C-Dory 25' Cruiser

jimandlaurie · Posted: Thu May 05, 2005 5:04 pm Post subject:

Here is our take on the 22 vs 25... We pretty much agree as stated before about all the attributes of the 2 boats.
I am glad we went with the 22 first , then the 25 , mainly for personal situational reasons for us it worked out good.. but if I had owned several boats before the 22 I would have went with the 25 initially.
No boat is delivered perfectly from the factory or a dealer. We do not have any big issues with our new 25 Laurna Jo, just some minor finish problems, we will take care them when in for first service.
We are overjoyed with our 25..my advice is keep an eye at the Pub here for info, but if it was me ,with you experience in boating.. the 25 wins..
Jim & Laurie,,
2005 25 C-Dory Cruiser, Laurna Jo

C-Dragon · Posted: Thu May 05, 2005 8:39 pm Post subject:

We too started with a 22 and moved to a 25 after 10 years. For new and/or young boaters the 22 is ideal. The comforts of the 25 are appreciated as we sail on in our Geezerhood.
A few issues which may be unique to our boat. The starboard rub rail came out 3/4 of an inch during a slight wake on the Columbia River. It went back to the factory for refit at their request. The original cabinet hardware was very fragile plastic. Many pieces broke. The factory provided excellent units which hold the doors securly. Recently, the forward portside window latch flew off as I closed the window. At the advice of the dealer, I cleaned the surface, applied silicone. Dealer (Sportcraft, OR City)and factory backup has been outstanding.
Our first long cruise for a Spring shakedown last weekend was delightful. Our boat (C- Dragon +) performed like a champ. The twin 90 Hondas, trim tabs and hull size made our trip and stay in Cathlamet, WA a treat for our wedding anniversary. Our two cats also enjoyed the voyage.

Luna C · Posted: Thu May 05, 2005 11:09 pm Post subject:

Yes, the Luna C extra seating above the galley is unique, but the factory did keep the templates. I have had a pm or two on how we have liked it. Maybe someone has opted for that feature by now! I agree with CD-Tom, I am interested in the Tomcat too! Won't be buying one for sometime though.

pmberman · Posted: Mon May 16, 2005 8:58 pm Post subject: still not sold on the 25

ok, I've been reading a lot of your responses regarding the 25'. After seeing "minnow's" defect photos and hearing how there have been problems with other folks 25's like rub rails coming off, I wonder about the quality. If the C-Dory is 10k less than a comparable Whaler, but their are basic quality issues, is it worth the risk? If I am going to buy a boat for me and my wife to cruise on, I want it to be durable and safe above all else. Be honest, is the lower price of a C-Dory 25' compared to a boat like a Whaler a trade off for quality and durability, not to mention safety??

flagold · Posted: Mon May 16, 2005 9:22 pm Post subject:

Having owned numerous large and small Whalers I'm probably qualified to answer: If Whaler made a C-Dory type boat: I'd own it, but I'm the type that goes for overkill anyway. A destroyer is more durable, safe, etc., than a Whaler, but alas, I can't afford it. I just bought a brand new Montauk -- guess what, there's a grab-rail I found loose . . . and I'm going to have to take those horrible cheapie gas tanks out and replace them with a Pate tank like Whaler should do from the get go.

Nothing perfect.

Pat Anderson · Posted: Mon May 16, 2005 11:14 pm Post subject: Re: still not sold on the 25

I am pretty sure Minnow's problems are NOT typical of the CD25 or any C-Dory. If they were typical, you wouldn't find so many enthusiastic owners here. Don't really know what is going on there, but I'll bet there are two sides to that tale as well. Nothing made by man is perfect, of course, and that includes C-Dory boats. We have had our 25 for only two days, but have given it a pretty good inspection. You have to hunt pretty hard to even find a minor blemish on it - Andrew from the factory pointed out one or two, and then fixed them. I guess it may help to live close to the factory, I know Minnow can't be trailering it to Auburn, WA, from New Jersey whenever something needs attention. Our initial splash proved all systems work as advertised. All in all, our assessment is that this is an awesome boat. I can't talk about the other brands, have never owned one. But having had a CD22, which we absolutely loved for two years, and now having a CD25, we would be hard pressed to come up with any reason why we would even consider another boat (except maybe a Nordic Tug, when we cash in the house!). These are extremely high quality, durable and safe boats, Minnow's experience notwithstanding.

flagold · Posted: Mon May 16, 2005 11:53 pm Post subject:

"you wouldn't find so many enthusiastic owners here."

True -- and I might add, enthusiastic owners that have owned (many) Whalers. The enthusiasm (for me) comes from all you can do with these boats. As much as I loved the Whalers, I never camped out on a Colorado mountaintop in one. Never once used a Whaler as a hunt-camp cabin in Georgia, toasty at 18 degrees. I can't recall a single time I had one gold-mining in California, Oregon, and Wa. state. Was never photographed in the Whaler at a rest stop in Yakima grilling hamburgers . . . That's why you buy these boats -- because they're not a Whaler -- they're a different design altogether, and you do vastly different things than in a Whaler. Live-boating becomes possible (on a budget).

All that said -- if you're looking that nervously at them -- pass -- get your Whaler and be happy rather than sleeping on pins and needles. Life is to short for that.

