Looking for a C-Dory and to becoming a C-Brat

C Spray

New member
Hi All,

I have been lurking and reading the posts. I have also looked at all of your great pictures. They are all just GREAT. :thup Makes me want to go out and get one right now.

I'm kind of like Sneaks as I'm an RVer but am interested in boats also. I have been on the RV.Net for a long time and just found you guys. What a great site.

I have seen several of the C-Dory's going by but I was never able to see the brand name on them, but I knew this is what I wanted. :smilep I finally got to see one and found out it is a C-Dory. Long story short this is the boat for me. :love

I have a question for you fine folks. Do the dealers deal any on these boats? I'm curious as they seem so popular that I would like to know if there is any dealing room on them or do the pretty much hold the price according to the web page.

Also on most of the 22' Cruisers I have seen pictures of most of the twins are running twin Honda 40s. Is there a reason that you are using 40s instead of twin 50s? Just interested if I would want to go to the twin 50s route.

As you can see I already have my name picked out. In all of the reading I didn't see anybody using this name, if anybody is already using it please let me know and I'll change mine to something else.

Thanks for any and all of your help. I look forward to becoming a C-Brat when I can get my rig. :D


C Spray
 
Howdy Butch, welcome to the Pub! You're already a C-Brat - one attains this distinction as soon as they sign in. C-Dory is optional, although every C-Brat wants one that doesn't have one already... :lol:

Your questions have all been addressed here before - use the search engine link at the top of the page, and you'll find detailed answers. The Reader's Digest version, though:

Pricing: Almost not worth discussing. The only way to get a true deal on a C-Dory is to buy used. The bare boat/engine price is pretty much the same everywhere, not counting delivery. However, very few folks get a C-Dory this way; everyone wants something a little different, and the final price reflects that. Since you're a WA fella, give Les at E.Q. Marine a call - he's a knowledgeable and honest dealer, and if you want some rigging done, he's one of the best.

Twins: Chat with Les - he'll give you the scoop, there are good reasons to go both ways. Also, don't limit yourself to the Honda's - there are other excellent options out there now.

My advice - pop on over and see us at the upcoming Sequim gathering in a few weeks. You'll see a little of everything, and folks will be more than happy to take you for a cruise. Grab your significant other and join us for the potluck on Saturday night.

See ya!
 
Da Nag (Bill)

Thanks for the advice and I went out and talked to Les today. Boy you talk about a guy that knows his stuff. I was very impressed with his knowledge and how much time he spent with me. I talked to him for a good 3 hours and got to see a new 22' being fitted out with just about everything under the sun.

Thanks for the invite to the Sequim C-Brats get together. I'll see if we can arange to make it over and meet with you fine folks..

Thanks.
 
Les talked for three hours?

Sheesh...he has learned to be more brief. :mrgreen:

Hope you can make it to Sequim - as with your EQ experience, I'm pretty sure you'll find it valuable.
 
C-Dory hulls are going to sell for full MSRP regardless of where you are. This is a high demand item, there's no reason for the dealer to discount them. You don't like the green one in stock? Tough :wink:. You'll have to wait months for one to be ordered in for you.

Engines are a commodity you can buy anywhere as well as any dealer installed electronics or other gadgets. This area will vary from dealer to dealer.

One dealer on the East Coast insists on fitting every boat with a very high profit "Coast Guard Compliance Package." Freight is the killer over here.

The same high price for new boats has the effect (I hope!) of keeping the value of use boats pretty high.

If you buy a 10 year old boat you're really just buying the hull. Old, high hour engines and LORAN don't add any value.

If you're near the factory I've read they can refurbish an older boat for you.

Other then being "yachtie" I see no reason for twin 40s or 50s. Twice the potential for failure, twice the maintenance, gotta be synced or the drone will drive me nuts! Small engine will normally not last as long as a larger engine. (The Honda 90 is the Civic engine -- darn close to bulletproof.) Won't plane on one engine, so you some home on one about as fast as on your 8HP kicker.

-- Chuck
 
HI,
we have twins and love them for many reasons there is no correct answer to the twin vs single/kicker debate --owners are quite divided on benefits of either power system. there are many good reasons for either system depending on your personal needs.

Your needs will determine which system to choose.
Both systems lend themselves perfectly to a C-Dory.There is a long list of posts on the merits of both in the archives.
ras
 
Thanks for everybodys response, I like a lot of input from people that are more experienced at this than me.

Ok , I spent a few more hours with Les (EQ Marine) yesterday and became very interested in the new Evinrude E TEC motors. I really like the idea of no service for the first 3 years/300 hours. They are 2 cycle that are supposed to be as quite as the 4 cycle. They have met all of the new EPA and CA standards. Has anybody else looked at them or have any experience with them?


Any and all comments would be appreciated.

I was originally set on the 4 cycles but now I don't know, am leaning strongly to twin Evinrudes.

Took my wife up for her first look and she said that was the boat we were looking for and the what I had been describing to her what I wanted for quite a few years. We are getting really close to making the final decision to just do it and order a 2005.

Da Nag,

If we were to come over that way for the Sequim get together do you or anybody else have any suggestions for hotels/motels in Sequim? Also what how do you decide what people bring for the potluck, any suggestion?

Thanks
 
One of the things I forgot to mention last night about the Evinrudes is that they have a 25 amp alternators. This gives 50 amps between both engines when cruising.
 
Just a heads up...there are still places where you can't use these new 2 strokes, even though they are fuel injected. The water utility I work for does not allow them on our reservoirs - the restriction is still "4 strokes only".

