Shopping for C-Dory

K

kennharriet

Member
My wife and I are recently retired and dreaming of all the fun you all seem to be having. The CD-22 Cruiser looks like the ticket for our interests. With the economy what it is, it seems there could be some deals on used boats. Is this a good time to be looking? I don't see many on craigslist or this site. Thanks
 
Just keep looking, sooner or later you’ll find one. When one does eventually come on the market that fits your taste and budget be ready to buy. Being on the East coast you’ll probable find a better deal then out West, you have that working for you. These boats don’t depreciate much so consider buying new, I’ve seen come good deals east of the Mississippi.
Good luck, do your homework, and be patient… :D
 
Thanks. We are actually located in north Idaho. I wondered about buying new and depreciation, but have always lived under the philosophy that the world is full of good used cars, etc. Maybe that does not hold water with a unique item like the CD. With the CD-22 cruisers, are there any significant improvements in newer vs. older?

I'll be studying the link to PWS. I grew up in AK and hope to spend more time exploring what I missed younger in life.
 
The 1987-2009 CD 22s are basically the same boat -- with some modest interior changes over the years -- the most significant being the forward facing passenger seat and opening front middle window in late models (2005 and later).

The hull is -- to my understanding -- exactly the same in construction and design. There is some great discussion on specific changes at http://www.c-brats.com/viewtopic.php?t=7882.

Several owners of older boats have created forward facing passenger seats (called the Barber Chair in honor of the inventer, Mike "Tyboo" Barber), though it takes some effort. You can search the C-Brats site for "Barber Chair." Here's one set of pics from a conversion: http://www.c-brats.com/modules.php?set_ ... _album.php

I personally found a 1994 CD 22 Cruiser with an older 2 stroke engine on Craigslist a couple years back. This past Fall I upgraded to a new Yamaha 4 stroke -- and the result is a boat that is in excellent condition, with brand new power, for half the cost of a new boat. The advantage of buying an older boat -- assuming it has been well maintained -- is a substantial cost savings. But, as you add or upgrade equipment you will incrementally get closer to the cost of a new(er) boat. So, I suppose it would all depend on your budget, and whether you want everything turn-key right upfront.

I'm still partial to older boats, and think you can do a lot with the savings between the cost of a used boat and a new or late model boat. But, then, I don't have the resources to buy new... :sad

Good luck in your search!

Matt
 
kennharriet":3mfzsqrh said:
Thanks. We are actually located in north Idaho. I wondered about buying new and depreciation, but have always lived under the philosophy that the world is full of good used cars, etc. Maybe that does not hold water with a unique item like the CD. With the CD-22 cruisers, are there any significant improvements in newer vs. older?

I'll be studying the link to PWS. I grew up in AK and hope to spend more time exploring what I missed younger in life.
Click to expand...

Blew that one, looked up and saw MD not ID, must have had anther window open.
There are quite a few improvements in later modal C-dory’s but nothing significant to detour you from purchasing an older model in good shape. I’m sure others will comment on the upgrades as I’m only really familiar with an 07 modal.
The improvements I’m aware of: The transom is now cored with high density foam, not balsa, and the cockpit is raised and self bailing to single bilge pump at the stern. The same is true for the cabin, its also raised were older modals had a bilge to contend with. The cabin door is now all glass with and aluminum frame.

PWS is truly a wonderland to explore, 30 nights out there last summer and only anchored up in the same place once.

Jay
 
I'm curious. there are 3 ea listed on this site. Have you looked at any of these ads? That certainly would be a good starting point. Have you called the dealers listed in the Factory C-Dory site? Bargains in C-Dories seem to disappear quickly but this seems to be the best site for finding used ones..

I do know the listing of C-Dories is the shortest it's been for some time.

Boris
 
Hi Kennharriet. Welcome to the site. Les at EQ Marine on Whidbey Island in Washington state has a used one that came from the midwest. Les used to be a C-Dory dealer and is one of the most knowledge C-Dory people in the country. You should check out the EQ website at eqmarine.com. There is also a 2006 on Craigslist, Seattle. Good luck w/ your search. Like the others said, be patient and ready to pounce when a deal comes along. The good deals sometimes do not last on the market the whole day that they are made public. :disgust
 
As I understand it, the older (pre-87) 22s have a flat bottom, and the newer ones have a small amount of deadrise. This has been discussed numerous times -- L@@K HERE for more on this and other changes in 1987.

Warren
 
I don't think that the opening front window is just from 2005 on. Our 1992 had an opening window and our 2003 CD 25 had an opening front window.

Be prepared to drive to buy a C Dory 22. Our 22 was in New Mexico, we put a deposit on after seeing the photos and corresponding with the owner, we arranged a "sea trial" on Elephant Butte Lake, and drove on to Lake Powell towing the boat that day. The C Dory 25 we also purchased via the internet via photos in New Jersey and towed it to Florida and then to California. If the boat is right--it is worth while to go some distance to get it. There is a turnover and occasionally some great deals. Not finding any bargins is not surprising. These are basic boats which hold their value very well. Many people pay cash for them.
 
We still have a 2003 with 90 Honda on consignment . Has less than 120 hours on a single axle magic Tilt with Brakes . Nice boat @ 30k .
Marc
 
Having recently bought "new" for the first time in our lives I would just caution that new does not necessarily translate to turnkey. Personally I don't believe I'd do it again. The best of manufacturers, and my familiarity is mostly with Hinckley, are beset with "warranty" problems. In many cases it works out that it's easiest for the new owner just to deal with them him or herself. And the bugs tend to be different, less predictable. Just another opinion.
 
Hey Ken
I took the plunge in May with an 06 used boat - it was 18K less than it was sold for with only 40 hours on it. I had never seen a C-Dory but studied them and others for several months of obsessive research. The boat at the dealer looks pretty good - Consider the Cape Cruiser 23 also it has some nice upgrades.
H
 
Kennharriet,

As Marc already posted we do have an '03 22 on consignment. Garmin GPS, Hummingbird Fish Finder, VHF radio, rod holders, trim tabs, safety equipment all included. Pictures are available.

I've been thinking about a trip to Idaho to look at some property south of Salmon. Let me know, maybe I could save you a trip to Florida.

Charlie
 
Kennharriet,

As Marc already posted we do have an '03 22 on consignment. Garmin GPS, Hummingbird Fish Finder, VHF radio, rod holders, trim tabs, safety equipment all included. Pictures are available.

I've been thinking about a trip to Idaho to look at some property south of Salmon. Let me know, maybe I could save you a trip to Florida.

Charlie
 
H,
What is the cape cruiser 23? Do you mean the venture 23?

Marc and Charlie,
We are actually doing a road trip to FL mid Feb. We may look you up. Where is the CD 22 located?

Ken
 
Hey kennharriet!

I'm just up the road from you in Lewiston. I've owned a 1985 22 classic for almost three years and I love it. The cdory is the perfect boat for us landlocked sea lovers because we can tow it to the coast very easily. I always enjoy talking cdory. Feel free to PM me!!
 
Marc, here is how you post a link by just using a word or phrase instead of a long web address:

First type the words you want to make a link out of, highlight them, and then click the URL button at the top of the message box. That will put the tags on both ends of the link. In...ck on the link to test it. Hope that helps.
 
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