C-Dory 25 vs C-Dory 22

G

grutledge

New member
Hi, I have been looking for a C-Dory 22 for the last month or so. Recently a C-Dory 25 came up for sale in my area, so I am now considering that.

My original reason for going with the CD22 was that I could tow it easily with my X-terra (max 5000 lb towing capacity), whereas the CD25 is pushing the limits based on loaded weight. In all truth, the boat will likely be at the marina and I would only haul the boat out occasionally to winterize or work on it. In this case I would be happy towing it the short distance from the ramp with my Xterra or a friend's truck.

I also like the CD22 since there are so many of them around and they seem to have such a great reputation. I don't see nearly as many CD25.

One possible advantage of going with the CD25 is that the extra space might be useful in a few years as my kids get older. I have a 7 and a 9 year old, and I expect the CD-22 will be large enough for the next couple of years, but after that ...

Any other comments or comparisons to help me decide between the two?

Thanks

Glen
 
You're going to be well over 5000# and probably closer to 7500# for a fully loaded 25CD on the trailer. So you won't just be pushing the limits, you'll need a different tow vehicle. That said, the 25 will provide more room for the family and has the benefit of the fully enclosed head. Just don't try to trick yourself into believe that the X-Terra will be an adequate tow vehicle for it.
 
Hi Roger - thanks for the info. I think you are likely right since I have heard that a CD22 is pushing 5000 lbs fully loaded. The part I find confusing is that the C-Dory manufacturer's site makes the following claim for the C-Dory 25 specifications (see http://www.c-dory.com/boats/classic/cru ... ruiser.pdf):

"Average towing weight is 4800 lbs. (boat, motor, trailer and fuel)."

So if there wasn't a lot of extra gear, which there wouldn't be if I am just towing it from the local ramp to my house (about 2 km), it seemed like it might be possible. Even at this weight I wouldn't think of towing it further than the local ramp with my XTerra.

Do you think the site has mis-quoted this number? Or are you thinking there would be another 2500 lbs in gear, water etc?

Thanks

Glen
 
My son has a 2007 X-Terra, and I've driven it and towed with it. I myself have a Dodge Durango, rated at about 7500 lbs, and we have three boats that we tow with them:

1. 24 foot pontoon boat, weighs about 2300 lbs on the trailer.

2. 22 foot C-Dory Cruiser, weighs about 4300 on a tandem axle trailer, and

3, 26.6 foot Sea Ray Sedan Cruiser, weighs about 8500-9000 lbs on a triple axle aluminum trailer.

The Durango has nearly twice the extra power and weight handling capacity of the X-Terra, at least from the feel of the vehicle when towing, despite the numbers in the books. It tows the pontoon boat almost like it isn't there, except for the windage and cross-wind. It tows the CD-22 well, and is matched well to towing, stopping, launching, mountain crossing, etc. It can launch, retrieve and tow the Sea Ray, but is limited to about 50 mph and very careful driving on either the freeway or backroads. It's really overloaded, but does the task. No long steep mountain passes, long tows, etc.

The X-Terra can tow the pontoon boat, which is within it's range, but it struggles with the CD-22, and my son doesn't like to tow it, as it's a bit of a strain on the much lighter X-Terra. The CD-22 seems to be on the upper limit of the X-Terra's capacity. The Sea Ray, which is about as big as a CD-25 or slightly larger, is a no-way proposition with the X-Terra.

That's our experience, at least, there may be model differences within these wo vehicles that might affect the capacities, slightly.

Good Luck, whichever you choose!

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
Just for comparison, when we moved last year I weighed our boat at the city scale. 22 Cruiser, Yami 80 and 8 kicker, fuel tanks half full, and our normal load of stuff on our tandem axle Pacific trailer. She weighed in at 4660 pounds.

Rick
 
My wife & I went with the CD 25' for the extra storage space & amenities. Even for the two of us, storage on the 25' can be a challenge. The head was a must have item.

We pay someone to tow us in/out when needed. We rent a slip during the summer. We haul out for winter & pay for storage between November-April. Sure beats the price of a bigger truck.
 
