Let me introduce myself

[C-Brat Wannabe]

Since I've broken out of my lurking mode and started posting questions, maybe I should give a little background so it'll be better understood where I'm coming from when I post questions.

I've spent the last 22 years in the Air Force, most recently overseas in the UK before coming to Elmendorf AFB, AK in 2001. My family and I quickly fell in love with this area of the world and decided this is where we will sink roots. The Air Force was generous to give me a second tour in AK, so I'm looking at Air Force retirement in 2009...gives me 3 yrs to decide what I want to do when I grow up.

I grew up fishing on the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia. My Dad had a trailered 17' Wellcraft center console as a first boat; followed second by a 20' Wellcraft Steplift which we kept in a storage barn with forklift launch method. I learned to handle both boats in various conditions on the bay growing up, but the Air Force hasn't presented me with many opportunities to practice my boating skills.

We've been on several Halibut charters since we've been here. Our goal is to become independent with a boat mainly for use in Prince William Sound out of Whittier, Resurrection Bay out of Seward , and Cook Inlet from the Kenai Penisula. Want to get out to fish, maybe drop a shrimp pot, and explore on our own schedule.

I believe I've settled on a C-Dory. I love the salty look of the boat. It appears to provide decent shelter from the elements (this ain't Virginia), a versatile platform, and economy of operation with the size of motor required. All of that at what I consider a reasonable price.

This is a fantastic site with a great bunch of folks. I'll be hanging around to learn all I can, posting my ignorant newbie questions from time to time, and making comment when I feel it will be value added.

Thanks for such a great forum.

[El and Bill]

Rob --
Welcome aboard. There are owners in your part of the world who, we're sure, will be offering 'demo rides' and have experience in the waters you are intending to travel. Nice to have another Alaskan in the pub -- and take it from retired teachers, there's no such thing as a dumb question. Ask away.

[Valkyrie]

Welcome aboard Rob!

Number one: thanks for your service to our country. You are greatly appreciated!

I joined this sight about 15 months ago and have learned a great deal about our favorite boat and more importantly, have made some great friends, even though I've yet to encounter them in person.

This is a great place and glad to have you join the C-Brats community. Good luck in your search for the right C-Dory.

Nick and Marcia
"Valkyrie"

[Pat Anderson]

Thanks for the background, Rob - it is really nice to know a little about the folks who frequent this place! And your thanks should go to Bill (Da Nag) and Mike (Tyboo), who have created what as far as I can see is just about the finest site on the net bar none...

[Dora~Jean]

Welcome Rob, I too come from the USAF branch, but as a reservist. Mine was an enjoyable experience, mostly perched on isolated mountain-tops running/maintaining Korean war vintage FM communications equipment (tubes) in the 1970's. Got into some 'state of the art' tropospheric scatter equipment with TRANSISTORS later on! Proud to serve and my thanks to you for your service as well to our great country.

I agree, this is a great site with very well-seasoned, knowledgable, helpful and downright friendly people. Heck, you may get so much 'experience' reading all the posts that you'll find running a C-Dory (if that's what you choose) nearly second nature.

An observation that I haven't seen mentioned yet is that you'll notice nearly all discussions center around how to add this, add that, make this more comfortable, a new feature, etc. What's missing? Problems! Yes, some discussions go into mechanical difficulties or challenges that are bound to occur from time to time on a boat, but the majority of folks owning these boats dwell on add-ons, features and upcoming trips. Says something about these boats...I absolutely love mine, installing a forced air heater beginning this weekend.

Steve

[SEA3PO]

And we'all expect a blow by blow description of that heater installation Steve.

Joel
SEA3PO

[Yellowstone]

Rob - Anticipation always makes reaching the goal that much better. The old C-Dory is simply a niche classic. Don't worry about questions that might suggest less experience than some of the salty dogs who prowl on this web-site. There are a few genuine experts all right. Many like me are experts on nothing but opinions on everything. Learning is part of the fun, and I have to say in the last 10 years with a 22' cruiser, it is still continuing. Welcome aboard.

John

[Casey]

Rob, to you and your family - Welcome Aboard!

With retirement looming, and being in AK for another tour you have the perfect opportunity to really fine-tune your Alaskan version of a post-USAF lifestyle. "Good on ya."

As for Steve's suggestion that C-Dory's are without problems, I BEG TO DIFFER !

We are currently sitting at our home in AZ, debating our C-Dory Problem. We are challenged to decide if this summer will be spent exploring the northern reaches of the Georgia Straits and maybe up to Prince Rupert, or simply trailer back to Prince Rupert for another summer's exploration of Southeast Alaska. Decisions, decisions. All this came about after we decided to forego the Erie Canal and the canals of eastern Ontario for yet another summer, and return to the pacific northwest. That decision, by the way, was made last winter while we had Naknek in Florida.

Not-to-worry though, good friends and C-Dory Loyalists will help us finalize this summer's decisions while we're sitting around a campfire at Lake Powell in another week or so.

All this goes to show that C-Dory's are not without their Problems. You will be presented with an unending array of decisions regarding how to outfit YOUR boat, followed by the never ending responsibilities of where to go next. I suppose it might be simpler if C-Dory's were 30+ feet long and not so easily trailerable. ...or, didn't work so well for boatcamping. ...or, not very good fishing machines. ...and don't expect to simply drive into a gas station or restaurant while on the road. Those days are over. People will constantly hound-you with questions and requests to see that "cute" boat.

So, be forewarned. Buy a C-Dory and your Life will probably never be the same again.

...but then sometime's problems are a Good Thing!

Casey
C-Dory Naknek

[JamesTXSD]