The Search Begins Anew

[John Laton]

Sea hunt,

I’ve been reading this thread with some interest and can offer a few thoughts on the CD25D.

It seems to me when Cape Dory Yachts decided to fill the void between the CD25 and CD27 they did so with a break from their traditional layout by creating the CD25D. This unique little vessel that they slipped in there created what could be called a quasi-cult vessel for some sailors. Having owned and sailed a Pacific Seacraft Flicka 20, which is considered by most to be a true cult vessel, I can see some of the same attractions that hold their owners as my CD25D does for me now. As for the advice of ‘buy as much as you can afford’ let me just say that some people prefer and enjoy a large ‘great room’ in their home with 12 foot vaulted ceilings while others feel more at home in a comfortable cozy parlor. In the past few years I’ve also owned a pristine Com-Pac 27 with a huge cabin and tons of storage but after 1 season did not felt as comfortable and cozy at days end as in the smaller sized cabins of the Flicka and 25D.

Good luck in your search and I have a feeling that when you see her, big or small, you will know

[shavdog]

Put a 6 foot bow sprit on your typhoon and tell everyone you own a 25 footer?...

[Dean Abramson]

Having owned one for a long time, I want to put in a good word for the 25D. We loved ours. I think it would be perfect for you.

It has been a long time since I was on a 27. But it seems to me that my impression was that having the forward cabin wound up making the main salon seem smaller than the 25D's. If you have a couple of kids and need a vee berth, the 27 is better; but for just you, and maybe one guest, the 25D would be great. A big plus with the 25D is the roomy head forward; it is a great head, and there is decent storage space up there. We kept all of our clothes up there.

When we went to a 31, our main desire was to have a forward cabin which we could sleep in, separating our "bedroom" from our "living room." This has been good, but nevertheless, the 31's vee berth is still a bit smaller than I would like, and I am only about 5'10". If you are claustrophobic, the 27's vee berth might not be your choice. In that case, the vee berth will become a storage area. This can be good, but you pay the price by having (in my opinion) not as good a head, and a less open feel in the salon.

I don't know much about engines on the 27, but I can say that the 1GM Yanmar moved Mariah along quite well.

Just my two cents' worth.

D

[Sea Witch]

JohnB,

No, I had thought about looking at the 330 in St. Augustine but haven't gotten down that way again yet. If you look at it, I'd be interested in your impression of it. Yes, I would be very interested in seeing your 28.

[winthrop fisher]

well after reading your post,

the lady friend is up to you....

but as far as storing the typhoon it just does not take that much room.....

i have the cd22 and the typhoon in my back yard covered and no one says any thing at all to me....

but here where i live ever other house has a boat...

the typhoon sat for two years while i used the cd22 and the same for the cd22 and last year when i was in sweden for the year, my friends kept an eye on the house and boats...

if you have the room in your back yard....

but you need to find out if you can have boats higher then your fence....

you could have both in your back yard, if your truck has the hp to pull the cd25...

i look at as its been cheaper having the boats at home where i can work on them or not....

it saves dock fees and storage fees...

when sailing season comes just put it in the water at your dock...

thats what i do....

hope this helps...
winthrop

I have received several e-mails from friends on this board asking if I am really thinking about buying a larger Cape Dory, specifically a Cape Dory 25D. They apparently recall the pain and anguish of my search for S/V Tadpole, my 1977 Cape Dory Typhoon Weekender.
As several on this board many months ago said would happen when I was in the middle of the long process of searching for my first Cape Dory, I have apparently acquired the "six footitis" disease. Back then several suggested I buy the largest CD I could afford, counseling that I would grow into her. Several others suggested I start out small and work my way up to a larger CD - if I wanted to. I fully agreed with the latter. In my judgment, I first needed to determine if I liked sailboat ownership and if I liked "cruising sailing" versus "racing sailing".

I became the caretaker of S/V Tadpole, a 1977 Typhoon Weekender (Hull #1400), in April 2008. I have sailed her a lot in Biscayne Bay over the past year and I have enjoyed her more than I could have imagined. Most of my sailing has been as "racing" crew (more accurately - "rail meat") on Harbor 20s around the markers on Saturdays. However, "day cruising" with no specific direction, no time factors, etc., is very enjoyable. The only disappointment has been the lack of female companionship to enjoy her with.

I would like to be able to extend my cruising with overnighters. To this end, I spent a little more than four hours nestled in Tadpole’s cabin a few months ago to get an idea what it would be like to spend one or two nights aboard. Unfortunately, at my age, curled up in Tadpole’s cabin was not a particularly pleasant experience. The cabin is just a little too small for my old, pampered body. When I was 20, it would have been a grand adventure, especially with a lovely "first mate".

So, I have decided to think about beginning the journey of searching for a Cape Dory 25D. As was true with my initial search for a Ty Weekender, I want to focus on a well-maintained CD 25D that will not require any significant restoration or refit efforts.

