Build quality

nimrod · Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2013 2:17 pm Post subject: Build quality

Hi, my name is John and I have two-foot-itis.

Working hard to fight this illness but the Admiral isn't helping any. That extra room and shower/head combo look mighty nice, she says.

I have a question: what's the general feeling about the build quality of the boats built by C-Dory Marine Group in the months leading up to Triton taking over? Fit and finish, hull penetrations etc?

Any feedback, both positive and negative would be much appreciated.

Thanks

jd

localboy · Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2013 2:53 pm Post subject:

"Hi, John...." Wink

Hate to admit it, but M was correct on the head/shower. (Just don't tell her I said so Rolling Eyes

) It is convenient and it's awesome to go to bed clean! A warm shower rocks! It's also good since we have two grand-DAUGHTERS; girls need a private place.

As to build, we have an '07; prior to Triton taking over and the bad days of the previous administration. No real issues w/ over-all build quality. There were some, uh, shortcuts taken that I remedied and there are more to be done, however.

For instance, I pulled the water pump and bilge pump since they were both just screwed into the hull (in the bilge). I re-bedded the bilge screws in epoxy and stood the pump up vertically on Starboard to get it out of the bilge water. Plugged the holes w/ epoxy. The pipe for the anchor locker needs the same. The deck is balsa and it's just "sealed" w/ what looks like 5200. I need to remove the windlass to to it though, and I've just never done it, as it falls into the PIA category. Rolling Eyes

But the hull, cabin etc seem fine and solidly built. No leaks, blisters etc. We have one of the last wood interiors and I like it. It's easier to modify if needed.

thataway · Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2013 4:13 pm Post subject:

You might want to be very specific as to the year. I don't think that any of the boats were badly laminated--as Local Boy says, most were issues that many owners/dealers fixed.

There was a transition period after the Reynolds. There were some rough spots in some boats early in Reynold's ownership--where the old C Dory crew had left or was leaving and new crews were being hired. Quality control--but that was not in the 2007 to 2012 era. You also have to define what you mean by Triton--the folks running it now are (Northwest Marine Instustries) than the first part of the "Triton" management. Confused?

nimrod · Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2013 4:37 pm Post subject:

2009 model to be specific.

Also, since Mark brought it up, would love to hear pros/cons of wood cabinets versus the molded fiberglass. For those of you who like to modify the interiors, would the fiberglass be a deal-breaker?

jd

Sunbeam · Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2013 9:03 pm Post subject:

ghone · Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2013 11:07 pm Post subject:

Good question and good luck. Kerri On is a 2011 22. Scott Boysen was the lead during my build at Triton. There has been zero issues. No leaks no failures of any kind. The only thing was a leaky ram on the steering which was an end plate not tight enough. Not a build issue. We have close to 15,000 miles on the trailer thru desert as well as snow and only about 1600 on the water in 2 seasons with 250 hours and have been aboard full time since October last. Fit and finish is excellent. I like the molded interior with teak doors and trim. This is one tough boat. Has held up at sea and highways in Alberta and I 5 in California! Good luck on your seach. George. Currently in beautiful Lund BC on the sunshine coast.

patrick and linda · Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2013 11:56 pm Post subject:

I owned a 22' c-dory for 4 or 5 years. Made a number of modifications and learned much about the construction of my 2003 boat. There were many issues I didn't care for. Balsa core construction, thin bulkheads and very low sitting cockpit. When tied to a slip we felt like we were sitting below the fingers to the dock. Our boat was in the water for less than four months and developed blisters that cost, around 2800 to repair epoxy and bottom paint. Indie notice that many 22's developed cracks inbthe transom gelcoat from tailoring. We sold the boat, took a big hit on money invested and moved on. We now own a Nordic tug, and honestly there is no comparison in economy, construction and features. The Nordic is easy to modify and seriously you can't venture far without someone pulling up to ya and giving a thumbs up. I only emtion this because you are apparently looking to up grade and now is the time to make your best selection. Ours is a 26', trailerable, with a permit, 9 1/2' beam. Most people don't apply for the permit and I haven't spoke with anyone yet that's been pulled over. Just giving additional info. Good luck.

