C-Dory thinkin Ranger

[Hank Schneider]

Hello To All
Well I just joined Tugnuts and here is the story. Bought a Cape Cruiser 23 (same boat as the Venture 23) last year for cruising the intercoastal waterway. Perfect for that. Took the boat over to the Bahamas (MOW) in May and realized that I didn't have the right boat for a 200 mile trip in the ocean. The first leg of the trip to Memory Rock (50 mi) took 8 hours in 4-5 foot confused seas - dead into the waves. The elephants beat me up pretty badly - we were safe but sore. Went back for a couple of weeks in June and had a blast. I'll go back next spring, hopefully in more comfort
My wife thinks I should get a bigger boat - for safety after seeing the video clip (ain't I lucky?). My boat is for sale and see the Ranger 25 as a logical choice. It will be an expensive upgrade and I'm trying to get some idea about how the tugs handle the ocean and 1f anyone out there is familiar with the two boats - what would be the noticeable differences? What will I be getting for the extra 75 + K? I can compare the specs myself but there is more to a cruiser than dimensions.
There is a boat for sale at Smith Mountain Lake and I can go up and take a look but I'm not in a position to buy until mine is sold.
Any thoughts welcome.
Thanks
Hank 😀

 

[captd]

Been there done that. We check in at West End only 60 miles fron Palm Beach. Twice we went over with 22 C-Dory. We really enjoyed. The Ranger rides better in the seas you mentioned. Hope to be spend this coming winter in the Marsh Harbor area.
captd

 

[Hank Schneider]

How would you compare the R25 to the CD22 in big seas?????
H

 

[dr. o]

These are small boats... The difference between 22 and 25 foot in a steep, breaking sea, is minimal - you should not be there in either..
The next issue is the waterline/height of the C of G... I suspect it is higher in the R25 than the C22... This means you have to be more careful on quartering or beam seas with the higher waterline CG.. And you need to be careful about putting weight up high, such as our beloved air conditioners and TV domes...
In any rough water situation, the longer/bigger boat is usually the better...

The reality is that any well built boat can take more than us amateur sailors - and both the C line and R line boats are well built... A 22 foot Dory hull, manned by a competent skipper, and perhaps with a sea drogue, can ride out most anything except maybe the perfect storm... The same goes for the R25... I would be the limiting factor under those conditions, not the boat..
If you are wanting to take on the Gulf Stream in any sea state in a smaller boat, then you need to be in a Grady White, or similar, blue water design boat... Unfortunately, they lack the creature comforts of the C and R boats...

denny-o

 

[notaclue]

hank,,, denny-o just gave you some great advice... the limiting factor with small boats in confused seas is ultimately the skipper,, still got not clue ,, steve,, christina bee looking forward to the rondivue in sept............