Why did you buy your C-Dory?

@ C

New member
Being new around here, I am sure this question is answered in part in many posts. I would like some to see your reasons for buying a C-D as I discuss this possibility with my wife. All views appreciated!
Thanks,
Bill
 
some reasons-

Timeless salty look.

we where looking for something we could overnight in and still afford to operate and tow when the price of gas goes through the roof, the C-D is a big little boat. You can compare the usable cabin space with other boats and it would be hard to find anything that comes close to the 22' C-D.

Tough as nails, we wanted a boat to use, not work on, with just a little maintenance, these things look and run like new for decades. There is no carpet to fade, no bling that looks dated down the road, no aqua or orange vinal

Timeless salty look

not that it matters, but if you penciled in the resale value, the overall cost of ownership is plum cheap

Timeless salty look

The hull design and shallow draft allow for better poking around in the backwaters, better fuel economy and a very predictable and controllable boat when off plane

It's the only boat that comes with a free membership in this spify yacht club
 
What a great question! (This is Janet's answer, by the way....)

1. timeless salty look
2. amazing fuel economy
3. shallow draft that allows us to poke into coves and bays and really explore the San Juans and Gulf islands
4. Jeff - our very favorite boat guy
5. Our cool little "hidden galley" that enables us to transform from a shuttle that seats 7 to a camping boat that sleeps 3!
6. C-Brats (online and at the gatherings)
7. Lightweight for easy towing
8. Reliable outboard (Suzuki 90)
 
It all comes down to your needs and limits. i need a dam big yacht with a 20 ft fishng boat on the back deck that i can launch while susan plays the grand piano in the masters suite while Iam gone. Are limits on cash for fuel, moorage ,tow vehical, payments lead us to the c-dory that I fish out of and susan got a roll up electic piano for christmas.

We needed a boat that we could tow with our current truck, a ford ranger. That we could camp out of for a week or more, that would handle the weather year round while I fish, that we could afford to fill the tanks twice a month and that could be parked next to house because we can not afford moorage anywhere. And with the honda financing we could afford the payments. Are there other boats that I would rather have, yes,can afford them, no. This is the best little big boat that was out there and there are few boats in its class that can do all the things it can do. Other boats do one or two things better the the c-dory but not all the things we can do with your boats. I tell people that have not seen one that it s the vw campervan of boats.
 
What Janet and Ken said. The other boats we were looking at were geared more toward fishing, which we don't do. I know people are enthusiastic about using this boat for fishing, but it has other features for us wanderers. We wanted a cruiser that our family of 3 humans and 1 dog (the cats don't do boats) could overnight in. Our 18 foot sailboat didn't get used much because conditions had to be just so to take her out. The resale value is a big plus. Makes you feel like you can't make a mistake. Also, it seems to handle really well in many conditions -- good for those of us who haven't spent as much time at the helm as some of the pros around here.

Norma
Looking forward to our launch on April 8
 
5. Our cool little "hidden galley" that enables us to transform from a shuttle that seats 7 to a camping boat that sleeps 3!

Janet--

Could you elaborate on your hidden galley? I'm interested in ways to provide more seating for short cruises with guests.

Norma
 
Here's a view:

P1010221.jpg

(Counter top has been shortened to seat height.)



And another with the cushion added!

covered_galley.sized.jpg

Now Janet can tell you how she likes it!!!
 
We love being on the water; longtime sailors. (Yes, we are those that grumble when powerboat wakes... well, you know). When we first considered a change from our current boat, my main reason was: an inside steering station. Also wanted trailerable. Shoal draft. That really narrows down the options (Nimble Kodiak or Wanderer). Then we considered REALLY making a change and going to a powerboat instead of sail. That expanded the options. I researched this for months, narrowing down our choice to a C-Dory (22 or 25?). A trip to the Seattle Boat Show and a gracious offer of a ride with Tom and Susan (of the Susan E) convinced us. This C-Brats site is wonderfully supportive and that was a major influence, as well.

So, here's what we've ordered...
Inside steering station, with good ventilation
Good use of cabin space, comfortable living space for 2
Tough, reliable boat
Shoal draft
Trailerable
Cruising speed options from 5 knots to 25 knots, depending on conditions
Creature comforts (Wallas, fridge, hot water, shore power, camperback, windlas, etc.)
Great sight-seeing platform

We intend to haul this boat around and explore US waters (OK, and maybe the Bahamas) from the NW to the Keys.; from deep south Texas to the Great Lakes. Under bridges, through locks, up rivers, the ICW, off shore... we were focused in our search for the right boat (for us) and are confident that we have made the right choice... let you know in a few months. :wink:

Selecting a boat IS a major deal. I've seen way too many cases of people buying the wrong boat... not that the boat is bad, but that it isn't proper for their usage. And then they cuss the boat when they should be cussing themselves. When you decide what you want to do with your boat and where you will do that, it is easier to narrow down your choices (even if you have to go half way across the country to see your choice). Good luck with your decisions.

