C-Dory 26 Venture vs. Lakes Michigan and Huron

[Robert H. Wilkinson]

my wife wants to have plenty of room in the back for chairs and sun. The Rosborough is not all that spacious in the stern.!

Rosborough can also be configured in the "Wheelhouse" style like this one - https://www.yachtworld.com/boats/2001/r ... rce=browse listing

Lots of room out back there! The roof extention covering the cockpit is also an option so it can be deleted for the sun lover.

Regards,

Rob

 

[shloots]

I've watched this boat on YW, and was wondering if they had a newer model that didn't have the big engine cover in the stern, which takes up a lot of room back there? I sound kind of picky don't I......sorry for that. This design would be perfect if that was the case. Thanks.

 

[Robert H. Wilkinson]

a newer model that didn't have the big engine cover in the stern,

Outboards on a bracket or a full floatation hull extension seem to be the "default" power on all newer Rosboroughs. Some are still ordered with an I/O although that would probably be for the diesel option mostly. Some of the larger Rosboroughs have been configured with an inboard/rudder and larger keel. I have only seen 1 with an outboard/splashwell - which also takes away the cockpit space you are looking for.

There is a lot of good information here - http://www.c-brats.com/viewtopic.php?t= ... sc&start=0

Regards,

Rob

 

[Foggy]

Schloots,

Sorry I'm late joining in here. Screwing around takes time...

I owned a CD 26 Venture for about 3 years. I live in NW MI, went extensively
around on Lk MI, into the North Channel and Georgian Bay. Also trailered it to
the East Coast (Chesapeake Bay, Hilton Head area and south FL - Naples,
Marco Isl, 10K Islands) as well as into the panhandle of FL (Perdido Key,
Orange Bch area).

Longish story shortened: 1. it liked fresh water best, 2. sold it sooner that I
wanted as my Mate couldn't take pounding in over 2' head seas or the rolling
from freighters and larger recreational types, 3. the boat is good and can take
more than most of its occupant/owners can, 4. it needs more freeboard, 5. I
loved the twin Honda 90s. Oh, it needs front hatch canvas protection for night
rain/lights/etc as well as cockpit. If you email me, I'll show you what worked well
on the bow (can't figure how to post pics well here).

Generally, the Great Lakes are less predictable than the bays and more protected
waters I plied. This means "waiting for weather" which can spoil a brief allotted
voyage.

So, it all depends on your expectations and tolerances. I assume you, like me
going from sail to power, will have the biggest adjustment figuring out what
to do with all that time ashore once you arrive much earlier in the day than
you've been accustomed to.

Good shopping and Merry Christmas.

Aye.
PS: As stated earlier, look at the Rossy 246 and SeaSport models and
remember you get what you pay for (they say...).

 

[hardee]

If you really want something that will not shy away from the 3 foot swells, or wind waves. Look no further than the Ocean Sport Roamer. It can be Inboard or outboard:
https://www.islandsmarinecenter.com/boa ... n-6657911/

I keep hoping that if I put enough water onto (or under) my C-Dory it will grow up to be one of these.



Harvey
SleepyC :moon

 

[robhwa]

you really want something that will not shy away from the 3 foot swells, or wind waves. Look no further than the Ocean Sport Roamer.

Another option, BAMF boats, made in Sedro-Wooley. Expensive, but they use some Kevlar in the layup to try and keep the weight down a bit. Diesel main motor with an outboard for trolling. I've fished in charter boats in all kinds of weather east, west, Florida, Hawaii, elsewhere including when the crew and most of the "sports" were sick. I think this was a fine boat if your priority was fishing in most weather.

That said, I'm happy to slow down when the weather is bad in my own boat.

 

[shloots]

W.B. Nod...Hi...thanks for the post. I see you are out of Traverse City and have your boat listed, correct? It's one I have looked at recently if so. Cost and trailerability are the most attractive features I have seen with the Venture so far. However, we won't give up safety in the big waters for that, and we have had lots of big water out of Leland to Beaver Island and beyond as we sailed to the North Channel. I am not sure that that even the Venture is as big a boat as I would feel comfortable with. Sounds like you used it quite extensively on those same waters. There have been a few older and larger boats that are competitive price-wise with a newer C-dory Venture. Your thoughts are appreciated, especially in operating a Venture in the waves you have experienced moving from NW MI to the North Channel and back again. Thank you for the feedback.

 

[ken35216]

The ride in any of the monohull C Dory's depend on the operator's skills in handling the boat. This includes having the trim tabs and Permatrim foil, to get the bow down--and use that part of the boat to "cut" thru the chop. Having owned a 22 without either trim tabs and the foil--and a 25 with only tabs, then adding the foil--The ride in steep short chop--which is what we experience on the bay where I live, can be mitigated. Also not going directly into the chop--going off to one side and finding the course which gives the best ride is key to handling and a smoother ride.

.

My first 25 had only trim tabs. I added the Permatrim after several months (per advice given here) and it made all the difference in the world. MUCH better ride in chop.

The new 25 came with trim tabs and had the Permatrim installed before I took delivery.

 

[Foggy]

Schloots,

My 26 Venture was sold late 2016.

From your posts/comments, it sounds like you would be better off chartering
a powerboat for awhile, venturing into "big water", to know better what you
want before making a larger investment and being disappointed.

Aye.

