C-Dory Factory Survey - Take Two

[Da Nag]

Well, folks - looks like the factory would like even more C-Brat opinions.

I was contacted by Holly Whitemarsh at C-Dory - read below for details. Now's your chance to provide more detailed feedback than the previous survey.

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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

The C-Dory Marine Group has contracted the Avala Marketing Group to conduct a quantitative research survey of C-Dory owners, and we need your help. The survey will be conducted by telephone and will take about 15 minutes to complete. Participants will be entered into a drawing for $250 cash prize. The cash will be awarded on July 15.

This survey is separate and different from the survey that was posted on Survey Monkey – thank you for all who participated. We appreciate all the comments we received and the valuable insight into our C-Brats!

If you were a C-Dory Customer in the last 12-24 months and you wish to participate, please e-mail your name, address and phone number to hollywhitemarsh@c-dory.com Please type ‘survey’ in the subject line of the e-mail. Thank you.

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UPDATE - 6/25
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C-Dory has completed collecting this information. Thanks to all those who volunteered.

[Byrdman]

33 folks have read this...but zero replied.

Here goes. I have saved the below and will email the word file to the folks I know at the C-Dory factory. I do not like phone surveys...that is what the politicians do. I am a boater. All of these factory folks are always still welcome in my home. I have just seen changes over the years as an individual I do not think are positive for what is/was/could be a great line of differant, well crafted boats. I do love my C-Dory boats and care about them. Without them, I would not have met and enjoyed so many of your. Folks who are as crazy about boats as I am, and love traveling on them.

Byrdman

Now I guess if they are talking about C-Dory customers who have bought new boats from the current dealers, and they want THEM to participate in the "quantitative research survey of C-Dory owners...."

Found it interesting by sorting our wonderful C-Brat site that about 245 boats have the year model 06 or 07 which seems to fit the criteria of the requested survey market. About 10% of our registered users. About the same % we would shoot for when attempting to evaluate the climate and readiness of a unit to go do their battle job. I do not miss those days.

So I pondered a bit here…. I have bought one in that period, just not from the factory or a new dealership, or even one of the true lineage dealerships that have rigged, built and used these wonderful boats over the past 20 years. I have one of the cleanest 1984 boats on the water, of the Toland vintage…Hull # 14 of 14 of the C-Dory 18" Angler. One of the new dealerships has provided extensive re-build help to me and I am grateful. A lot of this work is good old fashion craftsmanship, a dying art it seems. We have shared many meals together in addition to putting on a Gulf Coast Gathering.

Myself and other “local” Heartland members have hosted 2-4 different gatherings well attended, by both brand new owners, and some of the more seasoned, well traveled C-Dory owners. In fact…we are already building up for several of us to put in the water at Eufaula, AL, cruise down the east side of Bama, west side of GA, down thru the Apalachicola River into the bay area, where we had the gathering last year, in the October timeframe, if the droughts end and the rivers catch water. Come join us. If we do it this way, in a week, we get to enjoy our boats on the water for about 6 days instead of a hurried two-day trip covering the same miles…mostly in our tow vehicles. I like to boat. We use our boats and “live on them” while doing so. That is why the little things are so large when making changes that affect just that little 6” spot… Those that have never had that spot…will not miss them or be aware of a roomier way until they are at a Gathering with other Brats and see their boats.

I will not be participating in this….quantitative research…that they are tossing out cash for. Sounds sort of like a drawing at the Bayliner factory to me, instead of a real neat niche boat with total quality in mind. Is this too how our dealers are being treated?

It would seem to me that if a growing/changing company truly wanted the input of its “foundation members”, they would have taken many of us up who have owned several C-Dory boats over the years, who offered to fly back out to the factory, or, fly just somewhere in the Nation that we could gather a good working group and just talk, share, agree, disagree, learn, teach…and talk C-Dory.

A friend of mine has written an article that may soon be published in Soundings which talks of the current climate of the marine industry. Sort of a push out more hulls, sell more hulls, just sell type of thing as I understand. I sure hope C-Dory does not fall into that fray, and remembers they still could be special…and have available a boat that no others have. Craftsmanship, not machines. Not a mirror of other day boats.

We truly have a core group of folks who have years of experience on our C-Dory hulls, and have not only seen the changes, many of them were much needed until of late….and have cruised days/weeks on these hulls…and truly use the boats for more than a simple day boat. In my heart of hearts, I really think they care, or hope they do. I feel they more than likely hit a snag in the growth process, and simply had to PUSH…numbers to get things settled a bit. Hopefully, that push is over, some hurtles cleared, and they can slow it back down to building neat, quality cruising boats.

