CD 25 outboard well- problems? seaworthy?

[matane]

Hi Everyone,
I'm new to this site. Just reading many of the posts I have learned a lot. I have had trouble posting on this particular thread
and hope it will post.
I am familiar with Cape Dorys, and had a Typhoon while living in Maine. Incredible boat. From where I lived, I was able to take it right out
of the Saco River and into the open Atlantic. I had to move back to Miami, FL, and sold the Ty, however, it also raised my standards as far
as sailboats are concerned. I have spent 6 yrs here, only sailing my sunfish. I am looking for a simple sloop, but large enough to live aboard
for a few months at a time. I don't need a lot of electronics beyond running lights (under sail at night green a red), mast/anchor light, VHF
and depth. I am happy with a hand held GPS, but also am able to navigate w/compass and charts. I want to keep things very simple. I will be
sailing from Miami, down the Keys to the Marquesas, and Dry Tortugas. Depending on my level of seamanship, and which ever boat I get,
once I feel confident I would like to cross the Gulf Stream to the Bahamas (I know not to with any northerly component of the wind). I am
able to wait and pick the right weather.

I have looked at various sized Cape Dorys and the CD 25 would fit this perfectly. Having said this.. I do have a few important questions
about the design.
First and foremost- is the outboard well a problem in any way as far as the boat being sea worthy in weather? ie If caught in a bad thunderstorm
in the gulf stream and seas go from 2-4 to ..say 5-8 and the stern is going down and up- does water gush up and pose a
problem?
Then there is the design- does the well opening on the bottom stern of the hull, along with an outboard lower unit/prop cause any major drag- say
beyond what you may find with an inboard design such as the 25D ? I am aware that there seems to be a consensus that the 25D is a better
design- but is does it perform significantly better under sail?
Assuming I had an outboard with remote controls in the cockpit, does the boat steer ok using the boat helm- forward, and reverse?
Finally, on a practical note. Hypothetically, if I had a new 9.9hp outboard, or one in very good condition, and was only able to haul it out every few
months- is this a problem? I have had many outboard open fishing center consul boats (200-225hp salt water series). They were trailered, and could be flushed each time, and when on long trips I could tilt/trim it out of the water (this was for 2 weeks max).
With a CD25 I would not want ....or be able to haul it out every week.
Those are the main questions I have about the 25. Hopefully this will post! Thanks for any feedback
Daniel

[matane]

PS- I forgot to add.... since I am new here, this subject may have been covered on previous posts. If so, just point me
to any previous posts on the CD25, outboard well, issues etc.

[Jdpmus]

As for power under way, the outboard is virtually useless in reverse.

[matane]

JD- I see you have a 25. What size engine do you have? Is it basically useless because of the position
of the prop in relation to the sailboat rudder? I suppose its not a must for a 25ft.
There actually is a blue CD25 in Grapevine TX for sale- been for sale for a while. I have noticed that
there are many for sale that either cost less, or are the same price as Typhoons- which makes me hesitate
a bit. The Tys sell fast, and they also are restored frequently- In NH Fay's Boatyard has fully restored
a few- asking around 20,000! In Freeport, ME there is also a place that does the same.

[Steve Laume]

I am not so sure I would put too much focus on the outboard for the type of use you are considering.

This is a case where bigger may be better. I don't know how old you are but it doesn't seem like you are a kid just out of school who could camp out in a Typhoon for the summer and be perfectly happy. The CD-25 does have sitting head room but not much more. The amount of stowage area and tankage could also become a serious issue. Even if you can find room for the things you would want on board for a prolonged period of time the weight will more greatly effect the sailing characteristics of a smaller, lighter boat. The shorter waterline and lighter boat will also effect how fast you can cruise and how comfortable it will be doing it.

Although the CD25 D is about the same length it is an entirely different boat and would be the smallest CD I would consider for the type of use you are describing. Money is always an issue but there are some great deals to be had these days on some nice boats.

A boat that seems big the first day you step aboard will become smaller in relation to the amount of time you spend on it, Steve.

[bamabratsche]

If I'm not mistaken, the 25 was the only CD not designed by Carl Alberg (as opposed to the 25D, which was). I assume that would account for some of the price difference right there, in addition to the things Steve noted.

As for the outboard, I think I would be more concerned about not being able to tilt it up out of the water, especially in Florida. Some people have modified outboard wells to allow the motor to be tilted (e.g. http://atomvoyages.com/articles/improve ... ard-1.html), but embarking on some sort of extensive modification like that would kind of defeat the whole "keep it simple" goal.

