C-Dory & or Rosborough for the Loop.

[Larkin]

Hello,
I am really interested in obtaining either a Rosborough or a C-Dory to do the great loop single handed.  I will have to do it in segments, & go back home.  Maybe month on/month off kind of deal.  
I know a few of the differences between the two boats.  Could some of you who have been on BOTH boats please comment.   I’ve been reading on this group as well as the rosborough hull truth & aglca for awhile. Really enjoyed Dr Thataway’s comments several years ago.

Also any comments on outboard hp along with cruising speeds vs pounding. Not interested in going WAT, but need to make more time than 7 knots unless  speed limits slow that.  
Thank you for your help.  I enjoy vicariously your camaraderie in the group.  

Regards, 
Larkin Hood 

 

[gulfcoast john]

Hi Larkin!

We are one-way segment Loopers and life AGLCA members since 2017. Most of our segments are 200-1,200 miles one-way over 6-8 weeks. We have done over 3,000 miles of the 6,000 official Loop miles and right at 200 locks (only 100 locks are on the official course).

We try to be articulate proponents of why we think the TC255 is the ‘perfect couples cruising non-overwide trailer boat’. Search the C-Brats site to find those essays.

Eastern Boats bought out RossB. Only the Halifax model has a head/hand shower enclosure if that is important to you and future crew.

https://www.easternboats.com/246halifax

If you are solo and always will be, and your Loop is a ‘One and Done…then sell this boat’ the Rossy may be a better choice due to the opening doors on each side of the helm and ease of your grabbing or looping around just one rope/cable in the locks.

If I were planning to run my boat up onto a rock jetty at WOT, I would rather do it in a RossB than our Tom Cat.

I am not currently planning on doing that, and we run multiple nav programs to try to prevent doing just that.

The RossB is built like a brick S-House; but it doesn’t plane as well as one, even with high power outboards. Pros and Cons again.

The widely spaced outboards on a TC255 allow ‘throttle steering’ without thrusters (which have their own serious downsides) and the ability to do a 360 in one to two boat lengths.

Both are well built, safe, and excellent boats.

We will continue to opine that based on the ‘design brief’, you will be best served and happiest with a ¾ ton diesel 4WD truck and a trailer with EOH brakes to tow it anywhere in the continent, 24/7, without a permit (including steep and deep PNW ramps).

We have already tried everything short of that over the past 40 years and
regretted it every time.

Your mileage may vary, but it won’t be by damn much, my friend!

John

 

[journey on]

Well, here's a counterpoint. By the way we did the Great Loop in a sailboat, which had a top speed of 7 knts, but appreciate your need for speed (sometimes.)

The ideal boat for the Great Loop is the biggest boat you can tow, 10" beam and 27/28" long, like a Ranger Tug.

Now back to what we're talking about: a Tomcat, a C-Dory 25 and a Rosebourgh. First of all, they're all 8' 6" wide. You can tow them anywhere in the US with a v-8 truck. No diesel or 4 wheel, though that will give you peace of mind, I would guess. Just a good ol' V-8 set up for towing. Next, they're all ~25'. That's fine for towing. However think of living in them for a couple of months. That's the real trade off. Make a table and think of the pros and cons of each boat and with luck, it'll become clear. Remember, you're talking gas engines here, ~2mpg going fast, 4 mpg slow.

Tomcat. Catamaran hull, twin engines. has the same cabin as a 25 with the exception of a larger V-berth. Fast, but you pay for it with 2 engines (more gallons/mile) and added towing weight. Stability of a catamaran but you're mostly in sheltered water. I guess you'd need a diesel for towing per Gulfcoast John.

C-Dory 25. Cheapest, lightest. Tow with any V-8; I did it with a 63 1/2 ton Chevvie, next a 3/4 ton Ford, both 2 wheel drive. No problems towing or launching in 15 years over the entire west. Single engine; 150 hp is enough, lighter. V-birth is 6' so you'll sleep sideways but still 2 persons. Unless they're both 6'. I think the rest of the interior is the same as a Tomcat.

Rosebourgh. I don't know too much about this boat, but that never stopped me from making a few comments. Similar to the C-Dory 25 but heavier. That's a disadvantage towing, but may be a advantage in the water. Sliding doors on each side of the cabin, handy when docking. Has to have lower mileage than a C-D 25 because of the weight and probably more horsepower to go fast. Advertises a bow thruster, but you don't need it.

