25' C-Dory or Tomcat

M

Matt Norman

New member
I apologize to all you old salts as I am a complete newbie. I'm on the home stretch to retirement. My goal (dream?) is to do a lot of river cruising with my wife on the Ohio, Cumberland, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi. We hope to relocate to facilitate this where a good marina is available 7+ months of the year for docking. Have really zeroed in on the C-Dory 25' and/or the Tomcat.

What are the pro-cons between either model? Which offers the better creature comforts for a couple days of overnighting? Wife wants to know if there is much difference in the heads/shower?
 
Thank you...that is exactly the discussion info I needed. Problem is I'm undecided. Like the berth size and storage space of the TC. Like the economy of the CD 25.

Suppose in the end it will be what the checkbook can handle. Getting into six digit initial layout territory will be a stretch for this 'gubmint' worker.
 
Matt,

I'm sure you've read my comments in the other discussion, but you've already made the right decision by choosing a C-Dory...now it's just the model.

I think it comes down to a few factors that YOU need to decide are right for you.

Tom Cat: Faster, much bigger berth, rocks a little more at anchor, cost more, requires 2 motors, little more gas (they're both pretty good), significantly taller on the trailer.

CD25: cheaper (but still 6 figures w/motor(s) and electronics + tax), smaller birth, two motors are an option, handles like single hull boat, little less gas.

If you look to your left, I am the proud new owner of a CD25 and LOVE IT. I have 2 little (2, 5) kids, so the size of the berth at this point in my life is not a huge deal. I'm happy with my decision, but I could have easily gone with the Tom Cat and been just as happy.

Nice problem to have deciding between these two fine boats.

-Sarge/Carl
 
In my CD-25 we sleep 3 up front routinely, I widened the dinnette also so it sleeps 2, but need to be 'good friends' with your sleepmate. :lol:
 
Just do what we did and pick out your favorite color :lol: There is no bad choice. What's a queen size bed mean to you instead of a smaller V-berth?
 
I own both and there are probably more similarities than differences. The cockpit is bigger in the Tom Cat 255, as well as having the swim step(Armstrong bracket). The bunk is much bigger and easier to get into in the Tom Cat.

The difference in fuel consumption is not as much as one might think. It is a few tenths of a mile per gallon. ( I haven't had a chance to run my 25 with a fuel flow meter, so cannot varify, but there are a lot of folks who have given numbers).

In chop the Tom Cat will ride better at high speed. However at low speed, the CD 25 is a better sea boat. I don't agree with the Tom Cat rocking more than the CD 25. The Tom Cat is an extremely stable boat at slow speeds or at anchor. The Tom Cat can have noise from water slapping under the bridge deck. But there can be water noise from the bow in the CD 25.

I agree, both are great boats--and If I wanted the speed (which I do), then go for the Tom Cat. I would suggest that you ride in both boats under similar conditions--similar to what you will be boating in--with the entire family aboard and then decide.

There is a little more head room in the shower in the Tom Cat (but I am 6' 2")--but the seat and shower are almost the same. I can measure if you wish. I prefer to sit down shower in both boats. Better yet is to cockpit shower.
 
Have to question this statement! Most CD25s are not going to reach 6 figures, completely equipped with electronics, canvas and kicker - more like $90K. Did yours run to $100K? A nice, well equipped late model used CD25 (2003 - 2005) - and there may be good reasons to prefer this over the new "improved" CD25s - is going to be, as we have seen, somewhere between $65K (a bargain, a steal) and $85K (self-described by seller as "top dollar").
Sarge":w1x8dtm9 said:
CD25: cheaper (but still 6 figures w/motor(s) and electronics + tax), smaller birth, two motors are an option, handles like single hull boat, little less gas.

-Sarge/Carl
Click to expand...
 
This is interesting, go to the thread that ran a week or so ago and it was "yea Tom Cat". This week we seem to be drawing response from the 25 ft. club. I agree that either would be a great choice, as previously mentioned "pick a color and go for it" is pretty good advice.
Obviously we belong to the 25 ft club and have no regrets. But I will honestly tell you that I also was not prepared to put another 60K into this project. It's a simple decision, just hurry up before the minimalist get into this and it really gets complicated!
Mike
 
Did yours run to $100K?
Click to expand...

Pat, yes and then some!

