Suggestions, please... Cape Dory 27, 28 or 30?

[Frank]

I've been looking at Cape Dorys (Dories?!) since 1983... and am finally ready to move from a powerboat to a sailboat (primary reason is I've finally found a mooring close enough to make sailing practical - instead of having to trailer everywhere as I do now).

My question is this: which size (27, 28 or 30) would be most appropriate for occasionally sailing with 6 adults? Which cockpit is best suited for that many people? It would seem to me that the 30 wouldn't be ideal because of how much room the wheel takes up in the cockpit (as opposed to the tiller on the 27 and 28). Also, are there any significant benefits to the 28 over the 27? My old brochures are limited on the description of those two models - there doesn't appear to be much of a difference at all.

Anything I should know about that only becomes apparent after owning for a while? I'd naturally have a boat surveyed before buying, but I'd appreciate any suggestions owners (present or past) might have. Thanks!

- Frank

[Richard Gelfand]

I have a CD27 and find that the cockpit is great for four but not really more than five. Certainly you can have more than that for a daysail where someone finds a nice spot other than in the cockpit.
There is a significant increase in cost between the 27 and 30.



aldajon@aol.com

[Warren Kaplan]

I have a CD27 and find that the cockpit is great for four but not really more than five. Certainly you can have more than that for a daysail where someone finds a nice spot other than in the cockpit.
There is a significant increase in cost between the 27 and 30.

I agree with Richard. I also sail a CD27 and the cockpit is great for 4 people and maybe 5. But more than that makes doing anything awkward.
I can't speak about the room the cockpits of the 28 or 30 has.

Warren Kaplan
S/V Sine Qua Non
CD27 #166



Setsail728@aol.com

[Neil Gordon]

I love my CD28, but six in the cockpit on a regular basis is tight. Four works well. For cruising, it's a great boat for two or for a family.


Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167



cdory28@aol.com

[Jon]

Frank,

Since 1983? Well, let's not rush into things here. Are you sure you are ready to make the leap? You can't just go into this sort of thing willy-nilly. In short, the 27 is beautiful, the 28 is roomy and the 30 is down right large.

Cheers,
Jon
CD25 Sovereign

[Stan W.]

I have a 28. Six is out of the question for cruising. In theory, it will sleep five, but in practice four is more realistic. Six in the cockpit is tolerable for day sailing. I think the same can be said for the 27 and the 30.

Some advantages of a 28 over a 27 are: door between head and v-berth; more ventilation; more tankage; over 2 more feet of waterline length; 20% more displacement; more room in galley. In making my decision, I felt that the differences between a 27 and a 28 easily justified the (typically) minimal increase in cost, whereas the fundamental differences between a 28 and a 30 (a few more inches on the waterline and about 10% more displacement) were, in comparison, less significant and did not justify the (typically) rather large increase in cost.





smwheatley@capecod.net

[yves feder W1UX]

Agreed on cockpit size. And on the very pretty lines of the 27! After two years with ours and all sorts of major upgrades, now seriously thinking of a larger boat - a CD31 or 33 - just in terms of cruising comfort. Really of mixed feelings about selling our 27, because we really love her! The sailing qualities are superior I think, her lines are especially lovely. So we haven't listed her for sale as yet.

Our good friends with a CD28 definitely have more room below - I don't see any major cockpit advantages though. Also the CD27 afterdeck, with the lazarette, does give you some nice "extra" deck
space (the 28 cockpit goes right aft to the transom...)

But within a year or so we may bite the bullet and make the jump The 33 (and 330!) is pretty much our favorite design!

Best,
Yves
S/V "Alphee" CD27 #4



saltwater@tinyradio.com

[Antony P. Jeske]

Frank:
Most owners will admit that the 27's single cylinder diesel is underpowered. If you have to buck currents, or expect to motor in rough seas in your area, you should consider a 28 or 30 with their bigger engines.
If you plan to do much single handing, the 28, with it's club footed jib is the boat to choose. Be aware however, that not all 28 owners are
enraptured by the jib boom. A search of the archives will fill you in on those thoughts.
Conversly, the 30's cutter rig means more strings to pull, and slower tacks. Many 30 owners daysail their boats as a sloop as a result.
If you position a few guests on the cabin top you can fit six aboard any of these boats nicely.
Good Luck,
Tony Jeske
CD-25D #141
Carpe Diem
San Diego




ajeske@ixpres.com

[Joe Sankey]

