c-dory verse sea sport

[bcarli]

Not trying to start a controversy here but curious about peoples opinion regarding the comfort motion between the flat bottom c-dory and the v-shaped sea sport boats. We will be using our boat in the San Juans which gets a lot of chop, whichs means pounding

thanks
bill carli.

[dogon dory]

Sorry, Folks - Post Deleted By Author

[Sea Wolf]

Bill-
While I have not ridden in the boat you're refering to, the deeper v should definitely ride easier in chop at speed, albeit at a much higher fuel consumption.

When I attended the Seattle Boat Show, however, one of the things I noticed when looking at and browsing through some of the other boats with deeper v hulls was that I wouldn't like to fish out of most of them. Most had a raised cockpit floor, then a raised cabin door entrance, then a much lowered cabin floor, then a raised helm station. Climbing back and forth constantly to check fishing lines, downriggers, and whatever else would make for a much longer and more tiring day. The C Dorys have basically a flat floor, though it's a bit different between the 22 and the 25. Don't remember if the Sportcraft was like this, or know if you're going to be fishing, but this is another possible design difference to think about. Joe.

[Cutty Sark]

I recently went through the same process, deciding whether to go deep or modified V hull. I in the end chose a deep V, mainly because of where I want to fish, off the washington coast. I would say I'm very pleased with my decision I love the ride of my new boat. It is totally different from my last boat. If I hadn't planned on fishing such exposed places I probably would have gone for the Cdory. You just can't beat their accommodations or cost to run. A seasport is going to cost a lot more in gas, and are pretty expensive too. That being said they are awesome fishing and rough water boats, and also have a good layout inside. If you like to go faster in the rough stuff the deep V is nice. I would take a sea trial before you make your final decision, on both or all the boats you are interested in. Good luck in your endevor.
Sark

[starcrafttom]

The Sea sport and the C-dory are not really in the same class. What i mean is that if you want to run at 35 mph in big sea and don't mind burning 15 to 20 gallons an hour and can afford $100,000 dollars then get the sea sport. Just remember that along with the payment and extra gas you will probably have to moor it somewhere, another $300 a month. You can tow the 22-26 seaports but most people don't unless they have a large truck f350 or big dodge. We choose the c-dory because i own a ford ranger and tow everywhere. I cannot afford the gas on the sea sport and i park it next to the house. I have everything on my boat that i could get, except the windless, but he’s watching TV right now, and I only (yeh! only) spent $55,000. A friend has a sea sport that he keeps in Anacortes. On a run to the islands to fish and back, say 60 miles he will burn over 40 gallons. I will burn about 18 to 20 gallons. That’s a price difference of $80 dollars or more. Four trips per month and the difference is my boat payment. The same goes for trophy’s as far as gas.

As far as ride. After my last boat the c-dory rides just fine. I run back from Friday harbor in 2 to 3 ft seas at 20 mph just fine. In fact I like the big rollers better then the wind chop. As far as the chop just trim your nose down all the way and go 20 mph. I have noticed that with a flat bottom boat that’s trimming down all the way does not really affect speed as much as in a deep vee. It affects it some but not as much. I mean no disrespect to any one here but many of them are ex- sailboat types. They complain about the chop a little too much and get scared at anything over 16 mph. I really like the ride in the c-dory and if you want to check it out just email me and we will get you out for a ride.

[starcrafttom]

Just remembered one more thing. When we say we have to slow down its much different then a deep vee boat. A seasport has to be going 20 mph to be on plane. And if he slows down to 15 mph he’s plowing and sliding around and it makes for very poor fuel economy and handling. In a c- dory you can plane at 12 mph or a little less. This makes for better handling and better fuel economy. Also a better ride at slow speeds then the big deep vees. Just some thing to think about

[Adeline]

This sounds familiar. Back in '89 @ the Portland Boat Show I saw my 1st C-Dory and my 1st Sea-Sport. At the time I had a Montauk and wanted extended overnighting/fishing capabilities. So I drove up to Bellingham and tested the Sea-Sport on the bay. V-8 and Volvo duo-prop. Moderate chop. Nice ride. Things I did'nt like. Sink under the helm seat and the Origo Stove mounted with one burner behind the other(rotated 90 degrees). Tow weight. Also the issues Sea-Wolf mentioned. Next day I toured the C-Dory factory and tested a 22' out of Des Moines Marina. Thanks Mark Toland, wherever you are. Moderate chop. Nice ride. Back @ the factory I placed my order. For about $22,500.00(including tax) I got Adeline w/ Johnson 70+15 and trailer. A little more than 1/2 the price of a base Sea-Sport. I've never looked back. My advice: Sea-Trial all the models that interest you before making a decision. I know I've bought MY last boat.

[El and Bill]

We also had a demo ride in a Sea Sport, before the C-Dory, and there was no contest (for all the reasons given above) once we tried the C-Dory. Everyone judges for themselves and for their purpose for the boat. One isn't better than another, except for certain people and for certain purposes.

