If you didn't have a Cape Dory...

[Joe CD MS 300]

... what kind of boat would you have or consider?

Before just recently purchasing a CD, I've charter 55 or so times on probably 35-40 different types of boats including Cape Dory's from 30 to 45 feet. Forgetting about the CD 45 which was just an incredible boat, well built, well maintained, stable, fast, roomy, a couple of non-CD's stand out.

Scanmar 33's and 35's. A Swedish boat with a moderate fin keel and skeg rudder with a fractional rig. A solid well built and balanced boat. Always felt under control no matter what the weather. Can't remember ever needing to reef on about 6-8 charters. The 33 really had an amazing amount of room down below for its size and was well finished in mahogany rather than the more common teak. Different from most US boats but nice. Thought about buying one for a while.

Erickson 38. This one had winged keel and really flew on all points of sail. Got a little tender if you put off reefing too long but it could go longer than you would expect. Great boat for a family, nice cockpit for kids and two private cabins down below. Well made in general.

Foutain Pajot 45. Just about as far away from a Cape Dory as you can get (or as I got). Chartered 3 cats, two FP 35's and this 45. Just awsome amounts of space, on deck, in the salon, in the cabins, on the net. Its just great to be at anchor and be able to look out a large window while sitting rather than standing up to peek out a port hole. Wasn't as fast as I expected and needed a fair amount of wind to get going. Was hard to tack in less than 10 knots. Got 10-11 kts in 15-16 knts wind. Charter company advised reefing over 18 but I think it could take a lot more.

One boat I wasn't crazy about was a Hinterholler (spelling? same Canadian manufacturer as Whitby 42's) Niagara 35. Got squirrelly early, I guess it needed to be reefed early. Nice unusual interior (steps to cabin went into the rear cabin with a bulkhead at the bottom of the steps and a passage way to the main salon. Just never like the way it sailed.

[rtbates]

The Alberg 30, or Alieron, or if I wanted to "sell the house", a PS Dana.

Randy 25D Seraph #161

[barfwinkle]

Nor'Sea 27, Pearson Vanguard, Rhodes Offshore 40 (Tri-Cabin)

order depending upon who's going with me

[Larry M]

Well we were not looking for a new boat as we loved our 33 (and still do- in some ways a slow market is keeping us from having to face parting with her) but always looking to see if there was a better boat out there. We looked at everything and each time we came back to that there was nothing that could beat the 33. Well, we found this boat and fell head over heel's. She is a cold molded wood Farr 44 with a swim step added for an overall 46. Farr designed her to be a very fast cruiser without regards to the racing rules (which spoil lines). She has the warmth down below with excellant craftsmanship of the wood. See what you think. She is not nearly as nice to look at on the outside as the CD but has other attributes that work for us.

http://mace.photosite.com/Farr44/

[rtbates]

Hey Larry:

And I believe you just found one. BUT then when Farr releases the FARR 55, well now here we go! But wait a minute I believe I have found another, 'better boat'. Check out this puppy and tell me what you think.

[url][http://www.yachtforums.com/forums/royal ... a.html/url]

randy 25D Seraph #161

[rtbates]

http://www.yachtforums.com/forums/royal ... thena.html

[Joe Myerson]

If money were no object, my dream boats are, in order of size:

Pacific Seacraft Dana 24

Morris Frances 26 (deck house model)

Bristol Channel Cutter

--Joe Myerson
P.S. I arrived at my 25D while trying to find a Flicka, so you can see where I'm coming from.

[Mike Wainfeld]

J-24- I had a great time sailing one of these in Newport a couple of years ago. Very responsive, maneuverable, close winded, a real neat boat. Laser-Sailing one of these is a blast. Pure one-hand-on-the- tiller-one-on-the-sheet-butt-in-the-water sailing. Make one mistake and you're dumped. But when you get it dialed in just right it feels like you're flying.

[Mike Wainfeld]

nm

[Hymodyne]

I saw a pearson Triton on the hard on the Jersey shore a few years ago and fell in love with the lines of the boat.

hym

[barfwinkle]

I forgot the Morris Frances as well!! Coachtop model!!!!

[Cathy Monaghan]

If I could afford a new boat and money were no object, I like the Mason 44, Morris 42, Robinhood 36, Little Harbor 46, Little Harbor 38, Cambria 46, Pacific Seacraft (all models), Valiant 42, Passport 456, and the list goes on. It's hard to choose, there are alot of really nice boats out there.

[Stan W.]

There is a little thumbnail photo in the current issue of Good Old Boat that really gets my juices flowing. It turns out to be a Cheoy Lee Clipper 42, designed by Bill Luders. I don't know if they sail worth a damn, but it has the sweetest looking hull I have ever seen on a production plastic boat. Plus, I am a sucker for schooners and, while most of these boats are ketches, they made several with a staysail schooner rig. There is a ratty one (ugly pilothouse addition and teak painted white) on Yachtworld. I wonder how many of these schooners were made?

[Larry M]

I am in no way trying to imply that one boat is better than another-that is all in they eye of the beholder and his/her intended use. I love the cape dory design but found that the tankage is poor for cruising unless you want jugs on your deck,below decks storage is limited and the performance aspect is not in line with the newer designs. This is not to say the CD is a bad design. I can tell there are things that I do not like in the Farr such as the bow cuts thru the waves and drops out in pounding crash instead of rolling over the wave like the CD. All boats are a compromise in one way or another and it just depends on where you sail and what you want to do.
Larry

[barfwinkle]

After some more intense thought and knowing it would only be me aboard, I think the CD 30B layout with a tiller would be a really great boat.

I love the layout and a tiller! Anyone ever seen such a "Rare Bird"?