Other places have seen the light (such as Lake Tahoe - they now allow them), but if you boat on inland lakes and reservoirs, you may want to check before buying to make sure you can take your brand new boat/engine where you want...
 
"the restriction is still "4 strokes only" -- I would think that enough reason to go 4-stroke on this type of boat (esp cruiser models). Even if you don't plan on boating inland lakes and reservoirs, if you decide to sell, that may become a factor. I know I would not buy a 2-stroke at this junction simply because the industry is moving to 4, the handwriting in pretty much on the wall to me. A discussion on jet-drive vs props -- now that would be interesting . . .

CDT17.jpg
 
Ditto on all the others C-Spray ,and a welcome to the Pub!!
I am suprised that Les Didn't have ya move in for a couple days. It would take that long to exhaust him of just the general knowldege.
 
Thanks guys all for your input, it looks like I need to go back to the drawing board and look at which 4 stroke I want. I would like to stay with EFI and a higher output on the alternator if I can. The Johnson 4 cycle has just had a price increase of 12% so they are considerably higher priced now than the others. I would imagine the Suzuki is in the same boat (no pun intended). From what I understand there was a 24 to 25% tax put on the Japanese imported motors and seeing as how the Johnson are really Suzuki engines (from what I read and have heard) that includes them. Johnson has decided to only raise the price by 12% to the consumer and absorb the other them selves. This still make them quite a bit higher than the Hondas now.

Oh will this is what makes it fun, all of the research and then the anticipation that you got it right and then when the motor comes to the water for the real test.
 
As of two days ago the Suzukis were not reflecting an increase in price from any tarriff.
Get a lock on the engine prices now if your intel says an increase is on the horizon.
Fair Winds...
 
New Guy":ji7myacv said:
As of two days ago the Suzukis were not reflecting an increase in price from any tarriff.
Get a lock on the engine prices now if your intel says an increase is on the horizon.
Fair Winds...

The Johnson price has already increased and unfortunately I'm not quite ready to order one yet so can't lock in the price yet. I have a few things I have to get done first or my wife would kill me (then there would be no need for a C Dory).

flagold,

I'm starting to look into the Mercury also. I can get the 4 cycle with EFI and 18 amp alt. on them on the 40 EFI. This would give me 36 amps in the twin configuration.

It all takes time and thanks for the info and thoughts.
 
Butch:

The best engines I've owned:

90 Johnson (2 stroke): ran for 10 years almost every day hauling divers 3 miles to a spring and back and when it finally died while working, puttered back from 3 miles out on 1 cyl.

40 Mercury (2 stroke): on my Dauntless now -- starts every time, no matter how long it sits -- economical, not a bad fault with that engine. I run it in shallow rivers so it takes a lot of sand through the cooling system, so far, on par with the Johnson above, simply can't be killed.

175 Johnson: so quiet you couldn't hear it running from the next boat over at an anchorage. For a big motor, ran on thimbleful of gas.

This 90 4 Stroke Merc is winning me over. It came at a good price, spools up quick, and has been utterly dependable pushing the boat up some very shallow water (sandy as above).
 
flagold. i know that a lot of lakes say four stroke only but if the engine meets the three star rating system for 2006 the they have to let it on the lake and the 90 e tec more then meets this standard. thats why i am going to get one. don't belive the posted signs, read the law.
 
Can't argue with that, as I don't have any particular dog in the fight -- I've used all the brands, 2 and 4 strokes. A man hangs on his transom whatever he wants.

On the law though, I can comment. You might want to read the closing argument I made in Oregon at a court case similar to the one you'll be in when you get a ticket and face proving you are in the right, or, pay the ticket (plead guilty), or, forgo visits to that particular lake/state/etc (run away).

I chose the former, represented myself, fought the Oregon DA, and won:

http://golddredger.com/dcforum/DCForumID5/53.html

Not arguing about what to get at all -- but when it comes to the law and whether you're in compliance or not -- the officer will simply write the ticket and you'll be faced with figuring out what to do. If there's an overzealous prosecuter that gives the case to a young deputy DA who simply wants to win cases and establish a record, you could be in for a costly fight. In my case it cost $12,000 to prove them wrong . . .

Good luck with the engine, they are all good.
 
[ The Johnson 4 cycle has just had a price increase of 12% so they are considerably higher priced now than the others. I would imagine the Suzuki is in the same boat (no pun intended). From what I understand there was a 24 to 25% tax put on the Japanese imported motors and seeing as how the Johnson are really Suzuki engines (from what I read and have heard) that includes them. Johnson has decided to only raise the price by 12% to the consumer and absorb the other them selves. This still make them quite a bit higher than the Hondas now.

So what's the full story on this "new tax" on imports and how is it going to affect our motor prices from now on?????

"Inquiring minds" want to know! Joe.
 
Just talked to the Suzuki Rep (24sept04), so here's the word for one outboard manufacturer...

THERE WILL BE NO PRICE INCREASE ON SUZUZIS UNTIL AT LEAST 04FEB05.

Maybe logically you can link Johnson and Suzuki, but this is business, and Johnson price increases are not an influence on Suzuki.

The advice given to the Suzuki dealers is for us to order early. Makes sense that would apply to buyers as well.
The price increase, if it happens, can be anywhere "...from 2% to 30%...". unquote.

The situation, as I understand it, is that Merc filed a lawsuit against Japan for DUMPING on the USA. A 22.52% tarriff was imposed in August. There is an appeal in the works. The funny thing is that Merc gets much of its outboards from Yamaha, so there is so logic to the appeal.
Either way, compare engine prices and talk to your dealer(s), and make an informed decision. Hope this helps.
Fair Winds...
 
Back
Top