Buying a C-Dory

[Sunbeam]

Having lived in VA for two years, and sailed on the sChesapeake for 3 summers, I would opt for the roof AC unit.

Going back and reading the first post again - you're right. For some reason I was thinking Great Loop and trailering to Great Lakes.... not sure where I got that (maybe another thread!). I agree, for hot, muggy VA/Chesapeake summers.... "permanent" AC would be really nice.

 

[Sea Wolf]

Don't overlook these two ideas:

1. The 25 has a lot more plumbing because of the head, shower, and all that they entail. Plus much of the equipment for them is under the deck floor, toilet, shower, or in the space behind the walls, etc. Very complex and hard to work on. Same for the 25's gas tanks, bilge, etc. The 25's conveniences come with a price in initial cost, upkeep, and repair. Again, there's no free lunch!

2. By contrast, the 22 with it's simpler equipment and single "stand directly on the outer hull's inner skin" floor are easier to work on, simpler, and less expensive, both up front and later. If you like the KISS Principle, you may well prefer the 22.

Also, (bonus idea), standing on the inside of the outer hull in a 22 puts you down 6-10 inches lower in the boat than a 25, which gives one a greater sense of security and safety than being up higher on a raised inner floor/deck in heavy weather. This has to be experienced to fully appreciate the difference, but our sailors will understand immediately with their sailing moxy.

Joe. :teeth :thup

 

[Sunbeam]

Also, (bonus idea), standing on the inside of the outer hull in a 22 puts you down 6-10 inches lower in the boat than a 25, which gives one a greater sense of security and safety than being up higher on a raised inner floor/deck in heavy weather.

Just a side note on that: The 22's, starting around 2006(?), do have a permanent "raised" cockpit sole (i.e. flat, and not simply the gently curved inside of the hull). On the 22's prior to that, there was no permanent flat/raised cockpit sole, but there is the option to use inserts (that are removable) to make it flat. For a time, C-Dory offered "factory" removable floorboards, which were molded fiberglass; or, many people have made their own of plywood, wooden slats, fiberglass, etc.

That said, I don't believe that any systems, hoses, tanks, or the like are beneath the newer-models' permanent cockpit sole (I don't think there's more than a few inches of space there anyway).

An advantage to the permanent sole is that water runs off it aft and into the small sump there, chairs sit flat, etc.; but on the other hand, it's now something that water can get trapped inside or under, you don't have the option of "standing low," etc. Also, I think it's "just" caulked to the after cabin bulkhead, not glassed (please correct me if I'm wrong), so that's something that is not "permanent" and may need attention. Of course things are reversed with the "no sole" boats in the area of advantages/disadvantages. So, as mentioned above, no "free lunch" either way, and it's really a matter of personal preference, and/or which boat you find that suits you in most things when shopping used.

Sunbeam :hot

PS: I'd been admiring/wanting a C-Dory for years, and I always "knew" it would be a 25 when I eventually was able to join the C-Dory world. Coming from "larger" sailboats, and having a liveaboard mindset, I knew I would appreciate the extra room below decks. To my mind it was going to be like having a 25-26' sailboat instead of a "Catalina 22" camping-type boat. Well, as you can see by looking at my boat info, I have a 22 8) Turned out that when the time came, and after doing more research - plus getting on the two boats - the 22 was the right one for me, for a number of reasons. I do think that if the 22 did not have standing headroom but the 25 did, that I would not have chosen the 22. Happily it's not like sailboats that way, and the 22 does have standing headroom So I'd say it's good you are considering both, and figuring out which one fits you best.