Cape Dory vs. Yankee Dolphin

[Rick A.]

I am narrowing my options on a solid sailboat for CA coastal cruising and SF Bay. Looking at Yankee Dolphin (24') compared to Cape Dorys of similar size (22, 22D, and 25). Both builders do heavy built, full-keel boats with blue-water capability. I would be interested in comparisons on accomodations, speed, and ability to single hand. Cape Dory and Dolphin are both marginally trailerable but I plan to leave it in the water for the most part. Any recommendations or red flags would be appreciated. I am familiar with the Dolphin interior layout (a bit cramped) but have never been aboard a CD 22 or 25. I have spent time on a 27 but that is a world of difference.

Thanks
Rick



revegdude@aol.com

[Chris]

Rick - This web page offers a great comparison of the 2 boats by selecting "Cape Dorys" at the top of the page, then select the "Learn your sailboats performance". If you do a comparision of the 2 boats you will note more similarities than differences. The results do show the CD25 to have a slightly better capsize ratio and a slightly better "comfort motion", but the differences are negligible.

I am narrowing my options on a solid sailboat for CA coastal cruising and SF Bay. Looking at Yankee Dolphin (24') compared to Cape Dorys of similar size (22, 22D, and 25). Both builders do heavy built, full-keel boats with blue-water capability. I would be interested in comparisons on accomodations, speed, and ability to single hand. Cape Dory and Dolphin are both marginally trailerable but I plan to leave it in the water for the most part. Any recommendations or red flags would be appreciated. I am familiar with the Dolphin interior layout (a bit cramped) but have never been aboard a CD 22 or 25. I have spent time on a 27 but that is a world of difference.

Thanks
Rick

[John]

What is the relationship if any between the Yankee Dolphin and the Pacific Dolphin? We have one of the latter here at the marina and it is a Sparkman-Stephens design but looks alot like the Cape Dory 25.

John

I am narrowing my options on a solid sailboat for CA coastal cruising and SF Bay. Looking at Yankee Dolphin (24') compared to Cape Dorys of similar size (22, 22D, and 25). Both builders do heavy built, full-keel boats with blue-water capability. I would be interested in comparisons on accomodations, speed, and ability to single hand. Cape Dory and Dolphin are both marginally trailerable but I plan to leave it in the water for the most part. Any recommendations or red flags would be appreciated. I am familiar with the Dolphin interior layout (a bit cramped) but have never been aboard a CD 22 or 25. I have spent time on a 27 but that is a world of difference.

Thanks
Rick

NOSPAMbranchedoakmarin@aol.com

[ralph]

The CD 25 is the old Greenwich 24 built by Allied Boat Co. in Catskill, NY. It was one of the only CD's NOT designed by Alberg. The S&S Dolphin will sail rings around the CD 25. It vied with the Morgan 25 as the MORC class racing champion in the 60's & early 70's, something that the Greenwich 24/CD 25 can't say. Performance wise, there's no comparison. Several companies built the S&S Dolphin from circa 1959 to 1979, but I think the Yankees were the nicest. It's cockpit is a bit wider, the Dolphin carring its' beam further aft, and overall, it's a better looking boat. Both have the outboard motor in the lazerette well, and it won't run well with the hatch closed. Most Dolphins had a dinette, an arrangement that is not as nice as the CD 25 with settees. Both are "pocket cruisers", and are limited by what can be packed into a boat less that 25'. The later CD 25's with the bronze hardware are much more attractive than the early ones.

RPolhamus
CD 22 "Setting Star"



rpolhamus@markelcorp.com

[Catherine Monaghan]

The Yankee Dolphin and the Pacific Dolphin are the same boat. The Dolphin is a 24-foot S&S design. (I have a friend that has a Yankee Dolphin. The boat's name is Starbuck.) But I believe the Yankee Dolphin was built by Yankee Yachts and the Pacific Dolphin was built by Pacific Dolphin, Inc. But I'm not sure. (I know both companys were somehow related. Maybe Pacific Dolphin supplied Yankee Dolphin?) You'll also find earlier Dolphins built by O'Day (the originals) and Lunn Laminates Inc.

The Dolphin Class web site isn't very well put together so I'll point you to some of their pages where you can find more info regarding the Dolphin.

<a href="http://www.sailingmidamerica.com/dolphi ... m">Dolphin Home Page</a>
<a href="http://www.sailingmidamerica.com/dolphi ... l">Dolphin History</a>
Dolphin Sales Brochure: <a href="http://www.sailingmidamerica.com/dolphi ... .htm">Page 1</a>, <a href="http://www.sailingmidamerica.com/dolphi ... html">Page 2</a>, <a href="http://www.sailingmidamerica.com/dolphi ... .jpg">Page 3</a>, <a href="http://www.sailingmidamerica.com/dolphi ... .htm">Page 4</a>



[img]http://www.blockislandmaritime.com/larg ... olphin.jpg[/img]
catherine_monaghanNOSPAM@merck.com

[Jon CD25 Sovereign]

The S&S Dolphin will sail rings around the CD 25.

The CD25 has a D/L of 306 and a SA/D of nearly 17. These numbers are closer to the Sea Sprite's than the Alberg Cape Dories, and allow the CD25 to move very well even in light air. New England PHRF rates the CD25 as a slightly faster boat with a rating of 261, compared to the Yankee Dolphin's 264. The Sea Sprite (Alberg CCA racer) rates a sluggish 270 by comparison. The CD25 is by no means a slow boat, and her speed catches many by surprise.

Jon
<a href="http://www.sailorjon.net">CD25 Sovereign<a/>

[Mike L.]

I was seriously considering a Yankee Dolphin or a Pacific Seacreaft 25 at one time and was looking for the right boat. Then happened to come across a CD 25D. What else can I say.
Mike L.
CD25D #78
SYZYGY



Mikit@pioneer-net .com

[Mark Ruhnke]

I previoulsy owned a 1977 Pacific Dolphin 24' as my first boat. The differnece between the Dolphin and the Yankee is the Builder. The Dolphin was bulit after the Yankee. Same boat mold,just different builders. I belived the Yankee is a better built boat. The Dolphins, at least mine, had blister problems. It was a wonderful sailing boat. The CD 25 is more boat than the 24' and is apparent in the handling. Good Luck

I am narrowing my options on a solid sailboat for CA coastal cruising and SF Bay. Looking at Yankee Dolphin (24') compared to Cape Dorys of similar size (22, 22D, and 25). Both builders do heavy built, full-keel boats with blue-water capability. I would be interested in comparisons on accomodations, speed, and ability to single hand. Cape Dory and Dolphin are both marginally trailerable but I plan to leave it in the water for the most part. Any recommendations or red flags would be appreciated. I am familiar with the Dolphin interior layout (a bit cramped) but have never been aboard a CD 22 or 25. I have spent time on a 27 but that is a world of difference.

Thanks
Rick

capedory30K@aol.com