El and Bill · Posted: Tue May 17, 2005 6:48 am Post subject:

We've lived on our C-Dory 22', Halcyon, for most of the past 4 1/2 years. Trailered her across the US east-west, north-south many times. Cruised her on all three coasts (and to Alaska) and most of the navigable rivers in between. She is, for us, the perfect boat for our purpose: to explore the waterways of America. For that, we required the smallest, best-built liveaboard powerboat. She had to be easy to launch, retrieve, and trailer. She had to be the best-built boat for our purpose -- safest, easiest to cruise, handle, maintain. She needed to ably satisfy our creature comforts -- comfy berth, good stove, adequate storage, room for guest(s), heater for winter warmth and good stow space for a porta potty (the only marine head worth having on a boat, in our opinion). She had to have 'dash board' space for the proper instruments (GPS plotter, and Sounder) and good space for radar and radio -- each separate, redundant and capable to stand alone. She needed two reliable engines (we're not mechanics), each separate and redundant, easy to service and economical to operate.
The CD 22 fits our requirements, and we wouldn't change boats as long as we have the same boating purpose. Bigger is not better for this lifestyle -- in fact, it would hamper it. Halcyon has been the trustworthy, safe, comfortable, perfect boat for cruising all of America's waters.

Sea Wolf · Posted: Tue May 17, 2005 9:30 am Post subject:

El and Bill-

Wonderfully said, and from the most qualified C-Dory cruisers ever!!!

The CD-22 Cruiser is the best all-around boat in the C-Dory line and satisfies more people's needs than any other. If you doubt that, just look at the production numbers!

There are those of us who have opted to "move up" to the CD-25 Cruiser or Tom Cat for various reasons of space accommodation or cruising style.

I personally, however, consider the CD-25 Cruiser option as a "move over" to a larger CD Cruiser hull, not an upward move to quality improvement, although we know that many women see the enclosed head/shower as the "sine quo non" feature in any boat!

The TomCat is an entity unto itself of a somewhat different character and occupies a niche of its own. The new re -designed TC-25 will breathe new life into this special boat.

Many find the smaller CD-s, such as the 16, meet their needs just fine, and prefer the greater simplicity of towing and storing these boats.

They are all a fine group of superb boats of a unique and special qualities that make them a joy to own and use.

I have not found one incidence of faulty boat building in my CD-22 which is now 18 1/2 years into happy fun-filled service, and I'm looking forward to passing it on to my son someday when I can no longer enjoy its wonderful qualities. Joe.

journey on · Posted: Tue May 17, 2005 10:09 am Post subject: C-Dory 25' Cruiser

Here's another slant on the C-Dory 25. We're downsizing from a 36' sailboat, and we still want to stay cruisers. We've been to Mexico, the South Pacific, Alaska, and even trucked the boat to the East Coast (by Peterbuilt.) We also live in So Cal which is not a cruisers paradise, good sailing but not much to see. So we want to get to places easily.

So we're home and want to go places in a boat: a trailerable trawler. The C-Dory 25 is the answer: all the amenities in a smaller package AND trailerable. Judy can live on her for 4 mos. and Boris can tow it. We did have a 25' sailboat, and we towed her up and down the coast, so we know it can be done. At our age an indoor head is a necessity, as is the Wallis stove, after a summer in Alaska. Gasoline is $3 per gallon, so the 350 outdrives aren't the best. The C-Dory (whatever model,) has an open cabin, so you can see what's going on whilst you're enclosed (try that in a sailboat.) We wish it was a diesel, that it was wider, etc., but it's going to do the job.

Judy and Boris, journey on

Catman · Posted: Tue May 17, 2005 4:01 pm Post subject:

Great comments, guys. Bill and Joe, you guys know your stuff. Couldn't agree more. And Joe, it's true. My little sixteen meets all my needs, especially when alone. I'm done with sixfootitis, and I've found that sometimes the hardest part about living is learning to be happy where I am with what I have.

starcrafttom · Posted: Tue May 17, 2005 9:58 pm Post subject:

Judy and boris, Be patient there are several out board maker's working on diesel outboards right now. I think that when sold they will be a great match to the c-dory way of life.

stevej · Posted: Wed May 18, 2005 11:38 am Post subject:

Feed me more on the diesel outboards, what manufactures and are there any details or is this rumor mill info.
Don't mean to offend anyone but have not seen any OB manufacture that is showing much interest in diesel technology other than Yanmar with their overpriced 25 and 35 hp models.

I did run across some info last year on Yamaha buying some 2-stroke diesel patents but they seem to be sitting on the technology or developing under very tight security.

Just curious
stevej

starcrafttom · Posted: Wed May 18, 2005 12:34 pm Post subject:

I heard it at the boat show from a couple of jet sled manufacturers. I think it was the guys at outback sleds ( not sure of the name). they have the sled with the engine compartment half out side the cab. They were running one of the newer smaller diesel's in their sled. The mileage in that thing was twice that of a big block gas engine. We got to talking and they said that several manufacturers were working on diesel out boards for the 2008 model year. Take it with a grain of salt and hope of the best. But if they do it the c-dory would be a great boat match of that engine. long runs at moderate speeds with small fuel tanks.

flagold · Posted: Wed May 18, 2005 9:20 pm Post subject:

Hopefully they'll port the diesel exhaust underwater, the moderate speed fine with me as the diesel will probably be turning a big prop, my loads are happiest around 18 knots.

I will miss hugging the Mercury daily though, don't think it's skipped a beat since I've had it and hasn't cost a thing in maint.

Just in from a 48 mile jaunt, the last 7 miles through a fairly stiff thunderstorm front and never once felt unsafe -- just battened all hatches and plodded in at 8 knots in the rain. Had a couple of open fishermen deep v's zip past at speed taking a terrific pounding from waves and soaked with rain and spray. I did tip my coffee to them as they flew past, and by the time I got in to the ramp they were loaded and gone, probably home drying clothes.