Travels with a CD25

[Jim Stull]

We just returned to Western PA from the FL Keys after a 3 month trip with our 1975 CD25. I am posting some data from this trip which might possible be of use to others.
We selected the CD25 as the best compromise after extensive review of the various possibilities. We wanted the most seaworthy boat we could find that could be transported reasonably easily on a trailer.
After two seasons sailing on Lake Erie and part of a winter in the FL. Keys we are happy very happy with the selection. We camp on the boat while on the road.
We have a heavily built, tandem axle steel trailer with surge brakes on all four wheels. We ran the rig over a certified scale to get actual weight on the way home. Boat, trailer with engine, gas, water and a fair amount of "live-a-board" type stuff, weighed 6960#. Although the truck was not on the scale, I was still hitched up so total boat and trailer weight was probably a few hundred pounds more.
Tires on the trailer are 205/75-D14 inflated to 50 psi. These tires are rated at 1760# each (7040 total). I would have liked to fit a larger size but could not with out major surgery to the fenders. I have had no tire problems so far. (Although I met a sailer who was doing the same thing with a Catalina 25 and had had a lot of tire trouble.)
I am currently towing with a 1999 Ford 150 Super Cab 4x4 with the 5.4L, 260hp Triton V8 and factory tow package. Overall milage down and back was 11 mpg while towing. Higest climb was in W.VA to over 3000ft. I ran between 55 and 60 mph except in the mountains when I dropped as low as 45 going over the highest peaks. In all instances, I had the power to go faster but the lower speeds felt more comfortable (safer). The truck felt in control of the load at all times but I would not think anything smaller, lighter or with a shorter wheelbase would be satisfactory overall as a long distance tow vehicle. The only time I felt a bit "antsy" was in the construction sites where they push you onto a very unevenly paved, very narrow burm.
We averaged about 400 miles a day. We ate and rested at the roadside rest areas but if the trip had been any longer we would have gone to a comercial campground to get a shower.
We lived on the boat for almost 3 months both in marinas and anchored out and found the the boat to be quite adequate for two people, (although we come from a backpacking background). And we have made a lot of mods to the boat to suit this planned usage.
The most we paid for a marina was in Key West where we paid $2.50/ft/night. However this was right in the heart of the city and had a pool and a sauna. $1.75 was more typical. We saw many "live-a-boards" in every type and condition of boat imaginable. We even saw a pizza, ice and newspaper deliver service to the anchored out boats. The dinghy dock in Key West was the most jammed-up we had ever seen!
We found the launching of our boat in Marathon to be much more expensive than in Erie. It cost almost $300 to get the boat off the trailer, get the mast raised and into the water. One of the new friends we made down there, showed me how to make a bipod which we then used to drop the mast when we left. This cut the cost considerably. (Actually the bipod worked better than the mast crane we use in Erie.) If anyone is launching their boat from the trailer using a tounge extender I would appreciate hearing about it.
Changes for next time. We will add a solar panel and hopefully come up with some way to comnnect to the internet.
Jim



jtstull@icubed.com

[Kevin Aubuchon]

Your trip sounds great! If you're upto it, I would like to hear more about where you went (Dry Tortugas, Marquesa, Cuba, Miami, etc.) and with the benefit of hindsight, your opinions of the equipment you carried. Were there any items that were worse/better than expected? Any items you didn't originally consider, but would get for the next trip? Welcome back.

former CD25 sailor,
Kevin Aubuchon



kaubuchon@primary.net

[J.P.Smith]