Thanks for all the info. I have learned never to trust a manufacturer's specification of weight! Thank you for pointing this out to me! I like the idea of just paying someone with a truck to haul out and launch once a year.

Thanks again

Glen
 
OK, I would not say CD22 "versus" CD25 - yes, you have a choice, but it is not a boxing match or anything! They are different boats. I have owned both a CD22 and a CD25. With kids, you almost certainly will appreciate the extra elbow room of the CD25. The enclosed head might or might not be important, it is to us. The CD22 is easier to tow, easier to launch and retrieve, and more economical to operate. It is a great boat. But it will definitely seem small and crowded with two kids on-board. The CD25 is a great boat too, if you want the extra elbow room and amenities like a head, a hot water heater and a pressurized water system.

There are fewer CD25s because they have been making CD22s since the beginning, but only introduced the CD25 in 1996, when they made only six boats, and then reintroduced it in either 2002 or 2003 (somebody else will have to confirm which year). They upgraded it significantly in 2005, and had only a couple of good years before the Reynolds C-Dory company imploded, followed by all the other stuff that happened with the Great Recession.

Bottom line, assess what you plan to do with the boat, maybe take a test ride on each one to get a feel how it would meet your requirements. I am betting with two kids, you will want the CD25 even if it means a new tow vehicle (and it sure sounds like it will).
 
I can't compare a 22 with a 25, since I've only cruised on the 25. However, here are a few points on the 25 that I enjoy.

First, are there 3 of you or 4? Hey, I started cruising with just me and the kids. If you have a wife, check with her to see if she wants an enclosed head or not. We just had our grandkids on board for the summer and the head was wonderful, giving everyone some privacy.

Second, more room is always nice. Kids tend to spread out, they always bring friends (especially when they become teenagers,) and everyone's happier.

Third the 25 is easy to launch/retrieve, just crank it up. Easier than any other boat I owned, though we have a roller trailer. Towing is up to you, but going a mile or so, I assume any vehicle with low range can handle it. The 25 isn't unstable, it just weighs 7000-8000#

Next, most 25's have a refrigerator for your beer. Actually Judy only allows me to have 2 beer in there at any given time. And I have to replace them. But they're still cold. I know refrigs are bad, a 22 can have one, etc.

Last, whatever CD you buy, you'll enjoy it.

Boris
 
Glen,
There are a couple of threads on this topic that you may want to look up. Here's my $.02 worth:

We had a 22 for one season and loved it, though we felt a little cramped when spending weekends aboard. Then we got a deal we couldn't refuse on a 25 and traded up. After two seasons , no regrets.
Pros of the 25:
more room in cabin and cockpit
more power w/150 vs 90hp
more amenities - windlass, shore power (you can get these on a 22), head w/shower.
fewer pier-strollers say "cute boat"

Cons:
harder to trailer
more systems to maintain
everything, from slip fees to routine maintenance to insurance is more costly

Still we went with the 25 even tho' it cost about 50% more, and cost WAS an object.
Lou S.
Skimmer (II)
 
We considered a 22 briefly and concluded the space and head of the 25 were well worth the money.

Also,

22 classic cockpit feels like sitting in a hole compared to the raised, wider 25 deck

bigger roof on the 25 carries dingies of larger sizes and still has room to make you way around them

Aisleway in the cabin is much more accomadating for passing a person.

Taller cabin height standard is a plus if you are tall like me 6'3"

We have a young kid and we all sleep in the v-berth without trouble which keeps the table a table and we like it that way. She can go to sleep before us as we snap the curtain up for the v-berth and still have the main cabin to ourselves for the rest of the evening.

This goes on and on in other threads....
 
go big early, that applies to a lot of things but many of us find ourselves wanting a larger boat shortly after the new wears off the present boat. I presently have 3 footitis and my wife has visions of even larger. I remember being very happy with the tiny 16 foot aluminum john boat that cost very little to operate and was very inexpensive to fix..
 
