Cape Dory 25D and Pearson Ariel

[Peter K.]

I posted a similar question to the Pearson Ariel website, not because I'm trying to start a fight, but because I really want to know!! Is there anyone out there with experience with both the Pearson Ariel or perhaps the Triton, and the Cape Dory 25D?? I have had my eye out for a 25D for awhile, and I don't have to tell you that they're hard to find. Ariels are a bit easier to find, but they are also older boats. On the other hand, they're a lot less expensive than the 25D. I'm looking for a boat that has enough inside space, including standing headroom, is very stable and seaworthy, well built, and which sails well. This list will probably agree that that describes the CD25D, but
I wonder if it also describes the Ariel or the Triton? I will sail the boat on the Great Lakes, home base is on Lake Erie, and plan to cruise on board the boat through the summer months. Both the Ariel and the CD25D appear to be very similar -- both are Alberg designs, full keel, about 25' LOA, 8' beam, 3'6" draft, about 5200 lbs displacement. Has anyone had enough experience with both boats to be able to objectively compare them in terms of the way they sail, their seaworthiness, how well built they both are, etc.? I will need to do most of my sailing singlehanded, and that is an important factor. Finally, do you have any other suggested boats that fit the above characteristics? I should add that I do realize the difference in age of the boats, and that, I assume, is the reason for the difference in price, with the CD25D being much more expensive than the Ariel,and roughly the same as the Triton, which is a much bigger (but also older) boat.
For those of you who have never sailed on the Great Lakes and who think they're a piece of fluff, let me assure you that the wind picks up quickly, the waves build quickly, they come from many directions at once, are steep and breaking and short, and can be up to 8 - 10' in height. Yeah, I plan to be in the marina when those conditions come up, but more than likely I'll be stuck in the middle of the lake somewhere watching a summer thunderstorm descend on me. I want a boat that I can trust under me when that happens. Thanks for your help, it's much appreciated. You can either respond to this here on the list, or to me at my email address -- pkozup@juno.com.
fair winds,
Peter K.



pkozup@juno.com

[David Brownlee]

You might like the older Tartan 27--not the ca. 1976 and later redesign. Anthony Bailey writes about cruising his LOCHINVAR in THE COAST OF SUMMER, a lovely book. I raced against several of them in MORC competitions in the late sixties and early seventies. They are fast and able and handsome. Quite a few are listed on YachtWorld.

David Brownlee
CD31 #1 Windrush



dbrownle@sas.upenn.edu

[Warren Kaplan]

You might like the older Tartan 27--not the ca. 1976 and later redesign. Anthony Bailey writes about cruising his LOCHINVAR in THE COAST OF SUMMER, a lovely book. I raced against several of them in MORC competitions in the late sixties and early seventies. They are fast and able and handsome. Quite a few are listed on YachtWorld.

David Brownlee
CD31 #1 Windrush

David,
A small (unrelated to this subject) story about the Tartan 27. The first time I ever set foot on a sailboat was in 1967 and it was a Tartan 27. A lovely boat. The girl I was dating's father had one and she invited me to go sailing with them. I was smitten with sailing by the end of the first hour. I was also, by the way, smitten with the girl. We went sailing a few more times that year. I really got hooked on sailing then. Well, to make a long story short, the girl and I got engaged, and right after that her father sold the boat!!! Talk about big bait! In any event, the girl and I have been married almost 32 years and now we sail a CD27. Gee...my youngest daughter (27) is going out with a real nice guy who has never been sailing. Hmmmm!

Warren Kaplan
S/V Sine Qua Non
CD27 #166



Setsail728@aol.com

[Don (If I haven't been ba]

I think the bigger difference between CDs and Pearsons is the fit and finish -- age isn't terribly important unless the boat hasn't been maintained. A 25' anything is a handful in a steep chop as I suppose the Lakes throw at you.
Don Sargeant
~~COQUINA~~
CD25D #189
Still hiding...

