OK Newbie - Just Asking

[k3nlind]

First some history... I didn't procure a CD because of all the things I have read on this and other sites... my spouse and I simply wanted a good fishing boat with a pilot house. We looked at several and with stupid blind luck, we ended up with a 22' CD... and boy do I feel lucky!

We have now had and used the CD for several local fishing trips... and we have scheduled a trip to Lake Powell through Columbus Day. Being novices (unlike most of you 'retired navy, harbor master, certified, born on the ocean, piloting since before I could walk' types) we are learning at retirement age. I acknowledge I will never fully comprehend what most of you know like the back of your had.

Having said all that (and meaning it), I have a bunch of questions that range from the 'dumb wanna know' type to some I really need to know. Please feel free to answer any, all, or none as you chose, and thanx in advance:

1. Having purchased used (25 hours on the engines), I don't understand the way CD operates. I get the feeling they manufacturer the boat shell and pass it along to a third party company to outfit it with engines, radar, marine radio, etc etc. Is this correct? Where is the line? Is it like Ford manufacturing a chassie and Winnebago putting a motorhome atop?

2. I have seen several references to people getting items 'from the factory' such as sump pumps. Is there a 'factory' web page? I can't seem to find it. How do I buy something from the factory and what do they have?

3. Where can I obtain a wiring diagram and/or a plumbing diagram for my CD? Are they available? Do I ask the 'factory' or do I need to know who made the CD ready to get wet?

4. I have four batteries, one for each Honda BF40 and two house batteries. There are also two large solar panels on the roof. The engine batteries are on turn switches and I set them to off when not in use. The house batteries are on 30A (I think) breakers. Should these be manually 'broke' when not in use? I know the rear sump pump is direct connected because it will function with all batteries turned off. I also know the midship sump pump is not direct connected because it periodically activates when the batteries are connected but not if they are off. Also, how can I know if and which batteries are being trickled by the solar panels.

5. I recently noticed a 1/2 inch (or so) clear tubing coming out of the deck in the pilot house just to the port side of the aft doorway. It is simply cut off about waist high. Any idea what this is?

6. Is my Dodge Ram 1500 (1/2 ton) with small V8 and automatic tranny sufficient to trailer the CD cross country? What about my 32' Bounder with a 460 and automatic?

7. Does anybody have a checklist that they use to be sure they don't forget stuff before launch? Especially going to sea. I have never taken a boat out in salt water. Maybe I should hire one of you pilots or stay within 50 yards of shore

8. My engine batteries are located inside the rear hatched compartments (I forget the terminology you guys use for these), one on each side, along with the on/off switches and the house battery breakers. The house batteries are on the floor next to the gas tanks on either side of the sump pump. This seems terribly inconvenient and takes up much varied space. Plus I can not see into three of the six cells on either engine battery because of the placement. The photos on the C-Dory site don't show any batteries in the cockpit at all! Any ideas on how to improve this situation?

9. I have several projects I would like to do and two are giving me some concerns. First, I am having trouble finding 'jump seats' for the cockpit. I have seen something similar to what I want on Work Release, but I would like them to be spring loaded to fold up automatically when one stands up, like in a movie theater. Anybody seen anything like this? Second, since I would like to put a jump seat on each side of the bulkhead doorway, I was thinking that it would be nice to have a sliding pocket door instead of a swing door. Anybody done this or even thought about it?

I got some more, but I figure this is enough to chew on for now. We love our CD and just want to make it more liveable.

[Captains Cat]

Whoa Ken, when I finish reading that (I'm slow), I'll try to answer some of the questions. I'm sure you'll get them all from folks on the site... Glad you joined us...

First comment: I think you gots too many batteries unless you've got electric motors to drive the boat.

Charlie

[flapbreaker]

I'm sure others will chime in here but I do have a couple answers for you.

1.) I believe C-dory operates like any other boat manufacturer. They deliver a completed hull to the dealerships. From there buyers or the dealer can choose which motors, electronics ect. that they want on it. When a dealership orders a boat they can choose which features they want such as swim platform ect. Car dealerships do this as well to a certain degree. Some boats that have inboard engines will come from the manufacturer with these in place but outboards are a different story.

2.) I believe that when people say that they ordered from the factory they ordered it through a c-dory dealer and it was a factory part rather than an aftermarket but someone else might chime in here and correct me.

5.) The clear plastic tubing is a gauge so you can see the water level of your water tank.

That's all I can answer.

[jimandlaurie]

Congratulations on your C-Dory!!! And definitely welcome to the Pub Here.
Ok, here goes on the ones I think I might know:

1.C-Dory Delivers pretty much how the dealer asks for it to be equipped ,but think most dealers get the basic boat then
Power, Electronics,and other detail items are taken care of by the dealer and owner.

