We are a novice sailing family with four young children, ages 3 - 11.
What is the minimum sized Cape Dory large enough for the six of us? We will mostly daysail, however an overnight will hopefully be in our future. I have never sailed a boat over 19' so I am somewhat reluctant to jump up to a sailboat that is really our size (30+). As long as the cockpit can fit us and I can sleep out there, I think we will be happy (or at least my wife will be) Thanks.
jmageras@surroundedby.com
Suitable CD for family of six
Moderator: Jim Walsh
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Bob Pence
Re: Suitable CD for family of six
I have owned several Cape Dory's. Have no fear of handling a larger boat. The larger the boat the more forgiving. The ideal CD for a starter for your family would be a CD 30. Personally I prefer a ketch. They have a nice sized Vee Berth for mom and dad, a double on the port side and a single on the starboard side and in a pinch one kid can sleep on the cabin sole with pad and sleep bag. The ice box is adequate, th 13 hp Volvo is a great little engine, the ketch rig gives many sail combinations and great stability. You will find all kinds of stoves in them. It is very easy to install pressurized water system and a cockpit shower. I sailed my 78 CD 30 Ketch from Block Island to New Bern, N.C. and it is easily single handed. Check Yacht World on the net or call me at 410 643 4027 and I will find one for you.Jim Mageras wrote: We are a novice sailing family with four young children, ages 3 - 11.
What is the minimum sized Cape Dory large enough for the six of us? We will mostly daysail, however an overnight will hopefully be in our future. I have never sailed a boat over 19' so I am somewhat reluctant to jump up to a sailboat that is really our size (30+). As long as the cockpit can fit us and I can sleep out there, I think we will be happy (or at least my wife will be) Thanks.
sixpence@dmv.com
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Frank Vernet
Re: Suitable CD for family of six
Jim,
Please do not see this response as too self-serving, but I have a CD33 for sale. Go to this link to see 20+ pictures:
http://photos.yahoo.com/vernetf
Having said this, I must tell you that Cape Dories do not have a large cockpit...by comparison to today's designs. That is my only complaint about these wonderful boats. I bought Sirius with the goal of getting my family of 4 (2 boys - ages 11 and 16) into the sailing lifestyle...and it worked!. They love sailing, got pretty good at it, learned how to navigate, trim sails, sail the boat, etc... My sons do not want me to sell her. That came from my wife who feels the cockpit is too small for us. And sometimes, it feels that way.
Anyway, feel free to contact me and we can discuss the pros/cons of a CD33.
Frank Vernet
CO Sirius
CD33 #84
frankv7777@aol.com
Please do not see this response as too self-serving, but I have a CD33 for sale. Go to this link to see 20+ pictures:
http://photos.yahoo.com/vernetf
Having said this, I must tell you that Cape Dories do not have a large cockpit...by comparison to today's designs. That is my only complaint about these wonderful boats. I bought Sirius with the goal of getting my family of 4 (2 boys - ages 11 and 16) into the sailing lifestyle...and it worked!. They love sailing, got pretty good at it, learned how to navigate, trim sails, sail the boat, etc... My sons do not want me to sell her. That came from my wife who feels the cockpit is too small for us. And sometimes, it feels that way.
Anyway, feel free to contact me and we can discuss the pros/cons of a CD33.
Frank Vernet
CO Sirius
CD33 #84
frankv7777@aol.com
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Boyd Bundy
Re: Suitable CD for family of six
Buy the biggest boat you can afford. Four adults on my CD30 mkII is a full boat. Six is packed. I have had as many as 9 on for a trip down river.. no sailing... I find people start to climb over each other if there are more than 4. The MkII is about 30% bigger than a standard 30 and I think its ideal for 2 to 3 people. Small kids are usually ok in smaller spaces. But I think it would be crowded for a weekend.
Handling a large boat is pretty much the same as a smaller one. Sails are bigger but thats about all. I have been on all sizes and while the smaller ones are fun a big boat is not any harder to handle if set up correctly.
I suggest spending as much time as possible on other peoples boats and get the feel of how much you really need.
Good luck... Boyd
We are a novice sailing family with four young children, ages 3 - 11.
tern30@aol.com
Handling a large boat is pretty much the same as a smaller one. Sails are bigger but thats about all. I have been on all sizes and while the smaller ones are fun a big boat is not any harder to handle if set up correctly.
