Beginner with a question

C

CaptPete

New member
Hi I'm Pete.

Hoping you guys can help me out with some questions as I continue my research on C-dorys as a potential cruiser to take on long trips.

I'm in the process of explaining everything to my girlfriend as I do my research. She posed a question I couldn't answer. I was explaining the general layout of the c-dory and she asked "where do you go to the bathroom?" My answer of course was "the marina".

But on a cruise that may last all day or cross long long distances, what is the answer. C-dorys don't have a head do they?

Thanks for the help.

Sorry for the silly question but it is a detail I won't be able to skim over with her. :D
 
Well Pete, it's your lucky day.

C-dory's 22 feet and under come with Porta-Potti's. And how does that work, you might wonder?

Barry (Colobear) explains in another thread thus:

"You asked about the "Process" with a porta potti. Of course biologically its all the same but a porta potti is in some ways just like a marine head, it has a flush, a small (3 or so gallon) black water holding tank, and the ability to "pump out" except that in the case of a porta potti it comes in two parts, the upper part containing the flushing reservoir, seat/cover and manual flush (just like a manual water pump, i.e. press down on the bellows and you generate water pressure). That part separates from the lower reservoir with a simple latch. To "pump out" when the reservoir is full as indicated by a visible red/green gauge, just separate the two parts, carry the black water reservoir to a dump station or toilet, (it is water tight and can be carried vertically by the built in handle), swing out the dump valve closed by a screw cap similar to those on RV's, tilt the reservoir and dump the contents. I usually do this two or three times, rinsing with a little clean water each time until the reservoir is clean, close the dump valve, put a little clean water in the reservoir, add the blue RV toilet chemicals, wipe the exterior surfaces with a sanitizing disposable cloth and reconnect to the upper part. We always wipe down the seat, etc. with the same kind of disposable wipes. You may need to add flush water but not always. They are very simple and effective, no macerator, no through hull, no electric pumps, etc. The period between dumps varies for all the usual reasons but it is not at all unusual to go a week between dumps, especially if you can take advantage of marina toilets. Some people have built a little enclosure for privacy, some keep it in the cockpit, some just leave it in the cabin and put window coverings up for privacy. We have never had the least odor, never had a spill. But, they are not for everybody. I think an advantage to the head in a 25 for example is that it provides privacy for use while underway. I think the ability to shower is another big factor moving people to the 25. Never really expected to discourse on the ins and outs of a porta potti on the site Rolling Eyes but hope this helps."


Welcome aboard!

jd
 
Hi Pete - you are new here, aren't ya? :wink: Just kidding - this gets discussed around here all the time. Options are: a porta-potty on the smaller models to an enclosed head (that's a bathroom) with a shower on the 25s and TomCats. Let us know what size you and the GF are considering, and we'll give you some guidance.

Best wishes,
Jim B
 
Really fast, really good responses. I think I am going to like this site!

I would really like to stay as small as I can and still get away with the stability and room I need to cruise. I require nothing. I could probably sleep each night at the wheel in the pilot house. But I know that wont fly with my better half (and honestly she deserves better).

Does anyone have pictures of the porta potti? I am going to have to use my sales skills to pitch this.

Next question what is the draft on a CD22 and CD25? My current boat has a 28" draft.


Thanks again everyone!
 
This is some spec's I saw in somebody's post on this board and saved it.

Bill Kelleher

C-Minor is a 22ft C-Dory powerboat, built in 2004
LOA 24'5"
LOD 22'
Beam 7'9"
Draft hull 8"
Draft engine 1'6"
Air draft coach roof 5'10"
Air draft GPS antenna 7'6"
Air draft VHF antenna 8'10"

Tankage
Water 20 gall
Fuel 2x 20 gall

Engine
Honda BF90
Speed
2500 rpm 7.2 kn 3.5 nm/gall
3000 rpm 9.5 kn 3.8 nm/gall
3500 rpm 12.5 kn 3.9 nm/gall
4000 rpm 16.0 kn 3.3 nm/gall
4500 rpm 20.0 kn 3.0 nm/gall
5000 rpm 23.0 kn 2.9 nm/gall
5500 rpm 25.0 kn 2.9 nm/gall
 
Hey Pete - do a search on porta -potty and you'll come up with plenty to show your GF. Or, take her to an outdoor store that sells camping gear... Cabela's, Bass Pro. Better yet, take her BOAT SHOPPING!!

