Will you help me build my boat?

I would stick with a dealer near you--and in your case that would seem to be Oakland.

Unfortunately they don't sell C-Dorys any longer. Pretty much Boston Whalers these days. When I was in the market, I had asked SportCraft Marina to send me a quote. They sent me a .pdf of their boat packages along with additional options available. That will give you an idea price-wise.
 
I'm with Chester. What you want is an Angler for the extra cockpit area. The berths are the same on the Angler and Cruiser, and there is plenty of room to heat up a can of soup on the Angler. Anchoring options are also the same on both. The second helm is really nice for trolling and maneuvering the boat from the cockpit once a fish is on.
 
As you can tell, there are a lot of helpful C-Doryers here, just itching to share info with you :thup

Now that you have an idea of the price, if you want more focused input, can you tell us more about how you envision using the boat? Fishing, clearly! But.... will you be out solo? With two? A gang? Do you like to cook? Do you plan to spend days (or longer) on the hook? Tend to go marina to marina? Are you a person who likes to be outside, experiencing the weather? Indoors but looking out? Will you be trailering long distances regularly, or just occasionally? Do you plan to keep it in a slip?

You get the idea. Not that you have to share all this info with us (or even know the answers for sure), but the more you can give us a feel for who you are as a boater, the more we can suggest things that would tailor to your use vs. just "here is what I like on my boat." Not that there is anything wrong with the latter, but, for example, if I tell you how I like a trailer, but then I do frequent long-distance towing whereas you are going going to be in a slip... well that's not as useful. (Since there are no universal best options for how to set up boats.)

Fun times!

Sunbeam
 
Sunbeam,

Your request to focus my path is helpful for me as well, although I am getting great ideas from the input thus far.

ow that you have an idea of the price, if you want more focused input, can you tell us more about how you envision using the boat? Fishing, clearly! But.... will you be out solo? With two? A gang? Do you like to cook? Do you plan to spend days (or longer) on the hook? Tend to go marina to marina? Are you a person who likes to be outside, experiencing the weather? Indoors but looking out? Will you be trailering long distances regularly, or just occasionally? Do you plan to keep it in a slip?

So here is how I currently use my boat...but please note that I have an 18' Hewescraft Sportsman. It is a fine vessel, but doesn't provide the opportunities presented by a 22' C-Dory - be it an Angler or Cruiser. I say this because my vision might be limited by my past. It has been said that it is difficult to know where you are going by looking at the wake. I a bit of that here, but I'll do my best.

I am on my boat solo about 70% of the time. I like to bring another guest out, be it my wife or friend, but apparently they don't have the same "fever", or they ate all of the Aspirin.

I do cook, but nothing complicated when on the road or camping. I can do amazing things with a jar of pesto sauce, pasta, and canned corn. Throw in a grill of some sort and I'm fine dining!

At this point I can see being out for 3 days, but I think this is where the Hewescraft / C-Dory tension arrises. I've never had a boat where I can have a bunk.

I don't imagine marina to marina. I imagine marina to cove (overnight), to cove (overnight), to marina. I do wonder about traveling along the coast, or bring the boat to a place like the San Juans. Sounds like a lot of fun...which means I'd like to do it.

In terms of weather and exposure, I like to be out, as long as it's not freezing and miserable. Rain is tolerable, and dry cold is tolerable, but when rain and cold get together, being outside isn't for me.

I live in the San Francisco Bay Area which means that when I'm not on the ocean or in the Delta, I'll be trailering. I use my boat every week. And, I use it year round. Those trips are between 6 and 10 hours so far. All of them are to northern California or Coastal, Southern, and Central Oregon. Will you be trailering long distances regularly, or just occasionally?

At this point, I plan on parking the boat at my home. I tend to like puttering around with it when I'm not on the water. And, because I do different types of fishing, each calls for a different setup (downriggers for trout, pots and pullers for crab, none of the above, but different rods for salmon, etc. It's easier to do this from home.

I hope this additional information ignites some other thoughts (and opinions).

Thank you.

DG
 
I think that does give more of a feel of "where you're at." I do hear you about not knowing for sure how you'll use something you haven't yet had. That is one of the hard parts about boat shopping!

I don't fish, so take this with a grain of salt in case your type of fishing precludes it, but.... I'm kind of hearing "Cruiser" vs. "Angler." The reason I say that is that if you are typically alone, or maybe with one other person, perhaps the Cruiser (shorter) cockpit is adequate. In return for giving up that space, you get a bigger dinette (nice place to sit and watch the world go by as you munch, write, read, or what have you), and a bigger galley. Of course we're talking "bigger" in comparison, as they are still compact. But it definitely has a "little cabin on the water" feeling. Sounds like you might like to try that for a change.

Both models have the berth, so there is nothing to decide on that way.

I like having the solid cabin wall (aft) because it cuts down on engine noise, and also gives you a way to lock up the cabin - not thief-proof but better than canvas. You can latch the door open for easy passage back and forth (just duck if you are tall!)