We've had a 22 for six years. We've been on it for as long as 5 weeks without a night off the boat. It is excellent for the two of us but for three would be too tight. We have considered a 25, seriously, and have concluded that it is not for us. I personally like the idea that there are no hidden systems on the 22, no hot water system to break, no macerator to need attention, no fuel tank under the deck, no shower to worry about, etc., etc. But... the 25 does have more range, hot water, a head so no porta-potti and more privacy, There are two real differences I think; the most important being the head; that seems to be the deciding factor in many 25 choices. The other real difference is that the 25 handles seas better than the 25. Either one is a very good, solid boat.
 
I didn't want to leave the simplicity of the 22 for a 25, but with a couple of hours of work a 25 can be simplified, remove the hot water heater and replace the marine toilet with a porta potti. After those two changes the only downside is fuel consumption, but that is an issue in physics. The plus sides I see:

a. Range, 250 or more miles is possible.
b. Speed, when on step it cruises most efficiently around 25-27 mph, seas permitting.
c. Space, a lot more.
d. Comfort, 3 foot confused seas in a 22 results in a lot of motion. I have thrown myself out of the seat in a 22 a couple of times. Not yet in the 25.
 
I have to disagree a little with Tom about 3 foot "confused seas"--either boat is uncomfortable in true 3 foot seas--and although the 25 is heavier, you can still be thrown around in it.

I am not sure what Tom means about being "on step"--the C Dory 25 is a modified semi dory, which planes at 15 to 17 mph--it does not have a stepped hull. The cruising speed depends on the engine. Some were powered with the smaller block 130 and if loaded for cruising--speed will be in the 17 knot category. With the 135 or 150 hp engines, then in the 20's. If you go to 200 hp, then you may get to 30 mph.

As for towing. My son towed the C Dory 25 regularly about 5 miles from a storage lot to a ramp, never exceeding 30 mph with a Ford Explorer which had a tow capacity in the 5500 lb range. With brakes on both axels it was a satisfactory vehicle--but we both agreed we would never take it on the freeway or freeway speeds. I have also moved the 25 a mile or so at a time with the Honda Pilot--again at speeds up to 20 mph, using a lower gear (tow rating 4500 lbs boat--3500 lbs house trailer) So if you want to tow on back roads just to a close storage place--it is possible. Check with insurance, and legal issues before you consider this. On the other hand--I think one of the best tow vehicles is the Ford Diesel Excursion in the 2000 to 2003 or so, with the 7.3 L Northstar engine. These are cheap, give great towing capacity and tow the 25 well.

We went from the 22 to the 25, mostly because of the room in the forward bunk. Remember that neither of these boats have a true double from the dinette. (I slept in the cockpit of a sailboat, with a tarp over the boom from the time I was 8 years old--parents slept in the cabin. So with children you want to consider if you will expand the bunk, put two of them up forward with your wife, and you sleep on the dinette. Also you can remove the port side bulkhead allowing more sleeping room up there, and easier access. I put a cushion on the foot well area of the Tom Cat for forward facing seat--you could do the same with the C Dory 25, and an opened bulkhead.

Maintenance--not a not more in the 25 than the 22, but there is a lot more "room" in the boat...go for the 25.
 
Bob,

To clarify, the weight of the 25 tends to slow down the motion of the boat in confused seas. I agree it's not comfortable in the confusion of waves going everywhere, but the 25 is noticeably less uncomfortable.

On the speed comment, the 25 is more comfortable going faster than the 22. I always found the 22 comfort range between 22 and 24 mph. Faster than that and the boat started to feel loose on the water with the boat wandering about the desired track. The 25 hits the same comfort spot about 3 mph faster, at least with my engine and loading and even at 30 mph the 25 tracks very well. My best fuel economy when running is around 25-27 mph while in the 22 it was 22-24 mph.
 
I cannot comment on the speed of the 25, since ours with the 130 Honda was limited to less than 20 mph top speed. It is interesting that different people find different speeds most efficient. Some have posted that they run their 22's at 15 to 17 and find that most efficient. There are a lot of variables.

On our 22, we didn't feel that the boat got "squirrelly until it was about 30 mph. Our experience in both the 22 and 25 that when yo got to true 2 foot waves, that there was gong to be some pounding and uncomfortable rides in either boat. Don't discount that the waterline beam on the 25 is wider than on the 22 also--which may affect the ride, as well as weight.
 
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