Hi Michael,
I just came across this thread, but thought I might be able to give you some perspective. Before buying our C-Dory, we were avid sailors. As a point of comparison, we owned a Com-Pac SunCat, which is pretty similar to the Seaward Fox. If you compare any powercruiser to your small sailboat (while under sail), there will be more noise... just like when the motor is running on your Fox. The sensations are different, compared to sitting in the cockpit of a small sailboat and being inside the cabin of a C-Dory or a Ranger Tug. If you were to ride in the cabin of your Fox while motoring (hard to do while singlehanding 😉 ), the sounds and sensations would be different, as well.
Sure, you know all that. We had other, larger sailboats, but it was that little SunCat that convince us that we would enjoy a powercruiser... after motoring 7 hours into a headwind and sloppy waves to get home one day. In the Rangers or C-Dorys, you stay comfortable and dry while at the helm; it is easy to stay out longer when you are out of the wind/sun/rain/cold. Stand up height in the cabins. A great view from anywhere in the cabin... imagine sitting at the dinette while at anchor, enjoying a cup of coffee while watching the sunrise... in warmth and comfort. Think you'd miss the cockpit of your Fox? Picture comfortable chairs in the cockpit of the powercruisers, toasting a sunset.
When we were considering a C-Dory (before the first Ranger 25 Tug was made), we went for a ride on one: it was drizzly and in the mid-40s outside. We were comfortable in shirtsleeves in the C-Dory with the Wallas heater going. I commented about the noise difference compared to our sailboat (at that time, a Corsair trimaran)... shortly after that, we passed a 40' sailboat. There were three people huddled in the cockpit behind the dodger, getting what protection they could from the weather. My wife said, "Well, you could be doing that instead of this." Sold!
We knew we would be doing some cruising with the C-Dory, but didn't realize how easy it would be to make that extended cruising (months at a time). The "noise" from the motor is a low frequency sound, and not obtrusive under most circumstances. Kinda soothing, actually.
How about rigging time? If your Fox is the catrig with the carbon fiber mast, it probably takes you at least 15 minutes to get set up when you are at the ramp. If it is the sloop version, probably closer to a half hour. With the C-Dory or Ranger, pull up to the ramp, undo the straps, and launch. Certainly, more weight and mass than the Fox, but more liveability, as well.
I didn't think we'd ever not have a sailboat, even after we bought the C-Dory. In fact, we kept the SunCat for several years along with the C-Dory, in case we wanted to go sailing. With both of them easy to access, we always tended to take the C-Dory because of the comfort. Don't get me wrong, there are days when the weather is perfect for sailing: upper 70s, sunny, wind @ 10 and not on the nose. 😎 And those days are just as comfortable at a protected inside helm.
Our tastes change over time. I still enjoy sailing. Every once in a while, I suggest another sailboat to my wife, and she brings me back to reality with, "I don't want to work that hard. You can do that with your next wife." :mrgreen: I have a sail for my Hobie kayak that I rarely use... I have sailing friends - OPB (other people's boats) can be good for the time when you want to feel the pull of the sail.
It may sound like I'm trying to talk you into this. No, just letting you know that others have been where you are. Yes, there are differences. Powercruisers aren't "the dark side," they are another option for being on the water... an option that has worked well for many of us.
Good luck with your search.
Best wishes,
Jim B.