I suggest spending as much time as possible on other peoples boats and get the feel of how much you really need.
Good luck... Boyd
We are a novice sailing family with four young children, ages 3 - 11.
Jim Mageras wrote: What is the minimum sized Cape Dory large enough for the six of us? We will mostly daysail, however an overnight will hopefully be in our future. I have never sailed a boat over 19' so I am somewhat reluctant to jump up to a sailboat that is really our size (30+). As long as the cockpit can fit us and I can sleep out there, I think we will be happy (or at least my wife will be) Thanks.
tern30@aol.com
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Neil Gordon
Re: Suitable CD for family of six
>>What is the minimum sized Cape Dory large enough for the six of us?<<
We have a CD28 and find that it's a great 2-person cruiser. We've done coastal cruising for as long as around two weeks. A family of six, with younger kids, and the boat could still be a good cruiser. But as the kids grow to adult size, and you consider all the stuff that goes with you, you'll be in each other's way. On daysails, we've done four adults plus two kids. That's a bit tight for getting around in the cockpit, but not uncomfortable.
>>I have never sailed a boat over 19' so I am somewhat reluctant to jump up to a sailboat that is really our size (30+).<<
You'd probably be okay sailing anything into the mid-30's. The only practice you'll need is getting in and out of the dock and maneuvering in small spaces. Otherwise, the loads are greater as size increases, but stability increases as well.
>>As long as the cockpit can fit us and I can sleep out there, ...<<
It *will* rain! You won't be happy.
Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167
cdory28@aol.com
We have a CD28 and find that it's a great 2-person cruiser. We've done coastal cruising for as long as around two weeks. A family of six, with younger kids, and the boat could still be a good cruiser. But as the kids grow to adult size, and you consider all the stuff that goes with you, you'll be in each other's way. On daysails, we've done four adults plus two kids. That's a bit tight for getting around in the cockpit, but not uncomfortable.
>>I have never sailed a boat over 19' so I am somewhat reluctant to jump up to a sailboat that is really our size (30+).<<
You'd probably be okay sailing anything into the mid-30's. The only practice you'll need is getting in and out of the dock and maneuvering in small spaces. Otherwise, the loads are greater as size increases, but stability increases as well.
>>As long as the cockpit can fit us and I can sleep out there, ...<<
It *will* rain! You won't be happy.
Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167
cdory28@aol.com
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Dan Hanlon
Re: Suitable CD for family of six
Jim,Jim Mageras wrote: We are a novice sailing family with four young children, ages 3 - 11.
What is the minimum sized Cape Dory large enough for the six of us? We will mostly daysail, however an overnight will hopefully be in our future. I have never sailed a boat over 19' so I am somewhat reluctant to jump up to a sailboat that is really our size (30+). As long as the cockpit can fit us and I can sleep out there, I think we will be happy (or at least my wife will be) Thanks.
We are five, three children ages 5 to 12. I just bought a CD25 this spring and we just had our second family sail this afternoon. I too never sailed my own boat larger than 19' until now, though I do crew on a 30' racer every Saturday and some Wednesdays. My wife is not a sailor either. So, in my very limited experience as "Family Captain", I find the CD25 plenty to handle along with the kids. If it is just my 12 year old son and I, we can have a great, relaxing or exciting, sail. It is really up to us and how much we want to play. However, when the whole family is aboard, I have to sail and parent at the same time. This is challenging. Just try to keep the sails trim, watch the toddler, calm the wife, eat your lunch and keep a heading. It gets interesting. It is not at all crowded, just hectic. A bigger boat would be roomier and more forgiving. We had some 20 knot plus gusts this afternoon, and I did a couple of head counts after 30+ degree heels. On a larger boat, I guess the gusts would have had less impact, but I would have had to search a little longer over a larger area to do a head count. I have found myself almost wishing I had gone with a Typhoon or a Typhoon Senior. Although, I really like the CD25 because we can squeeze in for the occasional weekend if we are so inclined. I hate to blaspheme, but considering your large crew, a Pearson Commander may be worth a look. It is a 26 footer with a large, nine foot cockpit. It is a rock solid Alberg design and thought to be his personal favorite of the 50 plus designs he had produced. He designed almost all the Cape Dory boats. It has a modest cabin, designed to sleep four in mininal comfort.
