Down Payment on a New 22' C-Dory

[Bluecrab]

Congratulations on the new boat! We took delivery of a 22 this summer, and planning for it was almost as much fun as using it. I went through a lot of the same choices you're facing - for what it's worth, here's my take.

First, good choice on the 90 hp. I love the Honda 90, and can't imagine having the 75. Trim tabs are a must. Can't comment on the kicker. I did about 70 hours of survey work with my boat over the last few weeks, running at 3 knots to tow sonar, and the boat tracked and ran great at that slow speed with the 90.

We benched the icebox and made it a cabinet - haven't regretted it, the extra storage space is great and iceboxes never seem to work very well. The electric windlass has worked well for us. There are a lot of threads on that on the site, and going with the version that has a metal gypsy makes sense (we didn't, and will probably regret it).

With regard to GPS, I've used Garmin systems a lot and like the graphics and other features. Have also used and like Northstar, but the new systems (6000i) waste a lot of screen space with unnecessarily large labels on the screen for soft keys. The restricted space on the 22 led me to an integrated system.

I went with the Raymarine C80, with the 120S WAAS antenna, DSM250 Digital Sounder Module, 2kW Radome, and Pathfinder Smart Heading Sensor fluxgate compass. I really like the system (although I'm still figuring out how to use parts of it!). Full screens are nice, but I hate the clutter at the helm (and wanted the space at the center of the helm for other purposes). In any case, with the C80 I find that I seldom have all three instruments (chartplotter, radar, and fishfinder) showing on a single screen. When running, I usually just have the chartplotter on, giving me the full screen. Depth is shown as a number at the top of the screen, along with speed, course, and whatever else you enable. When I get into shallow water or need the fishfinder, I split the screen between the chartplotter and fishfinder (both are plenty big enough with a split screen), or just use the fishfinder. Radar can be overlaid on the chartplotter, which I find very useful, or you can enable a separate window to use various plotting functions. On the downside, I miss the compass screen from the Garmin and find the tidal data a little harder to access on the C80 (although not objectionably so). The little negatives, however, are far outweighed for me by the convenience of an integrated system. The C80 fits perfectly right behind the wheel, and the screens are easy to see.

I did not go with the hydraulic steering, but put Raymarine's Sportpilot autopilot on. Hydraulic steering would have been nice, but I couldn't afford everything I wanted. The Sportpilot works pretty well so far. Would probably go with hydraulic steering if I had to do it again.

I've found the Flowscan meter really helpful in determing the most efficient settings for trim tabs & motor tilt, as well as in tracking fuel consumption.

Theer are different opinions on the transom bench seat, but we've liked it. Folds down and out of the way when you need the space, but is a convenient way to seat 2-3 people. More space efficient than the same number of chairs.

Good luck with boat and have fun! Let us know how you fare...

John

[Joy]

All
I just want to thank you for all of the advice you are providing me. What a great site to get real down to earth answers.
I am picking my electronics and will go with a Raymarine package. Seens they currently have the must integrated package for the features I lust over.
I have not told the wife the sticker shock number yet though!
Randy

[Sawdust]

I use the C80 package and autopilot - cool. Lots of bang for the buck and very user friendly. If you fish, it has the best depth sounder of the bunch -- at least for now.

Dusty