Best boat show to check out C-dory

gulfcoast john · Posted: Fri Jul 22, 2022 7:14 pm Post subject:

Gavin,

Fiberglass is mostly a petroleum based product, cats have 65% more of it than monohulls and yes the price is going up as you may have noticed. COVID led many folks to buy a boat for the freedom and escapism. The market is reflecting that, but a recession could reverse it all. BOATUS once estimated that outfitting a new boat typically costs 25% of its price. After 13 trailer boats we think that’s about right for most buyers.

This 2019 TC255 was listed here for $175k (and note how quick it was snapped up). We met J.M. and Gail at the Jan Ft Myers Looper Rendezvous…that boat was very well equipped including AP. Now they’re on a Nordic Tug 32. Also a nice boat.

http://www.c-brats.com/viewtopic.php?t=30550

We feel a rooftop RV AC is needed even in Quebec in the summer. Because the sponsons ride on bunks that HAVE to be ABOVE the massive trailer tires, our radar is only three inches under the 13.5 foot Federal height limit on the trailer. I’m not sure about room for bikes on the road (we rent them a lot). Trying to secure bikes to a roof stand from a finger pier is something to think (or shudder) about. Monohull hulls can squat partially between the bunks but over the axles, so they don’t ride as high on a trailer. I doubt you need radar, but Class B+ (send/receive) AIS is cheap and much more helpful on the rivers in dealing with commercial traffic.

Think carefully about whether you want to bust the 8.5 foot Federal beam limit. A Ranger 29 (10 foot beam) has a LOT more room, but requires a separate State DOT permit for EVERY state to travel through and then again on the way back. We met a NJ couple on one in FM ($270,000 he said) who noted permits cost $500 each way and were a hassle to get. However, an annual permit for just your state is relatively easy.

If Colby towed an overwide rig, I estimate that by now he would have paid over $600,000 in overwide fees to various state DOT offices. (He gets around more than we do).

PM me if you’d like to chat or are interested in driving down to crawl around our boat. You’d need Real ID state driver licenses and for us to escort you on base. Edgewater Yachts is nearby and the largest Fluid Motion (Ranger/Cutwater) dealer in FL. Call owner Emile Pedro re whether he’d allow boarding vs gawking through the chain link fence (only Buyers can be Choosers?). That 29 is pending sale.

https://www.edgewateryachtsales.com

Other alternatives include attending the March 7-9 Hontoon Hoot, or to meet up with us when we finish the Cumberland/Tennessee river Loop portion we didn’t complete in 2018 (Huntsville/Ditto Landing to Knoxville) in the fall when tree colors are best.

So many boats, so many choices!

Hope this is helpful.

John

Gavin17 · Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2022 5:07 pm Post subject:

I think rooftop ac is the way to go based on multiple recommendations. I'd try to fit bikes around it when on the water but put them in the back of the truck when on land. We have a truck setup for our RV already. Getting them on the roof from a dock or pier does sound challenging.

The main thing keeping me from a 10 ft beam is the economy of everything. All else equal I'd find a 10' boat and deal w/ the permits. Until we retire, we'd only tow for 1-3 trips per year and they have to be well planned with vacation days etc. I'm used to this.

However 10' beam boats tend to be more expensive and use more fuel and take more truck/ fuel to tow and nowhere to park it at my house and typically lower cruising speed etc. When you add all that up we'll probably stick w/ an 8.5' beam for now unless I stumble on a deal somewhere.

As far as radar/ sonar/ radios I'm not sure what I'll need. I only have limited experience w/ those on friends boats so eventually I'll need to research that.

I’m also thinking that we may want to order new since we’ll stay mostly in fresh water and lots of C-Dorys live in salt. I called a few marinas today to ask about the waiting list for slips and that took the wind out of my sails a bit....

ssobol · Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2022 5:49 pm Post subject:

thataway · Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2022 6:14 pm Post subject:

ssobol · Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2022 11:11 am Post subject:

thataway · Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2022 11:54 am Post subject:

Gavin17 · Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2022 5:05 pm Post subject:

Pelican · Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2022 10:26 pm Post subject:

Don’t count on seeing a C-Dory at the Seattle boat show. There weren’t any last year. I called Northwest Marine Industries (nmiboats.com) in Bellingham, who directed me to their biggest local dealer in Mt. Vernon. The response: not enough inventory to supply the demand, and a wait list over a year long. So why pay to advertise?