I'm interested in purchasing a Cape Dory, but not sure which size boat makes the most sense. I will be mostly sailing with my wife but will occasionally weekend sail with another couple. I have heared when you buy a boat you always wish it were 2 feet bigger. IS there any significant difference between them ? ie. cockpit size, handeling, accomodations below. Price difference is not a factor.
Thanks, Peter
apswid1@comcast.net
Should I purchase a 25D or 27?
Moderator: Jim Walsh
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John M Freeman
Re: Should I purchase a 25D or 27?
Peter,
I have a CD25, and have looked after a CD270 for a gentleman whos boat is on the hard at my marina. The difference is amazing. Alot more room, the 2 feet makes a heck of a difference. Especially if you are doing any extended cruising with 2 or more. Not to mention the benefit of true stand up headroom. If you can afford the extra 2 feet, do so, I think you will appreciate the boat a whole lot more.
capn_jack68@yahoo.com
I have a CD25, and have looked after a CD270 for a gentleman whos boat is on the hard at my marina. The difference is amazing. Alot more room, the 2 feet makes a heck of a difference. Especially if you are doing any extended cruising with 2 or more. Not to mention the benefit of true stand up headroom. If you can afford the extra 2 feet, do so, I think you will appreciate the boat a whole lot more.
capn_jack68@yahoo.com
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Bob B
Re: Should I purchase a 25D or 27?
Peter,
I have owned a 27 and traveled the coast with it. It is a great size for two. You must be close friends to have another couple aboard for a length more than a weekend. The 27 is supposed to be one of the better sailing Cape Dories. I liked the boat and could single hand as I needed to.
I now own a 25D and have found it a great boat. It doesn't really have room for four but traveling with two is OK. I think it is one of the easiest boats to sail and have had a great time in it. I prefer the 25D to the 27 just for its simplicity. Ours isn't gadgetty and is easy to work on and keep up.
If you are planning on having others aboard for a weekend, go with the 27. If you can have them stay in a hotel and sail with you during the day, then get the 25D. We were out with five of us aboard last weekend and the guests stayed in a hotel while we took them sailing during the day. It worked out very well.
If you can, sail one of each and see what you think. By the way, both cockpits are close to the same size in that five is about max, four is better.
Bob B.
CD25D Tiva
Charleston, SC
Bundyr@aol.com
I have owned a 27 and traveled the coast with it. It is a great size for two. You must be close friends to have another couple aboard for a length more than a weekend. The 27 is supposed to be one of the better sailing Cape Dories. I liked the boat and could single hand as I needed to.
I now own a 25D and have found it a great boat. It doesn't really have room for four but traveling with two is OK. I think it is one of the easiest boats to sail and have had a great time in it. I prefer the 25D to the 27 just for its simplicity. Ours isn't gadgetty and is easy to work on and keep up.
If you are planning on having others aboard for a weekend, go with the 27. If you can have them stay in a hotel and sail with you during the day, then get the 25D. We were out with five of us aboard last weekend and the guests stayed in a hotel while we took them sailing during the day. It worked out very well.
If you can, sail one of each and see what you think. By the way, both cockpits are close to the same size in that five is about max, four is better.
Bob B.
CD25D Tiva
Charleston, SC
Bundyr@aol.com
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larry m
Re: perfect size
We have found that the perfect size boat is one that can handle cocktails for six, dinner for four and sleeps two.
Larry M
CD33 dolce
Larry M
CD33 dolce
Peter Swiderski wrote: I'm interested in purchasing a Cape Dory, but not sure which size boat makes the most sense. I will be mostly sailing with my wife but will occasionally weekend sail with another couple. I have heared when you buy a boat you always wish it were 2 feet bigger. IS there any significant difference between them ? ie. cockpit size, handeling, accomodations below. Price difference is not a factor.
Thanks, Peter
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Mike
25 vs. 25D
Please remember.... there is a big difference between the 25 and the 25d. They are two completly different boats, in design, and execution. Most people confuse the 25d for a 27 or 28 footer.
"The 25, I'd take daysailing, the 25d I'd take around the world".
Mike
"Wakonda" 25d
Scituate, MA
Peter,
metmike@aol.com
"The 25, I'd take daysailing, the 25d I'd take around the world".
Mike
"Wakonda" 25d
Scituate, MA
Peter,
John M Freeman wrote: I have a CD25, and have looked after a CD270 for a gentleman whos boat is on the hard at my marina. The difference is amazing. Alot more room, the 2 feet makes a heck of a difference. Especially if you are doing any extended cruising with 2 or more. Not to mention the benefit of true stand up headroom. If you can afford the extra 2 feet, do so, I think you will appreciate the boat a whole lot more.
metmike@aol.com
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Bob Dane
Re: Should I purchase a 25D or 27?
Peter,
Any size Cape Dory is a quality boat, and most CD owners, including myself would buy another. However, I wish I had waited for a slightly larger one. I have a CD25 and the headroom below deck is minimal as is the potential for comfort beyond just daysailing.
A CD27 would make a big difference. Bear in mind that many of the posts on this message board tend to be overly enthusiastic about their boats. Yes Cape Dorys are wonderful boats but there are downsides and the cabin headroom and space are the biggest.
movieshow1@aol.com
Any size Cape Dory is a quality boat, and most CD owners, including myself would buy another. However, I wish I had waited for a slightly larger one. I have a CD25 and the headroom below deck is minimal as is the potential for comfort beyond just daysailing.
A CD27 would make a big difference. Bear in mind that many of the posts on this message board tend to be overly enthusiastic about their boats. Yes Cape Dorys are wonderful boats but there are downsides and the cabin headroom and space are the biggest.
movieshow1@aol.com
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Max Treece
Re: 25 vs. 25D
Mike is correct regarding the big difference in the 25 and 25D. Moving from a 25 to anything larger brings on different systems to maintain. Most larger than the 25 have inboard engines which can't be pulled out easily for maintenance and repair in comparison to the outboards. Then there are usually pressurized water systems, electric bilge pumps, marine heads, etc that I don't have to worry about maintaining on my little CD25. The CD25 is about as large of a boat that I feel comfortable single handling as I often have passengers that don't know anything about sailing.
If headroom and overnight comfort is what you are after, the CD25 may not be the boat for you. It only has sitting headroom and the berths are made for short people. However, if you are mainly interested in daysailing with an occasional overnight and want a stable and comfortable sailing craft, consider the Cape Dory 25. Bigger is not always better.
metreece@duke-energy.com
If headroom and overnight comfort is what you are after, the CD25 may not be the boat for you. It only has sitting headroom and the berths are made for short people. However, if you are mainly interested in daysailing with an occasional overnight and want a stable and comfortable sailing craft, consider the Cape Dory 25. Bigger is not always better.
Mike wrote: Please remember.... there is a big difference between the 25 and the 25d. They are two completly different boats, in design, and execution. Most people confuse the 25d for a 27 or 28 footer.
"The 25, I'd take daysailing, the 25d I'd take around the world".
Mike
"Wakonda" 25d
Scituate, MA
Peter,John M Freeman wrote: I have a CD25, and have looked after a CD270 for a gentleman whos boat is on the hard at my marina. The difference is amazing. Alot more room, the 2 feet makes a heck of a difference. Especially if you are doing any extended cruising with 2 or more. Not to mention the benefit of true stand up headroom. If you can afford the extra 2 feet, do so, I think you will appreciate the boat a whole lot more.
metreece@duke-energy.com