22 VS 25

S

snal

New member
If this topic has been beat to death...then I appologise...but I would like to hear from folks that have perhaps traded up from a 22 to a 25, or why some may have chosen the 25 over the 22 initially. We simply cannot decide.
Money is an issue, but only to the point that it would delay our purchase, no biggie for the wife (Jo)....I'm the impatient one! We're pretty set on a "new" boat, but a pristine used boat at substantial savings would be considered (kinda hard to find with this make).
We've been researching these boats for a couple of years, at first only considering the 22 until Jo found out about the shower. Since then, we've read about ways to shower on the swim platform of a 22, and all sorts of add-ons and do-dads that can make the 22 quite comfortable for our intended use (cruising rivers and the ICW for up to 1 month+ at a time).
The difference in trailering is not an issue, except that I will likely launch the boat alone at times.
Jo and I really enjoy reading EVERYTHING on this forum, and we've gathered alot of needed information. It seems that everyone here simply loves their boat, whether it be a 16,22, 25 or TomCat, but we would like to hear from the 22 and 25 owners, and why they chose that model. We believe that there's no such thing as too much information.
Until we actually SEE these 2 models side by side, then the shower remains the only factor. I'm certain that the 22 will suit me just fine, but even after doing some research on marinas within our expected cruising area, and seeing how many of them have showers, Jo is quite picky about how sanitary they might be. A trickle of luke warm water on the swim platform of her clean CD 22 would be better than a steamy-hot powerfull stream in a moldy marina facility. (any ladies wanna comment on the average marina?)
Thanks for any advice!
 
Snal,
I've had a 16, 22 and now a 25 CD. For cruising purposes the 25 is the best for myself, my wife and our dogs. The 22 was OK but quite tight when moving about the cabin. The added 1 ft of beam and 3 feet of length do make a big difference. Lots of people are quite happy with the 22 accommodations though. I really don't find a huge amount of difference in trailering and launching. The 25 needs a bit more room and a bigger tow vehicle, but if you have the room and the vehicle its no problem.
Ron
 
For me the major difference is the head, which you'll use more frequently than a shower .
My town silp wouldn't accomodate the 25' - which with the swim step, motor up - is a couple of feet over the 25' max allowed by the town. Otherwise I'd have bought a 25'.

That said, the head only seems to be an issue for me when there are women aboard - so it may come down to the opinion of your wife, Jo.

Phil
 
OK, here we go. We had a CD22, loved it, did not know we needed a CD25...2005 SBS, CD25 has been substantially improved, price was $10K lower than it was in 2003, with more standard features (stuff like Wallas, windlass and trim tabs that we paid extra for on the CD22). Patty says "Let's just see what the deal is" - our goose is cooked! We loved our CD22, we love our CD25 even more. Ron has mentioned the additional beam and length - you have to experience it to appreciate what that means in terms of extra elbow room - it is substantial. The additional amenities include hot water, a fridge and the head (we opted for an Airhead composting marine toilet, a decision we do not regret one bit). One thing that is not mentioned a lot, but the CD25 simply handles rough water better than the CD22 - enough to be appreciated. Downsides? Cost. Weight (tow vehicle requirement is more substantial). Fuel economy (CD 22 - 4 SMPG, CD25 - 2.5 SMPG average). You really should take a ride on each before making your final decision. You cannot go wrong with either one...
 
We sold our 22 which we kept on the West Coast, because it was a bit tight getting in and out of the bunk mainly. We loved the "towability"--didn't like the pounding, but when you learn about the handling of the C Dories, it becomes a non issue.

The Plan was to tow the Tom Cat 255 back and forth across the country for the summer times when we used a boat out West. We then decided that although the TC is quite towable, that we would rather spend the time flying out, and enjoying the boat, than a week each way driving, so we purchased the CD 25. The V berth is slightly bigger. You don't have to worry about moving the portipotty out from under the bunk at night. The navigator can sit facing foreward, instead at the back of the table. There is considerably more storage area, and the shower is nice (we used sun showers on the swim step on the C Dory 22). The shower/head is tight, but usable, for me but I am fairly good size. We feel that the extra room and comfort of the 25 is worth while. On the other hand, there are many folks where the 22 is more than adequate.

I would buy a year old boat--that way you will take less of a financial hit and hopefully any problems will have been worked out of the boat.
 
One thing that Tim from Two Lucky Fish mentioned to me about the difference between the two boats that I don't read often here is the line of sight out of the windows.

I'm only 5'9" tall, but in a CD22 when standing, my line of vision is directly into the fiberglass sides and ceiling of the boat. I can stand up straight, but I must duck down a little to see the horizon out of the windows.

In the CD25, I can see out of the windows to the horizon when standing.

So, big deal. Maybe, but it does make the CD25 feel even bigger than the extra foot and a half width it has over the CD22. I think it makes a difference when you're spending a lot of time cruising on the boat.
 
chromer":2y8o0yyc said:
Have you considered the new 29' ?
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No...too big! :)

But we have considered....

Building a SkiffAmerica. Have the plans, built a scale model and had a look at a completed boat...way too small.

Building a Mark V 28 (Slow, but a huge cabin, Jo says that I don't need another "project") Have the plans, and building a scale model.

The 221 Starcraft Islander (14" hull draft, new version has an extended outboard mount which frees up alot of cockpit space and makes a kicker install much easier) All of our boats have been aluminum, and I'm a metal man, so that really appealed to me.

SeaArk 2472 Super Jon with a custom cabin added by me. Have a scale model, and found a fella down in Florida that did this. This is the cheap route, but not very cheap to operate.

We always seem to come back to the C Dory. Mainly because we love the looks, they hold their value, great mpg, and seem to be well built.
 
The choice basically boils down to this for many: on the same amount of gas, you can have fun for almost twice as long in the 22. There's plenty of other savings as well, but the 22 is the VW camper-van of camper boats.
 
pcator":j40f1r6r said:
Give me a call (280 2310), I have a CD25 (2007) sitting in the driveway.

Patrick
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Thanks Patrick, I'll give you a call later today. We also intend to have a look at the Patterson's 25 footer.
 
Or first look at the 25 yesterday evening was enlightening. First, I had no idea that there was a step down into the cabin (I liked this). The V berth was adequate, but smaller than I'd imagined, as was the head. The rest of the cabin was about what I expected. The cockpit wasn't as confined as I'd imagined. Overall quality, fit, and finish was at least what I expected.
 
We thought the CD 22 would be the perfect size until we rented Marc's CD 25 at Wefings for five days this spring. It spoiled us. The head, the larger forward V berth and head room never were the same again when looking at the 22. Most important to me, however, was the room at the helm station. I just like a lot of room in boats, cars, etc. I feel cramped in the 22 helm seat. The 25 helm station is great. If there was a way to move the helm seat back in the new 22's with fiberglass cabinets, etc. I might overlook the other advantages of the 25.
 
jhwilson":3sf5i9jw said:
We thought the CD 22 would be the perfect size until we rented Marc's CD 25 at Wefings for five days this spring.
Click to expand...

We've yet to tour the 22, but we will at the NC gathering.

Mitchell County eh? What a small world! I was born in Spruce Pine, have alot of family up there.
 
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