 

[PaulNBriannaLynn]

The c-dory does a lot of things really well. Going offshore isn't one of them, Tomcat being the exception. If you need a boat with a cabin and a more comfortable ride, look at brands like Steigercraft, Parker, Shamrock, Albin 28 tournament express, Skagit Orca, Seasport, I could go on all day with better boats suited for what you want to do. I'd say just my opinion so as not to piss everyone off, but really it's facts. Also, a used 255 Tomcat is similar in price to the used venture 26, and its by far the best of the lineup for everything but fuel burn.

 

[shloots]

Fantastic feedback from everyone...thank you so much. I believe I will continue my search for the boat that will better handle the frequently bigger waters of the Great Lakes. However, there just might be a C-dory in our lives at some point when the long runs are behind us. Thanks again to all who took the time to respond.

 

[ken35216]

look at brands like Steigercraft, Parker, Shamrock, Albin 28 tournament express, Skagit Orca, Seasport,

Well you just wasted over an hour of my time looking up all those boats. :xlol

My personal favorite was the Skagit Orca 27' XLC Extended Cabin with twin Honda 200's.

That's said I'd wouldn't trade my 25

 

[shloots]

Sorry ken35216, I certainly appreciate your efforts and will buy you a beer if we ever meet... All these great responses have helped me a great deal. Your Skagit recommendation looks like a great boat...haven't found any pricing yet on it, but I'm sure it's out there somewhere. Thanks again.

 

[ken35216]

Sorry ken35216, I certainly appreciate your efforts and will buy you a beer if we ever meet... All these great responses have helped me a great deal. Your Skagit recommendation looks like a great boat...haven't found any pricing yet on it, but I'm sure it's out there somewhere. Thanks again.

They are built by the NWI (same company that builds the C-Dory). I'd think because the extra size and motor $180's new?

If I lived in southeast Florida I'd love one to run over to the Bahamas in.

The Venture 26 dry weight is 4,120 and the Skagit Orca 27 XLC dry weight is 6,000.

"“The boat (Skagit Orca 27) handled
and rode superbly,
refusing to pound
at 24 knots crossing
2-3 footers .”

 

[hardee]

"The Venture 26 dry weight is 4,120 and the Skagit Orca 27 XLC dry weight is 6,000."

I would be ??? about those weights, especially the V-26. MY CD-22 is about 3500 dry. On the trailer it is right at 5000 pounds. I'm sure the CD-25 will be close to 6K, without going back and looking up those weights.

Harvey
SleepyC:moon

 

[westward]

Some clarification of mission would help steer this interesting discussion: Intended use (cruising, fishing, overnighting?), how fast do you want/need to go?, presumably it needs to be trailerable for your off-piste storage: tow vehicle, beam width constraints, height/length constraints, weight limitations?, budget in round numbers?, prefer used or new?, outboard/IO/inboard?, spartan or upscale interior?, bulkhead door required?, proper head vs. porta-potty? You've indicated a preference for a relatively large cockpit, comfort and safety in steep wind chop, a switch from sailing and the ability to store it on your property....though your post was specific to one particular (poorly suited) boat it triggers a wonderful discussion of the compromises every boat purchaser must make. You're wise to be thinking this one through before writing any checks. Cheers!

 

[ken35216]

I would be ??? about those weights, especially the V-26. MY CD-22 is about 3500 dry. On the trailer it is right at 5000 pounds. I'm sure the CD-25 will be close to 6K, without going back and looking up those weights.

]

I got both of the weights off the NWI's website for comparison of cost new. Not actual real life weights.

 

[hardee]

I would be ??? about those weights, especially the V-26. MY CD-22 is about 3500 dry. On the trailer it is right at 5000 pounds. I'm sure the CD-25 will be close to 6K, without going back and looking up those weights.

]

I got both of the weights off the NWI's website for comparison of cost new. Not actual real life weights.

That is what I figured. A fair ways off from real world numbers. Just FYI.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

 

[thataway]

Many time the "dry" weight--may be just bare hull weight. No engines, as well as no fuel, water, accessories etc,

The factory gives 3950 as the "dry" weight (No motors), and 6340 lbs. (boat, motor, trailer, and fuel). Those of us who own the boats know that the boat motor and trailer is low--by at least 1000 lbs.

I think that almost all of the boats in consideration will be difficult in real 5' short steep chop. I am sure that any 31' sailboat would be basically stopped by each 5 foot wave, short and steep chop. But in sailboats one is not sailing directly into these waves 90% of the time--you are off at least 40* for the average cruising boat--and often 50 or more degrees.

Realistically what % of the time you are traveling across the lakes are the seas 3 to 5' steep chop?

 

[shloots]

Our sailboat, a Hallberg-Rassy Monsun 31, pretty much handled everything that was thrown at it, and because of the big diesel engine, it muscled through significant waves. Because it was a sailboat with significant keel weight, I was never concerned about the boat. It was always the passengers that I had to keep an eye on.... Although we could, we rarely went straight into anything because we were looking for optimal comfort. I believe the best design for us is going to be a deep-V lobster/down-east design. Most that I have looked at are 25-28 feet in length. It sounds like those of you who have had experience with the C-dory 25 or Venture all agree that it probably isn't the boat for what we see too frequently when cruising Lakes Michigan and Huron. I sure love the design of the C-dory 25 and Venture. As I learned a long time ago, hope for the best but prepare for the worst.