C-Dory 22 ride

A

Awackowi

New member
I am new to the C-Brat website, but already love the amount of information shared here regarding C-Dorys. I have already read a lot of the messages that provide guidance on the different models of C-Dory, but would like some specific information about how the C-Dorys ride, specificly the 22 Cruiser.

My wife has a very bad back and has had multiple sugeries as a result. We currently have a 24' Grady that is just to big for me to handle by myself. After reviewing the various models the 22 seems like a good choice but would like some feedback on what type of water is realistic with the 22. We live in North Carolina and are within an hour from the Chesapeake Bay, so it would be a lot of sound and bay fishing.

Any help is greatly appreciated,
Al
 
I take mine out into the open North Pacific to chase halibut, lingcod, and salmon. It takes rough water well and while some say it pounds in the chop, it really is overstated as all one has to do is slow down.
 
I don't mean to be negative, but we sold our 22 because of my back problems. We found the 25 to be slightly better, and the Tom Cat to be the "solution". But even with the Tom Cat there is a limit--that is about 3.5 foot seas (chop).

Yes, the C Dory 22 will handle almost anything at a slow speed, but my wife also has back problems, (she has had micro surgery, I have had both open surgery, and chemical proceedures to kill the pain nerves). In rough water, the 22 does both her back with its side to side motion--and again she does fine in the Tom Cat.

In my opinion, the best boat for back problems are the cats. For that reason we acquired a second cat--an 18 foot Caracal to replace our 18 foot center Console Century--again, a much better ride, and both of our backs are much happier. You can occasionally find a good deal on a Tom Cat 24--and that is lighter and less expensive.

Not a lot of cabin cats, and they are more expensive in the 22 size range. There are the Glacier bay 22. Aero Marine is also making some "trawler" cats in the smaller sizes, and may do custom boats.. I had reservations about having them build me a boat, but I didn't have time to sea trial one of their boats.
 
I also had to sell my 22 Cruiser due to back problems. I could no longer tolerate the pounding and vibration.

Be sure to go for a test ride on a choppy day! :wink
 
Bob and Larry,

Thank you for your replies, I appreciate your insight regarding this matter. I had looked at the Cats before but had heard that they could be a handful when trolling or anchored in rolling seas from the side.

Sounds like I will have to do some more research :xnaughty

My wife loves to go fishing, but has had two of her vertebrae fused and two artificial discs above that, so she need an easy ride.

Thanks again, for the information

Al
 
Without a doubt the tomcat rides better. No arguing that ever. But the CD 22 does not ride that bad in my opinion and that is coming from someone who has the T11 and T12 fused together thanks to a military parachuting jump gone bad. So, I know back pain too. And some days, it hurts on the boat or off of it. I simply don't go if it is really crummy. Yet I have gotten caught a number of times and wished I had a bigger, wider, and a little smoother riding boat because I paid for it some later that night when the spasms started. The best solution is to not go and if you do, well you get what you get. As the captain and the one that will be paying for it the most later, I try to take things easy. No hurry on my end.....

I always profess to get the best one you can afford and if money is not standing in the way, get a cat, and the Armstrong cats in the 30-40 some foot range are awesome. I have been on the Tia-Rose out of Seward and it was the smoothest riding boat I have ever been on. But, it still rolled with the rollers on the hook just like any boat does just not as much thanks to the large beam. If it wasn't for the price tag that is higher than my house, I'd have one. But do remember even if you settle on a tomcat, your 24 foot boat was too big to handle by yourself and the tomcat and CD 25 are similar in size to what you have now.
 
There is a 23' Armstrong on Yachtworld for $70K! :mrgreen:

I get where you are coming from. I love my Tom Cat but I recently bought a 22 also because it will be way easier for me to launch and run by myself. I am a big guy so I was not comfortable with the idea of going down in size to a 16 for a 2nd boat as many of the other guys here have done.

Warren
 
Al,

I think the answer to your question depends a lot on how you travel. If you're always going to be in a big hurry and need to go fast at all times, then you wouldn't benefit from the 22's ability to slow down and calmly get through the chop. One of my favorite things about this boat is that it can be easily single-handed and get into all of the small places where the big guys can't go. I often just use my 8hp kicker to putter into the shallows. Yet it's big enough to be protective when you need it from the weather. Bigger boats may be more comfortable, but at the cost of being unwieldy and restricted in depth. Your adventures in the Chesapeake would seem just the right place for a 22. Good luck and have fun, whatever you choose.
 