If you like to be warm/out of the weather, then the larger cabin on the Cruiser gives you more "inside space" -- yet with windows all around so you can see out. You can heat that space too. You can get a similar effect with a good camperback (canvas enclosure) on the cockpit of an Angler, but then I would think that might be in the way for fishing? That's what made me think Cruiser: Cabin for warm/sheltered/domestic stuff, and then an open cockpit for fishing (or perhaps with a bimini you can relatively quickly deploy and retract).

The Cruiser gives the chance of two separate sleeping spaces in the cabin, if that ever matters to you (fishing buddies, etc.).

The one place the Cruiser cabin falls short, for me, is in the area of "real" and comfortable seating. As built, there is a pretty minimal helm seat (think of your everyday basic fold-down-back helm seat you'd have in a fishing boat), and then two "straight board and square cushion" type dinette seats. They are perfectly usable, but just not what I'd have in my dream boat. My back is not square ;) If one didn't need the dinette to fold down into a berth, then perhaps one could put in slightly more comfortable/supportive seats on top of the seat boxes. There is also the cockpit, where you could put a loungy chair, and this is what made the Angler look tempting to me: I had visions of a really good camperback, and then the larger cockpit being my "living room" with something like a LaFuma chaise type chair. That would be a tight fit in the Cruiser cockpit I think (not that I may not try :D) I have had two "upright" comfy outdoor chairs in the cockpit of the Cruiser (along with everything else). They fit, but it's a bit tight is all (of course you can often go ashore to sit).

Since you are in California, you're near the home of Pacific Trailers, which are under some C-Dorys. I have always thought they looked very nice, and would be my choice if I were buying a trailer from scratch. (I bought a used C-Dory, so it came with a trailer.)

I don't know how soon you are going to order, or what your traveling options are, but the Seattle Boat Show always attracts a gang of C-Brats, and I believe there would be 22's there to look at (but I would check ahead as they may not have all models there). Another option is to contact a Brat in your area and see if you can get aboard to check one out in person (there is a Brat map link at the top of the page).
 
Thanks Sunbeam.

I'll try to write this post without so many typos (how utterly embarrassing on the last post).

Last things first....I think I will go to the Seattle Boat Show. Sounds like a good excuse for a road trip with my wife.

I'll check out Pacific Trailers. I imagine that will be a much easier decision compared to the boat purchase.

I like your thoughts about space relative to people on the boat. As I think about it, I have had 4 people on my boat three times. 3 people on my boat two times. 2 people many. And, by myself a whole lot more than many. So your idea about not needing so much real estate makes a lot of sense. When it comes to crab pots (which take up some room), I thought I might be able to stow them on top for those outings. A simple railing and strap system should keep them secured. I'll have to watch another episode of The Deadliest Catch to see how the pros do it.

I agree with you about the solid cabin wall. I too like it for muting the sound, securing the goods, and creating a more cozy atmosphere.

As far as the seating goes, I have square seats and back on my current boat. I think this is what keeps the cost down. Fortunately, I haven't associated my existing aches and pains with those cushions. And, separate sleeping quarters is possible, but I just might have to have my buddies sleep up above with the crab pots!
 
thezebcokid,

That pic is of the '84 Angler we had until 2003. The bracket was for a 9.9 Johnson w/electric steering. (I forget the name) Our current 2006 Angler has a cockpit helm for fishing.

If you single hand 70% of the time, then an Angler still would be my preference.
 
thezebcokid":2a0qjk8w said:
When it comes to crab pots (which take up some room), I thought I might be able to stow them on top for those outings. A simple railing and strap system should keep them secured.

There are quite a few folks who stow traps up on the cabin top. Some just on the roof, some on homemade racks (PVC tubing, wood, stainless), and some on Yakima car racks. From what I have read the ol' Yakima 1A gutter towers fit on the handrails. If you search, there have been a couple of threads with photos.

thezebcokid":2a0qjk8w said:
As far as the seating goes, I have square seats and back on my current boat. I think this is what keeps the cost down.

I think it's that, plus they make for easy (and appreciated) stowage beneath, plus the ability to easily make the dinette into a single berth. With seats you have to figure out a place to stow them, etc.

thezebcokid":2a0qjk8w said:
Fortunately, I haven't associated my existing aches and pains with those cushions.

Oh, just wait until you are the zebco codger then :lol: Seriously though, even though I complained about them, they do the job. Just.... on a long day at the helm I find myself wishing the seat were more like the one in my car, and same goes for a day of bad weather/reading.

thezebcokid":2a0qjk8w said:
And, separate sleeping quarters is possible, but I just might have to have my buddies sleep up above with the crab pots!

Well if you end up with a Cruiser, then you will have two separate sleeping areas in the cabin, in case you want them. The V-berth will sleep two, and has a zippered privacy curtain; then the dinette makes into a berth to sleep one. On my boat I actually make the cabin berth up on the sole (a thick REI or Thermarest self-inflating camping pad fits perfectly and is more comfortable than you would think, looking at them) and then leave the table up, but that's probably not for everyone. It reminds me of a sea berth, and I like to sleep there with the cabin door open in nice weather. And.... no table converting (I like to leave things on the table).

