My 1st CD - MOVING BACK TO CHICAGO!

[SeanReeves]

Dear CDSOA Mates:

I hope this message finds you all well and looking forward to spring launching. I was at Larsen Marine (Waukegan, IL) yesterday and saw a sign on the wall: 39 Days Until Our First Boat Launch. Getting excited!

Back in September 2011, I posted the following topic: Post subject: CD28 - FINALLY "IN THE MARKET!" and many of you responded with excellent intel and information. Since that time, after talking to a gentleman in the Western Burbs of Chicago who owns a beautiful CD27, he mentioned to me that, and perhaps I heard this wrong, that Carl Alberg once said, "...the CD27 and CD30 were two of his best designed and balanced boats in the CD fleet." I'm paraphrasing but that is the ghist of the message. I can only assume that what he means by this statement is that the "balance" between rig, sail configuration, sail area, hull shape, wetted surface, beam, etc., was all in perfect balance/harmony in those boat lengths. I'm referring to the cutter and sloop rigs for the CD27 and CD30. I know nothing about the ketch rig in that length.

My question for the group is: is that true? As much as we all love CDs, are there some boat lengths that are better designs than others in the fleet? All CDs are beautiful...but are all CDs equal in sailing quality?

I'm still very much in the market for my 1st CD. I need to buy a house first (my wife tells me that is a priority) then the CD but I'm confident the boat will follow quickly thereafter. I want to make sure I'm looking at the right CD if there is a significant difference between the different Alberg designs. I originally wanted to buy a CD28 but I've heard from several people that the 28 is somewhat out of balance. I'm not saying that...that's what I've heard. No disrespect to any CD28 owners out there. The statement about CD28 could be total bunk.

Also, when speaking to a broker yesterday, he said the only thing he doesn't like about the CDs he's sailed aboard is that they have a tendency to "hobby horse" in a chop because of the way the bow sweeps before hitting the full keel. He also said that there are very few boats that track as well as a CD and gather so little leeway.

I'd welcome feedback from the group on the topics above.

Cheers,

Sean Reeves
7796 Kenetta Ct.
Fishers, IN. 46038

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[Maine_Buzzard]

I'd not be concerned about hobbyhorsing in those Lake Michigan waves- the problem is, they arrive so fast! Rat-tat-tat-atat, man, the Great Lake machinegun is up and running...

I'll suggest that you worry about budget, maintenance and what fits your lifestyle more than the tape measure. What's the family size, how many guests, how often?

My armchair admiral opinion today is that most boats between 27 and 30 don't feel that different. Go to a 25 or 33, and then it's noticeable.

Pick the best maintained boat you can find and sail as much as you can. Experience will pay back long before an extra 2' of waterline.

CDs are not the highest pointing boats, so expect a long trip to windward or kicking in the iron wind. I love how Guppy will drop a shoulder down in a strong wind and proceed merrily. Winds less than 7? The diesel is not too loud then...

Happy Shopping. Skip the house.

[SeanReeves]

Maine_buzzard,

Thanks for the reply - all solid advice.

As for family, crew and guests...typically just my wife, 3-yr-old daughter and myself. I'm sure I'll also take another family, say two adults and two kids, aboard for daysailing but not an overnight...way too cramped with four adults and three kids...I'll wait 'til I have a CD36.

This is my first keel boat that I will own and sail. I raced dinghies (snipe, lightening, laser) through HS and college, taught sailing lessons for seven years at Scout camp and was the main trimmer on a Tartan 10 for five summers of racing. I need to learn all of the skills around cruising such as anchoring, piloting, docking, storm tactics, etc., before I'll feel comfortable casting off and heading out into the Lake (inland ocean). Basically, I know how to sail. As a experienced dinghy sailor, I might even be able to sail into the harbor and pick-up my mooring can without the diesel...but that's the limit of my sailing experience.

Having said that, I want a small enough boat that I can handle but large enough to be comfortable. I want a kindly boat that will have some grace for me and my rookie keel boat sailor mistakes. I want a classy Alberg boat and not a ubiquitous fiberglass production boat. I want a boat that's spaceous but cozy enough to introduce my family to the sailing and cruising lifestyle. I want a boat where I can lead all the strings back into the cockpit for easy(ier) single-handing since I can see myself doing most of the work and I'd like to do some single-handed sailing for personal serenity.

Thanks for the advice. If you think of anything else, please feel free to pass it along.

Fair Winds,

Sean