CD 31 Versus a CD 30 MKII

[pvisich]

Dear CD Sailors,
Currently I have a CD 22 that we sail out of Casco Bay in Portland, ME. We have enjoyed this boat a great deal but we are looking for a bigger boat so that we can sail to more destinations up and down the coast. I have started looking at the CD 31 and CD 30 MKII. I am leaning toward the CD 30 MK II because the boat is a little beamer and there is an aft berth, which would be nice to have for storage or sleeping if we have four folks on the boat that are a decent size. However, I haven't been able to see a comparison between the two boats based on sailing ability and wondered if there was much difference. I would appreciate any thoughts on differences between the two boats that I should be considering. Thanks in advance. ~ Paul

[casampson]

Check out sailboatdata.com. You can find a lot of interesting facts there. For example, based on comfort ratio and displacement/length, it would seem the CD 31 would be a slightly better offshore boat. The MK II has a slightly better sail area/displacement ratio, making it somewhat more responsive under sail. Good luck in your decision!

[Dave H]

Hi Paul, I know some really like the CD 31 lay out with the aft head. I like the quarter berth in my CD I9M. A handy spot for groc. I cut a motor access in mine. Also a good spot for anyone to rest while underway. A friend has a CD 31 that has a 3 cylinder motor, not sure what the CD 30 has, but I think the 3 cylinder runs with less vibration that a 2 cylinder motor. Just a few thoughts. Dave H

[Carl Thunberg]

You have chosen two excellent boats, but both models have limited supply. There were only 31 MKIIs built and 89 CD31s built. Don't be surprised if you need to widen your search, based on supply.

[pvisich]

Appreciate everyone's thoughts. I am currently looking at a 1989 CD 30 MKII in Mississippi with low engine hours but waiting on more information about the boat. May fly down to see it, if it sounds good, but I would have to have it trailered up to Maine, so hopefully there would be some negotiation in the pricing to cover this. Thanks, Paul

[Dave H]

Paul, Another thought. When I went from my Ty Sr to I9M (30 ft) I thought I could cruise with 4. I no longer think that. One of my crew members says 2 is the max. Another crew has a total of 3. I personally cannot see more than 3 cruising on a 30 ft. Others may see it differently of course. But my 2 cents, if 4 is your number, consider 33, or 36. Dave

[pvisich]

Thanks Dave. Would be nice to have the ability to go with 4, though I am sure the majority of the time it will be just the two of us. I also don't see going with four for more than a weekend. Decisions, decisions!

[Carl Thunberg]

You can tolerate a lot for a short duration. We cruised with a family of five in my former CD30, but never more than a week at a time. That was camping, but we had a BLAST doing it.

[Neil Gordon]

Two of us plus two labs worked well in 28 feet for up to a couple of weeks. I would think it would work just as well with younger (i.e., pre-teen) children, although you'd need to be fairly organized in storing stuff (that can't also be on bunks that you're sleeping on). Consider also the limits of food, water and holding tank, and where you'd be able to restock and pump out.

Our best cruise with another couple was to sail there and back all together, but they stayed at a B and B within walking distance of the harbor.