This last boating season we’ve been looking for our next boat, replacing our speedy little Whaler. We pretty much have got it down to three boats. Rosborough RF246, with an outboard, Altas Acadia 25 inboard diesel, and the C-Dory 25, with a single outboard. We are in Fl. and the main reasons we are looking to replace our current boat are to extend the season, get some shelter for all seasons, and try overnight trips. With the boat we have now we mostly run in the ICW. Since we still work the 8-5, m-f we’re are mostly day trippers at the moment. I know this is a C-Dory site but I’m sure there are lots of boats in our pasts, and maybe these boats were on your lists too. Only looking for used, and cost to purchase and own is a big factor. Interested in any thoughts from those of you who want to share them….
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Our next boat, the last three
- Thread starter smirkin
- Start date
Here's an absolutely free opinion: the Rossborough is a very nice boat; heavier than the C-Dory 25, so it will take more horsepower and fuel to move it the same. Well made boat. I like 'em.
The Atlas Acadia 25 doesn't have near the cabin accommodations of the CD-25, more V to the hull, and if it has the standard 110 hp Yanmar, it won't have the top speed of the C-Dory. Should be an economical cruiser as long as you keep the speed down. Yanmar is a reliable engine, but if you are cruising in any shallow waters, it sure is nice to have a motor that you can tilt up.
And that brings us to the C-Dory 25. Generally, more economical to own and operate. Great visibility throughout the cabin. Engine options abound. Flatter hull; may pound a bit more that either of the above in 3' chop, but when the going really gets tough, that hull is very seaworthy.
Many of us here went through the various options for a pilothouse boat of this length... and you can see right here what choice the folks on this forum made. And that brings up one of the best features of the C-Dory: this forum. :thup
Good luck with your decisions.
Best wishes,
Jim B.
The Atlas Acadia 25 doesn't have near the cabin accommodations of the CD-25, more V to the hull, and if it has the standard 110 hp Yanmar, it won't have the top speed of the C-Dory. Should be an economical cruiser as long as you keep the speed down. Yanmar is a reliable engine, but if you are cruising in any shallow waters, it sure is nice to have a motor that you can tilt up.
And that brings us to the C-Dory 25. Generally, more economical to own and operate. Great visibility throughout the cabin. Engine options abound. Flatter hull; may pound a bit more that either of the above in 3' chop, but when the going really gets tough, that hull is very seaworthy.
Many of us here went through the various options for a pilothouse boat of this length... and you can see right here what choice the folks on this forum made. And that brings up one of the best features of the C-Dory: this forum. :thup
Good luck with your decisions.
Best wishes,
Jim B.
Certainly you will find some prejudice on this list. Some have owned the
Rosborough RF246, or have gone to that boat after a C Dory. I have followed the Rosborough for many years. My objection was that it was a semi displacement boat--and took a fair amount of HP to get above 20 knots. The forward bunk was too short--and we would have had to take out the hanging locker to make the bunk longer. I like the window, rather than the doors (which can leak--and are hard for big folks like me to get in and out of). The other issue is handling down wind/waves--the C Dory 25 has the Rossie beat there by a mile. On the other hand, the Rossie goes better into a chop. They are both well built and solid boats. You have to take a ride in one and see. Byrdman may still be selling the Rosboroughs, I believe that Les still does also.
I see the Arcadia advertised all of the time in FL. There is a fuel advantage with an inboard diesel. Look at the details and room. Again this is more of a down east, semi displacement boat--and has the plus and minus of that type of boat.
When I looked again--I ended up with the C Dory 22--ease of trailering and maintenance was number one in the choice. Agree that having an outboard is a real plus in doing Florida waters. You are more comfortable in the summer in a pilot house boat as well in the cooler weather.
Rosborough RF246, or have gone to that boat after a C Dory. I have followed the Rosborough for many years. My objection was that it was a semi displacement boat--and took a fair amount of HP to get above 20 knots. The forward bunk was too short--and we would have had to take out the hanging locker to make the bunk longer. I like the window, rather than the doors (which can leak--and are hard for big folks like me to get in and out of). The other issue is handling down wind/waves--the C Dory 25 has the Rossie beat there by a mile. On the other hand, the Rossie goes better into a chop. They are both well built and solid boats. You have to take a ride in one and see. Byrdman may still be selling the Rosboroughs, I believe that Les still does also.
I see the Arcadia advertised all of the time in FL. There is a fuel advantage with an inboard diesel. Look at the details and room. Again this is more of a down east, semi displacement boat--and has the plus and minus of that type of boat.
When I looked again--I ended up with the C Dory 22--ease of trailering and maintenance was number one in the choice. Agree that having an outboard is a real plus in doing Florida waters. You are more comfortable in the summer in a pilot house boat as well in the cooler weather.
Before I bought my 23, the Rossi was high on the list. I love the side doors! I had reservations about a semidisplacement hull. I considered boats with nothing but outboards. The Arcadia seems to be a nice boat, but in our water, I want a motor I can trim up. I don't want a motor in the cockpit. I wanted something easy to singlehand. The CD 25 is a nice boat, but was too big for me to handle easily by myself.
Prior to purchasing our Marinaut, we looked at the Rosborough 246, the Atlas Acadia 25 and the CD 25. Factors influencing our decision included: 1) marine head, 2) extreme fuel economy at fast speeds, 3) low cost of maintenance, 4) safety, 5) generous cabin space, 6) non-cave-like berth, 7) shallow draft, and 8) purchase price less than $100,000. We found no power boat out there that could meet all of our objectives. So we gave up the head, and found that the Marinaut 215 superbly met the remaining objectives. When inflation hits us and our fuel supply becomes reduced (that day may come sooner than we all may think), we wanted a boat that we could afford to operate. Also, the smaller size of the boat will reduce the costs for transient fees that in the Northwest, border on outrageous. Even though we bought a Marinaut, you can make a similar case for the CD 22 or Venture 23. With respect to factor #6, many owners of C-Dory's have cut their bulkheads to open up the berth, which I suspect may have inspired the Marinaut's open berth arrangement. Nevertheless, I think that you will find that most people are happy with boats like ours for the reasons described. It really comes down to a personal decision as to what factors mean the most for you.