We just returned to Western PA from the FL Keys after a 3 month trip with our 1975 CD25. I am posting some data from this trip which might possible be of use to others.
We selected the CD25 as the best compromise after extensive review of the various possibilities. We wanted the most seaworthy boat we could find that could be transported reasonably easily on a trailer.
After two seasons sailing on Lake Erie and part of a winter in the FL. Keys we are happy very happy with the selection. We camp on the boat while on the road.
We have a heavily built, tandem axle steel trailer with surge brakes on all four wheels. We ran the rig over a certified scale to get actual weight on the way home. Boat, trailer with engine, gas, water and a fair amount of "live-a-board" type stuff, weighed 6960#. Although the truck was not on the scale, I was still hitched up so total boat and trailer weight was probably a few hundred pounds more.
Tires on the trailer are 205/75-D14 inflated to 50 psi. These tires are rated at 1760# each (7040 total). I would have liked to fit a larger size but could not with out major surgery to the fenders. I have had no tire problems so far. (Although I met a sailer who was doing the same thing with a Catalina 25 and had had a lot of tire trouble.)
I am currently towing with a 1999 Ford 150 Super Cab 4x4 with the 5.4L, 260hp Triton V8 and factory tow package. Overall milage down and back was 11 mpg while towing. Higest climb was in W.VA to over 3000ft. I ran between 55 and 60 mph except in the mountains when I dropped as low as 45 going over the highest peaks. In all instances, I had the power to go faster but the lower speeds felt more comfortable (safer). The truck felt in control of the load at all times but I would not think anything smaller, lighter or with a shorter wheelbase would be satisfactory overall as a long distance tow vehicle. The only time I felt a bit "antsy" was in the construction sites where they push you onto a very unevenly paved, very narrow burm.
We averaged about 400 miles a day. We ate and rested at the roadside rest areas but if the trip had been any longer we would have gone to a comercial campground to get a shower.
We lived on the boat for almost 3 months both in marinas and anchored out and found the the boat to be quite adequate for two people, (although we come from a backpacking background). And we have made a lot of mods to the boat to suit this planned usage.
The most we paid for a marina was in Key West where we paid $2.50/ft/night. However this was right in the heart of the city and had a pool and a sauna. $1.75 was more typical. We saw many "live-a-boards" in every type and condition of boat imaginable. We even saw a pizza, ice and newspaper deliver service to the anchored out boats. The dinghy dock in Key West was the most jammed-up we had ever seen!
We found the launching of our boat in Marathon to be much more expensive than in Erie. It cost almost $300 to get the boat off the trailer, get the mast raised and into the water. One of the new friends we made down there, showed me how to make a bipod which we then used to drop the mast when we left. This cut the cost considerably. (Actually the bipod worked better than the mast crane we use in Erie.) If anyone is launching their boat from the trailer using a tounge extender I would appreciate hearing about it.
Changes for next time. We will add a solar panel and hopefully come up with some way to comnnect to the internet.
Jim

The trip sounded wonderful. Was it a 25 or a 25D?... out of curiosity.



artd@mindspring.com

[Jim Stull]

We just returned to Western PA from the FL Keys after a 3 month trip with our 1975 CD25. I am posting some data from this trip which might possible be of use to others.
We selected the CD25 as the best compromise after extensive review of the various possibilities. We wanted the most seaworthy boat we could find that could be transported reasonably easily on a trailer.
After two seasons sailing on Lake Erie and part of a winter in the FL. Keys we are happy very happy with the selection. We camp on the boat while on the road.
We have a heavily built, tandem axle steel trailer with surge brakes on all four wheels. We ran the rig over a certified scale to get actual weight on the way home. Boat, trailer with engine, gas, water and a fair amount of "live-a-board" type stuff, weighed 6960#. Although the truck was not on the scale, I was still hitched up so total boat and trailer weight was probably a few hundred pounds more.
Tires on the trailer are 205/75-D14 inflated to 50 psi. These tires are rated at 1760# each (7040 total). I would have liked to fit a larger size but could not with out major surgery to the fenders. I have had no tire problems so far. (Although I met a sailer who was doing the same thing with a Catalina 25 and had had a lot of tire trouble.)
I am currently towing with a 1999 Ford 150 Super Cab 4x4 with the 5.4L, 260hp Triton V8 and factory tow package. Overall milage down and back was 11 mpg while towing. Higest climb was in W.VA to over 3000ft. I ran between 55 and 60 mph except in the mountains when I dropped as low as 45 going over the highest peaks. In all instances, I had the power to go faster but the lower speeds felt more comfortable (safer). The truck felt in control of the load at all times but I would not think anything smaller, lighter or with a shorter wheelbase would be satisfactory overall as a long distance tow vehicle. The only time I felt a bit "antsy" was in the construction sites where they push you onto a very unevenly paved, very narrow burm.
We averaged about 400 miles a day. We ate and rested at the roadside rest areas but if the trip had been any longer we would have gone to a comercial campground to get a shower.
We lived on the boat for almost 3 months both in marinas and anchored out and found the the boat to be quite adequate for two people, (although we come from a backpacking background). And we have made a lot of mods to the boat to suit this planned usage.
The most we paid for a marina was in Key West where we paid $2.50/ft/night. However this was right in the heart of the city and had a pool and a sauna. $1.75 was more typical. We saw many "live-a-boards" in every type and condition of boat imaginable. We even saw a pizza, ice and newspaper deliver service to the anchored out boats. The dinghy dock in Key West was the most jammed-up we had ever seen!
We found the launching of our boat in Marathon to be much more expensive than in Erie. It cost almost $300 to get the boat off the trailer, get the mast raised and into the water. One of the new friends we made down there, showed me how to make a bipod which we then used to drop the mast when we left. This cut the cost considerably. (Actually the bipod worked better than the mast crane we use in Erie.) If anyone is launching their boat from the trailer using a tounge extender I would appreciate hearing about it.
Changes for next time. We will add a solar panel and hopefully come up with some way to comnnect to the internet.
Jim

