What would you change...

A

AK Fisher

New member
I am trying to decide between a 22 Cruiser and a 25. I am finding the decision difficult. Both models have so much going for them. I know that the vast majority of C-Dory owners are very happy with their boats and could give me a long list of what they like about them.

I think what will help me is if you could tell me what you don't like about your boat. In other words, if you could make changes in the design of your boat to make it better, what would you change? And why?

I am particularly interested in any comments from folks that regularly fish from their boats, and from any Alaskans that may have comments about how their boats perform in Alaskan conditions. My boat will be used in Prince William Sound as well as the waters out of Seward and Homer.
 
We found that the foreward bunks and entrance to the bunks in the 22 were tight for us--as we aged and are good size--including tall. The 25 has enough room, plus the ability to cut out more area.

The 25 could have more storage--espe under the foreward berth--it is mostly foam--and there is loss of storage there.

I cannot compare the new 25's quality, but the older (2003-4) left a lot to be desired in the quality issues.

If long distance trailering is not an issue, go with the 25--but, it has a higher cockpit floor, not quite as "deep"==but is self bailing, which is a huge advantage.

Be sure that you understand what a C Dory is and what it does and does not do.
 
Human nature being what it is, most folks will tell you that they made the right choice. :wink: Our decision to go with the 25 over the 22 was based on how much time we intended to spend on the boat. Both are great boats, but the interior volume of the 25 is much more than you might think you'd gain with 3 feet... that extra foot of beam really makes a difference.

If we were making the decision again, we'd do it just the same. This boat is a champ. We've visited with quite a few people with bigger boats this trip who have said how cool it is that we can trailer this boat to all the different places we've been in the past year. However, that trailering is another big factor in the decision of which boat... the 25 is much heavier on the trailer (we figure around 8500+ pounds), calling for more tow vehicle.

There have been MANY discussions on this forum about the 22 vs 25... check the archives. Decide how you will use the boat: how many people, how long will you be out most of the time, tow vehicle, budget?

Good luck with your decisions.

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
I have the 83 clasic and am totaly in awe at what it can do.
i have had three Glasply boats prior to this and they are deep v style boats.
the main dislike I have with her is that the roof is too low. I wish it were about 6 inches taller.I am constantly hitting my head on the door jamb. then I would be able to put a sliding door in her and get more usable space in the cockpit. I may try to raise it this winter.
 
I don't particularly like to add to the other 25 owners before more 22's chime in, but I like mine VERY well for all my needs. I carry various sized crews, sometimes just myself. With mixed company on board the separate bathroom is quite handy. I like the spacious feeling inside for longer trips and the ability to seat 4 at the table, I carry all my fishing poles inside on the ceiling--keeps them clean. Mine weighs in at 7,500 lbs (lighter than most) with full fuel, 1/2 water, full gear for a weekend for 3 people. I tow with an Expedition, tow rating 8700 lbs (4WD), 18-20 mpg non-towing, 10 mpg towing. I figure my towing gas mileage wouldn't be that much different with a 22. I get about 3.5 nmpg with 2 on board.

Hmmm, what to change, I've pondered that one many times, I honestly come up empty every time, wouldn't change a thing! I have an '03, very, very few problems, mostly by the dealer on their inability to install a new countertop (wrong standard sink and stove from factory), engines, back a trailer up in their lot, etc.
 
Been thinking about your question and have read all the 25' comments so here goes. I have a 2006 22' cruiser and the two things I would change are cabin seating and Vee berth access. The 22' is a great 2 or 3 person boat and will easily carry 4 but the factory cabin seating is set up for three (unless you are really skinny and very good friends). When we have 4 adults aboard we either put two lawn chairs out in the cockpit or use the "couch" I created after stealing the idea from another brat. The lawn chairs work great in good weather and the folks out there seem to enjoy being out in the air/view etc. so I'm not sure we wouldn't do the same thing if we had seating for four inside. The "couch" is made by fabricating a couch back from 3/4 plywood, setting it along the port cabin wall with the dinette down in the bed configuration and using garden furniture cushions for the back and side cushions. It works OK but is far from ideal. It is much better with small folding stepstools for the couchees feet. I made an angled base so it locates consistently and attach it with velcro to the teak strip that has the dinette table hinges in it. The best part about it is that I made it to fit across the two lazarrettes in the transom area. I attach it to the stainless transom rail again with velcro and it makes a great cooking, fishcleaning, etc. space. I love that aspect of it and use it there all the time even when its just the two of us aboard. It stays rock solid in 3-4' chop.

As to the Vee berth access, getting in is moderately awkward but getting up in the middle of the night to answer the call of nature without waking the other person sleeping is downright contortionisty. I fixed that problem by getting a 3.5" Therma-Rest pad from REI and sleeping on it on the cabin floor between the dinette and galley sides. That gives me a much better night's sleep and gives Patti the whole Vee berth to herself. In the morning, if we're staying out in the boat at least one more night I just slide the Therma-Rest inflated into the Vee berth. That arrangement is much superior for us. I've never gotten into a 25' Vee berth and am not sure how much easier it is to access so I don't know if there is much difference between the 22' and 25' in that regard.

