Better Boat for Newbie Cruiser?

[diogenes726]

Which is better- a C&C 27 or Cape Dory 28', for FL-Bahamas 6 month cruise?

My previous experience is on a Contest 42.

Thank you!

[roverhi]

They are both decent boats. The Cape Dory would probably be a bit more robust, have an easier motion, sail at a greater angle of heel and be slower The C&C will have a quicker motion, possibly no bilge sump, much quicker on the helm which could be tiring, and faster especially in light air.

If I had thoughts about doing more adventurous cruising, would go with the CD. I'm a full keel, easy motion, traditionalist, however. Get a very good survey on the C&C if you go that route. Believe the hull is balsa core and that can be a serious problem if water has gotten into it and caused rot.

Aloha
Peter O.

[Pblais]

How old are they? Brand name asides the better boat is the one better kept. I wouldn't say one way or the other unless I saw the boat. An old boat is still a tub until it's been surveyed. Balsa core means nothing at all. A boat poorly constructed is worse when it ages. You are not buying the whole production ever made. You only want one good one. C&C and CD both made good boats at tmes.

[diogenes726]

Thanks for your input.
How much should I spend on the survey?

[Pblais]

Surveys are $ / FT based on where the boat is. Travel time counts. Talk to the surveyor and see if you like them and if they can be there when you want them. Those are the important criteria. If you hire someone and pay for it, you should understand them and desire to learn from them. The things they tell you in person mean more than the things in the report. If it goes bad early most will bail at a reduced fee. Number 1 - be there!

[speedoo]

If you want to avoid spending money on a survey for a boat that has major problems and should be avoided, get a copy of Don Casey's "Inspecting the Aging Sailboat" and use it to do your own pre-survey. If you still like the boat after your own survey, hire a surveyor to do the professional survey.

If these boats have inboards, a diesel is preferable.

[speedoo]

For a 6 month cruise in Bahamas/Florida, there are some things that most would consider essential, even on a small boat:

Good ground tackle, including an all-chain rode and at least a manual windlass.

Refrigeration, which will require an adequate house battery bank, and some kind of battery replenishment in addition to the engine alternator... solar/wind/ or maybe a portable generator.

Dodger and Bimini.

Good ventilation, including a fan or two.

I think those are the major essentials.

And on a boat that size, a tiller is much preferred to a wheel, which is completely unnecessary.

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha and Welcome aboard! If they were in equal condition I'd go Cape Dory.
Good luck on your choice.
Kind regards,
JohnL

[Ocean Girl]

Diogenes726,
I've got a cape dory 30. CDs are good strong boats. There is a CD28 coming home from a circumnavigation and last I heard will be up for sale, if interested just PM me and I'll give you his info. His CD28 has been completely refitted including glassing the hull and deck joint. He did change the layout so is very different down below. I don't have a lot of experience on a C&C 27, compared to the CD they behave very different in seas. Here is a great site that compares motion comfort, capsize ratio etc, It helped me narrow my boat search.
Sail Calculator Pro v3.53 - 2000+ boats

Hope this helps,
Erika

[Cheechako]

whichever particular model is the shallowest draft!