C-Dory at Miami Boat Show!

[gotjm3]

Greetings-

Just wanted the group to know that a C-Dory 25 Cruiser was proudly on display and in the water for sea-trials at the Miami International Boat Show. I was fortunate enough just to be in Miami in Feb. and take in a day of the show, but to sea-trial a 25 too, what a day! Here's the story...

I was not even aware that a C-Dory was going to be in the show as it was not listed in the main program. However, I was asking questions of Mike Connors from Honda (those in the northwest may know him) about how to rig a kicker, and the pros and cons of different configurations, and he suggested I just go over and see the C-Dory myself and ask Jeff Messmer (C-Dory VP and partner), as he'd be able to fill in the blanks about the boat specifics (rather than engine). He told me that Honda actually had a C-Dory as part of their Honda Power sea-trial program, and that some C-Dory folks were there too. Well, up to that point being unaware that a C-Dory was even there, I was pleasantly surprised, but it was late in the day and the show closed at 6 p.m. For those who haven't been to the Miami show, it's HUGE, 3 separate venues!!! If you are ever lucky enough to go, do it... but plan to spend at least two days, I regret I only had one.

Anyhow, I was about 30 mins. away from the in-water venue, so I high-tailed it across Biscayne Bay on a shuttle and found the C-Dory (listed in the program supplement) at about 5:45 just as they were closing up. Anyhow, about 5 seconds of explaining my interest to Jeff and Bruce Perkins (C-Dory east coast rep.) and we were casting off the lines and were under way. My first ride on a 25 ever, and it was in Miami of all places! Somehow, it seemed ironic to me, that at the granddaddy of all go-fast, go-glitzy, and go-gas-guzzling boats shows, I was on a C-Dory, the philosophical antithesis of all that the Miami Boat Show was supposedly about. I of course enjoyed the ride, enjoyed taking the helm, and appreciated the opportunity to get to know Jeff and learn about the genesis of C-Dory and its growth especially in the last 5 years. It was especially interesting to sea-trial the C-Dory among all these "go-fasts" and "sport fishermen." Even though the 25 was smaller and much less of a spectacle than most of the other boats out, we still got thumbs ups and lots of look from those on shore and on other boats who I am guessing appreciated the classic saltiness of this interesting and very UN-Miami type of boat.

Here are some notes from the sea-trial: The boat was equipped with a 150 HP, and wore the blue trim. There were some slight changes to this boat as it came from the newest molds. Of most significance was a closed in transom with two large hatches to house the batteries, cockpit drains, and some other gear. It made for a very tidy space aft, and Jeff explained the cockpit would also drain better, although I don't recall the specifics as to why. Also of interest was the lack of seam between the hull and top deck as the method of joining those two units has been inproved from the already robust bonding method. Jeff will have to provide the deatails on this, but the boat looked great, and behaved well at sea. The air temperature was about 78 deg. and the water nearly the same, and with just the side windows open there was plenty of air moving about, and the cabin wasn't the least bit too warm. With the center window open, it was a bit cool, actually (one thing I had been wondering about in the Chesapeake summer). The Honda 150 was plenty quiet and moved the boat along smartly when pushed, and easily and stealthily at crusing speeds. She tracked well at all speeds, and handled the rather large wakes of other hi-fi "sea-trialers" quite well, but when moving too quickly, some hull slapping noise was evident, though the ride remained solid. Upon docking, it took all hands to back in slip as it was a very tight space with a boat to port sticking its bow into the C-Dory's berth. But Jeff did an admirable job at the helm. Lot's of fun!

Anyhow, the sea-trial in February, as the water in Maryland is still a bit hard in the Upper Bay, was an unexpected treat. We'll see if we can strike a deal with Cutter Marine, and hopefully announce to the group we'll be taking delivery of our own 25 sometime later this spring! This group has been a great source of information, and we hope to be able to join the group in earnest (as a bona-fide C-Dory owning members) soon.

And to Jeff Messmer... Thanks again for the ride, and congratulations for making the effort and going to expense of being at the Miami show. Please make sure the good folks at Cutter take care of us, and we'll be great ambassadors for the brand and look forward to being part of the growing "younger generation" that appreciates what makes C-Dory such an interesting boat. Cheers to all the C-Brats!

TJ and Jen (C 25 wannabees)

[Lynn Marie]

TJ and Jenn,

Glad to hear you had a great time at the Miami show and even happier to hear about your adventure on a C-Dory. My last experience was in the early 80"s when I was building boats with my brother and we had our newest model in the show. It was a 27' New England stile lobster boat hull and we were located outside the main entrance. We too had to compete with the big go fast boats which at that time included a 52' Cigarette with over a thousand horsepower. We still did OK and folks from the lower keys and other areas appreciated that type of boat. Sounds like those same folks still get to the show and still like a classic vessel. Thanks for sharing your boat show adventure, it brought back a lot of memories that that I almost forgot.

Tim

[terraplane]

TJ and Jen,

If you do get the 25' in the spring, please plan to come to our first ever gathering on the Eastern Shore, JUne 3-5. We'd love to see you.

tom/ terraplane

[Byrdman]

TJ: Great report! Glad to have you down in the SE. I find it interesting that from Montgomery, AL I made the Seattle Boat Show prior to the Miami, but plan to make the Miami next year...unless it is at the same time as another factory gathering...and I will then be back in the NW. I wish I had known Jeff was going to be there. My neighbor and good friend flew their corparate jet to Miama and called me while standing right beside the C-Dory. It would have been a blast to have him hand his phone to Jeff.... I did have a chance to meet Jeff and the other C-Dory factory crew in Jan05 at the factory. Great people, great boats. And if I recall correctly, Cutter are the folks in Baltimore, where I got to get on my 1st CD22. Great folks too. Spent about an hour with me in the rain/fog right about dark one late afternoon knowing that I was passing thru from Alabama to Ft. Monroe, and had ZEOR intentions of buying a boat that day...but simply wanted to look at the 22. Another reason that I have purchased 2 C-Dory's, and waiting for the TC25 to get some power on it at the plant or dealership to make another trip NW. Again, Great people, great boats, and great dealerships.