Rough Water handling on a 22 Cruiser

I was out on my local lake in 5’+ waves w/22 C Dory Cruiser, while not terrifying, it was very uncomfortable. Plus, I could still see the shore. Going offshore like that is a trip you very much need to watch weather forecasts and sea conditions and don’t go if it’s not ideal. Be sure all your safety and communication gear is in tip top shape!
 
It has been done. But, you have to remember to really pick your days. This passage is across the Gulf Stream, which against the Northerly winds, make very steep and dangerous seas. I have friends who have to wait weeks to find the right day to cross with 50' boats. Have plenty of days, cash and patience, plus a cast iron stomach.

My own experience is in 26 foot, 46 foot and 62 foot sailboats--the latter two which I have crossed oceans with, and had seas up to 40' feet and breaking--not C Dory weather.

I have run in 6 to 7 foot seas, down wind...I would not try it in beam or head seas in a C Dory 22 or 25.
 
Thank you all for sharing your thoughts and knowledge. I am a Navy Veteran and been on big boys all over the world, and 22-25 ft boats in South Florida. I wouldn't go unless it's the right time and right weather, morning passages. Beautiful boat but I am worry about sea worthiness on open waters.
 
“Eddie would go!” 😂🤙

That 3° deadrise will hamstring you in the chop if it gets up a little bit. Definitely will bring your comfortable cruise speed down and test not only your Navy iron gut, but everyone else’s aboard as well.

Have you looked at the 23’ Venture instead? It has 6° deadrise and some additional weight to address sea state better.

With the side draining gunnels and aft scuppers in the cockpit, I’m fairly certain (driven properly) in heavy the seas that these C-Dory vessels will outlast the crew.

Stating the obvious, but don’t go across without an EPIRB (said the Coastie 😉).
 
Do a search here for "Bahamas" - others have made that run to the Bahamas and posted here. As Dr Bob says, pick your days and be willing to wait for the right weather window. The winter we spent in the Keys in our CD-25, there were plenty of boats that waited weeks for a good crossing weather window. In perfect conditions, you can run 55nm in a few hours. I would be less concerned about the distance and more concerned about getting a good weather report. Depending on the time of year, there are small boat flotillas that go over in a group.

The run from Key West to Ft Jefferson is 70 miles, and small boats make that excursion, as well... and no fuel, water, or supplies once you get there. Once you've made it to Bimini in the Bahamas, you have access to fuel, water, and supplies.
 
The C Dory is very "sea worthy" it is like a ping pong ball. Bounces around on top. The major issue with the C Dory 22 is it is not "self bailing" Like the 25 and Tom Cat 255 are). To be "self bailing" it would need a sealed cockpit floor, which is above the waterline and scuppers which would run any water out of the cockpit, rather than into the bilge. Both the Tom Cat and 25 have some openings in the floor which unless the hatches are replaced with sealed ones, will allow some water into the bilge.

The pilot house is a great positive. There are very few incidents where the C Dory has rolled--I now of only in the surf line, and when anchored by the stern with waves coming aboard. Also one rolled during hurricane winds all of these got a large amount of water in the cockpit.
 
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