A face only a mother could love

I find that trim tabs are invaluable in the chop. I can drive the bow down and "cut" through the chop much better. It's interesting to see the fuel economy increase with this maneuver as well.

C-dory's in general are very sea worthy boats. I don't think that's debatable. The think the main issue is how big of a hurry are you in and can you afford the fuel to be in a hurry? If time is of the essence and you can afford huge fuel bills then go for the deep V offshore boats.

I recently had the pleasure of fishing on a 29' striper in pretty rough seas. I was surprised at how much it could pound too. And dropping off the back of the swells was quite an experience. It has twin 250 hp motors and burns about 1 gallon per mile. We burned 120 gallons @ $3/gal = $360 in boat fuel for the day. You need alot of money or alot of friends to split the gas bill with. In my 22 cruiser I would of burned a maximum of 40 gallons. And in the conditions we were in my speed would of been pretty similar to that deep v. Now they will go much faster in better conditions but the captain told me he didn't like to see the fuel meter reading 40 gallons an hour :shock: yep you read that right 40 gallons an hour. The most I've seen on my gauge is 8 gallons per hour at wide open throttle and roughly 30-32 mph.

Anyway it sounds like you have some big decisions. Good luck.
 
The CD (22) can be loaded heavy for a softer ride as well. It is a much different boat heavy than light, and will carry more than twice its weight. Few other boats (I can't think of any at the moment) will do this.
 
Fantastic insight and my thanks to all of you!
When one is about to spend that much money on a boat, it's natural to want to make sure you are making a good decision. Let's face it, as you talk to the (many) dealers about their boat, they always have a different (negative) opinion about the boats they don't sell.

I prefer to hear it from the people that own them and really use them. I've had several boats; fishing, cruising, bow riders etc., and I usually keep them for quite a few years. Can't afford to flip them every 2-3 years.

The C Dory is just foreign to me, hence the inquiries.

For me, it's not about offshore fishing anymore. For me it's about going from Tampa Bay, to either Cedar Key or South to the Keys, without having the *^#@ beat out of me on the outside at a reasonable speed (20-30), with protection from the weather (inside helm), overnight capability and yet still have an ample "party" area for wife or guests.

Going to look at a few more boats tomorrow. After reading all the praises from owners, the C25 is definately in my top 3 list. Looking at an older 31 Bertram and :embarrased a newer Sea Ray. Wish the Dory was a little bigger (28 or so would be nice) with a little more panache and a Diesel.

Please feel free to continue to post things about your vessels that you really like and that I might not have even thought about.
Interestingly enough, is their anything about your Dory's that you don't like?
 
AFineRide":2eiuon3a said:
Interestingly enough, is their anything about your Dory's that you don't like?
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On my 22' cruiser I wish the cockpit was about 2' longer. It's a bit small for fishing but that's where you have to get creative. Other than that I can't think of anything.
 
No, I can't really think of anything I don't like considering I don't like the smell of diesel, I don't like to go fast, would rather spend my money on fishing lures than gas and the Foggy Dew has more panache then we can handle.
Donna :cocktail :cocktail :beer
 
AFineRide wrote:
For me it's about going from Tampa Bay, to either Cedar Key or South to the Keys, without having the *^#@ beat out of me on the outside at a reasonable speed (20-30),
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If you're expecting to go faster in a CD25 over a 22 in moderate to poor conditions, somewhat surprising, it doesn't! The larger flat surface area and lighter loading (per square inch) of the 25 over the 22 keeps the speeds about equal. Notwithstanding, the 25 does have a little more side-to-side stability and of course considerably more room inside and out. Mines a 'keeper' -- NOT for sale... Happy researching!
 
Wish the Dory was a little bigger (28 or so would be nice) with a little more panache and a Diesel.
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If you're looking for a C-Dory in a 28 foot diesel package, the old Cape Dory really is that boat:

1404616_3_thumb.jpg


http://www.yachtworld.com/core/list...rrency=USD&access=Public&listing_id=1606&url=

Less than 3 ft. draft - 14 knots (roughly) -- single diesel sips fuel. No crash and dash speed, but it will get you there and back comfortably (and you can live on it for extended periods).
 
AFineRide":tmii58f9 said:
Interestingly enough, is their anything about your Dory's that you don't like?
Click to expand...

Yes
1) I don't like the ride in light chop but as has been discussed ad nauseum here and in other threads, I traded that for mileage and good handling in other conditions.
2) I wish the interior cabinetry and table were higher quality and had the fit and finish of a SeaSport (but the C-Dory price was nice..)
3) In retrospect, I wish my 22 had outboards on a bracket and a bit more cockpit space from a flat transom.

However, I'm thrilled by the overall quality and the helpfulness of the factory. So as a total package, it's a great boat.
 
rogerbum":1g6wk0s1 said:
AFineRide":1g6wk0s1 said:
Interestingly enough, is their anything about your Dory's that you don't like?
Click to expand...
Click to expand...