I am conflicted about S/V Tadpole - my first love. I came to sailing late in life. I know that at some point I will have to sell the CD 25D as I get even older and even less agile than I am now and no longer able to do 2, 3, 5 day cruises single-handed or with a future "Admiral". I think I would like to have S/V Tadpole so that I can return to 3-4 hour day sailing on Biscayne Bay. For this reason, part of me wants to buy a trailer and put S/V Tadpole in my backyard well covered for a few years. However, I am reluctant to do this because of my perception this may cause her to deteriorate from lack of use, etc. Thus, the conflict - hold on to her or reluctantly sell her

I would welcome the thoughts of this board on the downside to storing a Ty Weekender on a trailer for 4-6 years in my backyard.

My initial thought is that it will probably take me some time to find a CD 25D that meets my requirements - it took me two years plus to find Tadpole!!! During this time, if someone at the local sailing club or on this board is interested in S/V Tadpole, I may be willing to sell - assuming I know she is going to a very good home. Of course, once I find my CD 25D I will then have to make the hard decision - put S/V Tadpole up for sale or buy a trailer and store her.

So, the journey begins anew. Everyone on this board has been very gracious and helpful to me, despite the tortured search process that I know caused many to wince in pain at my posts. I thank you all for your kindness and encouragement over the past several years. I am open to any and all suggestions, recommendations, etc. for this new adventure.

If someone owns, or knows of, a CD 25D that is, or may be, for sale, please let me know.

[MFC]

Sea Hunt,

If you're set on a 25D, I have good news. I'm scaling up in my search to a 28 or 30.

----------->snip

Good luck on your search!

Hi

A timely thread. We have been discussing moving up a size or two. Our CD 28 is absolutely wonderful. But after spending a little time on some of our neighbors boats we'd like a little more room down below. We looked at a very nice 30B when we were shopping last spring and it did seem like just a little more boat than I could handle.
Well here I am 10 months latter and I'm confident I could get comfortable handling a CD 36 in short order.

Sea Witch,
We were headed up to St. Augustine last weekend to look at a 330 that is for sale up there but something came up and we had to cancel. Maybe we will make a weekend out of it and also head on up to Jacksonville to look at the 330 and 33 that is for sale up there too.

Did you happen to look at the 330 in Fernandina beach? If so what do you think of it compared to the 33?
I'll pm you if we find a replacement, our 28 is quite nice and I'd bet it would make it on to your A list of potentials.

Sea Hunt,
Not that I want any competition but I am in line with the camp that suggests going a little bit larger than the 25. Especially factoring in you might see a new first mate with you.

There is a CD 31 in our marina that I'd like look at one of these days but we haven't met up with the owners yet.

John

The 330 in St Augustine is a nice boat with a pretty long equipment list. I like the listing broker, but I wouldn't be stunned if he had an interest in the boat. The 330 in Fernandina Beach has a bunch of significant issues. I would call it a project boat and if the decks are wet (and they may be because it has major and extensive gelcoat issues) then it may be a scrapyard boat. Both are (to my mind) overpriced.

[MFC]

Hi John -
I thought the biggest asthetic difference between the 330 and the 33 was the cutter rig (which both 330's used) and the "T" cockpit. I didn't mind the change to the coamings.

There are plenty of functional differences -- in fact, despite the same hull, they really are entirely different boats. The 330 head has a shower, the v-berth is not impeded by the cabinet as on the 33, the rig is a bit taller, the settees lay out entirley differently as does the galley, there is no q-berth, the T cockpit . . .. The 330 feels like a more modern boat (it is a more modern layout). It certainly has a few additional comforts like the shower. Even knowing it was the same hull as the 33, I really felt like the beam was wider on the 330 -- that's the impact of the change in design.

I'll send you a PM about the 330 in Fernandina.

Matt

[Bob Luby]

Basically the 25D is a great boat for a cruising couple, as long as they do not want to, ahem, cuddle a lot below. You may find yourselves sleeping separately more often than you'd like, Remember, berths are limited to the settees or the quarter berth. Technically, the 25D starboard settee does expand to a double, but I've never used it. and frankly, climbing past someone to use the head would get old quickly. You and your SO should try it out.. I suspect that your SO will sleep with her feet in the cubby at the end of the port settee. This is doable, but not particularly comfortable.

I join those who think you should buy your last boat first. Less hassle in the long run.
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Jaguar X-Type Picture
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Herbal Grinder

[Neil Gordon]

Remember, berths are limited to the settees or the quarter berth. Technically, the 25D starboard settee does expand to a double, but I've never used it. and frankly, climbing past someone to use the head would get old quickly.

On the other hand, the v-berth of a 28 (and I suspect a 27), with insert, is more or less queen size other than a bit of narrowing at the forward end. (If you're short, you probably won't notice.)