2. There is a link here at C-Brats to the Factory Webpage, it is on the lower left of the opening page along with a couple other great sites worth looking at

. C-Dory has a in-house dealer that can rig and outfit new boats for retail sale. They will load it up how the customer wants. Mr Scott Matthews is the man to talk to.

6. Your Ram and your Bounder will pull your 22 with no problems , I believe..We pulled our first C-Dory , a 22 with a Dodge Dakota .

7. A checklist is good ,go for the USCGA Vessel Checklist as a starter . There is a copy of it here on C-Brats , in the Document Section..

Last of all , Please try to come to the big Seattle Boat Show in January and meet lots of other C-Dory owners that weekend as we always have a big bash along with the show... You will enjoy it for sure!!!!

[B~C]

I'd say you have good blind luck
#1 as said, I think the boats come from the factory as completed hulls with lights, horn & bilge pump and dealers rig up the engines, gauges and extras.
#2 Me thinks some folks have had luck calling the the factory and recieving parts, there is no parts web site just the C-Dory.com site
#3 I have a small owners manual (you should be able to get one from your dealer) that has a schematic of the factory wiring with a recomended battery layout
#4 it wouldn't hurt to trip the breakers on the house batteries when not in use. Unless you have a number of electrical goodies on the boat, you might consider adding that whole solar/house battery collection onto your motorhome
#5 as mention, tube is water level indicator, it shows water level in tank and also indicates if you're sinking ( if water fills boat to the point of entering the tube, you have trouble)
#6 Some folks tow with Ford Rangers and Toyota Tacomas and even golf carts....but a 1/2 ton Dodge? could be dicey...should be fine, check to see if you have a trany cooler. The motorhome should work. These boats aren't that heavy and tow nice
#7 the nice thing about these boats is that you can leave them pretty much loaded up and ready to go without having to remember to load stuff. I don't have a check list but I have got into the habit of stopping and thinking before proceding. Stop and take a deep breath and give the boat a slow walk around before launching or hauling off into the sunset. An added bonus of having that Dodge is that you'll have extra time to ponder on what you forgot as you're towing down the road
#8 see # 4. unless you have a big screen TV, microwave and a bunch of other goodies or electric downriggers, I'd loose that extra weight. I may be a worry wart but, I'd be concerned about having batteries on the deck right next to the fuel tanks..lazerette is the word for the storage compartments on the side
#9 I always though a sliding door would be cool and free up some space in the cockpit BUT, the durn door is taller than part of the cabin roof so it wouldn't open very far

that's my bean filled $0.03 worth

[Sneaks]

[Captains Cat]

Also, remember LINDSAY'S LAW.

"If the draft of your vessel exceeds the depth of the water, you are most assuredly aground."

Took a lot of us Navy guys a lot of time to develop this, it'll save you time if you post it above the helm!!

Charlie

[Butch]

The one thing about C-brats is we are never at a loss for offering assistance or an opinion. I can't even begin to tell you guys how much I have learned from Tyboo, Charlie, Ken, Greg, and the list goes on.

I hate to admit it but the site is addictive... especially if you have a passion for the water... fresh or salt!

I love it when newbies find this site and the light bulb goes off... Ford is not the only one with the new ideas and perspectivies on "old" topics.
Sometimes we waiver off the path a bit and get into the political issues of the day... but when all is said and done we are all the better for it. Mike this is my personal thoughts...God Bless America and no matter what any court says it is still under God. Ya see guys, I still have the right to say it, when I want to, where I want to, and to who I want to. But in America... I can't force you to do it. That is what makes America special to me.... I believe we can call this freedom... This is not a political mandate or anything... just my thoughts at the moment during the President's address. Butch

[Fishin_Steve]

I would check Bounder to verify it can handle the hitch weight of the C-Dory. A towed vehicle that has 4 wheels on the ground has very little weight on the hitch of a motor home, not so with a C-Dory.

[AK Angler]

My top three reminders...

1- don't forget to install the plug BEFORE launching.

2- pack a spare plug on board.

3- don't forget the keys.

Besides that, you might want to put a small tool kit together to take out with you. Include an appropriate spark plug wrench, screwdrivers, pliers, cutters, fuses, wire, wire splices, zip-ties, electrical tape, duct tape, prop nut and cotterpin, 3M 4200 sealant, and whatever else you might think to stick in there. You never know if/when you'll "get" to use any of that stuff. But when you need it, it's nice to know it's not just sitting in your garage mocking you.

By the way, my checklists change depending on what I'll be headed out for: day cruise with the family, overnighter, fishing trip, ect... Of course, cruising in PWS I always take my survival gear.

[caution]

Being something of a newby myself, I do have a checklist. And yep, boatplug is at the top of the list.