The 25' has a great deal more cabin space and that is a major advantage. However, my 22' fully loaded weighs thousands of pounds less than a 25' and I can tow it with ease with my elderly 89 Chevy PU or with my 2004 Chevy Trailblazer. Both boats can be singlehanded but the 22' has a slight edge IMHO because of mass and inertia. The 22' is also a simpler boat with fewer systems to go wrong, i.e. no marine toilet, no electric water pump, etc. That also means however, that the 22' is a little more utilitarian in appearance. So...Yuh pays yer money and yuh takes yer chances.
 
I have to agree with C-Cakes Barry when it comes to seating in the C-22. The "Barber chair" modification/option cured some of it but there's just no getting around the lack of comfortable seating in the cabin for 4 or 5 without doing the couch thing.

Personally, I'd like a little more cabin length at the top of the cabin. There's just no way one can mount 6'6" fishing rods attached to the ceiling and I like to keep stuff on board as much as possible.

On the other hand, compromise engineering works and the C-22's popularity says a lot about making the right compromises to come up with an enduringly popular boat. With that in mind, the "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" attitude is probably best. There will always be folks like Mike and Dave and others with innovative ideas, many of which have been incorporated in the C-22. AFAIC, between those guys, West Marine, Home Depot and sweat labor we can fine tune our rides far easier than with any other brand/breed of boats out there.

Don
 
All boats are a compromise, but we absolutely love our 22. That being said, we'd love more cockpit space for fishing while retaining the cabin of the cruiser for overnighters...which we do virtually every weekend.

A tall top and door would suite me a bit better (I'm 6' 2") but it's not that big a deal. The one thing I do wish was different is that dang transom design. I hate the splashwell...horrible waste of space imho....I'd much rather have a squared off transom and outboard on a bracket....much better use of space.

You can't beat the 22 for ease of trailering, either.

It's a simple boat...and I like it. :lol:
 
On my 22 I have so much weight in the stern (the boat, not me) (no comment on the deckhand) that I wouldn't want the engine on a bracket to add to it but it would add some room. If I could change one thing it would be to extend the roof about 2' to the rear past the cabin to give some rain protection. I think the decision between the 2 boats comes down to money. The 25 costs more to buy, more to operate, more to tow with a more expensive tow vehicle. If you can afford and want to spend the money then the 25 has more room and will be more comfortable. I like the 22' but if I could afford it my boat would be 40' with a 22' for a dinghy!
 
Hi Folks,

I have a 22' C-dory Classic Angler. I would love to get a 25' C-dory, but the cost go up geometrically. The boat costs almst twice as much. Docking and mooring costs more, and the tow vehicle has to be bigger and will cost more. With the 22' C-dory, you can tow it with a Ford Explorer, including the 6 cylinders models. Don't need a special tow vehicle. Also you get caught up with state regulations on towing boats over 8 foot beam.

Also I do a lot of my boating single handed. The 22' is the perfect size to live aboard and single hand it. In close quarters, the 25 becomes more of a problem.

Then you get caught up with "bigger is better" until you get to much to handle.

Fred
 
The 22 was our first real boat. Before that only canoes and a small RIB. It has been absolutely fantastic for us. Especially in the boat handling learning curve and its unique ability to reach into those shallow isolated areas. With that as a given if we could now afford to purchase, run and maintain a a 25 footer we would. The main draw back of the 22 for me and this doesn't effect Jo-Lee is looking out the windows when standing. It just can't be done and in trying I generally have a permanent kink in my neck. Have only been in a 25 footer once and it was a perfect fit.

Jo-Lee is quite content with the 22 and other than the visibility standing thing, so am I.

Jay
 
flagold":33c7tm94 said:
Also I do a lot of my boating single handed. The 22' is the perfect size to live aboard and single hand it.
Click to expand...

BINGO!

I'll overlook a lot for that.
Click to expand...

Bingo, Indeed! Maybe even Jaaaaaaaaackpot!

My 22 is perfect for myself, and even one other person and trailering!

I also have a Sea Ray 265 Sedan Bridge, which is a much better, four times as big and plush inside mini-floating condo (at least for an inland lake), but it's also four times as much to clean, maintain, take out of the marina, buy gas for, and trail down the road.

As to what to change on the 22, I've made very few major modifications over the years, except to add a propane cook stove and heater, as the alcohol Origo stove was wanting, and I needed winter heat. (So far, I have denied myself the pleasure and frustration of the Wallas Wonder.)

I have added an engine mounted trolling motor to eliminate the kicker, and have added some electrical units. Two more batteries, a generator, an inverter, and a microwave make life a little less spartan.

This CD-22 design isn't the most popular C-Dory without reason. It's the most affordable and universally functional boat afloat in it's class.

Do you really need MORE boat than this?

Joe.
 
Back
Top