enough of an increase in size to make the significant increased expense worth it.

Ranger Tugs: I don't need trailerability so I'd prefer something without such a narrow beam. I'd probably have to jump up to the 29 to really appreciate any significant increase in space. I also don't love how complicated the systems are. And they are very expensive.

C-Dory: The 25 probably isn't enough of an increase in space. I've never been on a TomCat but it's also probably not big enough to be worth it.

My dream boat is a NordicTug 32 but these are likely out of my price range and larger than I need. The 26 looks great but I've never seen one on the East Coast.

I love the Camano 31's but the flybridge ladder won't work with out dog. Otherwise, this may be an excellent option.

Mainship 35/39 could be great but is a bit bigger than I'm looking for.

I'd like to stay below 30', not for trailerability but for operating expenses (slips, etc.) We need an enclosed living area - not down in a cabin like a down east style, but something like the C-Dory's cabin or a tug or similar pilothouse style.

Basically I'm looking for a bigger version of the little boat that I have. Something where two adults can work at the table and room for a dog to lay around and do what dogs do. What makes and models am I missing?

[curioustraveler]

Forgot to mention Rosborough 246. Great looking boats but not a significant increase in size.

[T.R. Bauer]

They are old as heck, but I always have been fond of Ed Monk boats and Tollycrafts. I'm probably dating myself by saying that.....lol.....

[BillE]

Check out Eastern boats new Coastal 30, roomy with twin outboards. https://www.easternboats.com/30

[thataway]

there are a few "down East" boats in the 30' size range. Also some sedan type boats....There is a Nordic Tug 32, for $109,000 in Tennessee and one for $115,000 in New Orleans. They hold value as does the C Dory. They are not going to be as fast.

My impression is that you will not really get much space with any of the Ranger or Cutwater.

I would have also put the Camano Troll up there--since you can put what you want in the pilot house. My recollection is that these are only 28' and then 3' for the swim step and maybe bow anchor roller.

[Pacificcoast101]

Having been spoiled by the Tomcat, I can't see myself ever buying a monohull again. A Tomcat 30 with more deck space and a roomier head would be a dream buy.

[hardee]

Of course, then there is the Ocean Sport 30 or 33. Super (same-ish) style as the C-Dory, have speed when you need it. Ocean able, and really fine fit and finish with multiple power options.



Harvey
SleepyC

[DayBreak]

Take a look at the 28' Aspen Power Catamaran.

[starcrafttom]

coastal craft pro fish or sedan 30 or 33, Ocean roamer 30 or 33. Both of those boats are 10.6 ft beam. I have been looking at the Lifetime series of boats in a 28 to 33. wide beam also and very fuel efficient if their numbers are to be believed. Back Cove yachts in 30 to 37 is very down east cdoryish on steroids. 11 ft beam

All of these boats are great boats but all are spendy compared to a c dory. Ocean roamers are 300k used 500k new. Coastal crafts are even more 600-700k. The lifetimes look like bargins used at 100-300k and new at 400k. other then that its old glass slow cruisers. Tolly crafts and and 40 year old christ crafts. Gas hogs and old systems.

[forrest]

Without question, the Ocean Sport Roamer 34.

[starcrafttom]

Camano Troll-
Bob is right that is a great boat that is not fast but not slow either as it will plane if you have too. I like the galley down models a lot better then the newer galley up models. sell them for sale from 70 to 120k

[localboy]

Realistically:
Monk 36
Nordic Tug 32
Willard 40

Fantasy:
Nordhavn 41 or 43


We almost bought a very rare Willard 40 with a fly-bridge a couple of months ago. But the boat was in San Carlos, Mexico and I could not locate a slip here. Everything has a 1-2 year wait-list, or longer. We did not pursue it any further.

[gulfcoast john]

Eight years in, we wouldn't change a thing.

Eight more years from now, hopefully still on it!

Cheers!
John

[Foggy]

There's all kinds of suggestions out there; some never experiencing what they
recommend.

The best advice when you are in a quandary is to not buy.

Rather, charter several. Get a feel for a narrow beam boat, one larger, one
smaller, different power options, etc. Double check your intended use.

No-one knows your tastes and what you want better than you. Asking questions
is fine but you are the decision maker and paying the dollars..

Aye.

[joechiro30]

I've owned a 22 cruiser and wanted to go bigger as well. I went to a tomcat 255. Compared to the 22 cruiser it has way more space. The queen sized bed makes it more bigger. It has all the things you want in a C dory but definatley bigger feel inside. Under 30 feet I think this is the best option imo. Not to mention the ride is significantly different with this power cat hull and with twin 150's to 175's.