Sunbeam · Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2013 12:10 am Post subject:

I don't want to start a "brand war," but I've been involved with some pretty extensive core repair on a Nordic Tug, so I still feel that there are very few production boats that really do that correctly. And it's difficult to have a fiberglass boat without coring (especially a smaller or lighter one).

Now, I'm not saying there are not plenty of things on my boat that make me want to scream (and then I just fix them my way), but then.... I haven't found many other brands/builds that wouldn't do the same thing (until you get to custom or semi-custom, or in rare cases with production boats).

I do think Nordic Tugs are nifty Thumbs Up

, and I know many folks who love theirs and use them to the fullest, which is great. I've always been really fond of the 26-footer. But I don't believe NT's are immune to build issues. And I could say the same for many other makes. Of course if I were building production boats, I'd do everything right (and then go broke because they would cost $200k apiece and no one would buy them Wink

)

One nice thing when shopping for a trailerable boat, is that one can often find one that has been stored on the trailer, covered or indoors, if that's a priority.

Sunbeam

PS: John (original poster), I just looked back and realize you already *have* a C-Dory 22. Geez, sorry for the parts of my post that were stating the obvious! Somehow in the course of the thread I forgot that part Embarassed

nimrod · Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2013 12:20 am Post subject:

Thanks everyone for your input.

Having owned my 22 for a while now, I'm aware of the C-Dory idiosyncrasies. What I'm mainly wondering is if, in the last few months of production before Triton took over, the quality of the builds deteriorated noticeably. I seem to recall some discussions regarding poor workmanship and maybe that was mainly with the fitting out, as opposed to the hull.

jd

PeterQ · Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2013 1:04 am Post subject:

I can only comment on new boats, but I am more than satisfied with the fit, finish, and build quality of the 2013 NMI boats. Greg at the factory is also customer friendly and has been willing to incorporate suggestions from owners in the line.

The integral fiberglass cabinetry is solid and looks great with teak door and drawer fronts. There are some interior shots in my photo album.

If you can't find what you're looking for in a used boat, consider new as interest rates are still low and you don't get killed on depreciation the way you do on other boats...

Pete

Pat Anderson · Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2013 12:35 am Post subject:

We have a 2005 25 Cruiser from the Reynolds era, when Andrew Custis was the QC guy, and we could not be happier. Andrew now takes care of Ranger Tug customers, and he did the same for us. No comments on the owners between Reynolds and Triton, I think they were generally upstanding, but the molded interiors they introduced are simply not as customizable as the Decraguard interiors. When Scott Boysen took over production with Triton, the build quality became the best it ever was, even though he continued the molded interiors. Scott was totally dedicated to quality, I visited the factory regularly and was always impressed with Scott's dedication. Now that the Wrights are back at the helm, I have not visited. I AM very disappointed at the Wrights' attitude about performing repairs for owners of C-Dory boats, regardless of who built them, they do not understand the value of owner loyalty based on customer service the way Ranger does. But such is life I guess. If I were to buy a new boat now, it would not be a C-Dory, it would be a Ranger Tug for this reason alone. Mark, are you paying attention?

Wefings · Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2013 7:22 am Post subject:

Standing at the ready position!
Marc

redbaronace · Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2013 10:10 am Post subject:

PeterQ · Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2013 11:41 am Post subject:

May I recommend that you could contact the factory directly by emailing greg@nmiboats.com. He watches this address and should reply promptly. You could report back to the Brats with the answer.

I have sea trialled the Ranger R-27 and really love it! Relative to the CD-25, however, it's much heavier, slower, complex, and more expensive. And it runs on diesel.

The CD-25 with it's trailerability, outboard power, and enclosed head/shower still has my vote for best in class.

Molded vs Decraguard is a personal call. I'm really happy with the molded setup and would never consider taking a saw to it!

Whatever previous management did at the factory in my view is past history, and I feel that the current guys are really doing their best and deserve a chance to earn our support. Obviously they have mine! Very Happy

Pete

My IRA · Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2013 12:16 pm Post subject:

I agree with Peter, NMI is building a very high quality boat. IMHO our new 23V is the best built C-Dory that we've owned and that includes Reynolds and Toland boats.

As for repairs, all I can say is that they stand behind the Triton and NMI built boats without question and they are nice, friendly folks to deal with.