Is the C Dory the right boat for me?

[thataway]

Hey Littlebear,

Here's somethings to consider since it is obvious you'll be towing. These weights are for the hulls only, doesn't include engines, trailer, gas, water, gear, etc.:
CD 22 Cruiser: 1925 pounds
CD 25 Cruiser: 3602 pounds
Venture 23: 3020 pounds
Tomcat 255 Cat.: 6000 pounds

Do you already have a tow vehicle? The bigger the boat the bigger the tow vehicle the higher the cost.

That is a little misleading. The C Dory 22 is going to be in the 4500 lb range ready to go. Bigger Sun's, 1/2 ton Pickups will do. The 23 is about the same weight--maybe 500 plus lbs more.

The C Dory 25 is light at 6500 lbs. I towed on recently and it was a strain for my Yukon XL with tow package. Figure on at least 7,000 lbs, and some of the bigger and higher rated 1/2 tons or a 3/4 ton.

The Tom Cat is going to be at or over 10,000 lbs on the trailer and I would be thinking of at least a 3/4 ton Diesel, or a 1 ton.

 

[Marco Flamingo]

Grand Banks 32. http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1973/Gr ... ted-States

Almost bought one, but then I found a 32' Monk sedan cruiser like this one (mine had been repowered to diesel). A much better boat for the PNW.

http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1949/Mo ... ted-States

You can't trailer these boats, so you'll be paying moorage. I always figured that if I wasn't using the boat enough so that moorage became an issue, I should sell the boat and get a new hobby (which I did a few times).

Mark

 

[spuncopper]

Littlebear:

Thataway has provided additional info concerning weights that may help you with your decision.

Good luck and be safe.

Spuncopper

 

[Wayne McCown]

Another consideration: As kids get older, they get bigger! In 5-10 years, your situation will have changed considerably!

 

[johnr]

Family of four here and we do cruise and camp in our 22 foot C-Dory, but it IS (as mentioned above) like camping in a clutter closet. One point to consider is the amount of toys your want to bring with you. If you want to crab, fish, kayak, SUP, or whatever...all that gear takes up room too. We typically camp off the boat. In other words, we cruise to an island campground, disembark and set up camp on the island.

 

[T.R. Bauer]

When we have guests, I bring a tent and set it up - problem solved. It may not be practical everywhere due to private property thought.

 

[Littlebear]

So we're at longbeach,wa this past weekend and on the way home we stopped in Illwaco,wa to see if we could see some c-dory at the docks. All we found was a small angler and a tomcat. Neither we cared for but we did like the layout and size of the Seasport 2700s and really like the Skagit Orca XLC 2700. We will continue to stop by harbors to try and find C-Dory 25 cruiser and to help make up our minds. Again I want to thank everyone for their input on this. We really appreciate how helpful everyone has been.

 

[T.R. Bauer]

In my opinion, the best small boat layout is the Seasport Pilot 2600/2700 overall. They are heavy on the trailer, but don't need permits to tow, and can come with a diesel Volvo. I'd love one, but can't justify that price point for what I'd gain - I don't need empty berths.

 

[Littlebear]

T.R. Baur we seen a Seasport Pilot 2700 and I really loved it, until we got home and found out how much it weighs. Like I said we liked the SeaSports but they are all tanks of a boat compared to the C-Dory and Skagit Orca's. I really can't justify adding a truck payment just to pull a boat that I will be making payments on as well.

 

[T.R. Bauer]

I hear that. I'd love to have more boat than I have. However, more boat than the 22 means a lot of other sacrifices that I am not willing to make. There is no best boat for sure. And, if there is, most us already have the best one....for us....