[westward]

As others have alluded to, if your main criterion is comfort at speed through chop, the SeaSport is for you. We boat exclusively in the San Juans in all seasons, and have had a deep-vee(Glasply cuddy) and replaced it with our current 22' C-Dory cruiser. Here is my humble opinion: The C-Dory is quite a unique vessel which you appreciate more and more as time goes on, and as your boating use increases. C-Dory's have the following advantages for San Juan's use: Much lower fuel consumption and power requirements; simple, almost spartan interior and exterior which afford excellent access and very easy maintenance; lower center of gravity equals less windage and much less rolling in bigger, rolling current seas; flat bottom equals much greater roll stability at rest and in motion(no trim tabs required); much lower planing speed; much lower draft with beachability; all mechanicals are simple, exposed and easily serviceable; no bilge(a plus as well as a minus); much easier, more predictable handling and steering at low (docking) speeds; Better visibility from the helm and cabin. Unbeatable looks factor and excellent resale. The SeaSport has a fine reputation and a rock-solid build but is a very different boat. If your use is low-hours and primarily during boating season (when chop, rather than rolling seas, are your main nemesis) the SeaSport is among the best of its kind. I would not consider an inboard/outboard if you plan to keep your SeaSport in the water for any length of time. The challenge here is that the appropriate outboard power for a SeaSport will cost you a small fortune. If you plan to moor on the water have a cockpit canvas made for the C-Dory. It looks like regular gas will hit $2.50/gal this Summer, which will mean $3.00+ per gallon at Friday Harbor. $50-60/day to run the boat will take some of the fun out of boating, and may start to affect your decisionmaking re: destinations. I love our Dory, and will likely replace it with another or repower when the motor gets too tired. Good luck in your boat search!!! Mike on Westward

[bcarli]

Thanks to all of you who took the time to respond to my inquiry. Your answers go along with our thinking. The fuel consumption issue is really big for us, and the fact that we are ex-sailors, slowing down to 20 knots doesnt seem to present any problem.
thanks again, this interaction and comeraderie, makes owning a c-dory so much more enjoyable.
we are just waiting for our new 25 that we ordered at the seattle show
thanks again
bill & chris carli

[dogon dory]

Sorry, Folks - Post Deleted By Author

[Pat Anderson]

Another really important point - for whale watching anyway - is the C-Dory's ability to stay on the plane at a slow speed...

[Redƒox]

[en_pissant]

Hmm. I might have to go against the crowd on this one. I have a C-Dory 22' Angler, and am looking to buy a 24' or 27' Seasport. I've looked at the Parkers, Ospreys, Skagits, Trophys, Olympics, etc. The Seasport is the best of the bunch in my opinion.

One of the most important measurements of a boat is chronology. The length of years of the production run is a great indicator of quality. Both of these boats have been around of a long time, which to me is significant.

I think there might be a lack of objectivity on our site here regarding this subject tough. I love my C-Dory, and for it's size I think they have done a brilliant job, but I'm going to represent the other side. The Arima Rangers are a better comparable (and I think the C-Dory is far superior), but if your are looking at the Seasport, then that's what we are discussing. I agree that the two boats are hard to compare, but I think some important aspects haven't been brought up.

1. C-Dorys pound you. No two ways about it. It's nice to talk about "going the right speed", and trimming the nose down, but there is no substitute for a deep V, and a heavier boat.

2. The Seaport 24 and 27 both come with a head. Comparing the porta-poti that sits under my bow cushion to a sit down head with shower is not even do-able. My wife and daughters could defintiely expound on this subject.

3. Inboard vs. outboard. You can go either way with the Seasport, or you can even go diesel. Regardless, outboard is the only option on a C-Dory, and you don't get too much cabin heat from that baby.

4. Electricity. Outboards in general just don't generate enough electricity. You start running alot of electronics, a (gasp) microwave, refrigerator, etc. on a C-Dory, and it starts getting tough, or impossible to manage the juice. You get a few deepcycles getting juice from an inboard, and things are a lot different.

5. Beam. Ya, the deep Vs roll a little more when you are sitting there, but the beam on the Seasport is bigger, and that makes that roll diminish quite a bit.

6. Trailerability. This is where the C-Dory wins. I can tow the Seasport 24 with my Expedition, but the 27 probably does require either a new vehicle, or a slip. The C-Dory is about the best truly trailerable boat out there in my opinion.

7. Flybridge. Sitting up in a flybridge when it's sunny, when there is a ton of traffic, going thru the locks, or while docking is huge. C-Dorys don't have flybridges.

8. Capacity. I scuba dive. With two of my buddies, all our gear, and my kid on board, we were barely able to get on step. With a Seasport, this just woudln't happen. Also the swimstep on my C-Doy is pretty damn small.

9. Forward facing seat. My wife gets tired of having to kneel, or stand when she wants to look out the window. Sitting in a Seasport, looking forward, and up a little higher makes for better and comfort and safety. It's hard to see a deadhead when your back is toward the bow.

10. Speed. I work during the week so most of my trips are weekend trips. In chop, that Seasport is going to be traveling at least twice as fast as the C-Dory. This is the difference between getting out to where the fish are or not, and sometimes between going out at all.

11. Walkaround. It's way easier to walk around the Seasports to get to the bow. In rough weather, that walk to the bow if the C-Dory is pretty frightening.

12. Overnight. You can do four overnight on 24' Seasport. That way another couple can come along. It's still a big squeeze though. On the 27' it's no problem, in fact quite comfy. In the C-Dory, it's just not an option. You can do a camperback, but I could do that on a skiff too.

13. Bilge / Deck. I get tired of water in the back of my C-Dory. Whether it's from rain, scuba diving, crabbing, or just a spilled beer, I don't like a wet deck. I have mats on mine, some people have the factory decking, and some people use that dri-decking stuff. Regardless, it's a none issue on a standard, deep V hull design.

Anyway. Those are my thoughts.

[skagit_orca]

After much consideration I chose the Skagit Orca over the C-Dory (and Osprey and Parker) for similar reasons as some other folks (no pounding, stand-up head etc.) For me the level of components used on the Orca influenced my decision; I was just at the boat show and the same light fixtures for instance and the same windshield wiper motors were on boats costing more than 150k. I feel like I got a bargain with my boat when I see what Mako and Grady White offer!