C-Dory 25 vs. Rosborough 246?

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I'm considered both boats as a potential trailerable cruiser - ICW, Great Loop, and Bahamas.
What are some of the pros and cons of either of these boats for that purpose?
 
I have not owned a Rossie 246, but looked at buying one--at one point. I have friends who own them, and I think they are great boats. I even considered buying a Rosborough sailboat back in the 60's. They are all well built.

The forward stateroom was not for me. The bunks were too short, without eliminating the hanging locker. Not crazy about the head in the V Bunk area--shower arrangement. But those are just my feelings and "space issue". I was not comfortable going in and out of the side doors--which can leak....

They are semi displacement boats--and take more HP to get up the speeds of the C Dory 25.

They don't ride as well as C Dory 25 down wind/waves in a seaway. I have read accounts of some folks who have had serious issues--vs running a C Dory 25 in some steep 10 to 12 foot seas in Johnstone Staits with 40+ knots of wind against current where I felt the boat was under good control.

Having said all of this--what I do like: The downiest style with sharp entry will do better gong into a chop. The over the aft cockpit extended top is a plus. They will have a larger aft deck comparatively with an outboard bracket. (Negative is the I/O version for many reasons.

The dinette is larger.
I feel that the Rosboroug is more difficult to tailer (my opinion)


They are different type and riding boats, and I believe that if you are considering both--it is important to take a ride in each one.

The biggest plus for C Dory is C brat site. I do subscribe to the Rosborough forum, and read it when there are posts.
 
I've never been on a 25, but I have a 22 cruiser. I've looked that the Rossy 246 a few times. They are nice enough boats and on paper their feature set beat the 22 hands down. But IMO, there is something that is off about them, at least to me.

The 22 gives us a nice homey feel (now that it is set up the way we want). My wife calls the 22 berth "cozy". Seeing the 246 at boat shows and in dealer lots, I just don't get the same feeling when in the cabin of that boat.

Now driving and handling may be a different story, but I can't say.
 
Tom, your best bet would be to check out both and possibly get a sea trial on both. Is speed an important factor for you? If yes, then the C Dory 25 gets the nod. My old 25 would cruise all day long in calm waters around 25 knots. The RF246 has a semi displacement hull and will be slower than that (I don't know exactly). But they are 2 completely different hulls.

As Dr. Bob noted, the hard top over the cockpit on the Rosborough is nice and a good selling point. Very cool design. You have a good spot for a dinghy up there or a solid backbone to add a canvas enclosure.


The styling is all a matter of opinion. I think they both look good and are both unique, head turners. If you're looking for a downeast style then the RF246 wins.


The powerplants can be a big difference too. Are you looking at new Rosbouroughs or older ones? Some of the older ones had gas I/O's or diesel inboards. Now they have diesels and outboards on armstrong brackets. More variety depending on what you like. C Dory's ONLY come with outboards.


If you like the smaller trailerable line then look at the Ranger Tugs line too. They have some nice options in that range and also have a very strong fan base like the C Dory.
 
I'm so early in the shopping process that I don't even know what I want yet. However, I will definitely be wanting an outboard.

I currently own a 21' Widebody version Tolman Skiff that I built and launched in May 2000. It is set up as a center console and I've always wanted a trailerable boat that I could cruise and overnight on, maybe even travel as far as the Bahamas if the notion struck me. I have considered building another Tolman, this time with a cabin, or even a Great Alaskan and outfitting it for cruising, but I'm kinda tired of maintenance and upkeep on wooden boats, so I'm investigating fiberglass boats also.

The C-Dory looks to have the same type hull-form as a Tolman. [/img]
 
With a background in the Tolman Skiff's and Great Alaskian--you obviously have talent in both wood and glass working--you are well prepared to know what the C Dory will do and how it handles.

I don't know the exact dead rise on the Tolman and GA, but by eyeball they look to have slightly more aft than the C Dory line--but the skiffs and GA, appear to carry the flat sections slightly further forward. The ride will be very similar. The C Dory's do have the reverse chine as the Jumbo and GA have--But you also know how much work building one of the larger boats will be.