:mrgreen:

Layouts...

http://www.c-dory.com/boats/

You can get the specs on every model from that link.
 
She is very happy with the Bowrider we have now but we want to do more cruising in the coming years that involves overnight stays. We are allready planning on bringing out existing boat down the Erie Canal and that has no amenities whatsoever!

This is a future purchase. I don't have a timeframe set for it. Could be a year could be longer. It's not the finances but the lifestyle and timing that is key for me.
 
CaptPete":2uvh11vd said:
She is very happy with the Bowrider we have now but we want to do more cruising in the coming years that involves overnight stays. We are allready planning on bringing out existing boat down the Erie Canal and that has no amenities whatsoever!

This is a future purchase. I don't have a timeframe set for it. Could be a year could be longer. It's not the finances but the lifestyle and timing that is key for me.
Click to expand...

We spent the summer of 09 cruising the Erie Canal, Hudson River, and Trent-Severn Waterway with our 25... great cruising! You can check it out on the Wild Blue cruising thread here or on our blog.
 
Would you say my little bowrider is just too insignificant to bother with the trip? I was thinking to start I would try a trip halfway up the canal from Troy and then return to my truck.

Anyone ever done this?
 
according to all the canal stories I've read literally everything has been used to make the trip. I'd think the only issue with little open boats would be privacy...no peeing over the gunnel without some kind of audience, I suspect. Weather is of course, the same issue on any body of water only on the canal, you won't be experiencing heavy seas with the possible exception of when you are in the locks or bunched in the locks with much bigger boats. I read about kayakers running the canal.
 
CaptPete":1e1cn4iz said:
Would you say my little bowrider is just too insignificant to bother with the trip? I was thinking to start I would try a trip halfway up the canal from Troy and then return to my truck.

Anyone ever done this?
Click to expand...

I assume you plan to stay at motels or B&Bs along the way? For us, one of the best parts of traveling on the Erie Canal was overnighting on the walls at all the interesting towns. Great history, interesting architecture, visiting with locals and other cruises, trying local eateries... being able to have your accommodations with you as you travel the canal is part of the fun. Traveling leisurely, sometimes doing less than 10 miles between stops - that's my idea of the way to enjoy all that is along the canal system.

Many parts of the canal have a 10 mph speed limit; again, nice to have your own facilities with you. When it's hot, it's great to be in the shade of the cabin while underway, with a nice breeze through the windows, out of the blazing sun. We also had some rain... schlepping your stuff from the boat to a B&B in the rain wouldn't be my idea of fun.

So, to answer your question "is the bowrider too insignificant to bother with the trip?" Absolutely not - any way you can do the trip is good. The enjoyment you will get out of it depends on your expectations. For us, traveling in the C-Dory is what made the trip so enjoyable.

While we didn't see it on the Erie Canal, we ran into 3 women who were traveling the entire Trent-Severn Waterway by kayak. On the Erie, we were often the smallest boat on the wall. As I recall, while we were doing that trip, there were two girls doing the entire Great Loop in a bowrider type boat.

The Erie Canal was one of our "must-do" trips when we retired. The C-Dory allowed us to take our time, maybe stay an extra day or two at interesting places... no schedule, no fixed itinerary. While I'm sure you could do that with a bowrider, it would certainly be a different experience.

If you want to see what we did, the Erie Canal portion of our blog starts here:

http://captnjim.blogspot.com/2009/07/ba ... ruise.html

Click "newer posts" to follow along.

