Considering a C Dory 22 cruiser

[eerdoc]

Ok...I'm going to totally expose my ignorance here......do you need more water to launch off a ramp than off of a boat lift. If nothing else, I hope this is entertaining for the experienced watermen out there.....

No. With a trailer, the trailer is generally at an angle on a ramp (sort of the definition of "ramp"). With a boat lift, the lift is usually parallel to the water. In either case, you need to get enough of the boat in the water to float it off the trailer/lift. With the angle, the depth generally has to be greater since the back end is going in deeper than the front end. With a lift, the issue is whether or not there is enough space below the boat to get the supporting structure into the water far enough for the boat to clear it. But since the boat is horizontal, more of the hull surface is contacting the water and it should float off easier.

Thanks so much....so last question.....can the 22 footers float off a boat ramp in a foot to a foot and a half of water......or do I need more than that before I can actually float it off.......Everyone has been really helpful...Thanks so much....

 

[srbaum]

Rogerbum,
I live in Portsmouth, about a 30 minute hop from your house and would be delighted to show you my C-Dory 22 that is on a lift and I have a roller trailer as well.
Just call and come over and you will be able to see me lower my lift and you can even take a ride with me at low tide to see what is practical as well as what is not.
Lastly I will be delighted to give you a ride, so that you can better understand the ride characteristics in various sea conditions. Don't worry that it is getting cold, as my heater will keep us warm and toasty. My C-Dory gets used all year...
757-477-1453

 

[South of Heaven]

I live in Northern VA and run my 22 on the Bay. I usually launch from Sandy Point State Park by the Bay bridge and cruise the area between Baltimore and St. Michaels, MD (spent 2 days at St. Michaels two weeks ago). Never had any problems and have no hesitation about going out there. Of course, some days are better than others, but the 22 can handle 2-3 waves with no problem. Just have to trim it right for the conditions.

I HOPE the 22 can handle 2-3 waves! My 16 was routinely in waves bigger than that going to Marthas Vineyard this summer and messing around near the entrance to the Cape Cod Canal. I obviously had to slow down to almost a crawl though.....so TECHNICALLY maybe my boat didn't handle it then. Lol

 

[Kushtaka]

I live in Northern VA and run my 22 on the Bay. I usually launch from Sandy Point State Park by the Bay bridge and cruise the area between Baltimore and St. Michaels, MD (spent 2 days at St. Michaels two weeks ago). Never had any problems and have no hesitation about going out there. Of course, some days are better than others, but the 22 can handle 2-3 waves with no problem. Just have to trim it right for the conditions.

I HOPE the 22 can handle 2-3 waves! My 16 was routinely in waves bigger than that going to Marthas Vineyard this summer and messing around near the entrance to the Cape Cod Canal. I obviously had to slow down to almost a crawl though.....so TECHNICALLY maybe my boat didn't handle it then. Lol

Apples and oranges.

2-3' waves up there (and bigger) tend to be rolly and well spaced. Some of the easiest days I've had on the water have been in big 12' swells. In the chesapeake, because it is generally so shallow, the waves get very steep and close together creating a challenging type of chop.

The CD22 can go through all of this safely, but it is not the most comfortable boat to go through these sea states in quickly.

A deep V will do just that, but will not allow the access that the OP is looking for in shallow water.

The boat will float just fine in a foot and a half of water. You will need to run with your engine trimmed up a fair bit, but these boats do very well in shallow water. It will be able to run slowly where a deep v will rest on the bottom. If you can get on step (doesn't mean you should!) it draws even less water.