New member that will have lots of questions

[dwest]

Hello everyone! I returned from vacation in Door County, WI a couple weeks ago where a saw my first C-Dory boat. For some reason they really catch your eye. I've never owned my own boat but have always wanted one some day. I started fishing around the age of ten and been doing it now for about 30 years. Is a 16ft or 14ft (used one for sale on this site) overkill for someone who will use it to fish on small lakes (approx. 5 miles long that you can see across) in central Illinois? I would love to troll for stripped bass and muskie on a lake about a half mile for my home. Also, can you stand to fly-fish off this boat, is it stable? I've been busy reading all I can off this site and looking at all the great photos. Thanks for your help!

[Rock-C]

dwest
Welcome to the pub. The C-dory is a very stable boat. Fly fishing could be done off the back, one person I would guess.
We picked up our boat in Door Co. WI. last August. Pretty country. We spent two days exploring Sisters Bay and Ellison Bay.
Good luck in your search.
Terry

[Robbi]

dwest, You have a good eye for boats! Welcome to the pub. There are many wonderful folks here that share their love of the C-D.
It seems to me that the nice thing about having either the 14 or 16 foot C-Dory is that you will find waters near and far that you will be able to enjoy. They are great fishing boats, plus they also are fun to explore new areas, laze around in, boat camp etc etc. I have a 19 footer, and I fly fish exclusivly. The cockpit works well, as long as you keep it "clean". As you know, fly lines are attracted to anything that they can attach to, hook around or tangle with. The fordeck also works for casting. I put down a small tarp to cover the cleat and deck plate so the stripped line does not get fouled. It is a little more difficult to release a non-keeper from the fordeck, but it works.
Good luck in your search for a boat. Robbi