I am trying to decide between a Cape Dory 25 and a Bayfield
25. Both are full keel boats. I am looking for a boat that
will be very steady and stable, yet is easy to singlehand.
The Bayfield available in my area has wheel steering and a
110(?) roller furling jib, with a 9 hp Yanmar diesel.
The Cape Dory is heavier (4000 pounds vs 3500 pounds) and
has a higher ballast to displacement ratio (1700 pounds
ballast / 4000 # displacement = 42% for Cape Dory, 1300
pounds ballast/3500 # displacement = 37%). Sail area is 264
sf for CD and 240 sf for Bayfield). This might imply a
more comfortable ride for the CD.
The bayfield is wider of beam (8 ft vs 7 ft3in) and the
cabin accomondations are much more pleasant for the Bayfield
(4 ft 3 in headroom vs 5 ft 10 in or so ) -- luxurious vs
very claustrophobic. Also outboard (in well) vs diesel.
Would love to hear from anyone who has sailed both boats
with descriptions of how they differ in how they sail,
their comfort level, and their ease of singlehanding.
Would also like to hear how a variety of owners
(whether you've ever sailed a Bayfield or not), especially
those that sail in bays and coastal waters. I plan to sail
in Narragansett Bay, with occasional forays out to Block
Island, Cuttyhunk, Cape Cod.
Most of the time I sail with no crew other than my 8 year
old daughter... which I count as less than singlehanding,
since a good piece of my attention must be focussed on her
safety.
Another boat that has been suggested is the Pearson 26. Not a full keel (has a fin keel, 4 ft draft) but has large cabin with 5'10" headroom, sails well I'm told. Anyone out there sailed all or most of these boats? All opinions appreciated.
joels@ids.net
comparison CD-25, Bayfield-25, Pearson-26
Moderator: Jim Walsh
-
Mike Thompson
Re: comparison CD-25, Bayfield-25, Pearson-26
I have sailed the Pearson-26 and the CD-25. The P26 belonged
to Boston Harbor Sailing and I sailed them everywhere from
Newburyport to the Cape Cod Canal. I also sailed in a P26
from Cape Cod to Bar Harbour. I owned the CD25 and sailed
it out of Dutch Harbor (Naragansett) and also
West Island (Fairhaven) going to Long Island and Nantucket.
The P26 is relatively large inside and a powerful sailer.
Probably a faster than the CD25. However it is not a smooth
ride and does pound heavily to windward. I found it
aesthetically unappealling (too much plastic and the exposed
o/b motor).
I bought a CD25. It has a relatively 'sweet' motion. I have
crossed Buzzards Bay many times in it with complete confidence.
Although the freeboard is low, water rarely comes into
the cockpit as the bow (or stern) always rises smoothly over
the wave. The late models have a lot of teak and are most
pleasing to the eye.
-----------------
Eventually my bad back forced me to consider boats in which
I could stand(!) I compared the CD28 to the Bayfield27.
I'm inclined to think of the B27 as a shoal draft boat.
I don't believe it to be as stable as the CD28.
So I bought a CD-28 and sailed it in Buzards Bay and then to
Maine where I now keep it.
-----------------------
The problems with the CD25 are poor headroom and poor ventilation
of the engine well. However it's great for single handing as
it is narrow enough to sail like a dingy.
On such a small boat I would recommend a tiller rather than
a wheel. Also an outboard is easy to maintain.
Good luck!
Mike
CD28 "Haven"
tmike@ma.ultranet.com
to Boston Harbor Sailing and I sailed them everywhere from
Newburyport to the Cape Cod Canal. I also sailed in a P26
from Cape Cod to Bar Harbour. I owned the CD25 and sailed
it out of Dutch Harbor (Naragansett) and also
West Island (Fairhaven) going to Long Island and Nantucket.
The P26 is relatively large inside and a powerful sailer.
Probably a faster than the CD25. However it is not a smooth
ride and does pound heavily to windward. I found it
aesthetically unappealling (too much plastic and the exposed
o/b motor).
I bought a CD25. It has a relatively 'sweet' motion. I have
crossed Buzzards Bay many times in it with complete confidence.
Although the freeboard is low, water rarely comes into
the cockpit as the bow (or stern) always rises smoothly over
the wave. The late models have a lot of teak and are most
pleasing to the eye.
-----------------
Eventually my bad back forced me to consider boats in which
I could stand(!) I compared the CD28 to the Bayfield27.
I'm inclined to think of the B27 as a shoal draft boat.