I think it's a good idea to choose the boat that fits what you do most of the time; it seems there is a strong temptation to get one that suits a once-in-a-blue-moon use. Funny, that: While most people wouldn't buy a 12-passenger van just because they might one time want to pick up a group of people at the airport, there does seem to be a temptation to lug around an extra-large boat for those very occasional scenarios (guests that you would like to come, but probably won't, etc.). Not to say everyone shouldn't get whatever they want, even if it is "illogical," but more just that I notice it happening with boats more often (I'm not immune from it either).

December is a good time to think and chat about boats here :thup
 
to west ward: Yes I have the cannon pro troll 5's. I LOVE them. they work great. I cant believe that I ever fished with out them. It just takes the stress and work out of downrigger. You will never drag a ball into a reef or snag again. They control the depth off the bottom with in the limits you set. If you want to be 10 or 40 feet off the bottom it can do that , but if you go off into 200ft of water you can make the limit 11o ft or what ever you want. It's up to you. You can also set it to change depth every x seconds by x ft. So if I'm trolling at 40 ft and every 30 seconds I want to go to 60 ft and then back you just set it for that. You can also be with a ft of the bottom or even set them to just drag the bottom. They also power up and down at one of three speeds you can set. Well worth the money.
 
A comment about the "seats in the C Dory"--our solution to that is the right size and type of throw pillow--and you can make a very comfortable sitting area.

FYI--Pacific Trailers is located in Chino,Ca. A bit of a drive from the Novato area. Most dealers will have a trailer line which they carry, although alternates are often available. The C Dory's flat bottom does require a specific setup--and King, Ez Loader and Pacific are all familiar with the C Dory line.
 
Unless they have closed Pacific Trailers has a location in Newark, Ca which is really close to Novato. Guessing an hour or a little more from Novato. I bought my trailer from them about a year ago for my 19' Angler.

Pacific Trailers
7725 Enterprise Dr, Newark, CA 94560
(510) 797-1245
 
Sunbeam":iv0nysbq said:
I don't fish, so take this with a grain of salt in case your type of fishing precludes it, but.... I'm kind of hearing "Cruiser" vs. "Angler." The reason I say that is that if you are typically alone, or maybe with one other person, perhaps the Cruiser (shorter) cockpit is adequate. In return for giving up that space, you get a bigger dinette (nice place to sit and watch the world go by as you munch, write, read, or what have you), and a bigger galley. Of course we're talking "bigger" in comparison, as they are still compact. But it definitely has a "little cabin on the water" feeling. Sounds like you might like to try that for a change.
.
.
If you like to be warm/out of the weather, then the larger cabin on the Cruiser gives you more "inside space" -- yet with windows all around so you can see out. You can heat that space too. You can get a similar effect with a good camperback (canvas enclosure) on the cockpit of an Angler, but then I would think that might be in the way for fishing? That's what made me think Cruiser: Cabin for warm/sheltered/domestic stuff, and then an open cockpit for fishing (or perhaps with a bimini you can relatively quickly deploy and retract).

Hi zebcokid! FWIW, I'd suggest a Cruiser rather than an Angler. Here's my thinking:

When we first discovered C-Dory we had been planning on a fishing boat, maybe even as small as a 17' Boston Whaler. The CD22 Cruiser expanded our thinking - a really decent camper on the water. Within a few years we found ourselves doing boat trips we could not previously have imagined: 2-3 weeks in the San Juans and/or the BC coast, and then two months in SE Alaska. And we caught loads of fish, even big halibut, and crab as well.

The CD22 handled the two of us with all our extended-cruise and fishing gear, and from time to time a third adult. Sleeping four adults was a bit much, especially up north in rainy (messy decks) weather. Three was cozy but workable.

Bottom line: there's more you can do with a Cruiser, for little more cost or weight. Unless you just can't envision fishing with the shorter cockpit, the Cruiser could really expand your horizons.

P.S. Our galvanized Pacific Trailer is 15 years old and has hauled our current heavy 26-footer nearly 70,000 miles so far - a tough quality trailer.
 
OK,

I think I was just sold on the cruiser. I will now focus my attention on that craft.

Question: as people with 22 Cruisers load up and hit the road, what is the weight you find yourself pulling?
 
I've owned both, and fished out of both the 22 cruiser and Angler. Of course you can fish out of a 22 cruiser, but it has a tiny cockpit and longer distance between cockpit and helm (sonar, motor controls, etc.).
As an avid fisherman you know what this will mean when fishing. If the extra comforts of the cruiser facilitate your wife joining you it may well be worth it. Only you can decide your most likely use, but don't be under the illusion that a 22 cruiser is a great fishing boat. Either way you will be getting a good boat with high resale value. Best, Mike
 
Back
Top