Best wishes,
Jim
 
There are many creative ways of "relief" in small boats--starting with 8 foot Sabots, which both juniors and ladies race (after a few cups of coffee or beers--for the ladies, not the juniors).

A simple bucket, with a towel over the legs works well for many--and some of us grew up with that as the only "head" in a boat.

Back in Med school, during the summer weekends and vacations, we cruised most of the Texas ICW in a 13 foot boat, a bucket for a head, and a tent to sleep on ashore at night.

Marie's first expose to Catalina Island was in an 18 foot runabout with no head--and a 3 day trip. Again--the good old bucket (and before laws about no discharge inside of 3 miles.

So--no you can do the canals, or even the entire 6500 mile loop in an open boat--it was done by two gals in a 16 foot open aluminum Duraboat several years ago. PWC's have done the loop.

You will be far more comfortable in a C Dory--so why put it off? Lots of adventures to be had.

Welcome aboard.
 
I see someone already quoted a response from my recent thread asking similar questions but I'll give you some info regarding our mental process...

the discussion people had regarding maintenance/plumbing risks played a big role in our dwindling desire for a full onboard head. The fact that we plan to travel from marina to marina played a role, and our need for more living space and sleeping space over pooping space did as well. (we have a three year old son)

after walking on dozens or more boats this saturday, including dorys, tugs, sailboats, and million dollar yachts, we pretty much decided an emergency use only porta potty seems to make the most sense for us, and our goal/plan is trips of 100-250+ miles, from marina to marina, and also anchoring. we would use the facilities on the shore as often as possible, keeping the porta potty for longer trips when needed.

BUT our situation may be different than a lot. I am sure that for every 10 trips our boat takes, 7 will be all guys fishing (read: pee overboard). 2 will be day cruises or fishing trips with the wife, and 1 will be overnight adventure trips.

we've been shopping for a very long time and balancing out the needs based upon the majority of the expected use... its been a journey, lol.
 
Speaking of pooh, not the bear, my wife got use to the simple two piece porta potties in the early days of our first cruise on Lake Powell. If there are only two intimate folks on board, or even including a child, it takes very little to get all comfy and private. Yes, you bend and twist a bit differently, but it just isn't that bad for as little space as the thing takes up.

We move it out into the cabin or more usually, into the aft cockpit with the enclosure up during the night. Getting to it an using it under those circumstances is not that big of a deal. During the day time it goes into its little slot between the bunks and with the use of the zip flap at the v-berth entrance, still is okay.

It seems a bit intimidating for a time or two, but really isn't...for us anyway.
 
I might add however that if one is pretty overweight or big framed, then the porta is a potential problem...but if that is the case, most plumbed potties are going to be a problem as well. I can't take my best buddy out on the boat for more than a couple hours because he simply CAN'T fit on the boat even for watching scenery purposes other than in the aft cockpit. He's an extreme case though.
 
Please check out my Photo Album "C-Nile" in which I show what I have done to make very satisfying toilet arrangements for our boat. Specifically, the use of the Thetford Curve, and building and using a portable toilet enclosure in the cockpit. Also, I have written extensively on this subject in the various forums.

Rich
 
Welcome Pete, don't know the size of your bowrider but I met a couple with a 23' Sea Ray bowrider who travelled and overnighted on it regularly. They had a full camper top for it and used the bow area for sleaping.

After doing part of the Trent on a houseboat in 2008, I was obsessed with returning on my own boat. At the time the only water ready boat I had was a 16' bowrider. I tried to imagine how I could do it - luckily we got a cuddy in 2011 and have returned twice.

We met a couple in their late 60's who did the Trent(240 miles) in a cedar canoe. They camped at the locks each night. The rest of the story can be read in my posts and I have a picture of them and their canoe in my album.

Regards, Rob
 
My current boat is an 88' Larson Citation. The only sleeping option I see on it is the fold down pilot and passenger seats. Depending on if I can find places to anchor/marinas that are affordable, I think I could potentially do the Erie.
 
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