New Prospective Cruiser from Seattle

[Dustin07]

Hi Y'all,

I'm shopping and hoping to pull the trigger this winter on my first cruiser for the Puget Sound. I've spent a lot of time out there with a Lund Fisherman 2000, now looking to jump up to a cabin cruiser for the weekend trips to the islands

(currently looking at Sea Ray 260 sundancer and similar type cruisers. not stuck on a brand yet)

I'm sure I'll have lots of questions along the way, just thought I'd make a post here to finally abandon my 'lurker' status

[boatman61]

Welcome to CF.... even if it is a chugger...
Just kidding...

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Dustin.

[NewMoon]

Hi Dustin,

Might you consider a C-Dory, Osprey, Skagit Orca, SeaSport or similar? A cabin including the main helm and lots of windows works well in the PNW.

Here's our first, the C-Dory 22 we cruised from the San Juans up through Glacier Bay.

[Dustin07]

thanks all
and Richard, yes to all! I very much liked the sundancer, as well as the equivalent Regals, Bayliners, Formulas, etc that I have seen, but I am still 'shopping' and researching. There are far more brands and styles out there than I was aware of.

If your C Dory 22 was a vessel you felt comfortable with all throughout the islands all the way to glacier bay then I would be interesting in hearing much more from you!

[NewMoon]

Hi Dustin,

We started with the C-Dory 22 in 1991, working our way from Lake Powell to the San Juans and Gulf Islands, on up the coast, covering much of BC, and eventually spending two months cruising SE Alaska. She was a very capable and seaworthy boat, and well laid out for cruising. Slept 2-3 adults, included a 2-burner stove. A bit on the spartan side though - porta-potty, and no hot water or refrigerator, for instance. Easy to tow without a big truck, very economical on the water. The C-Dory 25 is roomier, includes a head, can be set up with fridge and water heater (shore power or generator needed to operate water heater). Takes a bigger truck - tow weight in the neighborhood of 8000 lb. Both 22 and 25 are outboard powered.

We moved up to a 26' diesel sterndrive cruiser in 1998 - much heavier, more creature comforts, more costly to operate and maintain. Big diesel pickup required. A Sea Sport 26 or 27 would be somewhat similar to our Bounty 257. Sea Sport also has a 24 that would be a fine PNW cruiser.

Lots of BC/Alaska miles under our belt by now - many whole summers. Happy to discuss further, via postings here, Private Message, email, or whatever.

[Dustin07]

thanks Richard, I'll have to drop you a line

[Cheechako]

Wecome! A couple of thoughts:
The Osprey and Orca are a step above the rest mentioned, and their prices show it!
A couple points about basically two designs:
The Sundancer and equivalent Bayliners etc have the helm slightly raised and the living space down below , more like a sailboat interior. The advantages are that you dont really need a Flybridge and have to climb the ladder etc. Disadvantages include the feeling of being in a "cave" when down below.
Other boats like many of the SeaSport, Orca etc have much of the living space up, but the helm is kind of low for visibility. I kind of like the latter for the PNW, as it allows you to be up more where there is light and visibility. But both have advantages.

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha and welcome aboard!
Good to have you here.
kind regards,

[Dustin07]

many thanks guys! Richard, I received your email and will reply privately, thanks!

Cheechako- thanks for the suggestions. I know I want something ideal for cruising and overnights (The sundancers really appeal to me) but I am thinking the ability to comfortably fish/SCUBA out of it would be good too. the sundancers could probably do that well, but at the price of a good sundancer I'm not sure i can afford moorage, and an 8000lb tow is too much for my hemi. the c-dorys are starting to appeal to me from an ability to tow, and safely fish the salt. just not sure about the cabin setup but I haven't had a chance to get on one yet.

Looking forward to the boat show we have here next month!