Ex sailor, overlapped with deep V runabout for over 20 years. Yes, the boat handles much differently than either sail or Deep V, or inboard twin screw sundeck motor yacht, than single screw trawler etc. It is much more suspeptable to the wind. Currents can be an issue, and although there are ways to mitigate pounding, you are definately limited in speed into a short chop. On the other hand, these boats have held up with the test of time. Back in 1982 I saw a C Dory 22 in Long Beach, CA. which was going to Catalina Island every weekend out of the year--I was impressed, and vowed to own "one of those" when I got too old to sail. That time came in the late 1990's when we made our 3rd trip thru the Panama canal and took our Cal 46 from Alaska to Pensacola, FL. we had a 42' Symbol aft cabin MY, a Carver 32 single screw, several deep V runabouts, and walk around cuddy Cabin, Grady White. We ended up starting a 20 love afair in C Dorys, We cruised most of the inland Rivers in the East, some parts of the Great Loop, and even the keys etc, plus we kept a 22 then a 25 in LasVegas or S. Calif. We went back to Sequim for our base, as our Cal had been, then took the C Dory all parts of the area from Port Townsend to Icy Straits AK. We went over many of the places we had visited during the 4 seasons we had the cal 46th. We found it was delightful to dance over the currents, and make 2 or 3 major passes in a day, vs 1 pass a day in the sailboat (which would do 8 knots under power or sail). There are certainly some strong currents, and the tide / current tables will be you best friends no matter where you go. For chop, bow down, slow down, and don't worry if spray flies over the cabin house--this is why the pilot house boat shines.
The Tom Cat eats up chop up to 2 1/2 or 3 feet, but that is substantial. Down wind, seas, we were comfortable on days when boats in the 50 and 60 feet were thrown around--the C Dory danced on top. Beam seas, you will have some roll, but the boat is seaworthy. The 25 is "better" than the 22, but needs a bigger tow vehicle. I have towed a 25 with a 1/2 ton Yukon XL, but it was much easier with a 3/4 ton excursion or a 3/4 ton F250. We also "boaterhomed" on the road--no discharge from the sink or shower drains--re route into 2 1/2 gallon containers, and dump those into the sewer of the RV park, or find a dump station. We have stayed in CrackerBarrels (ate two meals) a number of times, as in WalMart parking lots. National parks, in some ares just in a side road, which had a large pullout. Truck stops or rest stops are occasionally what you are stuck with--we aways give way and are sure to not impead 18 wheelers. If you do this, truckers can be very helpful. We use camping apps and Waze when on the road for stops and routing.
