GL: Single-handed boat for Great Loop

[bob Austin]

I am a bit partial to the C Dory line of boats. (I own a CD 25 and a Tom Cat
255 & used to own a CD 22).  I also looked at the Rosborough 246.  ( Actually
I have been following Rosborough since they were building wooden sailing
vessels in the 1950's).  The Rosborough do better into the chop than the CD
25, but the CD 25 does better down wind/seas.  If you go back in the
Rosborough forum there are some folks who have had some scary experiences in
heavy seas down wood. The other problem, for me, was the size of the foreward
bunk--it just was not long enough--they have sort of resolved that problem
with removal of half or the whole hanging locker.   I am not reallly sold on
the sliding side doors.  But they are a very well built boat with a diversity
of power plants.

As to the C Dorys--there is nothing wrong with a cored hull, as long as one
does not put holes in it.  The CD 22 should not have any holes in the hull,
and it is an extremely durable boat.  The origional boats are close to 30
years old and still being used with an excellent resale value.  The CD 22 has
a porta potty, instead of a marine head and holding tank.  This might be a
plus on the Loop.  Also the C dories are faster boats in general than the R
246.  The 22's will get about 4 miles a gallon at 18 to 20 knots--better at
displacement speeds.    The CD 25 has a nice enclosed head, a larger forebunk
and good storage.  It is a bit heavier than the CD 22 (4000 lbs) the CD 25 is
about 7,000 lbs.  The Tom Cats are the fastest, and are relitatively
economical, with lots of room.  The difference between the TC 24 and TC 255 is
mostly in the deck house.  The hulls are  basically the same, with the 255,
having an engine bracket-giving more hull length.  The 255 has a head which is
easier for me to use, a huge foreward bunk (slightly bigger and easier to get
into than the 24--but both really great.).  The TC 24 is lighter and uses less
power and fuel.  On my TC 255, I cruise at 25 to 35 knots (I realize that some
folks don't understand the reason for speed--but in our case--we have a
reason--plus I have gone a couple of hundred thousand miles under sail, so I
have "carbon credits" in Neptunes bank.).The Tom Cats ride better up on top of
the chop--and we can run at planing speeds in 3 to 3.5 foot seas.  We average
2.3 miles a gallon at  25 knots.

As for the Ranger (also called C Ranger 25)--it has never been offered with
135 hp diesel.  The max was 125hp, which I sea trialed and wrote a review of.
The current boat is offered in 110 hp or 75 hp, although one dealer has a 55
hp boat offered.  When loaded the semi displacement speed is probably in the
12 knot range. Consiquently, the better speed is a displacement speed in the 6
to 7 knot range.  Any diesel at a displacement speed will beat the economy of
the gas engines boat.  BUT the Ranger 25 will cost you close to $150,000 to
buy;  vs. a used C Dory 22 starting at $14,000-just listed today, and i
suspect it won't be on the market long.   The 25's sell from $45,000 to about
$65,000 used, and as Georgs noted the Tom Cat 24 for $60 to 75K.  The TC 255's
have been as low as $85,000, and as much as $115K used.

My choice as a single hander?  The CD 22.  Read "River Horse" by William Least
heat Moon--of the CD 22's trip across the US on waterways, with only a
relitatively few miles of portage.  Also real Bill and El's blogs--fantastic!

Bob Austin