Looking at used 25 c- dory. Retired in fla on west coast. Would like to travel key west to appalacicola , lake ocachobee to west coast. Really like head with inside shower. Does boat handle well with single engine? Never have even seen one, let alone sea trialed it.complete newbie to c-dory boats. I,ve read the quality is questionable. I have a Boston whaler dauntless and now want some creature comforts,any comments are welcomed.
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- Thread starter edfw
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Don and Brenda
New member
Well if you want comfort, there is a TomCat available for about the price of a used 25, see right lower corner on the home page. Ok Charlie here is your opening. There is much info on this site about the quality, and no it is not questionable. Every boat no matter what the price point or name brand will have a few issue and certain years with different owners there were some minor issues that are easily corrected.
Head was THE selling point for the Admiral. We have used the shower too, although sparingly.edfw":332p37v9 said:
Handles fine as long as you have the prop turning. When coming into the dock the boat does have a tendency to "wander", especially in a side-wind. The Admiral used to do all the close-quarters handling since I could fend-off better than she, but she has turned this chore over to me due to the above mentioned factor; it became too stressful for her. The hull is very flat bottomed and as a result, close quarters handling is challenging at times & it pounds at speed through anything more than a 2' chop, so a "go fast" it's not. But the hull is strong and I have complete confidence in our boat. I have traversed in some nasty small craft warnings and the boat was safe & secure.
See if someone in your area would offer you a ride/look-see. I know there are some friendly C-Brats that may accommodate you.
The quality of the boat is solid. I have no qualms about it.
We're probably (OK, certainly) a bit biased, but we think the 25 is a great boat. No issues whatsoever with build quality. If you want to see what cruising is like in Florida on a 25, look here...
http://www.c-brats.com/viewtopic.php?t=5212&start=0
The first couple months of our cruising thread is our time in Florida, in 2007, on our 25. Since then, we've been all over with the boat (West Coast, Lake Powell, Pacific Northwest, mountain lakes, Canada, New York Canals, Gulf Coast, etc).
Trailerability was key for us in purchasing this boat; easy cruising for a couple (and a cat). Want to read more about cruising on the 25, including the buying/decision process? Check out the book in the signature below.
Welcome aboard, and good luck with your search.
Jim B.
http://www.c-brats.com/viewtopic.php?t=5212&start=0
The first couple months of our cruising thread is our time in Florida, in 2007, on our 25. Since then, we've been all over with the boat (West Coast, Lake Powell, Pacific Northwest, mountain lakes, Canada, New York Canals, Gulf Coast, etc).
Trailerability was key for us in purchasing this boat; easy cruising for a couple (and a cat). Want to read more about cruising on the 25, including the buying/decision process? Check out the book in the signature below.
Welcome aboard, and good luck with your search.
Jim B.
The C Dory 25 handles very well with the single engine--which ranges from 130 to 200 hp. Agree that they are not offshore fast boats like the Contender or Regulator Deep V's. But they will take anything that the sea can dish out at slower speeds--and as noted up to 2 foot chop. We really don't have a lot of longer swells in the Gulf, but they handle that fine. Boat handling takes practice, and learning what the boat will do in the conditions. They have a bit more windage than some similar sized boats--but that is because they have a pilot house type of cabin, with the visibility and airiness. If you notice, some have been fitted with RV type air conditioners for our Florida weather.
As for quality--who told you that it was not good has now owned one. Percent wise there are probably more of the original of the C Dory around than any other boat. There are few if any which have been "junked"--I don't know of any other boat with that reputation. Remember that these are cored bottoms, and that if you drill holes you have to be sure they are sealed, and that epoxy lining is best for any cut outs.
I know it is a long drive, but if you get up to Apalachicola in about 10 days, you will get a great sampling of C Dories, as well as a great party.
As for quality--who told you that it was not good has now owned one. Percent wise there are probably more of the original of the C Dory around than any other boat. There are few if any which have been "junked"--I don't know of any other boat with that reputation. Remember that these are cored bottoms, and that if you drill holes you have to be sure they are sealed, and that epoxy lining is best for any cut outs.
I know it is a long drive, but if you get up to Apalachicola in about 10 days, you will get a great sampling of C Dories, as well as a great party.
Jeff Brigner
New member
edfw
C-Pearl is the first boat Cathy & I have owned. I'm not sure how other boats handle but I can tell you that after playing a while we get along well on our single engine cd25. We have boated in your area as well as rivers and lakes around the Southeast. This includes locking through dams. Most times I handle the boat alone. This seems to work well for us.
When we purchased our boat was around the same time Dr Austin was setting up Thataway, a TC-255 he recently sold. We compared notes and both had some of the same issues. No quality problems with the boat hull but some stupid things. Hatches that are not designed to keep water from leaking into the bilge from the cockpit, my sink drain was not hooked up, both of us and some others had plumbing connections that leaked while under pressure. It would have been nice if all systems had been checked before leaving the factory or by the dealer before delivery.
Dr Austin did a very thorough job of documenting everything he did setting up Thataway and issues he came across in the process.
You could check out his photo album and comments. I feel that would put your mind at ease about the quality and give you a lot of ideas on how to set up a CD25 or TC255.
We think these are cool boats. I really enjoy this site and meeting other owners at C-Dory gatherings. :smiled
Welcome, hope you have a great time and find what you need.
C-Pearl is the first boat Cathy & I have owned. I'm not sure how other boats handle but I can tell you that after playing a while we get along well on our single engine cd25. We have boated in your area as well as rivers and lakes around the Southeast. This includes locking through dams. Most times I handle the boat alone. This seems to work well for us.
When we purchased our boat was around the same time Dr Austin was setting up Thataway, a TC-255 he recently sold. We compared notes and both had some of the same issues. No quality problems with the boat hull but some stupid things. Hatches that are not designed to keep water from leaking into the bilge from the cockpit, my sink drain was not hooked up, both of us and some others had plumbing connections that leaked while under pressure. It would have been nice if all systems had been checked before leaving the factory or by the dealer before delivery.
Dr Austin did a very thorough job of documenting everything he did setting up Thataway and issues he came across in the process.
You could check out his photo album and comments. I feel that would put your mind at ease about the quality and give you a lot of ideas on how to set up a CD25 or TC255.
We think these are cool boats. I really enjoy this site and meeting other owners at C-Dory gatherings. :smiled
Welcome, hope you have a great time and find what you need.
Jeff Brigner
New member
ok...I'm ready for it.
I just checked in and saw what I wrote yesterday about "after playing a while". This is right up there with my post a few years back about the wifes poodle on the boat. :roll:
I need to go back to not signing in and posting. see ya :lol:
I just checked in and saw what I wrote yesterday about "after playing a while". This is right up there with my post a few years back about the wifes poodle on the boat. :roll:
I need to go back to not signing in and posting. see ya :lol: