Bob beat me posting while I was typing. Here are my completely unedited comments, which are not much different than his overall.
Welcome aboard!
You have time to research your options.
I often claim that the TC255 is the perfect cruising couples trailerable (24/7 anywhere in the continent without a permit) expedition quality pocket yacht.
It will keep you feeling much more safe and secure than your 22 Angler in true seas up to 2-3 feet (the 100th wave up to twice that) and early SCA warnings. Up to that point, the TC255 rides like it’s on rails and is stable like a barge at rest (no rolling). You may be knocked around in the rough stuff, but MUCH less than your 22, and the boat will take it better than you can. We feel confident going out when conditions COULD but likely won’t deteriorate to Small Craft Advisory conditions (sustained 20MPH winds) and we know we’ll get home safely in the slop.
The bridgedeck freeboard is very low (almost in the water aft at rest). On plane, the air pocket provides a cushion that gets better with speed (up to that 3 foot true seas point). Historically, the TC255 used the same sponson molds as the earlier, much lighter TC24, which had transom mounted engines rather than a bracket. Thus a very low bridgedeck, which limits rough water performance. But the builder did not have to manufacture new molds, and that savings is passed on to the customer.
From a boat designer’s perspective, it is VERY difficult to cram everything we buyers want into a beam less than the 8.5’ Federal width and 13.5’ height on the trailer so you don’t knock off your radar or anchor light going under the first bridge or power line. You PAY for that design and its compromises when you specify you that you demand a trailer boat.
We haven’t cruised up there yet, but we will trailer there someday. The costs of requiring a 24/7 no permit TC255 trailer boat include around $10,000 for a near custom aluminum I beam/SS trailer and around $80,000 for a new 2500HD diesel 4WD truck without heated seat massage. Ouch.
If you are NOT going to tow this beast to the Florida Keys, the Chesapeake, the NY and Canadian historic canals, inland rivers (and we HIGHLY encourage you to do all that and so much more), you MAY be able to meet your needs with a larger, displacement cat or used commercial vessel. If you only need to pull it out of the water in winter, a junk trailer might fit your needs just fine.
I read your intended use section very carefully. If you never intend to trailer around the country, a well cared for used Glacier Bay or World Cat 28 might serve your needs better for less overall cost (if you can find one). On the other hand, you’ll get under 2MPG, and have 4x the engine maintenance expenses compared to your CD22, and maybe not many SCA days you would have ‘otherwise’ missed out on.
Wish you the very best as you research a bunch of very fun options!
Ordinarily, I would say PM me with questions, but we will be somewhere in the Everglades later this week. You should be too!
Best,
John
