C-Dory Buyers-
Here's a reply I wrote to a private message asking me about the advisability of buying a new or used CD-22 Cruiser. I eliminated the name because of the original private nature of the information request. Add whatever informtion you have!! Joe.
New or used boat buyer-
A new boat will cost you a lot more, of course, figure:
boat= $29k, trailer=$3.7k, motor(s)= $10-12k, electronics + $3-10K, plus $500 freight, $500 dealer prep, $4k taxes, +license, +documentation = $50-60k, (freight and dealer prep figures are guesses) and a full blown option laden boat like Da New Da Nag or the SSSS is probably close to $65,000, maybe more. (As a fun exercise, I added every conceivable option from the factory and the things I know are added fairly commonly along with fees and taxes and came up just about to $75k from the list prices- a dealer might give you a package deal/discount.)
You really can get a good used boat with many of the options you want for about $35-$40k, and then add your choice of upgrades and replacements.
Avoid buying a seriously older boat with an older motor unless you can figure that the price allows you to include a new motor(s) and any upgraded equipment, and you have the time and skill to do a lot of work on it. All marine hardware and equipment costs a lot, and all projects take a lot more time than you first imagine. An older trailer can cost $400-$1000 to replace the tongue actuator, rebuild the brakes, add new bearings and seals, and fix the lights right.
The older hulls, however, are usually ok unless they've been poorly taken care of, and water has been allowed to penetrate the transom plywood or the balsa core of the main hull. If you fine a boat you like and are unsure about the hull, get a Marine Surveyor or someone else who knows what to look for to go with you and look the boat over or do a full survey.
My boat came with a lot of very good, but older, equipment when I bought it in 1998. I got a very good tandem roller trailer, a 24 mile CRT Ratheon radar, an Eagle color video fishfinder, a Hummingbird LCR fishfinder, both VHF and C/B radios, an am/fm radio/tape player, Loran, dual horns, Penn downriggers, a Jabsco remote searchlight, a Wedgewood 3-burner propane stove, a windshield defroster, a livewell installed in the lazarette, anchor and rode(no windlass), window tinting all around, 4 teak storage trays in the cabin, custom tackle storage under the cockpit gunwhales (the first of the newer model cruisers didn't have these), several additional optional engine gauges, and the original "87 Evinrude 2-cycle 90 hp engine and a 15 hp Johnson 2-cycle kicker with steering links. I paid $20,500 for it in 1998.
I added the Force 10 Cozy Cabin propane heater and the Quick Aires 500 windlass. Although I bought them both at the maximum discount price, they each came to about $600 by the time the additional equipment was added to install them. Add $300 for a new pivoting bow roller and first-class anchor. I also put about $600 in the trailer for the reconditioning mentioned above, plus about another $400 for new wheels and tires. Then there the myriad of details that you also do like refinishing the teak handrails and the simulated wood cabin panels, adding new flooring materials: indoor/outdoor carpet, Dri-Deck, add engine tune-ups ($500), prop repair, bottom paint ($1100 the first time), the regular electrical and hardware repair, and the list goes on.
Actually, I probably have close to $27,000 in the boat, not counting regular maintenance and operating expenses. Still a lot cheaper than $50-60k, but a lot of work, but very fun and satisfying at that!
I'll have to add new engines fairly soon, and that will cost another $10k-12k, so you see my point about older engines. Be sure you get four cycle engines or plan on replacing them sooner or later (unless they're the new type 2-cycle engines).
Fortunately, I'm here on Shasta and other inland lakes most of the time, so upgrading the electronics is not an pressing issue.
As far as the Wallas goes, it's complex and imperfect, but most people seem to prefer it to dealing with what they perceive as "propane dangers". I'm quite comfortable with propane from my science background and RV ownership: it's very convenient and works great, just keep it under control at all times.
The hardest thing is the smartest thing: waiting and figuring out what you want before you buy, so you'll get what you need.
If you buy used, wait until you've read a lot and know what you're getting into with a used boat and what you will have to do with it and if you have time, money, and skill.
If you buy new, wait until you've read enough to know what you want to order so the new boat's right on the money as far as your needs and intended uses.
Either way, you need to wait and get C-Dory wise before you make your move, which is hard to do, once you've got the FEVER!!!
Hope this helps! Reply as needed! Joe.