[rtbates]

CD 25 vs CD25D is the old apples/oranges kind of comparison. Totally different vessels. I high;y suggest the 25D for your plan..

[Jdpmus]

I have a 6hp Johnson 2 cycle; more than enough power to push the boat at a comfortable speed. Anything larger won't fit in the well and allow the lazarette cover to close. The problem with reverse is that the cavitation of the prop causes the boat to veer to port. If there were enough room in the well to pivot the motor, as you can on a transom mount, then you could reverse with much more control.

I know about the blue CD25 in Grapevine. It is in the slip next to mine. The price has been reduced by nearly half since we purchased our boat in 2010. It has lots of the same extras that we have added to our boat since its purchase.

[Oswego John]

The Tys sell fast, and they also are restored frequently- In NH Fay's Boatyard has fully restored a few- asking around 20,000! In Freeport, ME there is also a place that does the same.

Next season, I think that I will head for New Hampshire or Maine to sell my Tys. For years, I've been restoring them to pretty decent shape and selling them locally for anywhere between $5,000 and $7,500. Ignorance is bliss.

Woo hoo. New England, here I come. :>)

O J

[Steve Laume]

OJ, once you master that $10,000.00 paint job and the $5,000.00 varnish, clean, polish and rebed every piece of bronze, put on all new lines and sails with a new roller furler then haul the thing to NE and pay the broker his percentage you could probably ask that sort of price to start with.

I think you are doing a fine job the way you have been doing it for years, Steve.

[matane]

Thanks for the feedback. I wasn't very clear when I mentioned the demand for Typhoons. No, I am not young, and would
definitely not use a Ty for months at a time. I was just curious if there is a reason that the 25 is so affordable.
This is why I am stressing the issue about seaworthiness of the engine well. ie Is there anyone who knows
how they handle offshore (or someone that has gone offshore), and if it is a problem, and is this why they seem so affordable? When I say "offshore", I am referring to trips such as crossing the Gulf Stream to the BS- approx 50nm from Dade County, FL to the Great Bahama Bank (Bimini, Cat,) under reasonable conditions. Considering it takes 10+ hrs to sail across one is vulnerable to fickle weather.
I'm also curious, and maybe a stupid question- how is the engine held in place? Is there a mount?

JD- The one in Grapevine- do you know anything about the condition of the decks or cockpit sole?

[jbenagh]

My experience with the CD25 was that water did not come through the well. I did one 8+hr trip in 4-6ft following seas and did not have a problem. We were sailing, so the drop board was in place. Generally the following seas lifted the stern and water did not force its way into the well.

I agree with others that the accommodations would be tight for an extended cruise. I took several 4-6 day duration trips with one other person or my two youngish kids and it was a bit tight. We carried a stove and provisions to be self-sustaining (except ice) but did enjoy time on shore.

Jeff

[tartansailor]

I have a 6hp Johnson 2 cycle; more than enough power to push the boat at a comfortable speed. Anything larger won't fit in the well and allow the lazarette cover to close. The problem with reverse is that the cavitation of the prop causes the boat to veer to port. If there were enough room in the well to pivot the motor, as you can on a transom mount, then you could reverse with much more control.

I know about the blue CD25 in Grapevine. It is in the slip next to mine. The price has been reduced by nearly half since we purchased our boat in 2010. It has lots of the same extras that we have added to our boat since its purchase.

I second the 6 hp 2 cycle as being more than adequate to push a CD 25 in a sea way.
If you leave an Outboard in salt water for a month or so, barnacles will plug up your cooling passages.
As far as heavy weather sailing, like a 35 knot blow; I feel more confident in my CD 25 than in my Dad's 55' Trumpy.

dick

[matane]

Thanks Jben, and Tartan. I really appreciate the feedback. Yes, the limited space would be a problem if I were to do
extended passages, or completely live aboard. A lot of my time is going to be spent re-familiarizing myself and
learning as much as I can before deciding to go larger. The CD 25 really does seem to fit my purposes.

[Carl Thunberg]

FYI - Fay's is about 45 minutes from my house. They are notorious for pricing boats WAY high. It doesn't mean they actually sell them high. My guess is they hope to capture the impulse buyer who isn't necessarily an educated consumer. They are conveniently located in the heart of New Hampshire's tourist country, with a steady supply of dreamers. They do seem to like Typhoons. They have a half-hull of an old Typhoon mounted on the side of one of their boat barns. It's cool and sad simultaneously.