Older C-Dory fiberglass...???

J

Jack in Alaska

New member
I have 1983 C-Dory purchased new. I use it in the Cook Inlet, Alaska where the water is usually rough. My boat has pounded many miles though rough water, I can't tell you how many times. If 1/3 of my trips are rough that would be approx. 350 trips in rough seas in the last 23 years.
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My question is...........just how long will the fiberglass stay together with that kind of use.?? Obviously I can not have it come apart 15 miles out in 45 F water. Not a pleasant thought.

Your thoughts on that would be appreciated.

Another reason I am looking for a 25' CD. :D

MERRY CHRISTMAS
 
Having purchased a used 1983 22' C-dory that started its journey in Alaska, I hope it lasts, at least another twenty three years. That would take me through to ninety years old. I will go with that.

Except where water got into the transom, the hull seems as sound as the newer C-Dory's. Back in the 1980's, they were still overbuilding fiberglass boats, except for MacGregor.

I have given the hammer test to most of the hull. no sound difference.When I have taken old screws out that were used to put the insides together, I have not found any evidence that water has softened the core. I guess, if you take care of your "toys", they will last forever.

Fred
 
When I bought my 1981 last year I had a survey done and all was sound. I don't know how much pounding it took from previous owners but it had been used mostly in the PNW. I have already put it through some good trips and don't see any stress cracks. I have also done some towing of a 14 foot Jon boat I bought that had some pretty full loads (ie 6" of freeboard) up to our cabin. I agree that fiberglass hulls were mostly overbuilt in the 80's. If you are in doubt, get a survey done.
Jimbo
 
I belive the integrity of the hull of a C-Dory will last longer that any one here. They are have solid construction. I have seen the guts of a 98 Cruiser..........WOW!!!!

I'm sold on the construction and how strong they are. Toland is an Artist who combined form , function and durability. To me its the complete package.


Chris Bulovsky
Washburn Wi
 
We did some ultrasound and destructive testing of hull laminates on hurricane damaged boats--some were up to 40 years old. The older laminates for the most part were as good as newer ones looking at the ultrasonics. (A few poorly made boats have become "floppy hulls" This is due to water intrustion into the fiberglass with some wicking and braking down of the resin--This seemed to be mostly in chopper gun built boats with poor resin to glass ratio--and in boats which developed osmosis. Neither of these would apply to the 83 C Dory.

The other study was done in 1962 on two Coast Guard river patrol boats built in 1942. The destructive studies found that these boat's specs of the laminates were almost the same as when first built. The boats were put back into service, but I don't know if other studies were done.

The C Dory should be fine.
 
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