That Armstrong is a great boat at a great price. I am not a fan of I/Os.
It would be a fantastic boat if it had an outboard.
 
What Dr. Bob says is very true the Tomcat or similar craft would run a lot better is a short chop . Another way to go is look at a venture 23 or cape cruiser 23 same boat The ride is way better then the c-22 I think its because of 800lbs heavier and a little bit wider at the bottom . We had a c-22 cruiser it was a great boat but in pounded in short chop of the Gulf coast whereas the cc-23 rides so much better . We have had it out in 3-4 footers and the boat took it much better then my Wife and I.

The way to do this is to research what you want and ride in each boat under less then ideal conditions Good Luck and happy Hunting

BTW If I won the Lottery I would buy a 255 Tomcat in a heart beat Also if you get down to Naples Fl. this winter I 'd be happy to take you out in a cc-23 or a c-22 Angler that way you would know how they run
 
I love the C-22 for a lot of reasons, but I too wanted a totally different ride experience when I purchased a new vessel two years ago. The Tomcat offered that totally different ride experience. Now, it's also much more expensive, requires a 10,000 lb capacity tow vehicle, burns more fuel, etc., etc., etc. It will boil down to what you want to prioritize.

Good luck with your search and please do take a ride on whatever you are considering.
 
I would like to thank all of you for your feedback, this is by far the best site I have been on.

We have contacted a local C-Dory dealer and are waiting for them to get a CD 22 in so we can look it over. The dealer is going to set up a sea trial with a customer who has a CD 22. So that may or may not help in our decision.

In the past we have heard, what most of you are saying here; the cats ride much better in chop.

Money is a factor, as we have not yet won the lottery and it seems that most of the cats are more expensive (but that makes sense because there are two motors). The current issues with the Grady are its size and weight at the dock require me to have another person with me. So I am a little leery of getting a 24 or 25 Cat, because I don't want to get in the same position as I did with the Grady.

You have all provided great feedback and given me a few more things to consider.

Thanks again,
Al
 
Al,

I won't hesitate to tell you that pretty much everything you have heard in response to your query is all true.

Here's the truth from our perspective: If you can afford a cat and are able to transport it where you want to take it, then by all means go for it!

If you are like the rest of us who have 22's or 25's and back problems, just simply don't take chances with the weather. Go boating/fishing only when it's nice. If you do get caught in some unexpected poor conditions..... slow down. Your C-dory will get you home to boat another day.

Good luck with your boat whatever it is.

Dan
 
A couple of "other" thoughts.

First, I have recently sold my 16 cruiser in favor of a 19 angler. The 19 has trim tabs, which I've never had before. Even with the permafoil on my 16 (and the 19), the ability to draw the bow down into chop was limited, because as you get to the sweet spot, the boat begins to "hunt" badly.

With trim tabs, I can keep the motor in a fairly neutral position, and then draw the bow down into moderate chop (2' or so) and really smooth out the ride a LOT. I have been so very impressed with this--I can run 20+ and barely feel it. However, when it gets above about 3', I definitely agree that you have to slow down and let the hull work or you will feel it.

Secondly, I used to drive buses (and now drive fire engines) that are equipped with air-ride seats. I know there's not a lot of room in the Dory, but I have often wondered if there is either a sprung seat or an air ride seat with minimal travel that would help take the edge off? Any ideas?

Best of luck with your search. When you do your test ride, be sure to go with someone who knows how to use the trim tabs, as they really do make it a different boat.

best,
bmc
 
I am having a bit of a problem with your saying that the Grady White 24 is too big a boat for you to handle--and that you equate that with a Cat.

In what way do you find the Grady too big to handle? Generally I find bigger boats easier to handle--up to a point--and I have single handed a 62 footer for a month without an engine in the Caribbean. The bigger boats are more stable as a platform, and you use the engine and spring lines to move them around--not physical power. As for anchoring, most boats in the C Dory/Grady size use a windlass, remotely controlled for anchoring. With the C Dories, and Tom Cat, I bring the boat along side the dock and snag a cleat or bull rail with a line from the cabin window. On the Tom Cat, I put a 6,000 lb fold down "D" ring right by the window, because the spring cleat is a bit far to easily reach; the line and fender clip to this "D" ring.

