knock off c-dory question

S

shipfaced

New member
I had a gentleman ask me today If I wanted his c-dory knockoff boat, for free. It is a bare hull no trailer or motor and from what I can tell I believe it is a sea skiff like the ones at the boat show years ago. The story is this guy bought it for $100 from an untold dealer who said it was built by a former c-dory employee. This former employee has since passed away and he didn't know his name. The current owner took it out once with a 75hp motor on the back and said it was too tippy so he cut off the hard top then never touched it again. What are your thoughts on these boats, the sea skiffs? Anyone own one out there? Is the builder still alive? Would you take this boat for free? If I don't take it today or tomorrow he is going to cut it up and throw it away. He won't offer it to anyone else. Here are some current pictures.

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thanks for any input you all may have!
 
I would not touch it with a ten foot pole. The cost of going through it and redoing stuff that needs fixing, in your time or your money if you pay someone else to do it would be too high. Better to get a well designed, well maintained second hand boat.
 
I remember seeing the Sea Skiffs at the Seattle Boat Show. They were smaller, not sure, maybe 14 -15 foot and maybe one size larger too. If you need a project, and are capable, it wouldn't be much investment and they could be a great day boat. They will be pretty light so won't need a really heavy trailer.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

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Looks like it has been registered, that is one good thing. I have heard that it can be difficult to get the necessary C/G approvals to license a homemade boat.

The only Sea Skiff I am familiar with is the Rosborough 22'.

Regards, Rob
 
No coast guard approvals in the US for home built boats. States will assign a HIN upon presentation of the receipts of construction materials, Some require a photo of the boat, and some desire that a state or local LEO inspect the boat, just to be sure it is 'home made".

I think that the boat is worth less with the pilot house cut off. My major concern would be a balsa core in the floor of the boat (which is the hull bottom). I would dry out the hull, then use a moisture meter to the bottom to see if there is high moisture content. (Actually for this a pin less Ryobi moisture meter will work).

A photo of the hull lines both aft and forward would also help us, as well as a photo of the cockpit floor aft, where the battery and fuel tank (?) may be situated. There is going to be some work on the seats etc, but that is fairly easy. There may be water standing in the boat, and if so, that would make me very concerned about the hull bottom. Also if the boat had been subject to freeze thaw circles.

I also agree that 75 hp would be way too much for this boat--40 to 50 hp would be reasonable.
 
What someone says is tippy may be just lively to another. Personally a on off in that shape I'd likely say nope.
Costs a lot to restore neglected boats that may be poorly designed. Good boats tend to be cared for.
George
 
Thank you for all the input, my gut said no from the get go but the boat hoarder in me said yes. I'm going to pass on it so thanks for saving me the trouble!
 
You shouldn't have let the naysayers talk you out of it. Add a 15-25 HP motor and you would have had a nice fishing boat for small and medium sized lakes. It's the wave action that makes it tippy and you wouldn't have that on a small lake.
 
You left out a couple of important facts. 1. Are you very wealthy? 2. Do you have a very understanding spouse? 3. Is it going to be a family boat? Because teenagers won't be seen in it. 4. Can you work on it indoors? Where neighbors won't complain about it. 5. Are you young enough to finish it? 6. Do you care much what it will look like when you're done. Seriously, the time, money and energy needed would be much better spent elsewhere. Let somebody make a planter out of it. But that's just me!
 
It looks like a giant pile from here. But it might be a diamond in the rough and there could be nothing really wrong with it other than a lot of cleanup. The way I see it, other than dump fee and transportation fees as needed, you really don't have a lot to lose. Its a shame they cut the cabin off. I can't believe they went to the trouble and really did it.....wow.....
 
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