Leaky 25's

[Minnow]

Here's some inside info on the source of the wet cabin floors on the new 25's.
As most of us know, the C-Dorys have their hulls and topsides glassed together all the way around. The problem is, the factory cannot glass the section behind the head. My dealer removed the starboard rub rail from a brand new boat that had some collision damage. What they found was a large unsealed seam that was letting water seep behind the rub rail, under the head, the step, out the limber hole, and onto the floor, just like my boat.
So, they also pulled the rub rail from my boat, sealed the seam, and re-installed the rub rail. No small job I'm told, for what would have taken about a minute at the factory. The next punch list leak was from the Bomar hatch. They seemed to forget about this one, so I pulled and rebedded it myself. The problem here was the same as the cockpit hatches, namely a slightly oversize hole and caulking applied to the inside corner of the hatch that did not touch the deck.
Just when I thought I had all of the leaks fixed, another one popped up this past weekend in heavy weather. Water spashing topside was making its way through the windshield wiper shafts and dripping on my electronics.
Has anyone had one of these apart that can tell me a fix for it?

[Butch]

Hey, I wish the factory would chime in here! I just talked my wife into a 25' dory and now I see this! I don't know how you guys on the West coast do it, but I am from the mountains of WV where the word of someone or business is gospel.
I am looking for a water tight vessel... well built, and sea worthy. If the manufacturer tells me that in person (and I do plan to visit the factory before I order) and it does not own up to it and fix it .... guess what? That's right... you got it! People... is there a design flaw on the 25' models that cause the hull/deck to leak.... anywhere? Butch.

[Adeline]

Hi Butch, I've got a 22" footer. I'll address the Bomar Hatch. Mine leaked into the v-berth so I removed it and decided that it did'nt need all those screws to hold it down. I filled them with West System Epoxy and re-installed it with 5200. No problemo! Pete

[Butch]

Guys, I want to do it right. The old saying about boats is, "They are a hole in the water you throw money in." I love the water. I get my peace and relaxation on the water. It's where everything else takes a back seat for a while and I recharge the old batteries.... no fellows, not the pace maker batt's yet ...
Living in and around the Chesapeake Bay you can't help from listening to the stories of "major buyers remorse" of people like us sinking money into a boat that becomes an anchor or better said a money pit.
I am looking into new boats as not to buy into someone else's problems in looking at used.
A hatch leak, not a big deal. However, a leak between the hull and deck around the head... not a good picture.
This is the second time I have heard about the hull/deck issue around the head of a 25.
Bottom line, if there is an issue here I want to drill down to define it before I plop down that kind of money. I hope this makes sense... Butch

[TyBoo]

Butch -

You can safely bet that you will not find "major buyer's remorse" associated with the C-Dory. Especially a new 25; there aren't too many of the things on the used market, and lots of folk wishing there were.

You can be equally assured that any manufacturing defects will be handled promptly and satisfactorily by the manufacturer or their agent.

The explanation of the seam leak is interesting. I would certainly classify that as a "defect", and I would hope that Minnow's dealer worked out the payment for the fix with C-Dory. While not minimizing the problem, or making light of the pain in the butt such things can be, it really is a relatively minor fix. Much the same as the problem (since resolved, we hope) with the stem guard screw holes being too deep and allowing water to leak into the bow chamber. Major pain, for sure, and quite a distressing thing to find on a boat costing so much, but as one old friend (who has been buying and selling boats since before I was born) said, "A little pee hole is nothing to get so worked up about".

All that being said, at 50 grand a pop, a little pee hole is not acceptable. But I feel quite secure in saying that anything that should have been fixed at the factory will be fixed when discovered. Sometimes it takes a while, but the factory's intentions in such matters are always clear and admirable. The only other boat company I've heard of being as supportive of their customers as C-Dory is Arima. And, hey, CD is moving right next door, so maybe the competition will intensify!

I agree completely with your concerns over so major a purchase, and I think your airing them prior to the purchase is a great idea - both for you and other prospective buyers. I also think there's a pretty good chance that unglassed section of seam will be sealed right up on your boat when it leaves the factory.

This kind of discussion is valuable, and very much encouraged here. I'm not tooting C-Dory's horn (they are shipping these things with horns on them now, aren't they?), but a good part of the reason for their success is that they, too, recognize the value in it. Whether they respond to this topic or not, they for sure are learning from it and appreciate it. As Minnow said, his fix "would have taken about a minute at the factory".

You will be completely happy with your new C-Dory. No doubt about it!