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
I agree with many of the reasons listed above, especially "Life is to Short'.
Aside from these we also considered the memories we could plant in the grand kids minds and the quality time Ruth Ann (my wife) and I can gain with the boat. I have no idea which c-dory you are considering but remember Bigger is Better! Mike on Huda Thunkit
 
nscogin":3u7dmmbm said:
I like it! Was this done by the factory? Our boat is already complete. Could it be retrofitted without a lot of trouble?

Norma

Yes, it was done by the factory. I'm sure it could be retrofitted without a lot of trouble IF your definition of "not a lot of trouble" is to pay a considerable amount of money for the current starboard interior to be removed and replaced with new stuff. My guess is that it would take several days of labor to re-do. So it's not a lot of trouble if you have the spare $'s and are willing to wait. Also, you might want to see it before you make a change. To me it looks like it would be a bit uncomfortable to work at the sink and stove but you gain the extra seating. Such a non-standard arrangement might effect resale a little. Depends on who's looking at the boat but a tall person who has no need for extra seating might not like the lowered counter.
 
1. Nice cabin with heat ( wife really liked that)
2. Fuel economy
3. Better all purpose boat( fishing, cruising etc..)
4. Huge fan base( speaks volumes to me)
5. Good customer service, and liked the guys at the factory
6. Great looking boat

I am one of those guys who bought the wrong boat, I loved my first boat a small arima, I fished it pretty hard, but it was too small, got tight with whole family aboard. Bought a new deifiance which had a major flaw in the design( now fixed) but was the wrong boat for my needs anyway. The first night I spent on it with my family, I knew it was too small, and too dedicated to pure fishing, it lacked some of the creature comforts that my wife really wanted. But when I was shopping all that was on my mind was hauling in big fish. But afterwords I realized my family would'nt go with me as much because of size/comfort factor. And I wanted them there, so I knew it was time to get something that would be better for fishing and cruising with my family. I had been on this site a long time at that point and after touring the factory, and talking to the guys there, I knew Cdory was the way to go. Had to work out a couple things but I should be taking delivery any day. Hopefully by friday!! I too need to get out and fish. And can't wait to break in my new 22.

Sark
 
Hi Folks,

I know this subject comes up a few times a year.

My 22' C-dory is a live-a-board, trailable, all-weather, economical, cruising outboard motor boat.

I tow it with my Explorer Sport.

I have a covered cockpit, sunshower, porti-potty, sleeping and eating space for three adults, a galley with a single alcohol stove, dual ice chests, GPS, VHF Radio, internal lights for reading.

I cruise at about 4 to 5 nautical miles per gallon. Cruising speed is about 15 to 18 knots, top speed is about 22 knots.

If caught out in bad weather, with a competent helmsman, you will safely get her home.

The price of the boat, when compared with others in the same class (not many out there ) ,is very reasonable.

The older boats (like my 1983 Angler model) keep their value, because they are very well built.

The only short coming according to my wife is that they are not "plush" like a Sea Ray ( which burns about 1/2 gallon per nautical mile.) Also she wants a private head. (You can't have everything.)

I have found nothing that compares with a C-Dory.

Added reason, C-Dory are great people, and have many regional events every year. (In the Northeast, we cruised Lake Winnauckee(sp) in May, Erie Canal in September, and we met at the Providence Boat Show in January for supper.)

Events in planning stage. Back to the Lake in May, Narragansett Bay in June, Erie Canal in September, and maybe Florida during the winter. Also the Conneticuit River may be in the works.

"GO GET ONE."

Fred Heap
 
We chose the C-Dory after looking at everything at the SBS for three full days. Our reasons include:

1. Towable - we boat mainly in the River, but didn't want to be stuck here. This gives us the option to go to lakes, rivers and the San Juans. The options are endless.
2. Seaworthyness - we had decided we want to make a trip up to Alaska and needed to find a boat we would feel confident in.
3. Fuel economy - 'nough said.
4. Visibility - we wanted an enclosed boat but didn't want to lose the feeling of being out on sunny days.
5. Versatility - We like to fish some and cruise lots. We can do either.
6. Storage - the use of space in the 25 was much better than anything else we saw.
7. Timeless salty looks - we are both drawn to the more salty looking boats and this one fits that criteria.
8. Stand up head - that was one of my (Dee) criteria on this boat, thus the 25.

And as a bonus we got the C-Brat network and a whole bunch of new friends. Who could ask for more?
 
I worked the local fuel dock while in high school here in Seward, AK for a couple summers. During that time I had the opportunity to see many different kinds of boats. The only boat owners that stood out were the C-Dory owners. Always proud and confident of their boats to get them out and back again safely. It didn't take long for me to decide which boat I wanted to buy when it came time. The biggest highlight though has to be the ability to get off the boat during extended trips, I enjoy beach combing and picking berries during my Halibut fishing trips. :smilep Hope to see some of you out and about down in the Kenai Fjords Natl Park this summer.
Shaun
 
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