Mystery Boat.

oldgrowth · Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 9:12 pm Post subject: Mystery Boat.

This post is in reference to questions asked by members that saw photos linked in my C-Voyager saddle tanks thread.

The mystery boat is a prototype of a boat Ben Toland and I have been working on for a while. It was put on hold last year in order to assess the economy and to determine if this is the right time to bring a new boat to the market and to get all our ducks in order.

We have decided to go forward with the endeavor but on a smaller scale than was originally planed.

All the details have not been worked out for the new boat but what has been decided is, the first model will be just over 20 feet. The hull will have a V bow and taper to an almost flat stern, similar to the Cape Cruiser. We have made another modification to the hull of our boat that was done to the hull of my 16' C-Dory when we extended it. It made a big difference in the handling characteristics of the 16 and we believe it will also work on the new boat.

Some other key points of the boat:
• The cabin will sit a little more forward than a C-Dory. It makes the boat a little better balanced.
• The cabin will have forward sloping front windows. It gives more top shelf space and an overall larger cabin.
• The V-berth will be adjustable on the port side for sleeping with a 6'6" length and around 6' on the starboard side.
• The V-berth will have a large opening, so taller and larger people can get in and out easier.
• The interior will be completely customizable. The boat will have mounting points strategically located so you have solid areas for user customization.
• The cabin will have a removable rear bulkhead plus a canvas bulkhead so when you go out without the solid bulkhead and the weather changes, you can close the cabin off.
• It will have saddle fuel tanks.
These are a few of the things we plan for the boat.

The boat will be competitively priced with the 19 foot C-Dory.

Once the hull is made and the cabin goes on, we will see how things fit together and of course ask for as much input as we can get from the C-Brat family.

The plug (the hard part) has been built, now we have to do the mold, then our first two hulls.
________
Dave

thataway · Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 9:29 pm Post subject:

Sounds like a very interesting boat, and should fill a niche in the market of a boat this size. I like the "customizable" part.

JamesTXSD · Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 9:45 pm Post subject:

Interesting premise, Dave. Knowing your passion, I have no doubt that the end result will be well thought out.

One question: will it void the warranty if I buy one of these and then chop it in two and add a couple feet? Twisted Evil

Good luck with this endeavor. Even in tough economic times, there is room for an innovative product supported by good customer service.

Best wishes,
Jim

Larry H · Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 10:13 pm Post subject:

Dave,

If the boat is built to the high standards achieved by the Cape Cruiser factory it should sell well.

The ability to customize the interior should appeal to many folks who liked that feature of the older C-Dorys. Having mounting points for changing the interior is a great idea.

hardee · Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 10:22 pm Post subject: Yea, GO Dave

Sounds like a well thought out affair. I do like the forward sloping windows, and the larger Vee-birth opening. You didn't mention the forward trunk height, but that would sure fit well with the larger opening and birth size. Sounds like a project to keep you out of mischief in your spare time, Dave, and I'm sure you need that. Laughing

Good on ya'
Harvey
SleepyC Moon

Doryman · Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 11:58 pm Post subject:

Looking forward to seeing this boat in the water at one this year's CBGTs! Mr. Green

Warren

Da Nag · Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 12:09 am Post subject:

Sounds like a really cool boat...well thought out, and very versatile.

What are you guys thinking for power?

oldgrowth · Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 1:52 am Post subject:

Bill – I believe in the lightest engine you can put on and still have plenty of power. The weight should be for people and gear not a heavy engine. That said, the E-Tech 90 would be the best fit at 320 lbs. Next the Honda 90 at 359 lbs, then the Yamaha 90 at 369 lbs.

The first boat will have one of the above engines. We will have to wait and see what kind of deal we can get when we are ready. Ben wants to put an E-Tech 60 or a Yamaha 60 on just to check the performance with a smaller engine. He thinks it will cruise in the 20+ knot range with either of those engines. When we do check it, we will have the boat loaded. I don't believe in lightly loaded performance checks.
________
Dave

oldgrowth · Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 2:22 am Post subject:

Larry H · Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 4:31 am Post subject:

Dave,

I don't know about hidden flaws in CC boats, but the two or three CC's I inspected had a very high level of finish and attention to detail, inside and out.

I have not heard of any warranty type problems from the existing CC owners on the RedFox site.

Those orphan CC boats could become classics in the future like the CD 22 classic has.

If you can achieve a higher level of construction, that will be some boat!!

Larry H

barefoot · Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 7:21 am Post subject:

Sounds great, solving the problems that led me to choose the 16 over the 19. Will you be doing opening windshields, for those of us in Florida (and other places in summer), a problem with the 16?

oldgrowth · Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 2:39 pm Post subject:

oldgrowth · Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 3:05 pm Post subject:

TyBoo · Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 3:10 pm Post subject:

thataway · Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 8:19 pm Post subject:

Dave,
For the Lake Powell and any of the other Warm weather areas, the opening center window is a real plus. We even open ours in the PNW at times--I understand the increased complications in design it brings, but something to consider for the future--you build a good boat and they will come!

Sounds like an exciting project.