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Murky Dregs



Joined: 08 Oct 2021
Posts: 12
City/Region: Bronx
State or Province: NY
PostPosted: Mon Oct 11, 2021 4:58 pm    Post subject: Introduction... Hello one, hello all! Reply with quote

My wife and I are retiring to Maine and I've actually somehow managed to pull off a miracle... she's agreeable regarding the idea of a boat!

A boat that we can have little adventures with.

Now, I have a tremendous amount of sea miles under my belt... the problem is I was an aircraft mechanic, on aircraft carriers; needless to say my seamanship is wanting and most of my salty crustiness revolved around liberty and bars all over the Pacific.

Anywho, I've bought some books... there's a text by the Auxiliary Coast Guard, and Chapman's Piloting & Seamanship so I plan to dig in. One of the first things I plan on getting involved with up in Maine is availing myself of some hands-on courses and such as well as hopefully making some friends...friends with boats. Smile It doesn't hurt that my brother just screened for command of an SSN either so, great resource there right in the family.

I found this website because my search for what may be the ideal boat pointed to all things C-Dory.

I'm kind of shocked at how they're such a succinct expression of so many creature comforts in what seems to be a small and relatively affordable package.

It's easy to see why these boats generate such enthusiasm and loyalty among their operators.

Our new house will be less than 5 miles from one of the more popular marinas on the Maine coast, Buck's Harbor. There's also a plethora of maintenance services and such in the area not to mention the Maritime College in Castine.

We see us bopping up and down the Maine coast for some beach camping, some light fishing, I can get a recreational lobster license, we already have friends in Rockland & Belfast, etc.. So Daytrips, overnighters, and short multi-day excursions will be the order of things. Ideally, we'll be immersing ourselves in the lifestyle of the area, and who knows from there... these little boats can go anywhere, and I have a boating friend who owns a house in the Keys... but a jaunt of that nature is way down the line.

Still, it's extraordinary that such a seemingly humble vessel possesses the capability to enable such trips.

My thinking is the 23' will be ideal, as long as I can get one of those Airhead toilets installed on board- a definite requirement for the Missus. We could go bigger, possibly entertaining the idea of the 26' but that's a lot more dough to lay out for a toilet and shower.

Ultimately fuel efficiency and operating cost is a big driver for me and I've been wondering which hull offers the best.

This isn't going to be an impulse purchase. It is on the timeline potentially for 2023. A new build may be in the equation if I can't get lucky and score something used in ideal condition, so decision time would be late 2022 considering factory turnaround time.

In the meantime I have a lot to learn and hopefully I'll be getting some good experience during next year's boating season which will inform me even further.

I see a lot of talk about these boats and trim. Seems to be there's a very rewarding art in finding the right configuration for given conditions in order to maximize travel with these craft. It also strikes me that they punch well above their weight in terms of safety and potentially more adverse scenarios than many other boats of this size...

Nevertheless, I'm just a noob and I know it!

A pleasure to make your acquaintances,

Murky
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Avidmagnum12



Joined: 23 Mar 2013
Posts: 668
City/Region: Ocklawaha
State or Province: FL
C-Dory Year: 2011
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: C-Otter
Photos: C-Otter
PostPosted: Mon Oct 11, 2021 5:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I’ve owned a 25’ C-Dory for 6 years and have also owned a 22’ for 5 years previously. They are totally different boats and meet different needs. The 25 has more beam and more storage. It’s a lot more than the “head”. We have an airhead on our boat and love it but I think it would be difficult to install one on a 22 or 23. I suggest you get a ride on all before you buy. It’s a lot cheaper to buy the boat that fits your needs the first time. A good used 25 or 26 is usually far cheaper than a new 22 or 23.

We have a gathering scheduled for March in Florida. If you have some time come on down. There will be most every model to look at.

Welcome .....and remember......we were all new to this at one time and I’m forever learning!

