2006 16' Cruiser

timetofish · Joined: 30 Jan 2006 Posts: 7 State or Province: CA

First off I would like to say this is a very nice site to browse thru!

After visiting my second boat show this month I'm leaning towards the 16' Cruiser. From what I've read the earlier 20'+ models are great. Do the newer smaller models hold up as well? I love the style and simplicity of these boats but just wondered how the hull holds up.

I boat/fish on the delta here in the Bay Area so I encounter some kinda rough seas every now and then. But nothing like outside the Golden Gate!!

I'm pretty much sold on the boat, just wanted to get a little more info from some experts(that don't work for a dealership). Thanks.

lloyds · Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2006 1:10 pm Post subject:

We bought a 2005 16' cruiser in september of 2005. Currently we only have about 100 hours on it but really like it. Previously we owned several Boston Whalers and several sailboats and the C Dory is very different from any of the others. They are simply, but solidly, built. They don't have the finish of a Whaler, but they are certainly more comfortable for use here in the northwest. We have crossed the straits of juan de fuca a couple times, once in fairly significant seas and they handle just fine. And there can't be many boats out there as economical to run as a C Dory. I got 7 hours off my first 6 gallons of gas. Being able to maintain a planing attitude at under 15 knots is a very significant fuel saver. The 16' is a little cramped, but for occasional camping for two people is very doable. For dealer and owner support, there is none better in the industry. See what the rest of the owners are saying about the factory, and their dealers, and you will gain a lot of respect for the boats and the people that build, sell, and service them. I have been really pleased at the purchase of the C Dory, and just wish I had done it sooner.

Sea Wolf · Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2006 1:16 pm Post subject:

timetofish-

The hulls of all CD's are bullet-proof!!! Plan on willing the one you buy to one of your kids in your will!

I've got a 1987 22 ft. Cruiser that is as strong at 19 years as a new boat.

You can buy a used 22 for about the price of a new 16. The 22 is twice as big inside as a 16. Plus the cabin is completely enclosed.

Kept my boat in the Delta near Isleton at Oxbow Marina for several years while we still lived in the Bay Area. The CD-22 is as near a perfect Delta fishing boat as you'll ever find.

Welcome aboard!

Joe.

Norm S · Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2006 1:31 pm Post subject:

First off Welcome! You are correct this is a great site with a bunch of wonderful folks and a lot of good information. While my boat is not a 16 it is one of the few 18s built. Mine is 22 yrs old in a couple of months. It was also not treated exactly kindly by some of it's previous owners. The hull is in excellent shape. Even abused as she was all the issues I have had have been cosmetic. Looking at the Brat map there are a few 16 anglers in your part of the world. I'd bet that some of those folks would be happy to show you their boats and how well they've held up. I too had settled on a 16 cruiser before I found my boat. Looking back and how I use the boat the extra cockpit / fishing room and the lockable storage in the bow of the angler would have been a better choice for me. But I've found that about 90 % of my use is fishing, crabbing and day use. Everybodys' usages are different though. I'm sure some of the 16 owners will add their input on how great a boat these are.
Norm

timetofish · Joined: 30 Jan 2006 Posts: 7 State or Province: CA

Thanks for the quick replies!!

My wife and I talked about going the used route but she wants the feeling of knowing the history behind the boat/motor. Which I don't mind.

As for space and hauling the 16' is about the max I can go.

My parents are in the process of getting a 30' Grady White so I will be sharing my time between the two vessels when I get cramped. Oh darn!!

So I'm on my way to Sea-Power after work to really settle my nerves and maybe even go for a test drive!

oldgrowth · Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2006 3:59 pm Post subject:

I have a 16' cruiser and I will second lloyds assessment of the boat. We have used it for camping on many occasions and spent as many as 4 days and nights on it. It gets cramped and hard to keep from overloading it, although it handles the extra weight very well. It is a great little boat and very easy to tow. It is not a four-person boat or even a three-person boat, even though the placard says 4 people max. While it may hold four people there is no room for them to move around. Make sure your anticipated use is such that the 16’ will be big enough, otherwise you will find yourself in the same position as me, wishing that you had gotten the 22’. Whichever C-Dory you get will be a fun experience.

timetofish · Joined: 30 Jan 2006 Posts: 7 State or Province: CA

Well the day has arrived!! I put the order in on Saturday for my new 16' Cruiser. It will be delivered around mid April. I paired it with the 50 h.p. E-Tec. I can't get this smile off my face..... Very Happy

lloyds · Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2006 1:58 pm Post subject:

Timetofish: Glad to hear of the purchase. You will love it. I asked the dealer in washington about the e-tec and he was reluctant to go that route because of the weight but I wasn't so sure. I ended up going with the honda 50 so I will be real curious how the e-tec does for you. Hope to hear soon. I fished a couple times near martinez, in the carquinaz straits. Don't know about the spelling. The tide really howls through there, but there are some monster sturgeon in the area. We regularly saw 8'+- fish jumping over by the mothballed fleet.

timetofish · Joined: 30 Jan 2006 Posts: 7 State or Province: CA

My dealer talked awhile about the Honda/E Tec comparison. The only down side I found was the 40lbs weight difference. He said the hole shot is better with the E Tec and the "out of the box" no break in period is cool. Not to mention the 7 year warranty is really hard to pass up! I'll be sure to post on the overall performance when I get the pleasure of riding her.

oldgrowth · Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2006 9:35 pm Post subject:

timetofish, don't worry about the extra weight. The 16 will handle it without any trouble. Many of the members with 16’s have kicker engines also. I use to have an 8 HP Honda kicker on my 16 with the 50 HP Honda main. I carried 21 gallons of gas plus 5 gallons of water on the stern (about 475 lbs total). I counter balanced that weight with forward weight and the boat did OK. More important than a little extra weight, is that the weight is properly distributed on you boat. Before I took my kicker engine off and started watching the weight I had on board, I was running around with 1425 to 1475 pounds on board. The extra 40 lbs you have on board won’t even be noticed. I now try to keep my weight down in the 1300 lb range.

Byrdman · Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2006 9:55 pm Post subject:

Congrats Time2fish. You will love you 16 Cruiser. They are tuff....great boats. Wished many a day I still had Jabez, and had to get me an old 18 Angler to get over it.