3) In retrospect, I wish my 22 had outboards on a bracket and a bit more cockpit space from a flat transom.

I agree with you here. A closed transom and bracket would have been nice!

Thanks for the post.
 
flagold":3gfqlufi said:
Wish the Dory was a little bigger (28 or so would be nice) with a little more panache and a Diesel.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...

If you're looking for a C-Dory in a 28 foot diesel package, the old Cape Dory really is that boat:

Wow! Now thats sweet. Hard to tell from the picture just how much room there is from the end of the cabin to the transom, but it looks good.
 
My wife came strolling by while I was on this site. She asked me what I was doing and I told her I had found a forum for one of the boats I was looking at.

When she finished reading the posts, she looked at me and I looked at her and without saying a word we both were hit with the same feeling.

She finally said "Wow, these people are really nice and want to be helpful, they don't seem like the Sea Ray boat snobs".

As I think of Dory owners I think; simple, grounded, peaceful.

I can't tell you how helpful your posts have been!

Oh well, time to get the boat down and fueled for tomorrows trip.

Take Care.
 
Couldn't agree with you more. After almost two years of looking at boats and being on this list, we bought a 2006 22' cruiser in April and are very happy with it. The C-Brats were a significant part of our decision to buy the C-Dory.
 
FlaGold

I went to the link you sent me. Back end seems large enough. I like this boat but looks like the only helm station is on the flybridge. Defeats the purpose of having a cabin to stay dry in while cruising. Thanks again for the pic.

Went to look at a few boats today... C25 inching it's way up to the number 2 spot. Saw on 07 online. I was hoping they would close the transom and put the motor on a bracket but, it's the same as the 06.
 
Sure there are other larger diesel boats--Camano Troll--28 footer (called a 31) and a good boat. However once you get to Cape Dory Diesels, and Camano, trailering bcmes a bit more of a chore.

If I wanted to cruise the Cedar Key area, I would tow the boat up there, and launch, then explore the many rivers in that area. it is much cheaper, faster and more comfortable. Also many of us use our C Dories as RV's--set up to be used in RV parks or along the way, with roof air, ways of collection of gray water etc. One of the beauties of the entire line of the C Dory group is easly trailerability. This is an extremely important issue, because there are very few larger boats which are easily trailerable.
 
I like this boat but looks like the only helm station is on the flybridge.
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Can't let you dismiss one of the great pocket cruisers of all time so easily . . .

This is the inside helm station of the 28 Cape Dory pictured:

1404616_2.jpg


The notes about C-Dory trailering, etc., certainly valid. Truth is, I use mine more out of the water than in it (or certainly just as much).

Good luck . . .
 
flagold":305rxy5t said:
I like this boat but looks like the only helm station is on the flybridge.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...

Can't let you dismiss one of the great pocket cruisers of all time so easily . . .

This is the inside helm station of the 28 Cape Dory pictured:

Ahh, so it does have a helm station inside... very nice!

Regarding the trailering...I know myself well enough to know that I would rarely be inclined to trailer. I have a lift in my back yard and that just makes me too lazy to want to trailer.

Boat Trader.com...find me a 28 cape dory...
 
Just a personal opinion, but one of the real beauties of the C Dory line (including the Tom Cats) is that they are easily trailerable. If you have enough water, and don't want to trailer; this opens up a lot of other boats--which in fact may be better for you.

The other facet of trailering is that of Hurricanes. In Florida,boat insurance is becomming more difficult (in some cases impossiable) to get, thus the option of being able to trailer the boat out of the area. I sold a larger boat which required a "wide Load" permit to trailer for the Tom Cat. I live on a protected Bayou, and have had no damage to my "fleet" during direct hits from Ivan, and very close to a direct it from Dennis, but I just got tired of putting out 40 lb anchors and 14 lines to keep the boat safe. Katrina and Ivan showed many of us that traditional "safe harbors" were not at all safe. Trailering gave me another much better option to take the boat to safety. However when one buys a boat in Florida, hurricane plans and insurance have to be high on the priority list.

I agree that the Cape Dory, Camano, Prairie 29 etc are a group of great boats, but an entirely different class than the C Dories--as are the Bertrums, Blackfins etc.

Regards,
 
thataway said:
The other facet of trailering is that of Hurricanes. In Florida,boat insurance is becomming more difficult (in some cases impossiable) to get, thus the option of being able to trailer the boat out of the area.

Actually, that is a very good point. I still have a trailer for my boat because it came with it, although I never use it. During hurricane season, I tie it to the I beams then tie the I beams to the tie poles.

My insurance, through Boat Us runs about $800 year although I suspect it will be going up significatnly upon renewal, due to the losses to vessels last year.
Click to expand...
 
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