I am not certain of the "mileage" of the Rosborough: Here is a quote from a blog by skippersteve:

We ended up with twin 150hp four-stroke outboards, that burn about 1.8-2.1gph at 7-8 knots (roughly the same as a single diesel), a reasonable rate at cruising speeds (12-15kts), and lots more on those rare, brief W.O.T. runs (as much as 1gph for every knot of speed we travel at).
Click to expand...

I note that many of the Roses run at displacement or semi displacement speeds--much lower than the C Dory (But many C Dorys run at lower speeds also).

this is a study done by a previous owner of my current 25. The figures are almost spot on, with what I find running fully loaded: (at very low speeds the flow gauge is not as accurate, and the fuel usage is less than the table shows.)

graph_data.jpg

Graphic form:

nmpg_graph.jpg

MPH vs RPM--I find the WOT is about 5700, after I have burned off some fuel and water--with speed a little over 28 mph.

nmph_graph.jpg

In our first C Dory with a 130 Honda, our over all average for over 1000 miles was just about 3.3 mph--including some displacement time over longer runs, to be sure we had adequate range--or just enjoying the scenery.

The C Dory 25 stays on a plane down into the 10 to 12 knot range. We find out most efficient planing speed is up in the low 20's
 
Thanks, thataway.

If I recall correctly, the deadrise at the transom of the Tolman is 13-degrees.
I have read some accounts of C-Dory's being sensitive with the bow down at higher speeds and I don't like the sound of that. Not that I intend to be traveling at WOT all the time, anyway - but my Tolman has never scared me, regardless of configuration. It's worst attribute is that it will pound in a 2-3' close chop at speed. If you put the bow down and back off to around 15 mph it handles it much better. I guess that's the payoff with lightweight boats that bob like a cork and get good gas mileage.
 
I have read some accounts of C-Dory's being sensitive with the bow down at higher speeds and I don't like the sound of that.
Click to expand...

Sounds a bit more what one would expect with a Rosborough 246 because of the deep forefoot, (and I have read of on the Rossie site). but any boat will tend to bow steer if going down waves with the bow pushed down. I have never had any "scary behavior" in the over 15 years of owning C Dorys.. But I am sure it depends on how the boat is handled. If you come over a steep wake, and have the bow down--any boat will tend toward a broach. The solution, is to bring the bow up--and one of the reasons I suggest that the C Dory have both trim tabs and a Permatrim. Also I am not in favor of the practice of putting 100 feet of chain in the bow locker, in an attempt to bring the bow down (as one dealer did). I carry 50 feet with no issues. But the best way to affect proper trim is with trim tabs and permatrim.

As I suggested, the C Dory will handle in a very similar fashion to your Tolman. The difference being a bit more stable, and a slightly less affect by chop because of the longer length and higher weight.... Again--rides in the same conditions in both boats would be the best course to decide for yourself.
 
thataway":ydirszrb said:
We ended up with twin 150hp four-stroke outboards, that burn about 1.8-2.1gph at 7-8 knots (roughly the same as a single diesel), a reasonable rate at cruising speeds (12-15kts), and lots more on those rare, brief W.O.T. runs (as much as 1gph for every knot of speed we travel at).
Click to expand...

I note that many of the Roses run at displacement or semi displacement speeds--much lower than the C Dory (But many C Dorys run at lower speeds also).

this is a study done by a previous owner of my current 25. The figures are almost spot on, with what I find running fully loaded: (at very low speeds the flow gauge is not as accurate, and the fuel usage is less than the table shows.)

graph_data.jpg
Click to expand...

And the 25 C-Dories, powered by a newer 200, average right at 3mpg at 18-25 mph.
 
Note that the table I posted was Nautical Miles per gallon. At 5000 RPM that would be 20.5 mph and about 3 statute miles per gallon. At 4500 it would be 18 mph and 3.1 statute miles per gallon. However the Yamaha will be running less RPM--and it would be easier on the engine.

If I were to repower I would get the Yamaha 200 hp.
 
thataway":2kz8hkun said:
Note that the table I posted was Nautical Miles per gallon. At 5000 RPM that would be 20.5 mph and about 3 statute miles per gallon. At 4500 it would be 18 mph and 3.1 statute miles per gallon. However the Yamaha will be running less RPM--and it would be easier on the engine.

If I were to repower I would get the Yamaha 200 hp.
Click to expand...


The Suzuki 150 on my '07 would only get about 2 mpg at 18-23 mph.
 
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