Cape Dory 22/22D vs. Cape Dory Typhoon Senior

[TXSailor]

I am fairly new to sailing but I would like to find a sailboat that I can take my wife and kids on, and also sail by myself in the Clear Lake/Galveston Bay area of Texas.
I was curious as to what differences there are between the 22/22d and a typhoon senior.

Also contemplating between a Cape Dory 25d and a Cape Dory 26.

I would like to be able to stay over night on it occasionally, and also have the ability to trailer it (which is why I am limiting it to this size and weight).
Any advice or experience with these boats is appreciated!

[Gary M]

The CD22D has an inboard diesel engine, the CD22 has an outboard mount on the stern and the Typhoon SR has a outboard motor well.

The CD22D and the CD22 has a little more extensive interior then the Senior.

All three would be great for a man and woman to go sailing and even overnight but add 2 kids and I think you need about 3 more feet.

All three could be easy to single hand.

The CD25D would be great, and has an interior layout you just might love. The 25D also has an inboard diesel engine.

I've only seen one CD26 but I believe I saw a motor well.



Gary

[Chrisa006]

I have a cd26 near me and it has an inboard. I believe they made them both ways.

[TXSailor]

Thanks for all of the great info! Sounds like I should change the subject to ‘CAPE DORY 25D VS. CAPE DORY 26”

How do the outboard wells affect space on deck and cabin space vs. the inboard diesels ? Do the wells stay dry and can the cover stay closed when the engines are running?
The boats seem to be within 200 pounds of each other.

[Chrisa006]

I have a cd25 not the 25D. The outboard is in the lazerrette on mine and here are my thoughts. It is nice to pull the outboard out at the end of the season or if you need to work on it. That being said, it is loud, and it only turns maybe 20 degrees side to side. This combine with the prop being behind the rudder make it not the easiest handling boat. I can run mine with the lid closed but I have read of people having the engine starve for air. You also cannot get to the controls. I think if I was doing it again, or when I do I would go with an inboard.

[TXSailor]

Is it possible to put an outboard bracket on a 26’ and use the lazerrette for storage?

[pete faga]

I am sure you can but the transom looks so nice without a engine like the25/25d/an the Ty senior.
Just my 2 cents.

[Joe Myerson]

As a 25D owner, I'd recommend getting a boat with an inboard engine, however the 25, with its lower profile, seems to sail better. If you need to use your engine to get on or off your mooring (or dock), I'd go with the inboard. Just my two cents' worth.

--Joe

[TXSailor]

Thanks! I think I like the idea of the 25D for the added space for the family. The Mrs. would definitely want an enclosed head too. Will probably be between the 25d and a 26. Hoping to find interior photos of both to compare. Anyone sail these two boats or recommend anything else that might be trailerable, have an enclosed head and easy to sail singlehanded and still have a draft under 4’ (or fairly close) ?
Matt

[Joe Myerson]

The Mrs. would definitely want an enclosed head too.

What sold my wife on the 25D was the "cute bathroom." Be aware that there is a long stretch of sanitary hose from the head to the holding tank, which is aft, near the engine. That can make the locker under the port bunk mighty aromatic. IMHO, it's a good tradeoff.

--Joe

[Tim Mertinooke]

For my family and I, the CD26 is the perfect cruising boat. It’s trailerable, I launch and retrieve from my yacht club’s ramp. It uses an outboard in a well which is less complicated compared to an inboard and allows for greater storage. We use a 5hp Tohatsu outboard which pushes it just fine. We keep our boat on the Merrimack a river and have plenty of power to buck the tide. The engine is 65 pounds and fits in the cockpit lazzarette. I could talk all day about this boat, we love it. I’m happy to answer any questions about it. For perspective we sailed over 600 miles last summer as a family of four (my wife, 14-year old son, 5-year old daughter, and myself).

[Tim Mertinooke]

we also added a composting head (C-Head), and have zero regrets. A nice custom curtain between the Head and v-berth as well as the head main salon works great for privacy.

[Tim Mertinooke]

Having owned a number of boats including a Fuji 32 Ketch, I really appreciate the simplicity of the CD26 as well as its capabilities.

[mgphl52]

Very beautiful CD26!

[John Stone]

Nice Tim. Lovely. You have found an ideal boat for your needs.

As Sheryl Crow sings "it's not having what you want but wanting what you have" that's important.