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johnr
Joined: 08 Apr 2007 Posts: 308 City/Region: Bellingham
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Stillwater
Photos: Surf Scoter
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Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2014 5:05 pm Post subject: What would you do? |
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I have a 1989 Chevy 3/4 ton truck that I use for towing my c-dory locally. It has 189,000 miles on it. I paid $1500 for it. The head gasket just failed and it's a $1500 fix. My daily driver is a 2011 Honda Element, which I like, but I cannot tow my c-dory with it. I am considering one of two options:
1. Fix the Chevy and keep the Element.
2. Scrap the Chevy, sell the Element, and buy a brand new (or very late model, low milage) daily driver that can also tow.
Some added bits: 1) I'm not too concerned about gas milage, I drive my element less than 8000 miles per year. 2) I have a family of four.
I'm torn. Of course another option is to buy another beater truck and drive that until it fails, but I don't think I'm going to do that. Other than the head gasket, the 89 Chevy is in ok shape. It doesn't burn oil, brakes and tires are good. No rust. It wired for trailer brakes. It's the devil I know.
Last edited by johnr on Thu Oct 30, 2014 5:07 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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C-Dawg
Joined: 31 Aug 2007 Posts: 509 City/Region: Spanaway
State or Province: WA
Photos: C-Dawg
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Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2014 5:07 pm Post subject: |
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I'd fix the truck. _________________ Rick & Shirley
Go Dawgs!
C-Dawg sold November 2018 |
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AK Angler
Joined: 18 Nov 2003 Posts: 327 City/Region: South Central
State or Province: AK
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 26 Venture
Vessel Name: Rod Holder
Photos: Rod Holder
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Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2014 5:24 pm Post subject: |
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I'm cheap. I'd just fix the truck. Any other option will cost way more than $1500.
(Of course, I'd just do it myself. Total cost would be about $100-150 for gaskets and fluids. Well, that, plus a weekend of my time...) _________________ -Rod
89CD16A- The Navicula has been sold... |
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johnr
Joined: 08 Apr 2007 Posts: 308 City/Region: Bellingham
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Stillwater
Photos: Surf Scoter
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Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2014 5:27 pm Post subject: |
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AK Angler wrote: | I'm cheap. I'd just fix the truck. Any other option will cost way more than $1500.
(Of course, I'd just do it myself. Total cost would be about $100-150 for gaskets and fluids. Well, that, plus a weekend of my time...) |
You're hired! |
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breausaw
Joined: 18 Jan 2006 Posts: 1222 City/Region: Anchorage
State or Province: AK
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Triple J
Photos: Triple J
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Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2014 5:36 pm Post subject: |
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Put over loaders on the Element and supercharge it.
Or just fix the truck. _________________ Jay
2007 22ft C-Dory Triple J 2007-2012
2007 25ft C-Dory Triple J 2012-2018
Boatless for now but looking |
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sillawydna
Joined: 16 Aug 2013 Posts: 22 City/Region: Bellingham
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 2001
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Lumpsucker
Photos: sillawydna
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Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2014 6:13 pm Post subject: |
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For beginning and end of season put in/take out and the occasional winter trip I would recommend just borrowing your buddy Andy's truck, that's of course when Minnie Swann isn't attached to the hitch. |
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Aurelia
Joined: 21 Aug 2009 Posts: 2331 City/Region: Gig Harbor
State or Province: WA
Photos: Aurelia
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Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2014 6:25 pm Post subject: |
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If you don't need to tow often, maybe borrowing is an option.
If you are thinking of replacing the Element anyway, dump the truck and get a ridgeline or pilot.