I posted a similar question to the Pearson Ariel website, not because I'm trying to start a fight, but because I really want to know!! Is there anyone out there with experience with both the Pearson Ariel or perhaps the Triton, and the Cape Dory 25D?? I have had my eye out for a 25D for awhile, and I don't have to tell you that they're hard to find. Ariels are a bit easier to find, but they are also older boats. On the other hand, they're a lot less expensive than the 25D. I'm looking for a boat that has enough inside space, including standing headroom, is very stable and seaworthy, well built, and which sails well. This list will probably agree that that describes the CD25D, but
I wonder if it also describes the Ariel or the Triton? I will sail the boat on the Great Lakes, home base is on Lake Erie, and plan to cruise on board the boat through the summer months. Both the Ariel and the CD25D appear to be very similar -- both are Alberg designs, full keel, about 25' LOA, 8' beam, 3'6" draft, about 5200 lbs displacement. Has anyone had enough experience with both boats to be able to objectively compare them in terms of the way they sail, their seaworthiness, how well built they both are, etc.? I will need to do most of my sailing singlehanded, and that is an important factor. Finally, do you have any other suggested boats that fit the above characteristics? I should add that I do realize the difference in age of the boats, and that, I assume, is the reason for the difference in price, with the CD25D being much more expensive than the Ariel,and roughly the same as the Triton, which is a much bigger (but also older) boat.
For those of you who have never sailed on the Great Lakes and who think they're a piece of fluff, let me assure you that the wind picks up quickly, the waves build quickly, they come from many directions at once, are steep and breaking and short, and can be up to 8 - 10' in height. Yeah, I plan to be in the marina when those conditions come up, but more than likely I'll be stuck in the middle of the lake somewhere watching a summer thunderstorm descend on me. I want a boat that I can trust under me when that happens. Thanks for your help, it's much appreciated. You can either respond to this here on the list, or to me at my email address -- pkozup@juno.com.
fair winds,
Peter K.

[Bruce Bett]

I loved Warren's Tartan 27 story. The Tartan 27 is a Lake Erie boat. They were built in Fairport Harbor Ohio, where Tartan still makes boats. The keel centerboard combination is very handy on Lake Erie especially with lakes low. They are a Sparkman and Stevens design and very salty looking. There are a lot of them on the lakes, sometimes going for very good prices. I heard of one selling for $3000 a couple of years ago. Some of them are getting a little long in the tooth.

I would also consider the CD 27. They often go for less than the 25D and to my eye at least are a nicer boat.

Bruce Bett
Sostenuto
CD 25 #496

I posted a similar question to the Pearson Ariel website, not because I'm trying to start a fight, but because I really want to know!! Is there anyone out there with experience with both the Pearson Ariel or perhaps the Triton, and the Cape Dory 25D?? I have had my eye out for a 25D for awhile, and I don't have to tell you that they're hard to find. Ariels are a bit easier to find, but they are also older boats. On the other hand, they're a lot less expensive than the 25D. I'm looking for a boat that has enough inside space, including standing headroom, is very stable and seaworthy, well built, and which sails well. This list will probably agree that that describes the CD25D, but
I wonder if it also describes the Ariel or the Triton? I will sail the boat on the Great Lakes, home base is on Lake Erie, and plan to cruise on board the boat through the summer months. Both the Ariel and the CD25D appear to be very similar -- both are Alberg designs, full keel, about 25' LOA, 8' beam, 3'6" draft, about 5200 lbs displacement. Has anyone had enough experience with both boats to be able to objectively compare them in terms of the way they sail, their seaworthiness, how well built they both are, etc.? I will need to do most of my sailing singlehanded, and that is an important factor. Finally, do you have any other suggested boats that fit the above characteristics? I should add that I do realize the difference in age of the boats, and that, I assume, is the reason for the difference in price, with the CD25D being much more expensive than the Ariel,and roughly the same as the Triton, which is a much bigger (but also older) boat.
For those of you who have never sailed on the Great Lakes and who think they're a piece of fluff, let me assure you that the wind picks up quickly, the waves build quickly, they come from many directions at once, are steep and breaking and short, and can be up to 8 - 10' in height. Yeah, I plan to be in the marina when those conditions come up, but more than likely I'll be stuck in the middle of the lake somewhere watching a summer thunderstorm descend on me. I want a boat that I can trust under me when that happens. Thanks for your help, it's much appreciated. You can either respond to this here on the list, or to me at my email address -- pkozup@juno.com.
fair winds,
Peter K.

bettb@macomb.cc.mi.us