The trip sounded wonderful. Was it a 25 or a 25D?... out of curiosity.

The boat is a just the CD25 not the D model



jtstull@icubed.com

[Jim Stull]

Your trip sounds great! If you're upto it, I would like to hear more about where you went (Dry Tortugas, Marquesa, Cuba, Miami, etc.) and with the benefit of hindsight, your opinions of the equipment you carried. Were there any items that were worse/better than expected? Any items you didn't originally consider, but would get for the next trip? Welcome back.

former CD25 sailor,
Kevin Aubuchon

Kevin
As to comments on equipment and changes for next time:
1.Weather was hotter than expected, we had a lightweight sunbrella cover over the cockpit, homemade and easy to rig. We will make some minor changes to close some gaps. We saw many very sturdy, elaborate suncovers, however the boats hardly ever were sailed due to the trouble messing with the cover.
2. No seeums were bad. Supprisingly, "Skin-So--Soft" was effective.
3.Although my Honda 8HP worked well, it has only a 5amp alternator. Will add a solar panel next time.
4.Anchor light uses too much current. Will change over to a low draw Davis unit.
5.Shallow draft on CD25 was great as we were able to get into places many other boats could not. 5 to 6ft. of water was very common.
6. We have a Bombard AX2 inflatable which will fit in the lazerette. We purchases a new Honda 2hp outboard which worked well. However we did not know, that even in the ocean, the FL. Marine Police will ticket you if you don't have your dinghy regestered!
7. Talking to other sailors, the CD25 seams to be more comfortable in rough weather than other small boats. (Our GPS regestered 8.5 knots one day surfing down a wave face.)
8.We met a German sailor one evening when he came over to look at our boat. He claimed to have met, in Europe, a fellow who had sailed a CD25 over!
Jim



jtstull@icubed.com

[Doug Kelch]

Kevin
As to comments on equipment and changes for next time:
1.Weather was hotter than expected, we had a lightweight sunbrella cover over the cockpit, homemade and easy to rig. We will make some minor changes to close some gaps. We saw many very sturdy, elaborate suncovers, however the boats hardly ever were sailed due to the trouble messing with the cover.
2. No seeums were bad. Supprisingly, "Skin-So--Soft" was effective.
3.Although my Honda 8HP worked well, it has only a 5amp alternator. Will add a solar panel next time.
4.Anchor light uses too much current. Will change over to a low draw Davis unit.
5.Shallow draft on CD25 was great as we were able to get into places many other boats could not. 5 to 6ft. of water was very common.
6. We have a Bombard AX2 inflatable which will fit in the lazerette. We purchases a new Honda 2hp outboard which worked well. However we did not know, that even in the ocean, the FL. Marine Police will ticket you if you don't have your dinghy regestered!
7. Talking to other sailors, the CD25 seams to be more comfortable in rough weather than other small boats. (Our GPS regestered 8.5 knots one day surfing down a wave face.)
8.We met a German sailor one evening when he came over to look at our boat. He claimed to have met, in Europe, a fellow who had sailed a CD25 over!
Jim

I just bought a 1977 CD25 with the intention of doing extensive coastal cruising over the next few years. I currently cruise in a 15' Montgomery and the CD25 should feel luxurious.
What techniques have you used to make it livable? Does mosquito netting stop the no see ums? Did you keep the original shelving above the berths? Was the boat tolerable with non opening ports? Did you make any modifications to the built in cooler? If not how well did it work? Was the sunbrella cockpit cover a bimini or shade for the anchorage? Did you make it to the Dry Tortugas?

