22 Cruiser Stability

G

Grazer

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Dec 16, 2011
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C Dory Year
2004
C Dory Model
22 Cruiser
Vessel Name
C-Horse
Hi Folks,

I know this topic has been discuss before, but I am interested in knowing what capacity our 22 Cruiser has for cargo up on the roof. I am interested in putting two kayaks plus the rack and gear, combined weight approximately 175 lbs. I know others have done this configuration, I am interested to know if any issues or concerns with this setup.

Grazer
 
Ive tied down 210 lbs of pots(I weighed each pot) to the roof of our 22'. I didnt notice any difference in handling then... but the seas werent rough. FWIW
 
We routinely carry our dinghy, about 52# on the cabin top, in it we have extra lifejackets 5#, folding chairs and table 15#, and a ditchbag 15#. I'm comfortable with that weight but pay careful attention before adding anything else. We have had that up there in some pretty ugly seas with no noticeable affect on stability. Anything changes the CG though so I'd be cautious.
 
PaulNBriannaLynn":1rque8ge said:
Ive tied down 210 lbs of pots(I weighed each pot) to the roof of our 22'. I didnt notice any difference in handling then... but the seas werent rough. FWIW
Click to expand...
Any weight up on the cabin roof, which which has a mathematical connection, through fulcrum arm to your centre of gravity, is a serious question to contend with. It comes down to the height of the seas and their direction too. It is very subjective call here. Those that never encountered seas over 3 feet may say 210lbs was never an issue for them. Ask somebody who has been in 5- 7 foot seas and I doubt they were comfortable in a quartering sea with 210lbs on their cabin roof, and a beam sea --look out Charlie.
A vessel heavily ladened below the centre of gravity, (lead keel weights etc.) will be swift to rite (maybe considered cranky). A vessel that has too much weight above the CG maybe (tender) and slow to rite. A good sailor who knows his vessel (yacht/ship) can feel the difference in his bones.
 
I think there is two questions being asked here: What is the capacity of the roof and what is safe in various conditions.


The roof did not flex with 210 lbs of gear up there for us.... I could have added another pot or two and felt comfortable with the strength of the roof.

The roll factor is something else entirely. Its a sliding scale, to the point when your close to exceeding a c-dory's seaworthiness.... there shouldnt be any added weight up there at all.

I am not a big fan of crabbing and shrimping in heavy seas, so it wouldnt be much of an issue for me. I'd throw the gear and retrieve it later
 
The COG of a 22 is relatively low in comparison to many other boats - you are standing on the hull bottom. If you have full fuel tanks and water tank that also lowers the COG. Most of the weight is below the rub rail. The flat bottom and hard chine also add stability. While adding weight up top negatively affects the stability of the boat, in my opinion adding 175 pounds of kayks and rack is not going to creatre a dangerously top heavy craft (assuming it is rigged normally, the load is balanced and secure, and you are circumspect about the conditions you operate in.

I have put 250-300# of fish in a 200 qt cooler on top of my dingy on top of my cabin without any noticeable issue although the seas were relatively calm at the time.
 
The size and shape (aside from the weight) of what's up there can matter, too. The boat wasn't meant to be sailed. Of course, by the time the wind is strong enough to be dangerous, the seas may be so bad that the heightened COG has already become the issue. But watch out for strong sudden gusts over short reaches when the sea conditions may not be all that rough.

I'm sure the roof is strong enough, and in calm conditions neither the weight nor the windage will be much of an issue.
 
In the unlikely event of a knock-down (some one on this forum said they have heard of it happening just once), I wonder if an inflatable strapped to the roof would help stop the boat doing a 180 ? Assuming it is not ripped away.

Martin.
 
Grazer":16e0m4qi said:
Hi Folks,

I know this topic has been discuss before, but I am interested in knowing what capacity our 22 Cruiser has for cargo up on the roof. I am interested in putting two kayaks plus the rack and gear, combined weight approximately 175 lbs. I know others have done this configuration, I am interested to know if any issues or concerns with this setup.

Grazer
Click to expand...

Grazer, Anytime you raise the center of gravity or add wind resistance of course it can become a issue or concern. The reason for the kayaks or whatever else one chooses to store on the cabin top should be greater then the concern issues of having them. These issues have been detailed here by several, so feel it unnecessary to add to them. If I wanted kayaks on top there would be be no hesitation to do so, rather just the realization they would have to be accounted for in the rougher weather conditions encountered much like I actually have been doing in the process of towing my motorized kayak (Mokai) for the last 8000 miles or so, which in my opinion is more of a concern than mounting it on the roof. Again it's a matter of the positive reasons for having it along & the ease of accessing it when towing outweighs my concerns.

Jay
 
Thanks for all the responses, you've given me more to think about. I'm glad to hear that others share the same concerns. It appears that, like anything else in life, there are choices and options available to us. It's great to flesh them out here in the forum.

Cheers :beer
 
Here is the option I took:

1_10_2012_from_Canon_961.sized.jpg

Harvey
SleepyC:moon
 
I like that Sleepy C. How long is that dingy?
 
It is the Alaskan Series knockoff byGary King called Wolverine, It was an experiment he did, trying to change from his original manufacturer, but it is the same specs. I liked the big tubes all around, and the air floor.

http://www.alaskaseries.com/270TDS.htm

It is the 240TDS and it is 7'10" long 45" wide. I serious doughnut boat, and a very popular tender for the C-Dory crowd. In my opinion it leaves some things to be desired, but for an open water, combo tender and "life boat" it would be hard to beat in the dual purpose functions.

It was too wide to go between the antenna's and to short to go over the radar so I had the aft rack built to carry it there. Adds some weight aft, but also serves to cover the cockpit.

Harvey
SleepyC:moon
 
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