New member needing boat advice.

J

jkswor

New member
Have narrowed my choices down to include a c dory. I am interested in the 19 ft angler and the 22 ft angler or cruiser.
Live in Alaska and fish Valdez regularly. How would the 19 ft c dory do in seas above 2 ft . Will have to go outside the narrows to get to good halibut fishing which is about 10-12 miles from the harbor. Currently have a 17 ft inflatable with a 40 hp motor on it. Have been in2-3 ft seas and it is scary to say the least. Seas have to be calm for me to venture very far now.
We need a boat we can trust to not beat us to death and which has cover from the cold and rain , unlike what we now have.
The 16 ft as I have read probably would only be useful in the inlet and unsafe beyond. How would the 19 ft act. The 22 would probably work just fine inside or outside.
Just would like some opinions or first hand knowledge about them.
Thanks
Jim Swor
Tok, Ak
 
C-dory boats are very comfortable in seas to 8 ft if the wavelength is long enough. yesterday I was shrimping in a 4 to 6ft swell of 8 seconds and while its not the best for standing we never felt unsafe or in danger the ride against the waves was slow,13 knots or less, but running with the swell was fine at 15 knots. any more then that and I dont want to go anyhow in any boat.
C-dorys are very good handling boats in big waves they are just not fast. If you are looking to run in those condition's at 20 knots look elsewhere and expect to pay for it to.

I have fished many days in 2 to 4 footers in comfort. you just have to decide what is the right speed and comfort level for you. a c-dory at rest, as in halibut fishing, is great. No as tipsy as a v-hull and floats like a cork. yesterday we where stern to the waves while pulling the pots and we just floated over them. not one wave broke over the stern.
 
Jim,

Welcome to the C-Dory gang. You will like what you find here on the Cbrats.
My recommendation would be the 22' or a 25' if you can afford it. You have to remember these boats are flat bottom dorys and if pushed too fast will pound. I had a 22' Classic CD and it would go through Cook Inlet chop at 15-17 mph comfortably and safely. You need to always keep that in mind. It is not a speed boat or a ski boat.
When I was out looking for a cabin type boat many years ago a very wise boating friend gave me a tip that is right on and I will pass it on to you. Find the boat that you think is way more than you need and then buy the next one bigger. I have found that to be very good advice.
Good luck with your choice.
Jack in Alaska
 
Jim, if you are primarily a fisherman, the 22 Angler would be a very good choice. The house is small, but you have a good sized cockpit for fishing/crabbing/shrimping and what ever. If you think you will be doing some cruising, look at the 22 cruiser. When I bought, it was a toss up between the 22 cruiser and a 25. The 22 was the winner.
 
Just spent yesterday on my buddy's Seaswirl 23' Stiper. The one advantage was the deeper V; we easily traversed consistant wind swells in the 2' range...at >25 knots! I'd kill my kidneys and the hull on our 25 at that speed, in those conditions. But his boat is nowhere as fuel effecient, nor comfortable, nor solidly built as a C-Dory. He likes to go fast and uses if primarily for fishing, crabbing etc, so it suits his needs. We wanted an all around boat that wouldn't kill us in the fuel cost dept. If you don't plan on doing much cruising and fishing is your priority, you may find a 22 Angler to your liking. See if you could hook up w/ someone for a ride/tour. Lots of Alaska Brats here.
 
Jim,

Since you will be driving from Tok to Valdez, the choice between the 19 and 22 would seem to be the difference between spending the night in Valdez or on the boat in Sawmill Bay, Galena Bay or even Montague Island. I have done the town and the beach many times but for the last 7 years I have found I much prefer the boat. I have made the run into Valdez only once and that was for gas, Diet Coke, and bait. I think we were in town a total of 30 minutes. The run from the Narrows into town in the afternoon is nothing but a slog with the afternoon southwest winds.

I think the 22 would fit going out of Valdez into the Sound much better than a 19.

If you ever get to the big city, I think we can arrange for a ride in a 25.
 
Thanks to those of you giving input. It has been valuable. Not quite ready yet financially, but should be by next spring. Maybe I can pick up a 22 ft for around 22k then.
Again thanks
Jim Swor
 
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