Base is $60,600

Then add:

Anchor windlass w/anchor, rode and line
Wallas stove
Interior carpet runner
Interior grab rails
Marine head macerator discharge
Refrigerator
window coverings
motor w/rigging

that's another $23,000

Then add:

radar arch
camperback canvas
GPS/chartplotter (Raymarine E80)
Radar
Sonar/fish finder
VHF with DSC radio
autopilot

that's another $12,000

Then add:

personal radio w/sirius and amplifier
speakers (interior and exterior) w/switch
second battery with cutoffs
DVD player
customized work to enclose hanging wires behind helm

That's another $4500

Oh yeah, the dealer prep since we don't buy them from the factory anymore. - I avoided this by getting it at the Everett Boat Show.

Notice I didn't list a trailer? That's another $6k I didn't purchase.

If it is your first boat, or you sold everything with your last boat like I did, then you need the coast guard kit (flares, pfds, fire extinguisher) and fenders and lines.

Almost forgot - bottom painting. The result of not buying a trailer.

Registration $
Taxes $

To be honest, I don't really want to know how much I paid in total. I got some great stuff on the boat and I enjoy it, but just add up what I listed and then add taxes and registration and you have yourself a $100k + boat!

Could you get one cheaper, sure with less options but you're still looking at being very close to $100k with tax and registration.

-Sarge/Carl
 
Pat Anderson":3rx8o4sg said:
Have to question this statement! Most CD25s are not going to reach 6 figures, completely equipped with electronics, canvas and kicker - more like $90K. Did yours run to $100K? A nice, well equipped late model used CD25 (2003 - 2005) - and there may be good reasons to prefer this over the new "improved" CD25s - is going to be, as we have seen, somewhere between $65K (a bargain, a steal) and $85K (self-described by seller as "top dollar").
Click to expand...

Hi Pat,

Things have changed price-wise over the last couple of years and they're going to change again this year (always does). I find that it's getting difficult to keep the CD25 under $100K by the time all the choices are made and the boat hits the water. By comparison the TC255 seems to end up about $30K over that if they're equipped the same (as far as options go).
 
As far as prices go, alot of consideration should go to the fact that it costs almost as much to add the same equipment to a CD 22, a CD25, or a TC255.

Years ago, I was pricing the difference between a CD22 and a CD25. A major portion of the final price of each was the accessories and electronics. At that point, I had decided a 25 was not that much more cost than a 22.

John
 
Great points, but the basic feature of the 22 is the simplicity (or at least it was) and the light weight to trailer. Still good features.

The other issue is that although it is convient to buy the factory packages of accessories (and some it will look much nicer), it is cheaper to do the installation yourself. For the TC I had the windlass put in by the factory--but then I had to pull it and seal the holes...On the CD 25, I am a slightly upgraded windless for almost half the cost--just one example.

I prefer to put in my own electronics--although the in the dash GPS/radar/fishfinder looks nice, I prefer to have both right below or above the line of sight as I look out the foreward windows. I also like to be able to swivel units so Marie can look at them also. I also prefer the screen space of separate units. Also, I feel that the basic wiring needs to be upgraded if you are putting in significant electronics.
 
Thataway,

If I had as much skill and talent that you have in your little finger, I'd try some of what you suggest, but God blessed me with 10 thumbs. 10 very dangerous thumbs...

As I mentioned before, I was a cop and as such became quite familiar and skilled with firearms, but give me a hammer or worse yet an electric saw and WATCH OUT! I am a full fledged menace to society :embarrased

Thank goodness for guys like Les and other dealers who can skillfully accomplish what I would destroy.

This is probably the biggest reason my CD25 cost so much...I pay to have it done right. Now, if you lived by me.... :wink

Take care,

-Sarge/Carl
 
Consider that one of the major costs in boat building are petroleum based products the price rise is no great supprise. I have the origional invoice on the CD 25 from 2003. There are some very significant price increases during the last 4 years.
 
Here is a shot of the two boats side-by-side on the trailers in a campground. Even though the TomCat is further away from the camera, you can see that it is much larger on the trailer. And heavier.

25vsTCE.jpg

The original questin about the head on each boat: they are pretty similar... most everything else is different.
 
The New Hampshire Guy is correct about the price increase . Freight is not getting any cheaper either . Starts on boats ordered now .
However the boat still is economical to operate compared to most anything else on the market .That equates to value . Im glad Im not a Fountain,Cigarrette or Donzi dealer !
Marc
 
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