Doug Kelch CD 25 "Moon Shadow"



dkelch@mgfairfax.rr.com

[Jim Stull]

Kevin
As to comments on equipment and changes for next time:
1.Weather was hotter than expected, we had a lightweight sunbrella cover over the cockpit, homemade and easy to rig. We will make some minor changes to close some gaps. We saw many very sturdy, elaborate suncovers, however the boats hardly ever were sailed due to the trouble messing with the cover.
2. No seeums were bad. Supprisingly, "Skin-So--Soft" was effectiv
3.Although my Honda 8HP worked well, it has only a 5amp alternator. Will add a solar panel next time.
4.Anchor light uses too much current. Will change over to a low draw Davis unit.
5.Shallow draft on CD25 was great as we were able to get into places many other boats could not. 5 to 6ft. of water was very common.
6. We have a Bombard AX2 inflatable which will fit in the lazerette. We purchases a new Honda 2hp outboard which worked well. However we did not know, that even in the ocean, the FL. Marine Police will ticket you if you don't have your dinghy regestered!
7. Talking to other sailors, the CD25 seams to be more comfortable in rough weather than other small boats. (Our GPS regestered 8.5 knots one day surfing down a wave face.)
8.We met a German sailor one evening when he came over to look at our boat. He claimed to have met, in Europe, a fellow who had sailed a CD25 over!
Jim

I just bought a 1977 CD25 with the intention of doing extensive coastal cruising over the next few years. I currently cruise in a 15' Montgomery and the CD25 should feel luxurious.
What techniques have you used to make it livable? Does mosquito netting stop the no see ums? Did you keep the original shelving above the berths? Was the boat tolerable with non opening ports? Did you make any modifications to the built in cooler? If not how well did it work? Was the sunbrella cockpit cover a bimini or shade for the anchorage? Did you make it to the Dry Tortugas?

Doug Kelch CD 25 "Moon Shadow"

Hi Doug
We have made screens that cover the hatch opening as well as in the drop board slots. This works well for misquitos but not so good for no see ums. If there was a good breeze they were not a big problem otherwise we used the skin so soft at dusk. The Sunbrella cover encloses the complete cockpit and back over the open hatch enough to keep out a non-driving rain. We are trying to figure out how to make a shade that can be used while sailing but the low boom makes this a problem. I would be interested in ideas.
We made a lot of changes over the last 2 years to make the boat livable (As well as more seaworthy): 6 new bronze opening portlites with screens from New Found Metals. A bridgedeck similiar to the newer models except it opens to the cockpit. This holds a 6# propane tank and the necessary solinoid valves. A SL combination 2 burner propane stove and sink. (This required shortening the port shelf a little.) All new interior lighting. A new 13 gal. holding tank with antisyphon valves etc. We took out the shelves in the v-berth and built in cabinets for food storage. We use a well insulated ice chest, we store spares and tools in the old one. (The builtin one is poorly insulated and drains into the bilge!) AMFM stero,tape and CD player. 2 Group 27 bateries relocated to the center of balance of the boat. Built in Guest 10 amp charger. New real wood and paint in the cabin. Converted the hanging locker to shelves. Etc. Sound like a lot but we looked carefully to see what other boats available that would be very seaworthy and also trailerable. Not much to choose from. The Flika was nice but too slow. Ditto the Dana. The Northsea 27 is a great boat but almost all were built with the aft cabin. Also all 3 of these boats are quite a bit more money (even after our modifications). They all would be harder to tow. I have photos of most of the modifications we made. Let me know if any might be helpful.
We sailed to Key West but we did not feel that our skills were quite yet up to the rough weather we were having to make the 70 mi crossing to the Tortugas. We chickened out and took a comercial catamaran trip over. As the miles pile up we are getting more confident in ourselves and the boat. Maybe next year.
Jim



jtstull @icubed.com

[kevin aubuchon]

I bought a bimini from Overton's catalog that when up, was still low enough to let the boom cross while sailing. (Although I didn't have a boom vang.)Overtons had the most sizes, and I measured as thoroughly as I could before ordering. When entering/leaving the marina we would fold-up the bimini (for easier access to the deck).

However, the next time I would be tempted to make my own. Even when folded, the bimini was huge and intefered with the sliding hatch. I would erect a non-folding framework, and then put a canvas over it when we wanted shade. The canvas would have to built with a way to attach it securely if it got windy.

Talk to you later,
kevin



kaubuchon@primary.net