Sagit Orca
- Thread starter mrsnow
- Start date
mrsnow-
Hello! This is going to sound like heresy around this C-Dory site, but here goes!
The Skagit Orca 27 is a bigger, better built, and even more seaworthy boat than the C-Dory 25.
It has much more standard equipment, has much better fit and finish, and is more of a deeper V hull than a C-Dory 25. The deeper hull will ride better in choppy conditions.
It also is an inboard, usually having a large Mercruiser single big-block V-8, the associated I/O drive, and will consequently use more fuel than a C-D 25, probably quite a bit more at that! The boat needs the big V-8 because of it's size and weight, although two big outboards of 150-200 hp could have been used.
The cockpit will be higher due to the inboard housed below, and there will be some step ups and downs with the cabin and cockpit being at different elevations. (As one gets older, the up/down routine gets harder to accommodate!)
I looked at several of the used ones for sale on the East Coast before I started to write this, and I'm glad a couple of them aren't here closer to where I live, or I'd be tempted to trade up today! (Priced no more than a CD-25 would be out here on the West Coast.)
Looks like you'll have to buy a trailer if you plan to trail the boat, but around $5-7k should get you a nice new one back there.
I don't know if fishing is on your agenda or not, but if it is, be sure to figure out if the cockpit floor level is so high that you'd be a lot better off with a cockpit floor much further down in the boat with the engine surrounded by a housing.
Overall, the Skagit-Orca 27 really looks like more of a high quality cruiser than a fishing boat, for sure. (I've seen them at boat shows before.)
Sounds like a good fit between hull and your ocean and ICW conditions back there, too!
Biggest disadvantage to me would be the I/O drive, since they need to be serviced every year or two, depending on use and storage conditions, and can be problematic because of their relatively complex design.
Will you be keeping the boat in the salt water? (I'd prefer to keep it out of the water, so the salt doesn't eat at the I/O unit.)
If you decide to go ahead with a purchase, be sure to have the boat surveyed throughly and plan on going through the I/O unless you're sure it's been done very recently!
Have you looked at the Skagit-Orca 27 yet? It will seem like its at lease twice the size and weight of your previous CD-22, and the upscale appointments compared to the spartan C-Dory will be apparent!
Others will add their two cents, but this is mine off the top of my head at 5 am on a Saturday morning!
Good Luck, whatever you decide!
Joe. :teeth :thup
Hello! This is going to sound like heresy around this C-Dory site, but here goes!
The Skagit Orca 27 is a bigger, better built, and even more seaworthy boat than the C-Dory 25.
It has much more standard equipment, has much better fit and finish, and is more of a deeper V hull than a C-Dory 25. The deeper hull will ride better in choppy conditions.
It also is an inboard, usually having a large Mercruiser single big-block V-8, the associated I/O drive, and will consequently use more fuel than a C-D 25, probably quite a bit more at that! The boat needs the big V-8 because of it's size and weight, although two big outboards of 150-200 hp could have been used.
The cockpit will be higher due to the inboard housed below, and there will be some step ups and downs with the cabin and cockpit being at different elevations. (As one gets older, the up/down routine gets harder to accommodate!)
I looked at several of the used ones for sale on the East Coast before I started to write this, and I'm glad a couple of them aren't here closer to where I live, or I'd be tempted to trade up today! (Priced no more than a CD-25 would be out here on the West Coast.)
Looks like you'll have to buy a trailer if you plan to trail the boat, but around $5-7k should get you a nice new one back there.
I don't know if fishing is on your agenda or not, but if it is, be sure to figure out if the cockpit floor level is so high that you'd be a lot better off with a cockpit floor much further down in the boat with the engine surrounded by a housing.
Overall, the Skagit-Orca 27 really looks like more of a high quality cruiser than a fishing boat, for sure. (I've seen them at boat shows before.)
Sounds like a good fit between hull and your ocean and ICW conditions back there, too!
Biggest disadvantage to me would be the I/O drive, since they need to be serviced every year or two, depending on use and storage conditions, and can be problematic because of their relatively complex design.
Will you be keeping the boat in the salt water? (I'd prefer to keep it out of the water, so the salt doesn't eat at the I/O unit.)
If you decide to go ahead with a purchase, be sure to have the boat surveyed throughly and plan on going through the I/O unless you're sure it's been done very recently!
Have you looked at the Skagit-Orca 27 yet? It will seem like its at lease twice the size and weight of your previous CD-22, and the upscale appointments compared to the spartan C-Dory will be apparent!
Others will add their two cents, but this is mine off the top of my head at 5 am on a Saturday morning!
Good Luck, whatever you decide!
Joe. :teeth :thup
Sea Wolf,
One exception to your post is that all Skagit Orcas were offered with single or twin outboard engine options as well. There are some out there that have outboards on Armstrong brackets and I, like you would prefer not to have an I/O for all the reasons you stated. As to the floor plan issues I thought it to all be on one level much like C-Dorys or Tomcats. The one issue I can't seem to get confirmed or denied is has Triton built any Skagit Orcas as 2011 0r 2012 models with all the ownership changes and issues they have been going through. I can't seem to find any new boats in anyone's inventory and Triton certainly doesn't communicate with the boating public very well. They could sure use a guy like Jeff Messmer in their marketing department.
