A question for sailors ...

R

Roscoe

New member
... and former sailors. As I recall there are several C-Dory owners on this site who used to own sailboats.

A neighbor who is a long-time sailor saw my 22' Cruiser last night for the first time, and commented "That's the kind of power boat a sailor would buy." He meant it, and I took it, as a huge compliment, but I'm curious as to exactly what it was he meant.

What is it about a C-Dory that appeals to sailors?
 
Now there's a good question. Thanks for asking. I have wondered a little about that myself.
 
Well, I saw my first Sea Dory in about 1978, when I was both racing boats and building sailboats. I said at that time, " when I get too old to sail, that is the type of boat I want". The honest work boat lines, the semi planked hull, the semidory lines, the pilot house, the fact that the boat will work as a displacement, semidisplacement and planing boat are all factors.

The open cockpit, without built in benches and upholustry or "glitz". A high freeboard, long water line, and good entry also appeal to a sailor. An outboard, with relitatively low power requirement is appealing.

I was also impressed that this early C Dory went to Catalina almost every weekend--no matter what the weather was.

Also, those of us who have sailed, we see the advantage of a pilot house. This gives us protection from the weather, as well as from the sun, which most of us have had too much of....

I'll leave some other traits for others who have been sailors...We didn't give up sailing until we physically could no longer sail--but still have one small sailboat...."for the grandkids".
 
Roscoe":2pq9csc9 said:
... and former sailors. As I recall there are several C-Dory owners on this site who used to own sailboats.

A neighbor who is a long-time sailor saw my 22' Cruiser last night for the first time, and commented "That's the kind of power boat a sailor would buy." He meant it, and I took it, as a huge compliment, but I'm curious as to exactly what it was he meant.

What is it about a C-Dory that appeals to sailors?
Click to expand...

It looks salty, functional and traditional, not like a floating condominium designed by some Italian/'European designer who couldn't decide whether to go for a racy sportscar or spaceship look-alike design!

This from a former dinghy sailor (6000+ races in 33 years!) and C-Dory owner / C-Brat that also owns a Sea Ray, but one that has a conventional/traditional design!

Joe. :wink
 
We lived aboard a Pacific Seacraft Flicka for almost three years -- sailed (that's right --- sailed!! -- with sails our driving power, most of the time) the Great Loop and spent delightful hours in the Carolina Sounds and Chesapeake living aboard her. For those who don't know the Flicka, she's 20' long and can cross oceans. She was easy to maintain, I could push her off a sand bar if she went aground, we could anchor almost anywhere, and she headed out when 'larger boats feared to tred.' We had heard the sailor adage that "the smallest boats go the longest distance" and found that to be true. Like the mega power yachts, many of the mega sail yachts hardly ever left harbor.

BUT -- the Flicka couldn't go uphill -- the rivers we wanted to explore, she had a problem going up. So, getting older, we wanted a 'motorized Flicka' -- highest quality boat, smallest possible to live aboard in a comfortable space, trailerable -- and able to go uphill. The C-Dory 22' fit the bill perfectly -- so, although 2 feet larger, she's perfect for our ex-sailor needs.

We cruised that Flicka 13,000 n.m. and our C-Dory 24,000 nm -- and we have lived aboard our Halcyon more than twice as long (seven years) as the Flicka. So, for those who can live a simple life (off the hedonic treadmill) and are comfortable in a small space with another, there is no better sailboat (in our opinion) than a Flicka and no better powerboat than a C-Dory.
 
I guess I still think of myself as a sailor. And with what we've seen in the PNW, most of the sailboats are motoring much of the time. :wink:

I still look for wind cues everytime we are ready to dock or anchor.

We wanted a boat that was functional, able to handle what we needed for intended waters (shoal draft and stout), and the ability to get somewhere at 15+ knots while having the protection of inside steering. Trailerability was very important to us, so that eliminated a lot of sail options. Factor in being able to go any direction you want and be able to get under bridges, through canals, and upstream in currents; the C-Dory is the right boat for our current traveling.

I still look at it, wondering how to attach a mast and have a keel that would keep it trailerable. :wink If C-Dory (the factory) is looking for another market, perhaps a pocket motorsailor would appeal to more folks than a 29 footer? Well, just one sailor's opinion.

Best wishes,
Jim B.
Wild Blue, CD-25
Cat's Pajamas, Com-Pac SunCat

Thinking more about the original question... most sailors would like a boat that points like crazy, would cruise at 15+ knots, and has an inside steering station to keep you out of the weather. Add that all up and it equates to a C-Dory. We don't need the fastest of the go-fast boats... just a good, honest boat that can hold up to the riggors of use. Economical would be good, too... but that is relative. And this may just be taste talking, but it just shouldn't look like all the other "bubble boats" out there.
 
