CD 26 vs. CD 27

[mgphl52]

My first Cape Dory was a Typhoon back in '79. After a couple of years I traded up to a CD25.
Then various life decisions put me in Atlanta without a boat... for 14 years
When I finally got "early parole" by convincing the powers that be to let me telecommute
full-time, I moved back to Florida and went boat shopping... and started over with another Typhoon.
Again, in about 2 years I moved up to CD25. The CD25 served us very well but the kids were getting
bigger and along came KAYLA, CD28.

Now that they are graduated, grown and on their own, I could be rather happy with a CD25 again.
But I also truly love KAYLA... so much so that after selling her because we'd gotten an 36' Allied,
when I found her on the market again, I bought her back and sold the Allied!

Especially depending on where you live and moor the boat, a CD25 can be great. At the marina I
used, I could most always sail in and out of my slip. Since the water has medium salt, I kept the
6hp outboard on the cabin sole. When really needed, it was easy to set in the well and keep going.
Having an engine that's easily removable is great when something needs work!

[mgphl52]

PS: Some CD "purists" may scoff at the CD25 since it was originally a George Stadel designed Greenwich 24 and not a Carl Alberg design. Fear not, it is a fine sailing boat and can serve you well. We happen to have plenty of trophies from racing PHRF on the CD25...

[Carl Thunberg]

Whoever said the CD25 is not seaworthy clearly has never sailed one. I loved my CD25, and some days I wish I had it back. The only reason I sold it was because I had a family of five, and a CD30 fit our lifestyle better. Now the kids are gone, and I'm back to a small boat, but one with standing headroom.

[casampson]

Sold my Typhoon yesterday to a nice gentleman who lives close by. Now I'm on to the fun part: selecting a replacement. As I've said before, I've pretty much settled on a CD 25 because it has everything I'm looking for in a boat at this time, is affordable, and is just plain nice to look at. I appreciate all the positive testimony presented in this thread! I was going to look at a CD 26, but I'd have to replace my mooring to accommodate it, and I'm just not ready to do that now.

There is a really nice CD 25 with a new main and hank-on jib that I am considering. There is also one, a little more expensive, that offers roller furling. Yet another that has been in storage for a decade but that has a good trailer. Ideally, I'd find one that has both roller furling and a trailer. There is one in northern New England that offers both, but the price is too high for me.

The dark horse is a Stone Horse 23 that seems to be offered at a good price. Besides being under 25 feet, the real benefit would be the inboard diesel. The drawback would be the complexity of the rig, as I'm a man who likes simplicity. If anyone has any experience with the Stone Horse, I'd love to hear from you.

Thanks for reading.

Chris

[Jim Walsh]

I have no experience with the Stone Horse but I have always admired the design. Sam Crocker got it all right with this design. It ticks all my boxes.

[casampson]

Checked out a Stone Horse 23 today. Beautiful boat and fairly priced, but I'm not sure it's right for us. It might boil down to two boats: the CD 25 or the Bristol 24, otherwise known as the Corsair. Hope to look at both boats on Saturday. Leaning toward the CD 25, of course.

[pete faga]

Love the stone horse
When I purchased grace in 92 she was next to the winter fleet in Acout Cove Mattapoisett where Edey and Duff built them.
I love cutters

[casampson]

As much as I love the Stone Horse, I decided it didn't have enough room for grandparents and a couple of young grandchildren. Went to see a very nice Cape Dory 25 and, as soon as I sat in the cockpit and looked around, I knew it was the right boat for me. I didn't need or want anything bigger, and I immediately scrapped my plans to see a CD 26 and CD 27. The CD 25 is perfect for mostly daysailing with an occasional over-night on the side. Very safe with a large cockpit, lifelines, and bow pulpit. Swim ladder for the kids. Couldn't be better.

My plan is to sail the boat from Barrington to Marion by the end of the month. If anyone has any tips on this journey, please feel free to let me know.

[Kilgore]

Welcome to the fleet. Did you buy the one with the hank-on or furler?

[casampson]

I bought the one with the brand new hank on jib. I'll sail it for a season and then decide if I want to convert to roller furling.