[Butch]

Thanks Mike, word of mouth about anything is better than a ton of advertising. C-Brats share my love for the water and the boats they play on. Thanks again Mike and all for sharing your experiences. Still going to do it... see you on the water! Butch

[Pat Anderson]

I think you will find to a person here everyone will second Tyboo's comments - the C-Dory folks really are top notch, and you will NOT have buyer's remorse. Things that need fixing will get fixed. If only the manufacturer's of the other products I buy were as conscientious...

[My IRA]

Hi All Concerned,

We just picked up our 25 from the factory on 10/22 after minor repairs (one of which was the leak under the step). Our experience with the factory is that they are dedicated to producing a high quality product and stand behind their warranty. They are well aware that water leaks in any of their product line are not acceptable to their customers and are taking steps to make sure that quality improves with each new boat produced.

The structural integrity of the 25 is very tough (we use ours off of the Oregon coast) and they handle well in all types of sea conditions (especially a following sea). There seem to be no major defects that might affect the long term durability of these boats, just a few minor (annoying) ones.

As a company, C-Dory gets high marks from us (A+) for their willingness to honor warranty repairs without hassle to the customer.

[Helen O]

I have to chime in here also.... I've had no major problems with my 25 and the minor problems we're quickly corrected.

[Bess-C]

Butch-
As another 25 owner, I'll toss my 2 cents worth in here. We haven't had any major problems, or leaks in the cabin of the boat. However, I think the 25 requires more maintenance than the 22 because if its features.

The 25 is built to perform like a small travel trailer. By that I mean that you have a head and shower, hot water and a waste tank that aren't on the 22. You also have a macerator for the waste tank and a sump pump for the shower. Connecting all of these water systems require plastic hoses. A hose can leak or a sump pump overflow. These items add to the complication and potential for frustration with the 25.

C-Dory is a small company making a limited production product. In my experience, they are concerned about the quality and design of their products. When we had problems with the original fuel tank, C-Dory replaced it with the newly designed tank at their expense. I think the area under the back deck needs to be redesigned. C-Dory has considered my input regarding future design changes.

The 25' seems to be evolving and improving over time. It isn't perfect and neither is C-Dory as a company, but they do take input and try to improve when they discover problems.
Lyle

[Butch]

I agree... a 25 requires more maintainance given the amenities aboard, however, those amenities are what I used to sell my wife on the Dory. In a lighter sense you could put this in a mathmatical equation... here it goes.

"Amenities = higher anticipated maintenance" and the wife requires amenities, therefore, it can be stated wife=high maintenance.

Personally, I like limited production shops. I grew up in a family business and my grandfather used to tell me, "what you do today will determine if you'll eat tomorrow" and with this came a pride in workmanship. You are right, not all our projects came off with out a hitch either, however, I can say we never left a customer unsatisfied.

Sounds like C-Dory fits into that mold too.
This has been a great thread.... My wife and I plan to visit Cutter Marine to get the ball rolling the week before Thanksgiving, and i want to set up a "business trip" to the Northwest allowing for some time to visit the factory. I am so looking forward to this! Thanks for all the encouraging input!

[TyBoo]

Butch -

If there is any way you can schedule your "business trip" to coincide with the Seattle Boat Show and C-Brat Convention in January, you should give it some serious thought. Bring your wife, too, because the crowd of people that gathers after the boat show has sold a whole bunch of people on the CD boat and the crowd that it attracts. It really is quite amazing how nice all these yahoos are.

The only trouble with that might be fitting in a chance to spend much time at the factory. They are pretty busy around BS time.

That would be too cool if you made the SBSCBC&BSF! I hear tell that even old Sea Wolf Joe is going to make it.

[Butch]

Actually, the boat show and the Brat's gathering sound better and more beneficial than bugging the factory guys... Thanks for the heads up! I'll see what I can do. Whidbey NAS needs a visit.. I love that place too!

[caution]

We got a '25 in March also, and it recently developed a leaky cabin. I contacted the factory, and in keeping with the general tone here, they were very responsive. They arranged to pick up the boat, which is moored, and trailered it down to the factory. The leak turned out to be the sealing around the seacock. Apparently they removed it, re-sealed it and replaced it. We got the boat back within a week and took 'er out that next weekend -- the leak is gone.

I wouldn't hesitate to bug the factory guys, they seem to be very helpful.

Caution Horse

[Sawdust]

Butch,

If'n you visit the NAS, give ol' Dusty a call. Do a lunch, or just CD BS. I'm 10 minutes easy drive... and EQ is about 15 minutes.

Dusty