_________________
Tom and Joyce Schulke

2011 CD 25 "C-Otter" 07/2015 to present
2011 CD 25 "My Girl" 06/2015 renamed C-Otter
2004 CD 22 Commuter "Out2C" 03/10 to 06/15
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NORO LIM



Joined: 24 Apr 2008
Posts: 875
City/Region: Olympia
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 2006
C-Dory Model: 23 Venture
Vessel Name: NORO LIM (sold 12/12/14)
Photos: NORO LIM
PostPosted: Mon Oct 11, 2021 5:25 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Welcome!

This is a great place to learn about C-Dorys and boating in general.

It sounds like you've got a good start on preparing for boat ownership. I retired having never owned a boat. (Well, I owned half a canoe for six months when I was 20.) We had two C-Dory's, a 16 and a 23, and loved them both. We did things in ours and went places in them I never would have thought possible when I was younger. They are great boats.

Most of what I know about boating, I learned right here. Ask as many questions as you want. Somebody will take a stab at answering. Learn how to search the site, because almost anything you can think of has probably been discussed at least once.

You have identified the dilemma facing many prospective buyers. You really like the 23, for instance. You love its economy and ease of handling and trailering. Ah, but then you (or at least one of you) wants an airhead. As a practical matter, fitting a "real" head on a 23 foot boat is very difficult. It can be done, but you will give up considerable space. If you simply must have a real bathroom, look at the 25 or the 26 and decide if you can deal with the size and expense of a bigger boat.

All boating is a series of compromises. Good luck in you search for finding the right ones!

_________________
Bill, Formerly on NORO LIM
2001 CD 16, 2001-2006
2006 CC 23, 2006-2014
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thataway



Joined: 02 Nov 2003
Posts: 20778
City/Region: Pensacola
State or Province: FL
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: thataway
Photos: Thataway
PostPosted: Mon Oct 11, 2021 5:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Welcome aboard! I would suggest looking at the 25 if you really want a composting toilet, or any privacy type of toilet.
_________________
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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Murky Dregs



Joined: 08 Oct 2021
Posts: 12
City/Region: Bronx
State or Province: NY
PostPosted: Mon Oct 11, 2021 6:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Some good stuff already. Pragmatism.

I've been wondering about how easy it is to fit an ideal head on the smaller boats.

I can massage the house build to make room for a potential 26'.

I'm not too worried about towing, we're on the waiting list for the Ford F150 Lightning...

Boatwise, what's the difference between the 25' and the 26'?

I'll search the forums as well.
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hardee



Joined: 30 Oct 2006
Posts: 12632
City/Region: Sequim
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 2005
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Sleepy-C
Photos: SleepyC
PostPosted: Tue Oct 12, 2021 1:13 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Murky, WELCOME to the best C-Dory place on the planet. It sounds like you are well on your way to a successful acquisition --- the homework phase. And you do have a good family resource. Between him and your access to this site you have a gold mine of resource and it sounds like you have some great motivation. I'm going to stick my neck out here and say you are going to be successful in your finding the right boat and putting it tp the right use for you.

I started boating at 6 years old, paddle craft, rowing, then sailing and now for the last 15+ years, a C-Dory. We have all taken a different path to get here, but we are all here, and sharing our "here" keeps us going and keeps others going too.

Enjoy. Ask. Search. Ask some more, and share. Everything you could want to know about C-Dorys is right here at your fingertips.

Harvey
SleepyC Moon


_________________
Though in our sleep we are not conscious of our activity or surroundings, we should not, in our wakefulness, be unconscious of our sleep.
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Murky Dregs



Joined: 08 Oct 2021
Posts: 12
City/Region: Bronx
State or Province: NY
PostPosted: Thu Oct 14, 2021 8:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks Hardee!

My wife is already amenable to a 26'...as long as she gets her head. Smile

I've been looking at alternative cruisers and such and it looks as if nobody packs this much boat into the package at the prices I've seen.
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hardee



Joined: 30 Oct 2006
Posts: 12632
City/Region: Sequim
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 2005
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Sleepy-C
Photos: SleepyC
PostPosted: Fri Oct 15, 2021 1:11 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Murky Dregs wrote:
Thanks Hardee!