Good Day.

Byrdman

[westward]

Greetings, folks. Byrdman: I absolutely share your concerns about quality, but I choose to cut C-Dory Marine a bit more slack. We just purchased a 2007 22' Angler, and sold our 22' Cruiser. I looked around a bit before making another committment to C-Dory and could not find a better alternative anywhere. Our priorities were simplicity, ease of maintenance, fuel economy, seakeeping, and resale. I have no illusions that these are the perfect boat, but what is the alternative? Not many builders unitize the hull/deck joint anymore, including some very expensive "high end" boats like Parker and Grady. The hardware (rails, cleats, windows, fittings, etc.) are pretty good for a recreational boat in my opinion. Most of the more robustly built hardtop boats of similar size require almost three times the horsepower (and the added expense that implies) to run. Whaler doesn't make a credible hardtop until you're well over $100,000. Many of the others' "hardtops" have removable plastic windshields, which don't work very well in wintertime. Welded aluminum in a marina creates electrolysis concerns and to wives they can seem ugly. I also sense that the factory listens to owners' concerns and input, and that their yearly upgrades/modifications reflect this. I think many folks consider stainless handrails and molded interiors upgrades rather than shortcuts. I'm not an apologist for C-Dory marine, and there a a few details I'd like to see done differently, but my experiences with the factory and with EQ as a dealer have been great so far. Of course I only have experience with the 22 and I know the other models are very different boats. Anyway, this is one boater's opinion, respectfully submitted. Take care, Mike.

[JamesTXSD]

I volunteered for the survey. We were amongst the last to take factory delivery of our boat 11 months ago. Since that time, there has been little contact with the factory. It would be interesting to give our opinion, but even more interesting to hear theirs. Not the rhetoric that permeates the advertising world with most products, but a real discussion... probably not what the factory has in mind, though.

As a former business owner, I was always interested in hearing from our clients. However, we operated our business for ourselves... keeping in mind what would also be best for our clients. I certainly wouldn't expect C-Dory to change their direction based on this owners' group, but their lack of interest in dealing directly with owners puts them at a disadvantage.

Harley-Davidson knows their owners - their board of directors frequently rides with and attends HOG Rallies. They "showcase" new models to their owners' group first. And they have certainly grown beyond a niche manufacturer. It seems that the C-Dory factory folks are intent on growing the number of hulls produced...not necessarily bad, depending on how you control your growth. Another boat like mine does not diminish the pleasure I have with ours. It just shows other folks with good taste.

There are so many owners out here who have plenty of experience with boating, RVing, fishing, cruising - all the things that these boats are designed to do. The factory could learn a LOT about what owners want and EXPECT by simply asking.

This is the only purchase of an recreational item I've made in the past 20 years where there was NO follow up... not a questionaire, a phone call, or even a note. Bought a car lately? An RV? A motorcycle? Those manufacturers know that they have to sell you your next one... because it is MUCH easier to sell to someone who already knows the product (and has proven with their wallet that they will put down the $$$ for the product).

80% of our business was return customers. Less advertising, less overcoming price objections, smoother and easier business dealings. But that is only done by communication both ways.

Best wishes,
Jim B.

[rogerbum]

[CatyMae n Steve]

I have a strange hunch that Steve and I were the last to receive a "house call" from Scott and Bret Reynolds. They flew into Portland on the evening of December 23, drove the 1 1/2 hours to our home, looked over the boat, sat at our dining table and agreed to replace our boat, turned around and drove the 1 1/2 hours back to the airport and flew back to their homes and families for the holidays. I've also seen many owners welcomed at the factory for fixes on their boats, purchased new or used, new or old....sometimes charged, but often taken care of at no expense to the owners.

These things are quite costly to the manufacturer, but they could never gain the love, product support and respect of the owners they have with we who know the solid customer service they offered with a promise of "someone will win some money" by completing an impersonal phone survey to see what they should do next. They have access to all of us. I'm not calling -- they're just not the same any more, and I don't really think they want my opinion.

We love our '06 22 cruiser, and I'm just THANKFUL we were able to buy it before they changed the interior. I had one of those yacht-wannabe-knockoffs (a Seaswirl), and didn't buy another! Can ya guess why? My then-matey set a hot pan on some fiberglass in the galley and guess what! it looked like crap! And there were major things we'd have changed if it had been doable -- a grown man could not urinate in the head without leaving the door open, kneeling on one knee and takin care of business. Male or female had to leave the door open, back in and plant the butt, draw legs inside and close the door. Things like that are major annoyances!