Do you use that truck for anything else? _________________ Greg, Cindie & Aven
Gig Harbor
Aurelia - 25 Cruiser sold 2012
Ari - 19 Cruiser sold 2023
currently exploring with "Lia", 17 ft Bullfrog Supersport Pilothouse |
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johnr
Joined: 08 Apr 2007 Posts: 308 City/Region: Bellingham
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Stillwater
Photos: Surf Scoter
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Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2014 6:26 pm Post subject: |
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sillawydna wrote: | For beginning and end of season put in/take out and the occasional winter trip I would recommend just borrowing your buddy Andy's truck, that's of course when Minnie Swann isn't attached to the hitch. |
Do I know you? I think you may be confusing me with another johnr who lives in Bellingham and has an Element and an old beater truck and a c-dory named the Surf Scoter. There are quite a few of us. |
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sillawydna
Joined: 16 Aug 2013 Posts: 22 City/Region: Bellingham
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 2001
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Lumpsucker
Photos: sillawydna
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Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2014 6:50 pm Post subject: |
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sillawydna spelled backwards is... |
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thataway
Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Posts: 20814 City/Region: Pensacola
State or Province: FL
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: thataway
Photos: Thataway
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Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2014 7:39 pm Post subject: |
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Keep the truck and fix it. Although some of the smaller SUV's will tow the 22, a truck is better. Plus everyone one needs a truck! _________________ Bob Austin
Thataway
Thataway (Ex Seaweed) 2007 25 C Dory May 2018 to Oct. 2021
Thisaway 2006 22' CDory November 2011 to May 2018
Caracal 18 140 Suzuki 2007 to present
Thataway TomCat 255 150 Suzukis June 2006 thru August 2011
C Pelican; 1992, 22 Cruiser, 2002 thru 2006
Frequent Sea; 2003 C D 25, 2007 thru 2009
KA6PKB
Home port: Pensacola FL |
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Dan McNally
Joined: 04 Jul 2006 Posts: 161 City/Region: Bothell
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 2005
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Shannon- Colleen
Photos: Shannon-Colleen
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Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2014 9:12 pm Post subject: |
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Fix the truck my newest is a 1995. |
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gulfcoast john
Joined: 14 Dec 2012 Posts: 989 City/Region: PENSACOLA
State or Province: FL
C-Dory Year: 2010
C-Dory Model: 255 Tomcat
Vessel Name: Cat O' Mine
Photos: CAT O' MINE
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Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2014 9:21 pm Post subject: |
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Agree with Thataway, as usual.
With a 3/4 ton diesel truck you can go to Lowes when you need to buy some light bulbs or whatever.
My truck will hold a lot of them.
cheers!
John _________________ John and Eileen Highsmith
2010 Tom Cat 255, Cat O' Mine
Yamaha F150, LXF150 |
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jkidd
Joined: 23 Oct 2006 Posts: 1616 City/Region: Northern, Utah
State or Province: UT
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Voyager
Photos: Voyager (JK)
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Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2014 10:09 pm Post subject: |
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Buy my 2004 Tahoe _________________ Jody Kidd
KE7WNG
Northern, Utah
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williwaw
Joined: 05 Jan 2014 Posts: 148 City/Region: Portland
State or Province: OR
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 23 Venture
Vessel Name: Williwaw
Photos: Williwaw
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Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2014 11:02 pm Post subject: |
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If I may be a bit contrarian, driving is by far the most dangerous thing we do on a regular basis. Buy a late model truck and rest easy your family is protected by the latest safety features. My 2009 Tacoma is mid-sized, seats four comfortably, has airbags all over the place and will tow 6500 lbs. I'd mention the good mileage but you said you didn't care about that 😊 |
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Barry Rietz
Joined: 21 Jun 2006 Posts: 409 City/Region: Sierra Vista
State or Province: AZ
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Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2014 11:20 pm Post subject: What would you do? |
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Johnr, Before you make a decision purchase a couple of bottles of a product called "Bars Leak". Its an "old school" blown head gasket and cracked engine block sealer that has worked for me many times. As long as you are towing locally and are not tempted to go long haul, it just might do the job. Its a cheap gamble and worth the time to give it a try. Let us know how things go. _________________ Barry Rietz
N9DXC |
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