I had thought about the air ride suspension--and it still may be a viable idea--but wonder if it would really solve the problems.

As for trolling--it it is rough and you are going directly into the waves at low speeds there may be some "slap"--but nothing dangerous. Beam seas, I find the Tom Cat to be more stable than either the C Dories I have owned or a Grady White, slightly smaller than yous I owned in the past.

As far as cost, the boats have held their value far better than most boats in the past. So you look at the "Cost of ownership" as being a bit less than some which depreciate rapidly.
 
About one year ago had both an anterior and posterior L4-5 and L5-S1 fusion for disc problems and spinal stenosis [Marine grade stainless cage and fusion system] - great surgical result so far now able to walk miles without pain vs a few feet before surgery. Surgeon said ok to lift just don't do a lot of bending to prevent or delay problems with joints above the fusion.

The major reason I changed from old CD 22 to the new to me was for the extras - several have helped the back:

Taller cabin
Trim tabs - bringing the nose down and slowing down
Canopy with zipper at bulkhead so I can unzip the canopy and stay erect while stepping on to 2 step stool in cockpit
Radar arch that is easy to hold on to while stepping on stool in cockpit- plan to add handhold over the door as well.
Auto pilot - allows me to move around - stretch and change positions more often
Planned - enlargement of opening to cuddy on port side
Radar arch vs tower before that made it about impossible to wrestle my sea kayak on to the roof.

Back brace no longer recommended by surgeon except for immediate post op is really helpful for the occasional 40-100 NM day to Central and N Puget Sound.

Great boat even with back problems - find a good surgeon -

Jim





Jim
 
Lots of good info so far, but I just have to add my two bits as relating to using the TomCat 255:

For me, it's been one of the easiest boats to launch, retrieve, trailer and use at sea. It comes up on the trailer much like a pontoon boat - only one way for it to go, IF you get the trailer in the water properly. I rarely have to turn the crank, just drive it up 'til it hits the stops.

This probably depends upon the type, angle and depth of the ramp. I could see, if you had to try to crank that huge TomCat hull up to the stop, how that could be a deal killer, but if you sink the trailer, it seems to be a no cranking situation.

Also, the autopilot, as mentioned before, is wonderful in giving you time, while under control, to set the fenders, etc. as needed. I have the extra cockpit helm installed and I barely have to lean over to engage a cleat on the float while docking - no wild running about, etc.. The low gunwale allows easy access to the dock and water with little bending over. Also, the even, single level floor from cabin to cockpit eliminates the common stumbling.

Every plus can have a "minus" and, catamarans can bob sideways with the waves if you hold them parallel to the waves, BUT ANY boat will misbehave in this situation in high seas. Just angling across the seas at most speeds gives you a smooth ride.

Of course, if you are going 30 mph over the tops of waves, you'll have to come down sometime on the back side. I find that using the Perma Trims in the 3-4 foot seas will allow around 20 mph without excessive pounding unless you run off the back of a swell.

Basically, the operation of a TomCat 255 at moderate speeds is extremely smooth and comfortable - more so than any other boat (under 30 foot) that I've piloted. If you kept it at a marina, you'd have little need to load and unload.

Good luck,

John
 
I want to thank everyone who has taken the time to respond to my initial inquiry about the ride of the CD 22. To be honest I have received way more feedback than I thought I would get. This is a great site and I appreciate each of you taking the time to express your opinions and experiences.

I have read a lot of positive feedback (not just on this site) regarding the performance aspects of the cats. Our next step is to hopefully compare the two, and then make a decision based on all of the factors that we have and what has been outlined here.

Thank you all,
Al
 
Don;t forget that there is a Tom Cat 24 for sale--now in Florida--for considerably less than a new Tom Cat 255. The 24 and 255 have a similar ride.
 
I noticed the 24 Tomcat on either yachtworld or boattrader when it was listed in PA. Threw me off a little bit when I did the search and the same boat and pictures came up in Key West. This time of the year if I could choose between PA or Key West that would be a no brainer!!!

I may be in Key West after the first of the year and if it is still for sale I will definitely make arrangements to look that boat.

Thanks again,
Al
 
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