The C-Dory is an uncomplicated and durable design. Makes it easy for people to add/change what they want. However, I would say that a number of the owners have done a lot of the same or very similar mods to their individual boats (or at least thought about doing some of the same mods). I see a lot of things in this forum that I have done or still plan to do to my boat because they are excellent ideas.
It would seem to me that if enough people are doing the same mod than there might be an opportunity for a design change to incorporate that mod and that might make the boat more appealing to more people. I believe that some of the owner mods have already made it back into the production boats (i.e. reversible forward dinette seat).
Further, if you look at a C-Dory from the late '80s and one from last year, there is not much difference in the design or the available features (not counting those added by previous owners). While the design is excellent and has stood the test of time, there is no real reason to buy a factory new boat vs. a good condition used one because they are pretty much identical. Right now you might even be able say that a second hand C-Dory is more appealing than a new one because of the mods the previous owner installed. There are some excellent examples in this forum where this is certainly the case (IMO).
However, for the factory to survive as a business they need to sell new boats. If they don't come up with a new model and want to continue to produce new boats, I suggest that they might want to consider including some of the mods that have been mentioned in this thread and other parts of this forum.
Some of the mods are very simple and would cost the factory very little to incorporate (e.g. extra cleats at the front of the cockpit, a helm seat that folds flat, hand grips on the brow). Yes, these are simple mods and can be done by the owner, but if the boat comes this way already it's something I don't have to do. Some mods are obvious in retrospect and IMO should have been incorporated by the factory already (e.g. insulation of the berth/cabin, relocation of the drain plug in aft sump to retain less water). For the factory these would be simple fixes. More extensive mods like moving the water tank to the forward compartment or factory air conditioning (as examples) would be an added cost option. However, if the factory developed a standard mod with a standard part kit and standard installation and put it in during boat assembly it could be less expensive and certainly much, much less hassle than if the owner decided to do it themselves later.
Of course, very careful consideration of which mods to include will need to be done so as not to spoil a good thing. However, improvements or added features (even as available options) will differentiate the new build boats from the earlier versions in an effort make them more appealing to more buyers (e.g. those without the time, skills, tools, or space to do the mods themselves). Of course, one of the options will be a more bare boat for the do-it-yourselfer.
There should to be reasons that a buyer will want to chose a brand new boat over a used one other than just because it is brand new (although that's a good enough reason for some people).
Obviously, these thoughts are just my opinion.
It would seem to me that if enough people are doing the same mod than there might be an opportunity for a design change to incorporate that mod and that might make the boat more appealing to more people. I believe that some of the owner mods have already made it back into the production boats (i.e. reversible forward dinette seat).
Further, if you look at a C-Dory from the late '80s and one from last year, there is not much difference in the design or the available features (not counting those added by previous owners). While the design is excellent and has stood the test of time, there is no real reason to buy a factory new boat vs. a good condition used one because they are pretty much identical. Right now you might even be able say that a second hand C-Dory is more appealing than a new one because of the mods the previous owner installed. There are some excellent examples in this forum where this is certainly the case (IMO).
However, for the factory to survive as a business they need to sell new boats. If they don't come up with a new model and want to continue to produce new boats, I suggest that they might want to consider including some of the mods that have been mentioned in this thread and other parts of this forum.
Some of the mods are very simple and would cost the factory very little to incorporate (e.g. extra cleats at the front of the cockpit, a helm seat that folds flat, hand grips on the brow). Yes, these are simple mods and can be done by the owner, but if the boat comes this way already it's something I don't have to do. Some mods are obvious in retrospect and IMO should have been incorporated by the factory already (e.g. insulation of the berth/cabin, relocation of the drain plug in aft sump to retain less water). For the factory these would be simple fixes. More extensive mods like moving the water tank to the forward compartment or factory air conditioning (as examples) would be an added cost option. However, if the factory developed a standard mod with a standard part kit and standard installation and put it in during boat assembly it could be less expensive and certainly much, much less hassle than if the owner decided to do it themselves later.
Of course, very careful consideration of which mods to include will need to be done so as not to spoil a good thing. However, improvements or added features (even as available options) will differentiate the new build boats from the earlier versions in an effort make them more appealing to more buyers (e.g. those without the time, skills, tools, or space to do the mods themselves). Of course, one of the options will be a more bare boat for the do-it-yourselfer.
There should to be reasons that a buyer will want to chose a brand new boat over a used one other than just because it is brand new (although that's a good enough reason for some people).
Obviously, these thoughts are just my opinion.
:lol: :love :thup :thup 