I'd send you a nice pretty version if I knew how to put an attachment on this. But for now, here's a list. Some of these things you may not need to do for every trip, so you may want to "bold" the ones that you need to do every time, for example. And of course, I'd probably change this if I thought some more about it, after a year or so of experience.

But anyway:

Checklist for Each Departure
• Boat plug in
• Lines ready
• Bumpers in place
• Engines up
• Electricity on
• Check steering is working
• Check throttle and shift lever
• Curtains down
• Electronics installed:
• GPS
• VHF
• Fishfinder
• Radar
• Shore power disconnected
• Boat keys in
• Check fuel level
• Antennas up after launch
• Make sure cooling water is flowing after starting motor

Periodic inspections:
• Inspect fuel lines
• Inspect propeller and cotter pin
• Inspect anodes (replace when ½ original size, or if crumbling)
• Inspect water separator (beside oil dipstick, in 150hp)
• Check oil in both engines
• Check lights are working

Checklist for Each Removal:
• Antennas down
• Motors up
• Items stowed
• Get car keys
• VHF turned off

Leaving the boat:
• Flush engines
• Bumpers stowed
• Electronics stowed
• VHF turned off
• Lines stowed
• Downriggers stowed
• Garbage off, things stowed
• Wash boat
• Spray rods
• Fill water
• Shore power installed, all switches on except water heater
• Only water pump and refrigerator on
• Cabin locked

[DaveS]

Best to do all of your "pre-launch", "post-launch....ie: pre-trailering" procedures by yourself and if anyone interupts you, re-check it all before you move the vessel. Remember, it is always the "skippers" fault when bad things happen!
It is so easy to get distracted at the launch site when all these people come running up to you to say, "what a cute boat you have" and then you of course start talking with them for a half hour while you are hurrying to get in the water.

[C-Hawk]

Remember to do all of your "pre-launch" checks before you are on the ramp.
All of the above noted checks are great, and as noted they change with the day- cruising, fishing, diving, etc.
I have a small tool box, emergency medical kit and emergency flare kit. These are on the boat at all times, but need checking every few months to verify that all components are currently in date.

[bongo]

Used to be a pro pilot for many years: definitely use checklists. The one furnished will do for starters, go adding to it as you go along. Leaving the wife behind, for exaple, is a no, no. Make sure it's in the CL.

There is much to learn before you venture too far out to sea. Take it a stepa at a time and try to lear some meterology. Radars are wonderful, but so is the eye, if you know what to look for. Those beautiful cotton clouds on the horizon are thunderstorms; stear clear of them, head for shelter. When you can see the dark part underneat getting bigger, you know it's coming your way.

If you do get into a storm, your worst enemy is your mind's fear. Loosing sight of everything, except your immediate sorroundigs. Wind, wave, wife screaming, dog barking (Kabooom!) Often theese are the things that will dull your senses and lead to mistakes. Navigtion skills come in handy, and now days with all the gismos helping it's not to bad. But in a pinch, even the depth souder is a navigation tool; lear about it. Together with the compass and a chart you can get home. But it's usually better to hunker down until things calm down.

Don't know about your area, but in Panama Bay new moon and full moon bring high tides, currents and bad weather. Plan your trips preferably in between these celestial events. Full moon is beautiful event, rip tides are not.

Take advantage of C-Brat outings, by all means. Down my way it's pretty much me and my shadow. The Pearl Island Archipielago, over 100 islands 36 miles away is a paradise, but nobody is there; soo, you better know your stuff. And that is only one of 4 archipielagos; each one bigger. One of them with 365 islands.

Once I get my CD, anybody who is interested would be welcome to vitit Panama; sans CD, of course. Althoug you could trailer them down and... just kidding. If I learn how to send pics, I'll blow your minds out.

And... one of the best safety devices on board is the anchor; it's also the one that can get you in trouble if you are not familiar with all about it. Read and practice.

The problems are not usually at firs, when you are afraid. Problems come latter, when you get cocky.

Above all... enjoy!

[k3nlind]

Wow... I'm blown away... thanx people!

How long do posts stay around? Me thinks I will need to re-read this several times just to get it through my thickness.

Hope nobody gets upset if I try to milk it for even more information... it all seems like such good data.

I'll re-read everything again this weekend and send some additional questions... they are swarming my brain and I can't get them out right now. Me thinks I will do it off-line and then cut and paste. When I wrote the first message I lost half of it cuz the site thought I was inactive and didn't send it the first time. More blind luck , I had to pause for mother nature and saved the first half into notepad

For now just let me say that, like Butch, I am proud to be an American - God bless the USA, the world it exists upon and every living entity... certainly hope this offends no one as there is none intended!

I'll be back!