Greetings and Head Question: How important is it?

[thataway]

I have towed a lot of boats in the last 65 or so years, with all sorts of vehicles up to a 42 foot RV towing a 22 or a 25.

The size and type of tow vehicle does make a difference. I towed 25's mostly with a 30' RV V 10, with beefed up transmission and frame for class IV hitch. The other was a 3/4 ton Diesel Excursion. Then more recently with a 1/2 ton Yukon XL, then a 3/4 tone diesel Pick up. Yes the 1/2 ton vehicles will tow, especially the newer ones like Colby has. But the 3/4 makes it safer and a better tow experience.

There are some good older pickups and large SUVs which will be great tow vehicles. Consider the 25 has having a tow weight closet to 7500 #, maybe up to 8500# depending on fuel, water and gear. The brakes are very important, and the Electric over hydraulic are a real plus on the larger boats. More modern trucks will get much better mileage. I had trucks in the past which got 8 miles per gallon when towing boats. More modern are in the 16 to up to 20 mpg.

[ssobol]

You might want to consider a "dry flush" toilet such as a Laveo. Not composting, but disposal of the waste might be less unpleasent than a porta-potti and easier than finding a working pump out.

https://dry-flush.com/

The only question is how the authorities in some places will take it.

BTW, I have no experience with this toilet, just noting that it is a potential option.

[gobdav@yahoo.com]

Interesting points and a huge thanks to you for making them. It gives me hope that I can tow the 25 with a F-150 but I'll definitely be cognizant of the type of brakes, transmission, and engine. I think I might focus on getting a slip at first. Lot's of waterways in TN that I can explore for the first year or so. I just don't know if I can afford a huge truck and a 25.

This middle-class teacher/firefighter combo has larger dreams than our pockets, lol.

I wish I had an opportunity to get on one, but we're in an area that has lots of boats, just not types like these. I read all these posts to the wife and she definitely thinks the 25 is worth it. She doesn't want to deal with me having an "emergency" somewhere on the water. And when we buy something, we keep it for a LONG time, so if we buy a C-Dory, we don't plan on selling it until its run aground. We will go with the 25 then find a way to tow it.

Now just gotta find one we can afford!

[colbysmith]

Dave, there is a gathering of C-Dorys at Prizer Point Marina on Lake Barkley at Land Between the Lakes, the first week of October, if you can get there. I'll have my 25 and hopefully there will be a showing of 22's and Tomcats. Colby

[thataway]

Marie (Wife/Admiral) and I will be at this gathering, at least unless something stops us. You may want to have your wife talk with Marie about selection of boats (I have to admit she likes the Tom Cat the best, but I will clue her in about the 25!. Although Gigi's experience is limited, she will be happy to clue any other canines about the advantages of the C Dory 25.

We will be in our RV, (25' "A" type on a Sprinter Chassis at the camp ground, but on the waterfront.

[localboy]

I had originally wanted a 22. We (The Admiral) and I went to a boat show. They did not have a 25 available. We stepped into the 22 Cruiser that they did have at the show. First thing out of her mouth "Oh...this is way too small". Second this was "Where's the bathroom/toilet?" Porta Potty? "Oh...hell no".

Once we did step into the cabin of the 25 that a dealer had, she was "sold". Having a head on board, with the option of using as a shower, makes a huge difference in comfort, convenience etc. The maintenance is pretty limited compared to the benefit.

The 25 also has more interior volume. Although, as some noted is heavier & larger to tow. I already had a 3/4 ton diesel p/u as I had an enclosed car hauler. So for us, there was no debating. Happy wife. Happy life.

Ironically, now we consider the 25 too small also. We are considering moving up to something larger that we can live on for 6 months a year once the Mrs retires.

[ssobol]

After having a 22 cruiser for awhile, my wife and I considered getting a 25. After searching the internet for 25s for sale and considering a couple of them, we decided that a 22 was perfectly fine for our use. We only used the boat for a couple of weeks at a time and decided that the added features (and associated hassles) of a 25 was not worth it. If we cruised on our boat for months at a time vs. weeks, we might have come to a different conclusion.

[gobdav@yahoo.com]