I’m getting tired of the old adage; “the happiest day of a boat owner’s life is the day they buy the boat and the day they sell it.” Over this past late spring, summer, and early fall, Joanie and I have enjoyed “C Sharp” - our 2006 C-Dory 22 Cruiser immensely. Buying it was enjoyable, although filled with apprehension as most significant purchases are, it pales in comparison with the happiness that we’ve derived from it immediately in our first season.
In fact, the happiness started well before buying C Sharp and I would say it started right after my first post on the C-Brats Forum as I not only received informative responses to my questions, but was also warmly welcomed into the group! Many members gracefully responded to my threads, but also replied via personal messages with many being quite thorough and incredibly informative. The resource of the C-Brat community was incredible which made me comfortable right from the start that the C-Dory was the boat for us. I’ve been members of many over forums, mostly revolving around bicycles, motorcycles, airplanes, etc., but what amazed me the most was the consistent helpfulness and respectfulness that permeates through this forum. Sure, some may have a different opinion, but never have I read anyone being chastised or in any way being disrespected by another member, which often happens in other forums, especially in this currently politically tense climate.
So right off the bat, during my researching stage I was taken under the wings, or perhaps I should say; “under the flippers” of several well known members who helped guide me along. When a boat became available relatively nearby these members simultaneously made me aware if it and encouraged me to go have a look, and made themselves available to answer any and all questions I had. Sight unseen, I already had friends in the C-Dory community.
So right from the beginning there were happy days, and it only got better when Joanie & I finally meet C-Brats in person and soon after when attending our first CBGT in Friday Harbor. We were so warmly welcomed into the fold, and it almost made me suspicious that we might have been being indoctrinated into some sort of cult... Perhaps maybe it is a cult? If so, it would be one in the most positive sense. So immediately we meet more new friends making us feel welcomed and part of a community.
So many happy days with C-Dory folks at Friday Harbor and later the Bellingham CBGTs, and a few places in between. Every day out of the boat was a happy day as we had so much fun exploring areas we otherwise could not easily get to. Wonderful marinas and only water accessible state parks that are so clean and often not crowded. Encounter with members of the cruising community that we’ve meet on the docks and out on the water have been almost unanimously very pleasant and worthwhile and always make us look forward spending more time out.
So, so far the happiest day of owning C Sharp has NOT been the day I bought it (although that was fun) as there have already been so many other happy days enjoying it. I can’t but think they day I do sell it will be rather sad because of all the memories of these days and I’m sure many more to come. That is, perhaps unless that day I sell C Sharp may also be the day that I buy another, perhaps new C-Dory!
In fact, the happiness started well before buying C Sharp and I would say it started right after my first post on the C-Brats Forum as I not only received informative responses to my questions, but was also warmly welcomed into the group! Many members gracefully responded to my threads, but also replied via personal messages with many being quite thorough and incredibly informative. The resource of the C-Brat community was incredible which made me comfortable right from the start that the C-Dory was the boat for us. I’ve been members of many over forums, mostly revolving around bicycles, motorcycles, airplanes, etc., but what amazed me the most was the consistent helpfulness and respectfulness that permeates through this forum. Sure, some may have a different opinion, but never have I read anyone being chastised or in any way being disrespected by another member, which often happens in other forums, especially in this currently politically tense climate.
So right off the bat, during my researching stage I was taken under the wings, or perhaps I should say; “under the flippers” of several well known members who helped guide me along. When a boat became available relatively nearby these members simultaneously made me aware if it and encouraged me to go have a look, and made themselves available to answer any and all questions I had. Sight unseen, I already had friends in the C-Dory community.
So right from the beginning there were happy days, and it only got better when Joanie & I finally meet C-Brats in person and soon after when attending our first CBGT in Friday Harbor. We were so warmly welcomed into the fold, and it almost made me suspicious that we might have been being indoctrinated into some sort of cult... Perhaps maybe it is a cult? If so, it would be one in the most positive sense. So immediately we meet more new friends making us feel welcomed and part of a community.
So many happy days with C-Dory folks at Friday Harbor and later the Bellingham CBGTs, and a few places in between. Every day out of the boat was a happy day as we had so much fun exploring areas we otherwise could not easily get to. Wonderful marinas and only water accessible state parks that are so clean and often not crowded. Encounter with members of the cruising community that we’ve meet on the docks and out on the water have been almost unanimously very pleasant and worthwhile and always make us look forward spending more time out.
So, so far the happiest day of owning C Sharp has NOT been the day I bought it (although that was fun) as there have already been so many other happy days enjoying it. I can’t but think they day I do sell it will be rather sad because of all the memories of these days and I’m sure many more to come. That is, perhaps unless that day I sell C Sharp may also be the day that I buy another, perhaps new C-Dory!
