About to buy my FIRST boat!!!

[Eliump2147]

Looks like I'll become the new owner of "Bowhous" soon!!! I'm super excited about finding her, but I'm reaching out to you here to get your take on using a C-Dory 16' Cruiser on Lake Superior. The furthest I could ever imagine even wanting to go in the boat is 20 miles across the lake from my north shore home near Beaver Bay, MN to the Apostle Islands or 20 miles across from Grand Portage, MN to Isle Royale. I have next to no boating experience and could certainly get my ears wet by tooling around one of the many smaller lakes in Northern MN prior to hitting the big lake.

Among the seaworthiness and credibility of the C-Dory line, what has me wanting this boat is its towability. I could tow it with either my Volvo S60 R-Design (3000 lb capacity) or my yet to take delivery on, my Winnebago Revel/Mercedes 2500 4x4 Sprinter Van/RV. Additionally, I love that I can overnight in the C-Dory.

Given what I've said above, what are your thoughts on this boat for me, please? I welcome all voices and thank you for accepting me on this site.

Elisa "Eli" U.

[Barry Rietz]

Eli, Congratulations on purchasing your very first boat, and welcome aboard the C-Brats website. You are going to have a great time, both with the boat, and joining in on this website! In the interest of being brief, the very first thing you want to do is sign up for a boating course through one of the Coast Guard Auxiliary groups. The instruction they provide is invaluable and it will provide answers to questions such as you have asked here. We all look forward to your progress and will watch for future posts on C-Brats!

[South of Heaven]

Welcome to the group. Congrats! I remember that feeling well. Lots of fun to be had in a 16.

I was in your "boat" three years ago. I had ZERO boating experience when I bought the 16 (I am a strong swimmer though). I learned almost everything from online research and a USCG aux course. I suggest you do both and really immerse yourself on this site and others. There's lots of valuable info out there.

Watch the weather windows and don't venture out too far in the beginning. Your main goal initially is to take the boat out and get it back in one piece! Little by little you'll get more comfortable with the boat and it's/your abilities. It could happen in a few days or a few months! Don't be complacent though. It's still only a 16' boat....


Also try and learn about the engine and fuel stuff. It's a pretty simple system to maintain and troubleshoot but if you don't have the right tools and spar parts then you can't do anything! Learn how to change the Racor filter when you're on land, not bouncing on the water. Keep the fuel clean and stabilized. Buy a TowBoat US or SeaTow membership!

Good luck! And have fun! Sorry if I'm acting preachy but Im just trying to share some of what I learned after buying my first boat (16' C Dory). I did lots of solo boating (and still do) and when you're out there alone the margin for error is increased.


PS: I'd like to see some pics of the new Sprinter van too! One of my colleagues bought a new Sprinter van a few years ago and did a total overhaul to it to make it into a proper camping van for motorcycle trips. Make sure you ask the mods on here for a photo album. Cheers man

[LakeHouse4305]

Agree totally with previous comments. One thing that can't be emphasized enough though - - ALWAYS wear a PFD! The inflatables of today are so much more comfortable than the old fashioned "life jackets" that there is no excuse for not wearing them. Make it a habit to put on before getting in the boat so it becomes automatic.

As noted, one hates to be preachy but this was driven home just yesterday when an 80 year old man was drowned in a lake here in Madison....

[thataway]

You are buying an very nice boat. I have looked at your part of the world from an RV--and attempted to get a trip to the Apostle Islands on a 50 foot tour boat a few years back in June--it was either too rough or foggy for the entire week we were in Bayfield, Wi. For short trips in calm weather it is a great boat.

Start on smaller lakes, to get the "hang" of it. Then slowly progress to Lake Superior--so many wonderful places to explore there ! It is a seaworthy little boat, but it is not self bailing, and you really don't want to get caught out in rough weather.

