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Jeff H. Please compare

3K views 8 replies 3 participants last post by  SailNet Archive 
#1 ·
A Cape Dory 25 with a modern boat like a Catalina 260. I was impressed this weekend by a CD. It is so long, thin and close to the water. I hadn''t realised how narrow until I stood on the dock at the stern. And the low freeboard looks like you can touch the water with your hand while sitting in the cockpit. I have always enjoyed your discussions.
 
#2 ·
I am afraid that is a strange question. These are such dissimilar boats that I would not even begin to know where to start. When you say that the Cape Dory 25 was narrow and close to the water I can only assume that you are referring to the original CD 25. These were Okay boats for thier day. The build quality on these boats was pretty dismal but they were simple boats and so were able to be maintained and repaired as necessary. They were tender but sailed well for a boat of that type and era.

I don''t like anything about the Catalina 250. I am actually a fan of the Cat 27 having spent a lot of time on them. They are good boats for the dollar. The Cat 250 just plan seems to have wandered in a different and unappealing direction to me.

Jeff
 
#3 ·
Thanks Jeff!!! My question was prompted by a question about windage effects on performance. It is too general a question but basically I was wanting a discussion of the tradeoffs between a fat high windage fin keel and a skinny,full keel boat.
I am the kind of guy who enjoys walking around the dock and yard just looking at boats. At my dock right now we have everything from a fat heavy double ender from Holland to water ballasted catalinas. Being conservative by nature I bought a Pearson 323 as a compromise between seaworthy and slow. My wife thought that I was disappointed with our pearson as I was so impressed with the double ender. My response was that I am pleased with the Pearson for our coastal cruising plans but would want the double ender to cross an ocean. The pearson is relatively slow and doesn''t point as well as some. but I like the 4.5'' draft,the 1.75 capsize ratio and higher motion comfort.
Back on topic: Under what conditions would a low windage full keel boat be more suitable than a high volume fin keel boat. For simplicity just consider sailing characteristics.
 
#4 ·
A full keeled lower volume boat is at its best as a historical experience, in other words they offer a different sailing aesthetic than a modern design. That aesthetic can be appealing for a range of uses. They are at a disadvantage in lighter winds, and heavier winds preferring mid-range conditions. They are generally not ideal coastal cruisers being limited in interior volume and sailing ability. They are generally not ideal as offshore boats typically being wet and rolly and requiring more frequest sail changes than a newer offshore oriented design.

I want to point out that having a double end really does nothing good for you offshore. From a sailing dynamic standpoint the lack of a transom is strictly a styling issue which actually can work against offshore capabilities and comfort.

Also, while I generally like the Pearson 323 in many ways, I want to point out that the so called capsize ratio and motion comfort index tell you absolutely nothing about the likelihood of a capsize or the comfort of the motion of the boat. These surrogate formulas were developed when all boats were fairly similar in design and so worked when comparing boats of a feather. They contain none of the critical information that impacts the resistance to capsize or the motion of a vessel. A boat like the Pearson 323, whatever its obvious merits has a very high vertical center of gravity and deep canoe body and not much dampening. As a result dispite its capsize ratio and motion comfort index numbers it is not especially resistant to capsize and does not offer a particularly comfortable motion being on the corky, rolly side of the equation.

Respectfully,
Jeff
 
#6 ·
The theory is that.... they''re supposed to be. It makes logical sense. The same way that it made logical sense to people in the 18th century that you should drain the bad blood out of people who were sick. No one seems to have actually been able to prove that double-ended boats are easier to control in a heavy following sea. So if you believe it to be so, it will be for you, and you can sail happily with a tiny cockpit, no lazarette and nowhere to mount your grill, self-steering, and MOB gear. The proof would involve the same helmsman taking the helm of the same double-ended boat and a transomed boat at the same time, so he could tell which was easier. Quite a trick.
 
#7 ·
This is off the main topic, but it occurs to me that it was once obvious to hull designers that a bow shaped like the blunt head of a mackerel must be the most efficient form for passing through the water. Then, centuries later, this was disproven. (But then again, this design seems to have sprung up again in the latter half of the 20th century, in the underwater forepart of very large vessels.)

Chas
 
#8 ·
Remember that the when the Mackerel head theory was prevellent these boats could not go upwind. Going down wind shares a lot with freighters in that it is strictly about straight drag with no lift required. Also the bulb on modern ships occurs completely below the wave line and is comparatively small while the blunt Mackerel head bows occured all the way to the deck.

Jeff
 
#9 ·
Thanks Jeff; I have ran across the numbers such as sa/disp, capsize ratio,disp/water line length. Etc in several books. Even here at Sailnet Rousmaniere has an article advocating using the numbers when picking a boat. John Vigor''s book on offshore boats seemed to favor traditional designs.
My personal experience is limited but The P323 has a better motion than a Catalina 30,Hunter 30 ,Macgregor 26, Buccaneer 28 but not as good as a Winga 28. As far as range of positive stability I don''t know but it definately feels less tender than those boats except the Winga.
I agree 100% on the Cape Dory. It''s just such a pretty boat.
How would you go about picking a boat for offshore use?? With so many boats to choose from how would you start the search?? Go to a Catalina or Hunter dealer?? I was surprised by Vigor''s relatively low safety at sea ratings for Pacific Seacraft boats. He seemed concerned about them being pooped without hatchboards in place.
My brother was very happy in the Pacific with his Pacific Seacraft 25. Even in waves higher than the mast near Guam he said he felt safe and in control and that he beat several larger boats on passages. But here in Mobile one broker called it a Sea Slug. But it may be the conditions as Guam and Mobile couldn''t be much more different places to sail.
Thanks again I enjoy your comments.
 
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