Although there are a few trailerablel "motor sailors"--even with pilot houses, they are compromises. A sail boat is mostly a displacement boat--although there are some of the sport type of boats, which are planing hulls. As the boat heels, it gets off its lines, and a certain type of hull is necessary to keep the boat balanced. This hull design of a planing motor boat and a sailboat are quite different. We discussed building a diesel 34 foot trailerable with David Gerr. We also considered Brewer, Paine and Devlin as archeticts. We considered a one off, stitch and glue, vs cold molded, vs fiberglass, with a mold and then production. At that point in life it was more than we wanted to become involved in...but I think it is still a very good idea. There have been several boats built which had "adustable hulls"--hyraulics which would change the lines aft and develope a planing surface. Of course there are boats such as the Mc Greager 26 series....and a few other small motor sailors. There was a site which I don't have readily at hand, but it had photos of all of the small motor sailors/pilot house sailors. But frankly--the C Dory does the job very well. If you want to sail it, then consider a traction kite for back up power--We have considered this also...may still do it...
 
Yeah, Dr. Bob, the Kiteship folks used to promote to the Corsair sailors (don't know if they still do)... it could work as a downwind sail (a keel and a rudder would sure be handy :wink )

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
Actually the traction kits (as used with kite boarding) can be used to weather (between 45 and 60 degrees max) or beam wind also. The beauty is that they don't depend on a keel. I tried to get a kite boarding outfit interested in making a "kite" for a boat such as a C dory, but no luck on the internet. The local sailmaker (a neighbor) has done some kite sail repairs, but is not interested in builing a kit from scratch. Would be an interesting project.
 
Actually the traction kits (as used with kite boarding) can be used to weather (between 45 and 60 degrees max) or beam wind also. The beauty is that they don't depend on a keel. I tried to get a kite boarding outfit interested in making a "kite" for a boat such as a C dory, but no luck on the internet. The local sailmaker (a neighbor) has done some kite sail repairs, but is not interested in builing a kit from scratch. Would be an interesting project.
 
I will defer to your knowledge on the subject, Dr. Bob. Of course, I often find myself saying, "How does he know all that stuff??" about you and my buddy Brent.

I casually checked into the Kiteship kites when we had our trimaran. They were promoting them as an alternative to the spinnaker. The main advantage being that the kite didn't pull the bows down, so less chance of stuffing them. You also didn't need a mast to fly the kite (potential usage after a dismasting).

No keel, huh? How 'bout a rudder? Hmmmmmmmmm. :idea

Best wishes,
Jim
 
Roscoe":1bm5ux1v said:
.. "That's the kind of power boat a sailor would buy." He meant it, and I took it, as a huge compliment, but I'm curious as to exactly what it was he meant.

What is it about a C-Dory that appeals to sailors?
Click to expand...

I think it goes to "Form follows Function". In the context of this quote, people picture a traditional working/fishing Sailboat whose design is optimized for its use. The C-Dory evokes similar thoughts. It has that work boat look, making it appear purposeful, not just for play like some modern powerboats.

Rick from Maine
 
I agree with the basic premise that they appeal but I'm not sure why! They just do!!

You'll note two boats, both 22's at the bottom of this post. Captain's Choice is mine, Sally's Choice is the sailboat!

Charlie
 
Just have to get used to going a little slower. But, as a friend pointed out,
I will get to Baltimore on 10-12 gallons of gas, he will use probably 40, and
I'll get there 16 minutes after him on a good day. On a really bad day,
I may get there first :-)

Mike
 
Roscoe":3kagkpua said:
What is it about a C-Dory that appeals to sailors?
Click to expand...

For me it was the pilot house. I used to sail a Nimble Arctic pilothouse sailboat & loved being able to get out of the elements while still sailing.

I also like simple systems (plumbing, electrical, etc.), and a clean open cockpit.

I still sail my Nor'Sea 27. I fell in love with Nor'Sea 27's years ago, bought one and do not intend to give it up!

On the other hand my C-Dory is a much better fishing machine & I don't have to leave 4 hours early to go for dinner!

If the C-Dory 22 Cruiser lacks anything it is STORAGE! Even a 20' Flicka sailboat has more storage than a 22' C-Dory.

I am considering having a local cabinet maker re-do the cabinets on G-Gypsy this winter, so if anyone has ideas on improving storage space I sure welcome suggestions!
 
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