My wife is already amenable to a 26'...as long as she gets her head. Smile

I've been looking at alternative cruisers and such and it looks as if nobody packs this much boat into the package at the prices I've seen.


Since I boat on a 22, the 26 seems like only one step down from an aircraft carrier, but it comes with a head and if that's what it takes - - enjoy. (Personally I would aim for an "AirHead" It will do the job, and you will be much happier.)

Harvey
SleepyC Moon

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Murky Dregs



Joined: 08 Oct 2021
Posts: 12
City/Region: Bronx
State or Province: NY
PostPosted: Fri Oct 15, 2021 11:26 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

hardee wrote:
Murky Dregs wrote:
Thanks Hardee!

My wife is already amenable to a 26'...as long as she gets her head. Smile

I've been looking at alternative cruisers and such and it looks as if nobody packs this much boat into the package at the prices I've seen.


Since I boat on a 22, the 26 seems like only one step down from an aircraft carrier, ...
Harvey
SleepyC Moon





I'd love to keep it at the 23' but an agreeable wife is priceless. Very Happy
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bridma



Joined: 13 Sep 2011
Posts: 1155
City/Region: Comox
State or Province: BC
C-Dory Year: 2009
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Nomad
Photos: Nomad
PostPosted: Fri Oct 15, 2021 5:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

In my boating life I have owned (not counting dingy's, kyaks, etc) 6 sail boats and 5 power boats. Of the 11 boats, my favourite, hands down, was the C-Dory, no question.
I will probably never have another C-Dory as I have moved away from the coast and now have a lake day boat.
But should I ever find myself back on the Chuck, I would take a long hard look at a 25 C-Dory or a Tomcat. Think happy wife, happy life and you know why.

Martin.
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Dubuque chad



Joined: 07 Jul 2019
Posts: 43
City/Region: Dubuque
State or Province: IA
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Laura J
PostPosted: Sat Oct 16, 2021 8:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Get the 25. You'll like the toilet as much as her
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forrest



Joined: 02 Nov 2003
Posts: 381
City/Region: Chehalis
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 26 Venture
Vessel Name: Long Story
Photos: Long Story
PostPosted: Sat Oct 16, 2021 9:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
I'd love to keep it at the 23' but an agreeable wife is priceless.


When I was deciding between a 23 and 26, my daughter would grab my face and say, "Dad look me in the eyes, get the one with the bathroom". If I looked away she would say it again. Now that I'm seventy I'm sure glad she talked me into the 26.
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srbaum



Joined: 30 Aug 2010
Posts: 875
City/Region: Portsmouth
State or Province: VA
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 26 Venture
Vessel Name: Osprey
Photos: Osprey
PostPosted: Sat Oct 16, 2021 9:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I totally agree with Forrest, that the 26 is an excellent choice. We were aiming for a 25, but then we saw the 26 and my wife wrote a check immediately to purchase the boat and we truly enjoy it.
_________________
Steve Baum
Homeport of Portsmouth, VA
OSPREY (Ex Mister Sea) 2000 22 C-Dory 2010 - Sold 3/19
OSPREY (Ex ADITI) 2007 26 Cape Cruiser 2018
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TyBoo



Joined: 23 Oct 2003
Posts: 5310
City/Region: Warrenton
State or Province: OR
C-Dory Year: 1996
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruise Ship
Vessel Name: TyBoo
Photos: TyBoo
PostPosted: Sat Oct 16, 2021 10:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Welcome, we are glad you looked us up!

Not much I can add to what has already been shared. The CD25 or the CD26 look like the choices for you.

It sounds like you are in a wonderful boating area and in a very good place in your life for it all to come together. My guess it will be earlier rather than late 2022 if you are looking now and find the right boat. If you are looking at used you will find they don't stay on the market for long.

Best of luck and please keep in touch.

_________________
TyBoo Mike
Sold: 1996 25' Cruise Ship
Sold: 1987 22' Cruiser
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