Cape Dory 25

[James Bibb]

I am a fairly new sailor. I was looking for a 25 footer to buy and came across a CD25. I know almost nothing about them but it is a beautiful boat. I would like to know more warts and all.



guybibb@aol.com

[Jon]

Very nice boats indeed. Far and away the prettiest boats ever built, and among the fastest too. These boats are said to be entirely without fault, and ideal for all purposes.

This link may be of some help.

Jon

[JimL]

I love my CD25, and it's easier to single-hand than anything I've ever owned (previous boats were MacGregor 21, Coronado 23T, Santana 20, International Star, Laser). My website link is shown, so you can see how much fun we're having on SoCal waters! Good luck!

regards, JimL, CD25 #21, Odyssey III, Dana Point, CA



leinfam@earthlink.net

[Will W.]

I have had my Cape Dory 25 for two years now and I love her. There are lots of plusses and few negatives in my opinion. The only warning I may give you is that the interior is small. This would only matter if you wanted to spend a long time on board with more than one person. If you think you will primarily daysail with an occasional foray overnight, then they are wonderful. Sailing is definatly the focus of the design. They are solidly built and are pretty forgiving to a novice like me. The full keel makes heavy weather sailing possible and pretty safe. The cockpit will comfortably seat 4 people when sailing. Something that a lot of smaller boats and several larger boats cannot say.
I just finished a 5 day cruise on Suzi Q last week and had a great time so even though she is a great day sailer I also found her to be a comfortable little home for a while. For the money I really don't think you can find a better 25.
Besides that, should you need or want to fix something, this site is increadible. I undertook some major projects on Suzi Q this year. Knowing next to nothing, I received help and great advice at every turn from the people who frequent this site. Rest assured that if you purchase the CD25, there is a group of folks here who will help you do almost anything you ask regarding your boat and learning to sail it.
Good luck with your purchase.

Will Wheatley
Suzi Q
CD25
Sailing from Chesapeake Beach, MD

I am a fairly new sailor. I was looking for a 25 footer to buy and came across a CD25. I know almost nothing about them but it is a beautiful boat. I would like to know more warts and all.

willwheatley@starpower.net

[Jon]

These boats don't back up under power worth a diddle; directional control is nearly impossible. As such, these boats are better suited to moorings, as opposed to a slip.

Jon
CD25 Sovereign

[Randy Bates]

The "secret" to backing these boats is to know that without a shadow of a doubt the bow will blow off the wind, hence the stern must go in the opposite direction. This sometimes means that you must make a circle to get where you want to point. There is no sense in trying to fight this by trying to turn the stern in the same direction as the bow is blowing off. You'll just crab sideways. If you don't have enough room to make a complete circle you can back and fill to get pointed in the right direction. But with any headway at all they will turn in a pretty tight circle. This really becomes important when trying to get the stern to turn to starboard as the prop wash wants to turn the stern to port. In this case hold neutral rudder, give a big blast of throttle and back off the throttle as soon as she starts making sternway and THEN and Only then turn the rudder. This has been my experience with a CD25D with the inboard. The CD25 with the outboard will be slightly different;ie, prop wash is probably not an issue. If you can turn the outboard as well that would be a big help.

These boats don't back up under power worth a diddle; directional control is nearly impossible. As such, these boats are better suited to moorings, as opposed to a slip.

Jon
CD25 Sovereign

randy.bates@baesystems.com