All have heads, a must for us. Holding tank and pump out required. All have refrigerators for beer. Again, all are towable. All use outboard(s). Get a MFD and depth sounder. Radar has saved us many a time.

If you have the finances, go for the Tomcat. Otherwise look at both the C-Dory 25 and Rosebourgh, if you can; see what boat suits you the best and buy it. You'll be happy with whatever you get.

Boris

 

[journey on]

Well, here's a counterpoint. By the way we did the Great Loop in a sailboat, which had a top speed of 7 knts, but appreciate your need for speed (sometimes.)

The ideal boat for the Great Loop is the biggest boat you can tow, 10" beam and 27/28" long, like a Ranger Tug.

Now back to what we're talking about: a Tomcat, a C-Dory 25 and a Rosebourgh. First of all, they're all 8' 6" wide. You can tow them anywhere in the US with a v-8 truck. No diesel or 4 wheel, though that will give you peace of mind, I would guess. Just a good ol' V-8 set up for towing. Next, they're all ~25'. That's fine for towing. However think of living in them for a couple of months. That's the real trade off. Make a table and think of the pros and cons of each boat and with luck, it'll become clear. Remember, you're talking gas engines here, ~2mpg going fast, 4 mpg slow.

Tomcat. Catamaran hull, twin engines. has the same cabin as a 25 with the exception of a larger V-berth. Fast, but you pay for it with 2 engines (more gallons/mile) and added towing weight. Stability of a catamaran but you're mostly in sheltered water. I guess you'd need a diesel for towing per Gulfcoast John.

C-Dory 25. Cheapest, lightest. Tow with any V-8; I did it with a 63 1/2 ton Chevvie, next a 3/4 ton Ford, both 2 wheel drive. No problems towing or launching in 15 years over the entire west. Single engine; 150 hp is enough, lighter. V-birth is 6' so you'll sleep sideways but still 2 persons. Unless they're both 6'. I think the rest of the interior is the same as a Tomcat.

Rosebourgh. I don't know too much about this boat, but that never stopped me from making a few comments. Similar to the C-Dory 25 but heavier. That's a disadvantage towing, but may be a advantage in the water. Sliding doors on each side of the cabin, handy when docking. Has to have lower mileage than a C-D 25 because of the weight and probably more horsepower to go fast. Advertises a bow thruster, but you don't need it.

All have heads, a must for us. Holding tank and pump out required. All have refrigerators for beer. Again, all are towable. All use outboard(s). Get a MFD and depth sounder. Radar has saved us many a time.

If you have the finances, go for the Tomcat. Otherwise look at both the C-Dory 25 and Rosebourgh, if you can; see what boat suits you the best and buy it. You'll be happy with whatever you get.

Boris

 

[thataway]

The rossie will go better into the chop--fine entry and semi displacement hull. However going down wind and seas, the C dory will ride better.

The Rossie V berth is smaller than the C Dory 25. I am 6'2" and wife is about 5'8" and we both fit with a dog in the middle on top...(most of the time).

The Rossie I would have to have removed the hanging locker to have a bunk long enough. The head is right by the V Berth.

C-Dory 25 will do OK into chop as long as you can keep the bow down. The Tom Cat, does fine into chop up to about 2.5 feet--any more then you have to crank the speed up, or slow down.

Try and get a ride in each boat. I have heard of complaints with some recent Rossie's in the Quality Control area. (from dealers and the forum). The C Dory has the cored hull, I don't fear it, but some do.

I am not convinced that the door is much better than the window where you can reach the dock etc--I found the door in the Rossie to be a bit difficult for me and my frame. Both boats have narrow side decks. Locking can be an issue single handed--but lots of folks do it.

They are both good boats.

 

[ssobol]

Plusses for the Rossie is that you can stand up in the berth area and you can carry a dinghy on the roof with a davit.

For some reason, I don't find the Rossie as "homey" as a CD-22.

 

[thataway]

you can carry a dinghy on the roof with a davit.

. You can carry a dinghy on the roof of a C Dory also--not sure why that is an advantage with the Rossi?

 

[ssobol]

you can carry a dinghy on the roof with a davit.

. You can carry a dinghy on the roof of a C Dory also--not sure why that is an advantage with the Rossi?

The installation of the dinghy on the Rossie I saw allowed for lifting the dinghy off the roof and much like a big boat. You can have a hard dinghy if you want. There is a space for the dinghy. It is a factory option.

On a C-Dory you usually have to manually lift the dinghy on/off the roof or you can rig up a DIY davit system. If you put a dinghy on the roof you have to make compromises on what else you put up there.

