Novices looking for help

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pat.jack

New member
Hi Folks,
My wife Pat and I are novice C-Dory owners. We have had our 22' 2003 C-Dory for a boating season, and kept it docked on the Erie Canal last summer. Our boat should be coming out of winter storage in about a month. Once it comes out I would like to make some upgrades on the boat to make it comfortable for cruising and sleeping aboard. We were not able to use the boat much our 1st season due to a number of reasons, but we're looking forward to using it frequently this year! From a background standpoint, our boat is pretty basic and it needed it a fair amount of cleaning/maintenance. We've done the clean-up, and now would like to address some upgrades to the boat. The only option the boat has installed on it now are trim tabs.

The 1st upgrade I would like to make is the addition of shore power. A friend of mine is a licensed Master Electrician/EE who will work with me on the electrical upgrade. Luckily, he has extensive experience wiring boats, so technically I think we should be OK. Do you folks have some suggestions on a good source for buying the materials I will need-such as AC breaker box/30A Power Inlet/battery chargers and the other items we'll need? My friend had used 'Boatfix.com', but I see they have gone out of business this past year. I'm looking for a supplier with good pricing and good service-your experience would be welcome!

After the electrical work, I would like to address access to the boat. My wife has arthritis, and she has trouble with the 'long 1st step' into the boat. Browsing some of the forums, we have seen some good work that many of you have done to address this. I'll take another look through the postings, but if any of you have suggestions on what worked well for you, I'd appreciate it.

Finally, our boat does not have any canvas, nor did it come with the cockpit cover. If my budget will allow, I'd like to add canvas in the near future. The reason I mention the canvas, is to ask if anyone in our area of the country-Rochester NY-has good experience with a local manufacturer of boat canvas? Unfortunately, there are not too many C-Dory owners in our area that we have met to date, hopefully through this post we will connect with a few. Seeing other boats similar to ours would help us inexperienced boaters a lot!!

We had requested access to a photo album last season, and I think we have that. Hopefully we'll figure out how to access that and post pictures as we make progress on the boat. Sorry for this rather long post, so I'll cut this off now.

Thanks ahead of time for your help and patience with us.
Regards,
Jack & Pat Howell
 
pat.jack":1vwoq7i4 said:
I would like to address access to the boat. My wife has arthritis, and she has trouble with the 'long 1st step' into the boat.
Regards,
Jack & Pat Howell
Click to expand...

Jack, we purchased the Garelick Cockpit Steps from West Marine. The steps come with two mounting plates that you secure to the inside of the gunnel. The steps then slip into those and creates a very secure method of stepping into the cockpit from the gunnel. I know that there is at least one or two other C-Brats that have purchased and mounted these steps. When not in use the steps are easily removed if desired. Cost of the steps are approximately $150.00. We certainly enjoy them and it has made ingress and egress considerably easier.
 
I'll second the step idea. Get two sets of brackets and you can switch the steps from side to side easily. I have a metal implant in one knee and we are both somewhat arthritic.

For shore power, there are lots of sources. I'm currently upgrading my shorepower connection to Smart Plug fittings. Much better than the twist lock variety that is more common. You can find them from a lot of sources with a simple google search. Likewise the breaker panel, many sources, West Marine, Jamestown Distributors and the like. Rely on your experienced help. Lots of DIY help on the West Marine website. Keep asking here, we'll help!

As for Canvas, a standard 22, which you seem to have is a very common template job, Angola Canvas, King Canvas, etc have them and can make and ship them to you for a DIY installation or have a local marina install it. They are not cheap but sure do make for a more comfortable boat!

Lots of pictures on the Brats, use the search box in the top left corner of any page. Use AND to connect terms and show just posts/threads with both words in it.

What sort of electronics do you have?

Welcome to the site!

Charlie
 
I have always liked www.defender.com They are on the east coast and we usually get items the next day by UPS ground. I would do a shorepower hookup using the new style plugs by Smart Plug that are less prone to failure. I would install an on board battery charger at the same time. I would strongly suggest you spring for the better new Smart Plug receptical and buy a matching smart plug power cord. And never plug the shore power in to the boat receptical with power present. Plug in at both ends then flip the breaker on to reduce any chance of arcing which can degrage the connection make for a heat build up. That recepticle is one of the most frequent spots for boat fires. At defender's website then go to electrical then shore power cords then recepticals and scroll down to almost the bottom and you will find the Smart Plug shore power stuff. Money well spent.
D.D.
 
Concur on Defender too. Have used them with great success! West marine will match any price and, if you have an actual store (gasp) near you, you can touch stuff!

Charlie
 
Concurr with defender. I would have a local canvas shop make the covers you want...especially keeping mind your wife's needs. You want easy zip out panels in the front of the Bimini top, for easy entrance, plus make the frame out of 1" SS tubing, fixing the front support so it is sturdy enough to use as a hand rail for boarding. You can buy collapsible single steps at RV c
Stores for the dock if necessary,
.

Always use marine grade wiring, never Romex.
 
Hi All,

Thank you so much for the great responses. I was not aware of the 'smart plug', I was planning to install the standard type of twist lock. We do have a West Marine store in our area, I'll spend some time browsing the Defender site and see where that takes me. I really appreciate the ideas on the steps, having 2 brackets and 'moveable steps' sounds like the perfect solution for my boat. I will definitely check that out.

There was a question on the electronics on board my boat. We have a Garmin mdl. 541s 'chart-plotter' and the marine radio is a 'Standard Horizon' Eclipse DSC (I pull the electronics before I put the boat in storage, so I just checked the faceplate for the proper model #). By the way, I appreciate the question on electronics. My wife and I are trying to improve our basic boating skills. We recently joined a local group of the USPS and are looking forward to taking some of the courses they offer-such as seamanship and piloting. We could definitely use additional training. Unfortunately, the courses are not offered too frequently-next one is scheduled for September.

In the mean time, I am busy finishing up 'gutting' and rebuilding the bathroom in my basement. Back to spreading and sanding joint compound! No where near as much fun as enjoying time on the boat.
Regards,
Jack
 
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