We've owned both the 28 and currently the 30 cutter. Practically, they are almost the same boat except for the rig. On our 28 we did away with the club boom to install a roller furling 155%. We have mostly light air, and do mostly daysailing and overnighting. With the 30 we're just learning, and really warming up to the cutter, although we hope to have roller furling someday. All are great boats, and the cockpit on the 28 and 30 are identical except for the location of the tiller head on the sole. I felt strongly about a tiller; now I'm not sure. Tacking with a tiller takes up room; the wheel is in the way at rest. There are also some differences in year models, such as engine make, and details in layout and finish. Good luck in your search, but where you sail, how you sail and what your inventory needs to include will be what guides you. Good luck.
Joe Sankey
CD 30 Slow Dance

I've been looking at Cape Dorys (Dories?!) since 1983... and am finally ready to move from a powerboat to a sailboat (primary reason is I've finally found a mooring close enough to make sailing practical - instead of having to trailer everywhere as I do now).

My question is this: which size (27, 28 or 30) would be most appropriate for occasionally sailing with 6 adults? Which cockpit is best suited for that many people? It would seem to me that the 30 wouldn't be ideal because of how much room the wheel takes up in the cockpit (as opposed to the tiller on the 27 and 28). Also, are there any significant benefits to the 28 over the 27? My old brochures are limited on the description of those two models - there doesn't appear to be much of a difference at all.

Anything I should know about that only becomes apparent after owning for a while? I'd naturally have a boat surveyed before buying, but I'd appreciate any suggestions owners (present or past) might have. Thanks!

- Frank

sankey@gulftel.com

[Clay Stalker]

Frank:
Most owners will admit that the 27's single cylinder diesel is underpowered. If you have to buck currents, or expect to motor in rough seas in your area, you should consider a 28 or 30 with their bigger engines.
If you plan to do much single handing, the 28, with it's club footed jib is the boat to choose. Be aware however, that not all 28 owners are
enraptured by the jib boom. A search of the archives will fill you in on those thoughts.
Conversly, the 30's cutter rig means more strings to pull, and slower tacks. Many 30 owners daysail their boats as a sloop as a result.
If you position a few guests on the cabin top you can fit six aboard any of these boats nicely.
Good Luck,
Tony Jeske
CD-25D #141
Carpe Diem
San Diego

Tony and Frank:
Many of the later 27's came with bigger engines. My 1982 has a Yanmar 2GM 2 cylinder, 13HP. Plenty of power...Some other 27 owners on this site has this engine also.

Hard choice between these three boats....I had the same problem when shopping last year. Found a mint 1985 28, but the asking price was $33,000!! However, I truly believe it was worth every penny...sold before I could unload my Quickstep. Looked at a few 30's...plenty around. The nicest ones I saw were around 1982-85. Prices usually high 30's-low 40's, so a much bigger investment. I settled on my 1982 27 because the previous owner had taken excellent care of her, she is very pretty, I can sail her easily alone, and she has all the room I need...However, only 5'11" of headroom versus over 6' on the others....and not as much interior space. Really hard to recommend one over the other...all are great boats. Just depends what things are important to you. Good luck.

Clay Stalker
CD 27 SALSA hull #247
Bristol, Rhode Island



cstalker@cheshire.net

[Larry DeMers]

My suggestion would be the CD30 if finances are sufficient, or the 28 if that would be a better fit. I think you will find that the wheel is actually a better arrangement as far as room is concerned..because when you tack, everyone in the cockpit will need to move as you take the tiller thru to the low side for tacking. With the wheel, you sprinkle guests and crew around where they are able to get at the winches, but they stay put during tacks, gybes. The tiller is more sensitive to the boat, but the amount of weather helm likely in a big blow, will make the tiller a beast to hold and maneuver with..will need to be tied off for relief to the helmsman. I sailed a wood C-Scow for 18 years..was tiller steered, and loved it. But the wheel is the way to go with the larger boats.
So I vote the CD30, as you can learn about it, and expand your horizons up to ocean crossings if you want..all in the same boat. The smaller CD's are great, but the length is too short for ocean work, in my opinion of course. The CD30 is about minimum for two people to be happy for very long. My wife and I spent 6 weeks together this summer in our 30, sailing new territory, and etc. Worked so well, we are talking aobut another trip next summer of equal length.