One exception to your post is that all Skagit Orcas were offered with single or twin outboard engine options as well. There are some out there that have outboards on Armstrong brackets and I, like you would prefer not to have an I/O for all the reasons you stated. As to the floor plan issues I thought it to all be on one level much like C-Dorys or Tomcats. The one issue I can't seem to get confirmed or denied is has Triton built any Skagit Orcas as 2011 0r 2012 models with all the ownership changes and issues they have been going through. I can't seem to find any new boats in anyone's inventory and Triton certainly doesn't communicate with the boating public very well. They could sure use a guy like Jeff Messmer in their marketing department.
Mr. Snow,
As someone who has researched and investigated Skagit Orca boats for quite sometime I can only tell you I have always been impressed by them. As someone living in the eastern US you've noticed they are not as prevalent as a lot of other brands. Since you're in Western NC are you going to the coast with the boat or going to be on inland lakes and rivers? I would put Skagit Orca boats in a class with Boston Whaler, Grady White, Pursuit, Edge Water etc in their ability to handle heavy water but I like their Pilot House layout much better than the express cruiser style you get with those manufacturers.
Skagit Orca is very high on my list as I consider boats to some day do the Great Loop. If I were you I would call or E-Mail Marc Grove @ Wefing Marine in FL. You may already know him since you're a previous C-Dory owner. He has been a C-Dory, Tom Cat, and Skagit Orca dealer and could tell you far more than I can. Good Luck with your search and let me know if I can help in anyway.
As someone who has researched and investigated Skagit Orca boats for quite sometime I can only tell you I have always been impressed by them. As someone living in the eastern US you've noticed they are not as prevalent as a lot of other brands. Since you're in Western NC are you going to the coast with the boat or going to be on inland lakes and rivers? I would put Skagit Orca boats in a class with Boston Whaler, Grady White, Pursuit, Edge Water etc in their ability to handle heavy water but I like their Pilot House layout much better than the express cruiser style you get with those manufacturers.
Skagit Orca is very high on my list as I consider boats to some day do the Great Loop. If I were you I would call or E-Mail Marc Grove @ Wefing Marine in FL. You may already know him since you're a previous C-Dory owner. He has been a C-Dory, Tom Cat, and Skagit Orca dealer and could tell you far more than I can. Good Luck with your search and let me know if I can help in anyway.
Cfoster":1od0d72a said:
Cfoster-
Thanks for the comments!
I didn't know if there were outboard versions or not, and haven't done an exhaustive search this morning, of course. I did find one in Bellingham, Wa. with a Volvo Diesel, though, with a Duo-Prop I/O drive. (That boat looks very much like it's been ridden hard and put away wet, however!)
Two more corrections:
You're also right about the step down / level floor question. They look to be either level or nearly so throughout, at least on the 27. The cockpit floor is not as high as I thought it was, and the motor does indeed have a housing. (I seem to remember climbing through several Skagit-Orcas a few years back at the Seattle Boat Show and being turned off by the vertical changes in levels between the cockpit and cabin???)
Also,the boat has been marketed as a premier fishing boat by the former manufacturer, and has fish boxes and other accommodations, including a standard second steering station in the cockpit (+++!!!).
Of course, I've never owned one, so most of my impressions are not first-hand.
I don't remember any Skagit-Orca/C-Dory combination owners on this site, but hopefully there are a few to offer their valuable opinions.
Nice talking with you!
Joe. :teeth :thup
Bill Uffelman
New member
FWIW http://www.rudymarine.com/databases/rud ... stock=BB-4 has an Osprey Fisherman 24 O/B on the lot. http://ospreypilothouse.com/OPHpgsV2/24FM.html
They did have an Orca in late summer -- it shows in the background of photo..
They are an easy drive up the coast from NC.
Bill Uffelman
Las Vegas NV & Ocean View DE
They did have an Orca in late summer -- it shows in the background of photo..
They are an easy drive up the coast from NC.
Bill Uffelman
Las Vegas NV & Ocean View DE
Don and Brenda
New member
Here is the local Washington dealer, they do have some Osprey's on the lot new and used, no Skagit's. Of course same builder
http://www.mastermarine.com/inventory.php
http://www.mastermarine.com/inventory.php
Here are a few I found for perusing:
http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listing/ ... &noOfPic=5
http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listing/ ... id=2447004
http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listing/ ... id=2426177
So what do you think a new one would cost? $130k-$175k?
Joe. :teeth :thup
http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listing/ ... &noOfPic=5
http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listing/ ... id=2447004
http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listing/ ... id=2426177
So what do you think a new one would cost? $130k-$175k?
Joe. :teeth :thup
Wandering Sagebrush
Free Range Human
Second hand information here... One of my cousins fished Tuna from a friend's Osprey. He thought it was a wet ride compared to his Orca (24').
Matt Gurnsey
New member
Throw the Shamrock 270 Mackinaw into the mix. Direct drive inboard, it has a fantastic ride and is a very roomy boat.
Downside is it only sleeps two.
Downside is it only sleeps two.
I was curious; nice boat w/ a Yanmar diesel and "cherry-wood" cabinets. Looks like a serious tuna chaser.
http://www.mbmboats.com/Boats/shamrock_270_mackinaw_06.htm
Matt Gurnsey
New member
If my bank account would allow, a 270 Mack would be in my slip.
Alas, I work in the marine industry.....
Alas, I work in the marine industry.....
Also,the boat has been marketed as a premier fishing boat by the former manufacturer, and has fish boxes and other accommodations, including a standard second steering station in the cockpit (+++!!!).
Joe,
A lot of the boats out there do have the second steering station in the cockpit but it is definitely an option.
Joe,
A lot of the boats out there do have the second steering station in the cockpit but it is definitely an option.