Our CatyMae is "moldable" to our liking...just look through some albums and see all the wonderful personalized modifications folks have made to their boats...do it to fiberglass? No thanks. I've already told the boys this is the boat they'll eventually inherit Soon, we'll be knocking out the hole under the forward facing seat and putting a door on for easier access . . . and then who knows what we'll want next?

[Byrdman]

All of these comments are target on. Yes, I too have been at and enjoyed each of the factory open houses since they have been in the new plant. Great time, but made better by spending time with the C-Brats that have for years now gathered together at the Hawthorne. Great times.

I watched, and talked with the factory folks during the Christmas trip mentioned above, and if I am not wrong, the boat that Bret and his father Rich enjoy time in is the same hull they had brought back to the factory. That is hands down the most factory hands on move I have seen in the boating industry....a couple/few years back.

The biggest room in every home, business, or even an individual, is the room for improvement. Who does not want to be better tomorrow than they are today? Yes today's business does drive the need for changes, but I truly feel that C-Dory hands down had/has one of the best niche boats available on the market...because they did not use the form interiors. ...and folks are correct about other hardtop/pilot house boats too.

Part of what drives my feelings here gang, is I have a very close friend of mine who is brand new on the boating scene. I stood beside him and said...YES...buy that boat...it is a C-Dory with great quality and lineage. That was about a year ago now, and true to form, C-Dory is still working with this new boat owner on issues that should have never left the plant. How this ends up will for sure mold my inner feelings of the current factory and their work/craftsmanship/quality...of someone throwing down $100K plus for a boat in the 25' range. Like Jim on Wild Blue, my friend and his wife have really enjoyed time together on their boat, and the gatherings of C-Brats... but, the whole gig to me is that the boat should have been correct prior to leaving the factory. Or, maybe I am expecting too much for a modern day factory? I do not think so. Those guys have been building boats for generations up there. Today, it is just a matter of what type of boat will have their name/reputation on it.

I have loved all of my C-Dory boats, and I want that to continue and be able to tell all my friends who see me on the waters that yes...be sure and compare the C-Dory line of boats. A C-Dory is not for every boater, but every boater should look at a C-Dory.

[redman]

Byrdman, I just emailed Holly giving her my contact info. Am looking forward to the discussion. I don't think Factory visits are completely over... Scott was out here on the East Coast two weeks ago examining my boat. No need to get into the details, however End Result: a satisfied and impressed owner.

Mike on C-Tour

[thataway]

I will partake in the survey--if they can reach me at home in this time frame. But my concern is how both of these surveys will be used. If it is for "publicity"--and only the posititive aspects are utalized, then it is worthless.

I wonder why they are spending good money--because these by phone surveys are expensive? It seems to me that if the factory guys were to read this list--and then follow up, it would be much better.

I don't know if the factory are 9-5 or if they are like many small businesses who spend 80 hours a week making it "right".

[dotnmarty]

I spend more time on this site than I do on my boat. If the boat is the heart of the C-Dory experience, this site is it's soul.

[hardee]

Having done Mkt/Advertising for a few years, I understand somewhat, what the factory may be trying to do ; however, the thing that sold me on our boat WASN'T the advertising it was the quality of the boat and the C-Brats themselves (NICE people!). NOT a big campaign, that would be just like everyone else. Anyone can go get an oridinary assembly line boat,ok for some, but I liked the "special" C-Dory. Kinda in a class of its own. Once seen it seems to sell itself. Though the original dealer was awful to deal with( we bought our boat used, so weren't the ones having to deal with the dealer))the PNW dealers, factory folks have been GREAT! I sure hope they don't try to change or cheapen a wonderful boat. They'de best not underestimate the selling power of a happy owner! Like Multilevel marketing, 1 buys one, tells 3, who tell 3 and so on...C-Dory's RULE!! BTW: I have a lot to say about our boat( all positive) but I abhore phone surveys!!

[Discovery]

I have decided to participate in the survey. As the owners of 3 C-Dories (CD 22', TC 24' and TC255) over 18 years we should have a good perspective of the evolution of the boats and the company. Not all positive experiences. The 1984 CD 22' Angler was bullet proof, a joy to own and use. The two TC models were somewhat less. The TC 24' was a genuine PITA. We have the initial problems with the TC255 (hull # 5) worked out now, and are enjoying it a lot.

[Valkyrie]

Has anyone been contacted for the telephone survey yet?

I emailed my contact info as soon as this thread was posted and haven't heard anything.

Nick
"Valkyrie"

[Bill.Secure]

I've not heard anything from the survey team either.


Bill
Edgewater, MD

[JamesTXSD]

Not a word. No acknowledgement of receipt of the contact info e-mail I sent. Interesting lack of follow-up.