I am wondering if there is anyone out there with first hand experience sailing both a CD25 and the 26. Can you compare the sailing characteristics of these two fine vessels?
jmyers@styluscentral.com
Compare CD 25 with CD26
Moderator: Jim Walsh
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Patrick Meyer
Re: Compare CD 25 with CD26
I have owned and sailed both. Obviously, the CD26 offers a more spacious cabin and better internal(imho) accomodations than the CD25. The CD26's cockpit is more cramped, but then there are always tradeoffs.
From a sailing perspective, I can't say that I find the two boats are all that different. Both firm up when heeling about 15 degrees or so; the CD26 is a bit heavier which makes light wind sailing on the Chesapeake more of a challenge than in the CD25.
I'm more of a fair weather sailor, so you'll have to ask around for performance under extreme conditions. I've sailed both in 15-20 knot winds and each did well. In general, I have no complaints about the sailing characteristics given my style of sailing. I'd have to say I prefer the CD26 over the CD25 given the additional space below and the few extra inches of beam.
Is there something in particular you are interested in? Let me know.
Patrick
patrick_meyer@vanguard.com
From a sailing perspective, I can't say that I find the two boats are all that different. Both firm up when heeling about 15 degrees or so; the CD26 is a bit heavier which makes light wind sailing on the Chesapeake more of a challenge than in the CD25.
I'm more of a fair weather sailor, so you'll have to ask around for performance under extreme conditions. I've sailed both in 15-20 knot winds and each did well. In general, I have no complaints about the sailing characteristics given my style of sailing. I'd have to say I prefer the CD26 over the CD25 given the additional space below and the few extra inches of beam.
Is there something in particular you are interested in? Let me know.
Patrick
patrick_meyer@vanguard.com
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ross williams
Re: Compare CD 25 with CD26
we're relatively new owners to a CD26 and love the boat. We cruise with a 3yr old son and find the boat a great layout for a cruising family. Have been on board CD25's but have never sailed one. I'm almost 6'4" and didn't fit to well into the berths or headroom on the 25 but the 26 is working out fine. Headroom on the 26 I believe is about 5'11" which is pretty good for a 26' boat. You'll also find the 26 is harder to find given Cape Dory only produced 78 of them. All great boats, have fun with the search. If you're anywhere near the Portland Maine area, we'd be happy to show you our 26 for any comparisons you're doing.
rosswilli@aol.com
Patrick Meyer wrote: I'm more of a fair weather sailor, so you'll have to ask around for performance under extreme conditions. I've sailed both in 15-20 knot winds and each did well. In general, I have no complaints about the sailing characteristics given my style of sailing. I'd have to say I prefer the CD26 over the CD25 given the additional space below and the few extra inches of beam.
Is there something in particular you are interested in? Let me know.
Patrick
rosswilli@aol.com
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Darin Bartram
Re: Compare CD 25 with CD26
I concur with what Patrick said. I started off with a 1981 Cape Dory 25 (It was all the Cape Dory I could afford at the time.) I really enjoyed it with my wife. It's a great, stable boat that can take almost anything the Chesapeake Bay throws at it. (My first trip was a confidence building journey down the Potomac River to the Bay--at which point we hit 6-foot waves and 25-30 knot winds.)
That having been said, I traded it in for a 1985 Cape Dory 26 after a couple of years. I wanted standing headroom and enough space (above and below) for guests (truth be told, the 25 was getting a little cramped with a Doberman and a baby). If you've been on both boats, you know that the one foot difference in overall length gets you a much bigger boat, with a lot more "comfort features." (Of course, that one foot just about doubles the price.)
As for sailing characteristics, I found them to be comparable. A lot of the difference to me was in particular features that made single-handling easier--my 26 has two reefing points and roller furling; my 25 did not. The 26 has more freeboard, which made me feel like it was affected by the wind more, but this may have been more perception than reality. I found both boats to be fairly maneuverable getting into and out of the slip, owing to the outboard engine, which I can pivot on its mount.
Despite how much I've enjoyed my 26, I am slowly reaching the decision to sell it. I just don't get to use it much anymore. The dog is getting old (and losing her sea legs) and the kids are pretty young (not yet having developed sea legs). It's just not right to spend more time cleaning and maintaining the boat than I do sailing it.
dbartram@bakerlaw.com
That having been said, I traded it in for a 1985 Cape Dory 26 after a couple of years. I wanted standing headroom and enough space (above and below) for guests (truth be told, the 25 was getting a little cramped with a Doberman and a baby). If you've been on both boats, you know that the one foot difference in overall length gets you a much bigger boat, with a lot more "comfort features." (Of course, that one foot just about doubles the price.)
As for sailing characteristics, I found them to be comparable. A lot of the difference to me was in particular features that made single-handling easier--my 26 has two reefing points and roller furling; my 25 did not. The 26 has more freeboard, which made me feel like it was affected by the wind more, but this may have been more perception than reality. I found both boats to be fairly maneuverable getting into and out of the slip, owing to the outboard engine, which I can pivot on its mount.
Despite how much I've enjoyed my 26, I am slowly reaching the decision to sell it. I just don't get to use it much anymore. The dog is getting old (and losing her sea legs) and the kids are pretty young (not yet having developed sea legs). It's just not right to spend more time cleaning and maintaining the boat than I do sailing it.
dbartram@bakerlaw.com