Cheers!

Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30 ~~~Lake Superior~~~

I've been looking at Cape Dorys (Dories?!) since 1983... and am finally ready to move from a powerboat to a sailboat (primary reason is I've finally found a mooring close enough to make sailing practical - instead of having to trailer everywhere as I do now).

My question is this: which size (27, 28 or 30) would be most appropriate for occasionally sailing with 6 adults? Which cockpit is best suited for that many people? It would seem to me that the 30 wouldn't be ideal because of how much room the wheel takes up in the cockpit (as opposed to the tiller on the 27 and 28). Also, are there any significant benefits to the 28 over the 27? My old brochures are limited on the description of those two models - there doesn't appear to be much of a difference at all.

Anything I should know about that only becomes apparent after owning for a while? I'd naturally have a boat surveyed before buying, but I'd appreciate any suggestions owners (present or past) might have. Thanks!

- Frank

demers@sgi.com

[Jim Stull]

I've been looking at Cape Dorys (Dories?!) since 1983... and am finally ready to move from a powerboat to a sailboat (primary reason is I've finally found a mooring close enough to make sailing practical - instead of having to trailer everywhere as I do now).

My question is this: which size (27, 28 or 30) would be most appropriate for occasionally sailing with 6 adults? Which cockpit is best suited for that many people? It would seem to me that the 30 wouldn't be ideal because of how much room the wheel takes up in the cockpit (as opposed to the tiller on the 27 and 28). Also, are there any significant benefits to the 28 over the 27? My old brochures are limited on the description of those two models - there doesn't appear to be much of a difference at all.

Anything I should know about that only becomes apparent after owning for a while? I'd naturally have a boat surveyed before buying, but I'd appreciate any suggestions owners (present or past) might have. Thanks!

- Frank

Hi Frank
Some minor points I turned up when I upgraded from my CD25.
1. The CD27 can be legally trailered, 8'6" beam. This I do but it may not matter to you.
2. The CD27 needs the larger engine, as mentioned.
3. I purchased my CD27 from Robinhood Marine which is owned by the origional manufacturer of Cape Dory Yachts. The broker for the boat I purchased was the sales manager for Cape Dory during their "glory days". His personel boat for many years, is a CD27. Don't know how significant this is but I thought it interesting.
4. I suppose our selection was based on the direction from which we came. We were long time backpackers, kayakers and canoe trippers. Therefore our CD25 was a very posh living. We spent the winter of 2000 living on it, quite pleasently, in the FL Keys and spend most of the summers on the boat on Lake Erie. So why upgrade to the CD27? The major reason is that there is NO space in the 25 to have guests for dinner. We have always had the smallest boat in the gathering and would like to be able to return the kindness of others. (ie. "Damm! It's starting to rain, can we take all this food to your boat!!") The CD27 fill this need, yet I can still use it as a camper as we travel.
However if you are more of the Hilton with the jacuzzi in the room bent,(or are sleeping more than 2 people for any length of time), go with the bigger boat.
Jim



jtstull@earthlink.net

[Olli Wendelin]

Frank,

You mention "occasionally sailing with 6 adults". What about the rest of the time? Get the boat that fits most of your needs most of the time. You can always stuff a few more people somewhere for an afternoon. On my CD 30 we had 9 adults and 6 pre teens on board one rainy evening (at anchor). It was crowded, but we cooked pizza, stayed dry, and had fun.

A few observations btwn the 28 and 30.

Tiller is better if you install self steering. Wheel & worm gear steering lets the boat sail itself, if you have a tiller you must hold it or tie it off.

Being heavier and longer, the CD30 rides the waves smoother.

The 28 has a 2 burner cook top. The 30 has a gimbled stove and oven. If you cook while heeled over sailing, you need a gimbled stove.

Prices vary greatly with age, condition, and location. Don't be afraid to buy a few states away for a much better price.

Olli Wendelin
BLUE MOON
Charleston, SC



wendelin@spawar.navy.mil