 

[Larkin]

Couldn’t agree with you more on the towing vehicle GulfcoastJohn. I neglected to mention that I drive a 1 ton diesel 4x4. After years of struglying to pull large heavy trailers (mostly farm & ranch purposes) with a half ton.
I love the lg diesels. I can pull a heavy trailer up a steep incline, & not loose speed.
Thanks for your analysis of the boats.

 

[Larkin]

If you have the finances, go for the Tomcat. Otherwise look at both the C-Dory 25 and Rosebourgh, if you can; see what boat suits you the best and buy it. You'll be happy with whatever you get.

Thanks for the Analysis Journey On. Good Advice

 

[Larkin]

Thank you Thataway. Always appreciate reading your advice here.

 

[Larkin]

Thanks for your input ssobol.

 

[colbysmith]

However think of living in them for a couple of months. That's the real trade off

I know of several couples that have lived full time, or up to 4 months at a time on their 25's. I know of a few folks that have spent several months on their 22's. (I did it solo on my 22 for two months in Alaska.) It's doable, but not for everyone. Colby

 

[hardee]

IF:
You are single handing 75% of the time,
You are looking at economy,
You are OK without an enclosed head or shower,
You would like lower cost moorage fees (charged by the foot)
You are interested in a lighter, shorter tow load,
You are not intimidated by the biggest boats on the dock,
AND
Your ego will be OK with a smaller boat,

THEN
Go look :shock: at a C-Dory 22 Cruiser.

Simple to single hand, easy to tow, nice to you at the fuel dock, and still go anywhere and do (almost) anything the big boats do.

Been doing that for 15 years. Still lovin it, still doing it. 8)

No plans to change that anytime soon.

PS: Longest trip = 100 days, North end of Vancouver Island.

Harvey
SleepyC:moon

 

[bshillam]

For everyone and every boat its a trade off. I have had the 22' 25' CD and 25' RF246. I like the stand up V birth in the RF and weight of the hull. But the RF comes at a price, you have to power it accordingly to get the same speed. Benefit of the RF, solid fiberglass hull.
If I was only looking at the three, it would be the RF, Tomcat and then the CD 25' in that order. But that's a personal choice. I would also add others to the mix just to complicate things but then I love having choices.
Choose the boat that makes you smile at the end of the day! All of them are great in their light, wonderful thing is if you change your mind or want something different they'll retain their value.

 

[BillE]

I would concentrate on the living conditions, especially the bed and the head. Can you deal with a V-berth without standing room or sitting head room? If so, go C-Dory, if not, go Rosborough. I found the C-Dory berth too claustrophobic and had to sleep on the converted dinette, but that was the only negative for me and we liked much about our C-Dory, and greatly preferred the separate enclosed head on the C-25 to the "right next to the bed" of the Rossie.
Decide which tradeoffs matter to you and yours.

 

[Pat Anderson]

Well, we DID the Great Loop on a CD25 Cruiser over eight months in 2017 with a dog and a cat. It was perfect for us.
We had opened up the vee-berth, had the factory delete the marine head and installed a composting head ourselves.
We had full canvas that made the cockpit an additional room.





We also had 200 watts of solar on the roof. Our dinghy was a 12 foot Sea Eagle inflatable kayak that was used twice
daily for getting our dog Baxter to shore, and for getting ourselves to shore a few times.



I blogged daily if you want a first hand account of Looping in a 25 foot boat. The link to the blog is in my signature
below!

 

[ssobol]

..., and greatly preferred the separate enclosed head on the C-25 to the "right next to the bed" of the Rossie. ...

Rossies can have a cabin configuration with an enclosed head in the back of the main cabin a la the CD-25.

https://www.easternboats.com/246digby

Rossies come in 3 cabin configurations.

https://static.wixstatic.com/media/...93305f5cfcb754f_mv2_d_1404_1289_s_2_webp.webp
https://static.wixstatic.com/media/...a9fa31144abf8bcc_mv2_d_1404_1289_s_2_webp.png
https://static.wixstatic.com/media/...8ba20da8c9ba25c_mv2_d_1404_1289_s_2_webp.webp

FWIW, they also make a 22' version: https://www.easternboats.com/22capebreton

 

[Larkin]

Bshillam,
Thanks for comments from a multi boat owner.
Do you still have the RF246?

Choose the boat that makes you smile at the end of the day!
Great Quote!

 

[Larkin]

BillE,
Thanks.
I prefer the CD head.
Good Points.