You did not mention budget. If your budget allows for a 30 footer or greater, there may well be avantages. You may want to spend a season or two chartering various size boats. This way you can determine the best balance to match your sailing abilities with family comfort and safety.
djhhan@aol.com
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Al Levesque
Re: Suitable CD for family of six
Before buying our own boat, we borrowed a 33 foot Bristol for our one or two week summer vacations. We had three children, ages 6, 9, and 10, and getting progressively older over a few years. We never felt crowded and are certain another would have fit well. At those ages, they move around a great deal, they don't all crowd into the cockpit, fortunately, but could when conditions call for it. (In bad weather, they played games down below.) When we bought our own, we could afford a CD25, the children were older and the boat was not big enough for more than two children at a time.Jim Mageras wrote: We are a novice sailing family with four young children, ages 3 - 11.
What is the minimum sized Cape Dory large enough for the six of us?
As for handling a larger boat, the larger is easier except for heavier sails to raise, and the winches take care of that. Motoring and maneuvering are different in that the momentum carries further and you don't stop motion by hand.
Happy sailing,
Al
albertlevesque@cove.com
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Larry DeMers
Re: Suitable CD for family of six
The reason that the cockpits "are so small" is that these boats are designed to be taken into unprotected waters occasionally, and you will not like what happens to a boat with a large cockpit when it gets pooped! Could spoil you r whole year even.
Buy a boat that is intended to be used as you intend to use it. You want a boat with a huge cockpit, and that is usually considered to be the providence of the pure coastal cruisers or the "marina cruisers". No architect worth his salt would design a large cockpit on a boat intended for offshore use. Compare the BCC28 cockpit..or Lyn and Larry Pardeys cockpit on Taleisin (there ain't any..it's flat across), to a Island Packet 32 for instance and see the differences.
Some folks that still wanted to sail their large cockpitted coastal cruiser in blue water filled their cockpits with foam blocks to reduce the overall amount of water the stern would have to support in a pooping situation.
Carl Alberg designed seaworthiness into the CD's, and a smaller cockpit is one of those considerations.
Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30
demers@sgi.com
Buy a boat that is intended to be used as you intend to use it. You want a boat with a huge cockpit, and that is usually considered to be the providence of the pure coastal cruisers or the "marina cruisers". No architect worth his salt would design a large cockpit on a boat intended for offshore use. Compare the BCC28 cockpit..or Lyn and Larry Pardeys cockpit on Taleisin (there ain't any..it's flat across), to a Island Packet 32 for instance and see the differences.
Some folks that still wanted to sail their large cockpitted coastal cruiser in blue water filled their cockpits with foam blocks to reduce the overall amount of water the stern would have to support in a pooping situation.
Carl Alberg designed seaworthiness into the CD's, and a smaller cockpit is one of those considerations.
Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30
Frank Vernet wrote: Jim,
Please do not see this response as too self-serving, but I have a CD33 for sale. Go to this link to see 20+ pictures:
http://photos.yahoo.com/vernetf
Having said this, I must tell you that Cape Dories do not have a large cockpit...by comparison to today's designs. That is my only complaint about these wonderful boats. I bought Sirius with the goal of getting my family of 4 (2 boys - ages 11 and 16) into the sailing lifestyle...and it worked!. They love sailing, got pretty good at it, learned how to navigate, trim sails, sail the boat, etc... My sons do not want me to sell her. That came from my wife who feels the cockpit is too small for us. And sometimes, it feels that way.
Anyway, feel free to contact me and we can discuss the pros/cons of a CD33.
Frank Vernet
CO Sirius
CD33 #84
demers@sgi.com
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Neil Gordon
Re: Suitable CD for family of six
>>Carl Alberg designed seaworthiness into the CD's, and a smaller cockpit is one of those considerations.<<
What sells at the boat show is large cockpits and large, open insides, not seaworthiness or functionality. I was amazed at how many designs had eliminated the hanging locker. Takes up too much space and really divides up the inside space, I guess.
Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167
cdory28@aol.com
What sells at the boat show is large cockpits and large, open insides, not seaworthiness or functionality. I was amazed at how many designs had eliminated the hanging locker. Takes up too much space and really divides up the inside space, I guess.
Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167
cdory28@aol.com