16 c-dory

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Doggyjazz

New member
Is a 16 capable of safely making the run from Crescent beach to Saturna on a normal choppy day?
Of course much depends on one's seamanship......but I was more concerned with the ability of the boat.
As anyone familiar with the Georgia Strait, it can blow up quite fast.
Is a 19 more or less capable than a 16 ?

Any thoughts would be appreciated.
 
Have run across GS numerous times in my 19 and 22 in conditions from flat calm to 3-4 footers, we have decided to make future crossings when lighthouse reports are 10 knots or less. This keeps it nice for all aboard. A 16 can do that easily also. In the real world big boats still don't want to cross GS in small craft warnings. It is very bumpy. Still do able but no fun. Are you going to do this regularly or with time constraints? If it's a commuter thing you want other boats would be better. A normal sunny summer day in GS can do 3 ft. No fun in any of the cd's. If you want an all weather commuter to a weekend place in the islands Lifetimer aluminum is the way to go. More $. Oh a lot more $. Welcome George
 
Although I don't have a 16, I have had a 15' Montgomery sailboat. Like the Monty, the 16 will handle much more than you want to be in it in. Georgia Strait like Juna de Fuca can change rapidly.

George is right, It's a good idea to start when conditions are reasonable. Boats and schedules are not a good mix. Better to be separate than bound together.

The 16 is a tough, well built boat, but a ride in that in 2+ft waves is going to be considerable exercise at best and concerning at least and slow either way.

There are some pretty good 16 skippers on this sight and they can give you the real specifics.

Harvey
SleepyC:moon
 
Regarding crossing the straight in your 16ft dory. I just finished my first season with my 16ft anger. In a small chop she can pound pretty hard if your on a plan. I did get caught in a couple of 4+ wind chop conditions and found it miserable. You have to back way down or you find yourself going straight up or straight down. Nasty. Be careful
 
Doggyjazz, I'm surprised you haven't gotten any more replies on this. There are some pretty active 16 skippers here, lots of experience and excellent resources. Pete is right, you can get beat up "trying to maintain on plan(e)." It should seem obvious a C-Dory 16 is not a Trophy 20 with the accompanying deep vee hull.

Neither is a C-Dory 22 for that matter. Flat bottoms are not for planing in the chop, (depending on conditions) but with good seamanship a 16 is capable of cruising in our PNW waters. it must be remembered that we (any size C-Dory, or any other boat for that matter) must respect the forces of nature. You pick your conditions and then you get your expected ride. Can you make that crossing? Sure, on the given weather day. CAn you make that crossing on any day on the calendar? I would say with pretty good reliability, NO, Not on any day, but on some days YES. CHECK the weather.

Hope that is some helpful.

Harvey
SleepyC:moon

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I lived in Blaine for a couple of years and made the GS run all the time in my 16 angler. As others have noted, watch the weather. For me the hardest to predict was the late afternoon summer NW that can come up fast. I kept overnight gear and food in the boat just in case but never had to use it. Tough little boats. Sometimes you just have to throttle back to 8-10 knots and quarter into it...
 
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