Questions before purchase of a C-Dory

J

jsimmons248

New member
Thanks for all the information I have already received in previous posts. I have located a potential C-Dory 22 Cruiser (2006), have looked at the boat, and have more questions:

-Toward the bottom of the chine just before it meets the bottom on the front starboard side I noticed an area of 'stress cracks' in the blue gelcoat. Any issue with these? I would normally not be worried except these are below the water line. They seem superficial.

-For some reason I thought the forward berth was bigger than it is. Can two adults manage to sleep in it in relative comfort?

-This boat is the 'commuter' model that has two pilot seats facing forward and passenger seats (lengthwise) behind each of them rather than the stove, sink and dinette some models have. Has anyone rigged a bed in the cabin in this model? Across the passageway and overlapping the two rear seats?

-The boat has twin 40 HP Suzuki engines. When standing in the boat facing the stern the engines do not appear to be exactly parallel. The starboard engine appears to be turned inward a bit toward the port engine. Does this need to be adjusted?

-The white running light is located on the forward cabin roof just in front of the radar dome. I am planning on buying a cover for the boat and it seems the light will be knocked about while trying to get the cover over it and the dome. Any ideas on this?

-Can the boat be launched and recovered from the trailer by just one person? I am planning on mounting guide bars on the sides of the trailer if i purchase the boat.

-Do the Suzuki engines have hour meters on them? If not, is there any way to judge how many hours the engines have on them?

Thanks again for the help! :)
 
-Toward the bottom of the chine just before it meets the bottom on the front starboard side I noticed an area of 'stress cracks' in the blue gelcoat. Any issue with these?

Exactly where are these--a photo to my e-mail might help and I could post it. Cracks in the hull suggest a blow there, or a void in the gel coat/laminate.

-For some reason I thought the forward berth was bigger than it is. Can two adults manage to sleep in it in relative comfort?

You have the "angler"--to my knowledge the bunks are the same as my 2006 cruiser. I am 6'2" and 185lbs, Marie is a bit smaller--the dog is only 18 lbs and we all fit very comfortably in the V berth--you sleep a bit on the diagonal.



-This boat is the 'commuter' model that has two pilot seats facing forward and passenger seats (lengthwise) behind each of them rather than the stove, sink and dinette some models have. Has anyone rigged a bed in the cabin in this model? Across the passageway and overlapping the two rear seats?

Sounds like a great modification--maybe put a table between for eating and playing cards! You would then do cooking out of doors? That works--and we do much of ours that way.

-The boat has twin 40 HP Suzuki engines. When standing in the boat facing the stern the engines do not appear to be exactly parallel. The starboard engine appears to be turned inward a bit toward the port engine. Does this need to be adjusted?

There should be a slight toe in--but that is easy to adjust--just look at the linkage--there have been some issues with them within the week.

-The white running light is located on the forward cabin roof just in front of the radar dome. I am planning on buying a cover for the boat and it seems the light will be knocked about while trying to get the cover over it and the dome. Any ideas on this?

They unscrew--if not, get one which does--not an issue. just get reinforcement on the canvas. Also check to see if Angola Canvas has a pattern for that model.

-Can the boat be launched and recovered from the trailer by just one person? I am planning on mounting guide bars on the sides of the trailer if i purchase the boat.


Absolutely I can launch the C Dory 25 alone, and even the Tom Cat. No problem with the 22. Just back her down far enough--don't take the strap off until you are on the boat-there are other alternatives depending on the ramp for floating the boat off with lines attached.
-Do the Suzuki engines have hour meters on them? If not, is there any way to judge how many hours the engines have on them?

Missed the last one--I am not certain about the 40's but most of the Suzuki of that vintage are able to have the hours read by a computer, or possibly by a MNEA 2000 network reader such as the Lowrance LMF 200/400 series or some Garmin chart plotters.
 
jsimmons248":1oh22089 said:
-This boat is the 'commuter' model that has two pilot seats facing forward and passenger seats (lengthwise) behind each of them rather than the stove, sink and dinette some models have. Has anyone rigged a bed in the cabin in this model? Across the passageway and overlapping the two rear seats?
Click to expand...

Here is a link to "C Eagle," which I think has a similar layout, and has photos of bed mods:

http://www.c-brats.com/modules.php?...ame=gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php

There are one or two other similar boats in the albums, but I can't think of their names (yet!). One has a Garelick table that swivels and drops down sort of like an airline tray table if you get the exit row. It looked so handy that I almost wished I had a Commuter model.

jsimmons248":1oh22089 said:
-The white running light is located on the forward cabin roof just in front of the radar dome. I am planning on buying a cover for the boat and it seems the light will be knocked about while trying to get the cover over it and the dome. Any ideas on this?
Click to expand...

If that is the usual fixture (sounds like the usual location) it is a Perko - I think a 1209 - and it unscrews and stores in the cabin (usually under the deck on port side in a pair of brackets. There is a cap (mine was attached near the helm) that goes over the exposed socket on the cabin top when the light is not there.

jsimmons248":1oh22089 said:
-Can the boat be launched and recovered from the trailer by just one person? I am planning on mounting guide bars on the sides of the trailer if i purchase the boat.
Click to expand...

I hope so as that is what I'm planning to do :D There is a recent thread where I was asking about guide ons in which several people gave tips on launching/retrieving (I need to add guide-ons as well).

I hope you find your C-Dory soon!

Sunbeam :hot
 
The key to single hand launch/retrieve is to get trailer s close to dock as possible. This allows more control with short lines. Assumes a dock
 
I often have to wade to the tongue to climb over the bow--when you are there--you can undo the strap, which was loosened--it is difficult to do hanging over the bow...
 
thataway":3q0e76xg said:
I often have to wade to the tongue to climb over the bow--when you are there--you can undo the strap, which was loosened--it is difficult to do hanging over the bow...
Click to expand...

I was always able to lower the tail gate on my truck, climb onto that and climb from that onto the tongue. I was then able to detach the strap without getting my feet wet. Others have welded (or otherwise attached) small gangways to the trailer tongue to make the job even easier. I was almost always launching near a dock but when I did have to launch without one, I occasionally had to get my feet wet.

With a dock, I would get the boat close to the dock and I'd leave the lines hanging a little from the front and rear cleats. Then I'd reach out with a boat hook and pull the lines to the dock prior to releasing the strap. A third line from the bow would be used at times to control the rate of descent on steeper docks but often I had to nudge the boat off the rollers with the lines on the side closest to the dock. I always used 25' lines so that I could generally tie both ends to cleats behind the current boat's position to prevent them from falling into the water. With a long enough lines I could usually walk the boat off the trailer from the side and then tie it up before stowing the trailer/truck in the parking lot.

In cases where the ramp wasn't that steep and I had to drive the boat off the trailer, I'd get the boat and trailer in the water, remove the bow strap and climb onto the boat using the spare tire as a step. I'd then walk the bow line back to the cockpit, drive off and hop out with both a bow and a stern line in hand. With appropriate preparation, long lines and a few fenders, launching by yourself is pretty easy.
 
No hour meter on my 2007 Suzies, but when you turn the key on before moving to the start position, you will hear some beeps, then you look at the tachometers. The tach indication will show you approximately how many hours on the engines. You do have to have an owners manual to translate the tach (no engine running) reading into engine hours.

If no manual, then down load one from internet?
 
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