Actual Cruising Ranges in a C-Dory 22?

D

dandawes

New member
I have seen reports of a 225 mile cruising range achieved for a C-Dory 22 on the two 20 gallon tanks and 90HP. I realize the range depends on sea conditions, speed, engine condition and mojo, but what are the ranges real C-Dory 22's actually achieving?

Has anyone taken a C-Dory on the Great Circle Route? There are some long passages between fueling stops on that one and I am wondering whether as a practical matter, a C-Dory has to carry extra fuel cans to make it.
 
What is the Great Circle? Are you referring to the Loop? I don't believe the distances between fuel docks are that far because it is all pretty populated country but I haven't researched the whole Loop.

Warren
 
I would also suspect he means the "Great Loop"--which there are several different routes for. Yes, several C Dories have done the "Great Loop" (up river/canal systems in New York, to great lakes, to Lake Michicigan, down the Illinois, Mississippi, to Tenn, Tom Bigbee Waterway, to Gulf Coast ICW and across "big bend" of Florida, around Florida (or thru the Okachobee Waterway), and back up the ICW. Generally the greatest distance is less than 150 miles on the great Loop. There can be some differences because of damages to marinas due to flooding etc. The Big Bend, is usually crossed in several segments, and this avoids the 170 or so mile direct route across.

From the great loop web site:
"There is a run of 250 miles from Hoppies near St. Louis to Green Turtle Bay in Kentucky. You can get diesel at Cape Girardeau (Upper Mississippi Mile 52). Kidd River Fuel is no longer serving gasoline. Charlie Brown, the owner, says it just is not worth his while, he only had 15 boats stop by this year, and the mandate to add 10% ethanol causes additional problems for him.
http://www.navigationnotes.com/)
A transient dock is in the works at Paducah (Ohio mile 934) which will reduce the leg to 200 miles. The start of that project is waiting environmental clearance.

The next longest stretch is 135 miles on the Black Warrior River from Bobbies Fish Camp (mile 119) to Dog River on Mobile Bay.

Crossing the Gulf of Mexico from Carrabelle to Tarpon Springs is 170 miles but one can make an intermediate stop in Steinhatchee for fuel.
This information was provided by Alan Lloyd, Great Loop Navigation Notes, www.NavigationNotes.com"

I believe that I heard some information which contradicted that first statement.

By slowing down, one can get a much longer range in any boat--including the C Dory 22.

Skipper Bob guides are a very good place to start on information, as well as the Great loop forum and Great Loop web site.
 
Dan - Our two Honda 40's get about the same mileage as the single 90 (based on cruising with others with a 90). We figure a conservative 120 mile range, since we don't want to run dry, on our 40 gallons. We actually get about 4 m/g (calculated over our 27,000 mile plus log), but not prudent to cut it too close.

If you mean the Great Loop, we found on our circuit that there was no problem getting gas, as Warren has said (but might be good to have a spare tank if you're going to do some long runs up side rivers or lakes), and as Bob says crossing the Gulf to Tarpon Springs directly.
 
Hey all!
Dan, we are currently Running the Great Loop aboard Gypsy, a 22 cruiser and have averaged 4 mpg and this boat is loaded for bear. 90 Yamaha, 8hp Yamaha kicker, and have added an 8'6" dingy and a 4hp. 4 stroke motor to the load as well. We carry 58 gallons of gas and have not even come close to running out of fuel. We came down the Tom Bigby to Mobile Bay then crossed the Big Bend of Florida from Dog Island to the Steinhatchee River. The longest stretch, I think, is from Demopolis to Mobile, apx 135 miles, with Bobby's Fish Camp in the middle of that part...still no fuel problems!
If I listen to anyone's advice or expieriences, l would look to El and Bill or Bob on Thataway. Between the two there are countless hours of cruising!!! My two cents worth! Oh! We are havin' a blast!! :D
Mike & B aboard Gypsy
 
Just a couple of things:
1. It is the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway or the Tenn/Tom.
2. It is Bobby's Fish Camp on the Tombigbee River (the Warrior and Tombigbee Rivers join at Demopolis, AL, from there down it is the Tombigbee River until it merges with the Alabama River and others to form the Mobile River). This is also referred to as the Warrior-Tombigbee Waterway, which predates the Tenn/Tom by some 60 years.

Always glad to enlighten.
 
stlof,
Are you sure it is not the BLACK Warrior? For brevitiy, I abreviated the waterways but a great catch! Load up and join us! Hope Dan can decipher the jiberish of the waterway names! The gas milage hasn't changed. We are now in Venice, Fl. and still havin' a blast! Pardon my mis-use of the waterway names!
Mike & B aboard Gypsy
 
With twin Honda 40's and 24 gallon tanks at approximately 15kts in protected waters we got 156NM and were waay too close to empty. I would limit practical range to about 120-125nm.
 
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