We’re Moving Up, but Not Out…

RobMcClain

Never thought I’d do this but life is full of surprises, especially now. My wife Mary and I have traded in our Cape Cruiser 23 “Freedom” (2.0) on a Cutwater 30 Sedan, to be delivered in September. We’ll be berthing in Portland, where our kids and grandkids will be moving. We always joked about having a slightly bigger boat up there when they finally move, and now it’s no longer a joke. The new Freedom (3.0) will serve as our home away from home, plus let us discover the Columbia River and it’s tributaries (areas we have yet to cruise). Plus, we can still have it towed north for more periodic cruising of the Sound, Islands, and Canadian waters.

We owned Freedom since May of 2012 and joyously cruised many of the waterways and lakes of the US. We also thoroughly enjoyed attending several C-Brats gatherings and cruises, and made many long lasting friendships. Our biggest reasons for moving up are the gain the private head and shower, and room for our granddaughters (and yes, their parents too). The Venture simply wasn’t built to comfortably hold 6 people for any length of time. C-Brats isn’t getting rid of us though, as we love the group and fully intend to continue our participation.

The Cape Cruiser is now listed with Sundance Yacht Sales in Portland, OR. As I mentioned, because we have already traded in the boat we have no vested interest in the price or the sale. With that said I did want to give Brats a heads up in the event anyone is looking for a 23’ Venture model. We used the boat exclusively for cruising so it is outfitted for that, including a 100w solar panel on the roof and full cockpit enclosure. Should anyone want further info they should contact Brian Buck with Sundance in Portland. Their website and YachtWorld listing has photos of some of our interior modifications (also in our photo album here). Mary likes modifications, apparently. She is already busy planning some for Freedom 3.0…

We had originally thought about selling the boat ourselves, but living in the desert with the closest launch ramps at Lake Mead unusable, and with no marine surveyors handy, we started to consider other options. We then worked out an equitable trade with Sundance so we’re happy to move the boat along in this manner. It will be a wonderful platform for whoever buys it!

Rob

maryvmcclain · Posted: Sat Jun 12, 2021 10:49 pm Post subject:

I need to add that I am very very sad to sell our Cape Cruiser 23. I seriously lobbied to keep both boats... one on each coast but Rob said no. (Wouldn't you all love to have a wife who wants 2 boats?) I'd like to have the Cutwater moved to the east coast in a few years and to repeat the legs of the Great Loop we did several years ago on the Cape Cruiser. I'm also now tempted to take the C-30 to Alaska.

We've attended so many C-Dory gatherings (Bellingham, Yellowstone, Lake Powell, Hontoon, North Carolina Loop, Meet in the Middle (Mississippi). Every one was really special. We even attended a Ranger Tug event in Maryland and, while it was very nice, it certainly wasn't as fun as our C-Brats events.

We've had many many boats over the years and each gave us different fun memories but our Freedom (2.0) Cape Cruiser will be hard to beat. It's going to be a hard act to follow for the Cutwater!

Mary McClain
First Mate and Purser
Freedom
23 Cape Cruiser (Venture)

thataway · Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2021 12:18 am Post subject:

We do have some of the "Ranger" group join the C Dory Gathering in Hontoon--and elsewhere. Once a C Brat always a C Brat!

Congratulations on the new boat! It is one big boat to trailer. Also it appears to be the only diesel inboard powered boat that Cutwater sells now??

maryvmcclain · Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2021 12:27 am Post subject:

Yes, I believe it's the only diesel they still sell but I'm not positive. They are definitely doing more OB. We decided on the diesel only because we really like looking out the stern and the idea of hanging out on the back facing swim step when we are anchored. The HUGE outboards just are so obstructive to that peaceful view.

I'm REALLY thrilled to have that swim step entry to the boat as well as the head/shower. We won't be trailering this boat ourselves but the dealer quoted us a very reasonable price to bring it to Washington when we want to cruise those waters....just a few hundred dollars... They have a dealership in Seattle as well and are always bringing boats back and forth. So we didn't even buy a trailer at this point.

maryvmcclain · Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2021 12:28 am Post subject:

Yes, I believe it's the only diesel they still sell but I'm not positive. They are definitely doing more OB. We decided on the diesel only because we really like looking out the stern and the idea of hanging out on the back facing swim step when we are anchored. The HUGE outboards just are so obstructive to that peaceful view.

I'm REALLY thrilled to have that swim step entry to the boat as well as the head/shower. We won't be trailering this boat ourselves but the dealer quoted us a very reasonable price to bring it to Washington when we want to cruise those waters....just a few hundred dollars... They have a dealership in Seattle as well and are always bringing boats back and forth. So we didn't even buy a trailer at this point.
Mary

srbaum · Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2021 7:00 am Post subject:

Mary and Rob,
Congratulations on your decision, no doubt, it will fill all of your future boating goals. I hope that you do get to continue the loop legs at some point, as there are many wonderful places to see at a leisurely pace.
I only wish that my wife would allow me to have more than one boat 😁.
Lastly, someone will be lucky enough to own Freedom 2, as it is a fantastic boat and a great value.

RobMcClain · Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2021 6:54 pm Post subject:

This is just a follow up post on the sale our of Venture 23. The listing agent at Sundance Yachts in Portland quickly had a pending sale on it but I just now learned the sale has fallen thru at the last minute, so they will be relisting it. As I mentioned in my original post, we traded in the boat so we have no horse in the race to sell it. With that said, it’s an awesome boat that we truly loved for 9 years and it’s in beautiful condition. We would like to see it go to another loving buyer so that’s why I’m making this post on C-Brats. Anyone who is looking for a Venture 23 might want to check out this listing.

Rob