I don't believe it to be as stable as the CD28.
So I bought a CD-28 and sailed it in Buzards Bay and then to
Maine where I now keep it.
-----------------------
The problems with the CD25 are poor headroom and poor ventilation
of the engine well. However it's great for single handing as
it is narrow enough to sail like a dingy.
On such a small boat I would recommend a tiller rather than
a wheel. Also an outboard is easy to maintain.
Good luck!
Mike
CD28 "Haven"
Joel wrote:
I am trying to decide between a Cape Dory 25 and a Bayfield
25. Both are full keel boats. I am looking for a boat that
will be very steady and stable, yet is easy to singlehand.
The Bayfield available in my area has wheel steering and a
110(?) roller furling jib, with a 9 hp Yanmar diesel.
The Cape Dory is heavier (4000 pounds vs 3500 pounds) and
has a higher ballast to displacement ratio (1700 pounds
ballast / 4000 # displacement = 42% for Cape Dory, 1300
pounds ballast/3500 # displacement = 37%). Sail area is 264
sf for CD and 240 sf for Bayfield). This might imply a
more comfortable ride for the CD.
The bayfield is wider of beam (8 ft vs 7 ft3in) and the
cabin accomondations are much more pleasant for the Bayfield
(4 ft 3 in headroom vs 5 ft 10 in or so ) -- luxurious vs
very claustrophobic. Also outboard (in well) vs diesel.
Would love to hear from anyone who has sailed both boats
with descriptions of how they differ in how they sail,
their comfort level, and their ease of singlehanding.
Would also like to hear how a variety of owners
(whether you've ever sailed a Bayfield or not), especially
those that sail in bays and coastal waters. I plan to sail
in Narragansett Bay, with occasional forays out to Block
Island, Cuttyhunk, Cape Cod.
Most of the time I sail with no crew other than my 8 year
old daughter... which I count as less than singlehanding,
since a good piece of my attention must be focussed on her
safety.
Another boat that has been suggested is the Pearson 26. Not a full keel (has a fin keel, 4 ft draft) but has large cabin with 5'10" headroom, sails well I'm told. Anyone out there sailed all or most of these boats? All opinions appreciated.
tmike@ma.ultranet.com
-
Joel
Re: comparison CD-25, Bayfield-25, Pearson-26
Thanks for your very special input.
I understood it all except your comment:
The problems with the CD25 are poor headroom and poor ventilation
of the engine well. However it's great for single handing as
it is narrow enough to sail like a dingy.
What do you mean by "sail like a dingy" ? I was under the impression the CD25 "sailed like
a big boat".
Also, did you find any solution for the poor ventilation of the engine well. Is the problem
getting fresh air to the engine, or getting fumes out of the engine well?
Looking forward to your responses.
joels@ids.net
I understood it all except your comment:
The problems with the CD25 are poor headroom and poor ventilation
of the engine well. However it's great for single handing as
it is narrow enough to sail like a dingy.
What do you mean by "sail like a dingy" ? I was under the impression the CD25 "sailed like
a big boat".
Also, did you find any solution for the poor ventilation of the engine well. Is the problem
getting fresh air to the engine, or getting fumes out of the engine well?
Looking forward to your responses.
joels@ids.net
-
bill willis
Re: comparison CD-25, Bayfield-25, Pearson-26
Joel,Joel wrote: Thanks for your very special input.
I understood it all except your comment:
The problems with the CD25 are poor headroom and poor ventilation
of the engine well. However it's great for single handing as
it is narrow enough to sail like a dingy.
What do you mean by "sail like a dingy" ? I was under the impression the CD25 "sailed like
a big boat".
Also, did you find any solution for the poor ventilation of the engine well. Is the problem
getting fresh air to the engine, or getting fumes out of the engine well?
Looking forward to your responses.
CD25's do handle and sail like a larger boat. I think Mike meant with the narrow beam of a CD25 one can easily reach winches, sheets, etc. to single hand like one would a dingy. As for the ventilation problem in motor well, with the hatch closed very little fresh air gets to motor and what does is quickly fouled by the secondary exhaust. I solved the problem by putting vents on my outboard's cover and routing the secondary exhaust out the back of well with a small dia. copper tubing. I will trade off CD's minor drawbacks for its better aesthetics and seaworthiness in a CD25 vs Bf25 any day. But its really a matter of preference...both are fine boats.
Good luck,
bill
Cd25 #522 Sadie
wawillis@toad.net