Installation quality of factory accessories

M

matt_unique

New member
I'm curious what your experience has been with the quality of installation of accessories from the factory. Specifically, do they do a good job sealing holes with 5200 or another suitable compound? I would be really disappointed to pay for a windlass or radar arch etc. to find out I need to pull and properly seal the holes. I know the trim tabs are standard on the C-25 and I'm curious how those babies look from the factory as well.

Thanks

--Matt
 
Matt,

I don't think you can answer that question with a simple yes or no. They seen to do very well on the hull and cabin structures and in joining the two together. The radar arch and handrails were very well done on my 22. The cabinets and the other things installed by the finishing crew were not so well done. The panel that covers the fuel tanks was screwed into aluminum angle irons with wood screws. It soon vibrated off. There was some excellent sealant/adhesive slopped all over the cabin deck. It took lots of rubbing to get it off. The cabinet doors closed really well after we adjusted the catches.

Last spring, after several owners of new boats complained, they promised to lay out their "second to none" quality control plan in detail. That never happened, so I assume they have no plan. However, they (the dealers and the factory guys) are very helpful if you develop a problem, and will provide advice, help and sometimes even the materials needed for the repair.

Once you get those things under control they are a great boat. This is my second season of ownership on my 2006 cruiser 22, and the very first time in my 50 odd years of boat ownership that everything worked the day we commissioned her this spring.

if you have owned other power boats you will appreciate how difficult it is to find one where everything works all the time. This boat with its Honda 90 ia the closest I have ever come.

Jim
 
Based on what I have seen with ownership of 3 C Dories: a 1992 22, a 2003 CD 25 and a 2006 Tom Cat 255: The core is rarely sealed properly. It is either sealed with polyester or Bostic sealand, or not at all. I have gone around and pulled most of the fittings on the TC 255 and am currently doing the CD 25. I am more particular than most--but if you look at my thread on the cockpit of the 25, you will see why I feel that proper sealing is essential.

Also the "Thataway" thread Illustrates how the foredeck hatch was cut too big, the core not sealed and the bedding not properly done. I showed in the photos how to rectify these problems.

I have owned a number of boats during my 65 years of boating--and the 22 was one of the most trouble free boats I have owned. On the other hand, I have purchased a number of new boats, which had less problems that the newer C Dories. I cannot answer for current boats, but am assured that things are better. I would have to inspect a boat to be sure.
 
2006 is current enough for me! This is extremely discouraging to read...I realize there are responses from two owners thus far but Thataway it appears you had to basically rebuild your boats to have them properly sealed and fitted.

--Matt
 
I'll probably remove the bow hatch this winter. It will either be hard to do, which
is good, or easy to do, which is bad! If it is not sealed, then I guess I have to
remove all the rest of the deck hardware. Fortunately, it should not be
hard to do in an case.

Mike
 
matt_unique,

Our 2005 22' Cruiser has had no problems. As thataway stated,
the 22 was one of the most trouble free boats I have owned
Click to expand...
We love our C-Dory, we are happy with the workmanship. Don't generalize that all boats built before 2006 are not built with quality in mind. I don't think these boats would be the highly sought-after, high resale boats that they are and have been for all these years if the quality was poor. If you're looking for an excuse not to buy a C-Dory, that's your choice. The best suggestion would be to sea-trial a C-Dory to get a real sense of the boat. You can read all the posts you want on this thread but in order to make the best informed decision, why don't you see one up close and personal?


Peter
C-Dancer
 
c-dancer":hw2tpkga said:
matt_unique,

Our 2005 22' Cruiser has had no problems. As thataway stated,
the 22 was one of the most trouble free boats I have owned
Click to expand...
We love our C-Dory, we are happy with the workmanship. Don't generalize that all boats built before 2006 are not built with quality in mind. I don't think these boats would be the highly sought-after, high resale boats that they are and have been for all these years if the quality was poor. If you're looking for an excuse not to buy a C-Dory, that's your choice. The best suggestion would be to sea-trial a C-Dory to get a real sense of the boat. You can read all the posts you want on this thread but in order to make the best informed decision, why don't you see one up close and personal?


Peter
C-Dancer
Click to expand...

What makes you think I have not seen one up close and personal? I was commenting on the fact that poor sealing was significant enough a problem with C-Dory to warrant many threads from long time owners. Including Bob's 2006 Tomcat and other late model C-25's.

As a potential purchaser, I want to know everything I can about what would be a huge investment for me.

--Matt
 
Matt,

My bad, I shouldn't have assumed anything. You have every right to find out all you can about any potential purchase. I guess I was rankled by your statement that:
2006 is current enough for me!
Click to expand...
Good luck in your research. May you find the boat that best fits your needs and meets your criteria.

Peter
 
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