The "Bible" of boating is Chapman's Piloting: Seamanship and small boat handling. You will not go wrong buying this tome and studying it. Go with the Power Squadron or Coast Guard Auxillary classes for all members of the family. If you are married, be sure that your wife learns to handle the boat as well as you!

A boat is a magic carpet. Welcome aboard.

[Avidmagnum12]

Hi Eli
You’re sure going to enjoy the Bowhous. It’s one of the nicest 16 footers I’ve seen. As far as boating on Lake Superior with a 16 ....no problem if you pick your days and plan for weather. Be conservative. There are two 16s that fish on Lake Superior out of the L’Anse area regularly. We will be traveling with some other C-Brats in July to Isle Royal out of Grand Portage, Minnesota. We could leave from Michigan but it is a longer crossing with more fetch. We also “buddy boat” in case of a problem. It’s a long way for help otherwise. I like your ideas about starting on smaller lakes first. If you have not already, take a boating safety course and get an experienced boater to show you the ropes. Life on the water is a continuous learning experience. I find that there’s some new challenge on every trip. After many years of boating I’m still learning.

Welcome to the C-Brats! Tom

[Eliump2147]

Oh my goodness, I love you all already!! Preach away! I need all the testimony I can get on boating, in particular boating in a 16' C-Dory. By the way, my full name is Elisa. I go by "Eli" (Ellie) though.

The information that has been share with me already has been extremely helpful. I will seek out and take the Coast Guard training suggested for me. Also, I'll get one of the PFD's that inflates when it hits the water. This way I'm sure to wear it when I'm out boating.

I don't recall which of you asked for pictures of my Winnebago Revel 4x4 RV, but I will post pics here when I take delivery of it in January or February 2019. By the time I put my order in all of the 2018's across the country were completely sold out! The Revel is a brand new offering from a major RV manufacturer for 2018. I'm super excited to get that as well!!!

Thanks again for the fantastic welcome to this group. I will be taking in all the info I can from the site for the elongated future. Who knows? Maybe come July I will take that trip to Isle Royale with the group!!!!

[thataway]

Eli, the model of a C Brat was someone who once owned a VW Westfalia Camper--you have shifted the paradigm by going to a Revel 4 x 4! The next generation's "VW camper--on steroids!" Neat looking rig! It should also make a great go anywhere combo for towing the boat and exploring all of the backroads!

[JamesTXSD]

Hi Eli and welcome aboard! I don't have more advice to add, since others have suggested things for a good start. The 16 is a great small boat, but the key word there is "small." It will provide BIG FUN experiences. Take your time to learn, get comfortable, and build on your experiences. As with the whole C-Dory line, the boat can take more than the skipper.

Congrats also on the Revel - that very capable Class B pulling the 16 will be able to take you on adventures all over the country!

You are going to have a lot of people here who will be looking forward to reading about your adventures, and hopefully getting to meet you at C-Brat gatherings.

Best wishes,
Jim

[C-Green]

Ditto to all of the above except joining TowBoat US or SeaTow - I don't think they serve very much of Lake Superior (I've done the whole shoreline and never saw a tow/service boat of theirs), not sure about MN lakes but I would assume just the large ones if any. Another recommendation for Lake Superior is radar - fog appears out of nowhere occasionally and without radar is no fun (not much fun either with radar). The one solution to this is to run with someone with radar which if you do the July Isle Royale trip some will have it and you'll also pick up lots of info/advise and have fun too. Also on Superior, there is no schedule - weather dictates, especially wind.

Jay

[hardee]

Hi Eli, and Welcome to C-BRATS. It is a great place and lots of very helpful folks and info available right at your fingertips. Good info so far, so find a class, and take it, maybe with a friend that might be along for the ride at times.

As to the SeaTow or TowBoatUS; call them both and find out who provides better coverage in your area. Either way, a membership to BoatUS is a good idea. They have a nice monthly magazine with useful info as well.

Congrats on the new to you boat and the Revel. You will be set to travel. Stick around here on the site, and learn and share.

Harvey
SleepyC