New C-Dory Member

CaptainCook · Joined: 09 Feb 2005 Posts: 9

Hello to all-

I have been "lurking" around here for about a month now and recently registered, I have always loved boats, and have always dreamed of a seaworthy, trailerable boat with an old salty image(term I learned from my grandfather who sparked my love for boats) the C-dory is all I could have hoped for and more, I simply fell in love with these boats when I first saw them online a the C-dory site. I am going to start my new young family (only 20 years old) April 23rd when I get married to my beautiful soon to be wife and our very well natured Blue Heeler Austrailan Shepard mix.

Yes folks I am polite and am only 20, no need to be shocked as it is common among us dumb old country boys. Very Happy

As I don't own a boat yet I was looking for some general information, the boat would mostly be used here in Virginia for weekend cruising on Smith Mountain Lake.

I have some questions I am sure you all could answer about the C-dory 22' Cruiser. I would need to install some sort of shower system to appease my soon to be wife. I will most likely purchase a full camper enclosure type canvas, so a cockpit mounted shower wouldn't be a huge deal with window covers. A refrigerator is a must as I enjoy a good cold Budweiser as much as the next man. Also air conditioning is a must have for our 90 degree summer weekend days. I would also like to add one of those flat screen flip down tv screens with a dvd player and a decent sound system. Are all the things possible on a 22' cruiser.

One more thing, I have always dreamed of trailering a boat to Florida and crossing to the Bahamas for a couple of weeks.....as this is far in my future as I have only limited boating experience to date, it is only a dream but any information on making this trip on a 22' C-dory would help slow the gears turning in my brain.

Thank you all in advance as I know how quick you all are to respond and with the kindness you greet new members.

Josh

Larry H · Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2005 10:51 am Post subject:

Josh,

Welcome to the pub!

I think all of what you want to do is possible with a 22 cruiser.

Keeping the wife happy with the comforts you suggest will result in more boating time for you.

Most of your ideas have been discussed here at some time. Check through the back posts.

Anita Marie · Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2005 10:53 am Post subject:

Josh, welcome aboard and best wishes on your coming marriage. As far as a shower is concerned you may want to take a look at this item http://www.hotcampshowers.com/new3479.html. We have used ours for the last two years and works great when a solar shower just won't due. I just put it on the wallas till it gets to temp, then shower in the cockpit. It hold enough water for two showers. It is a little spendy but you are talking about a boat.

Fred

B~C · Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2005 10:56 am Post subject:

what Nancy H said. One of the beauties of these boats is that they can be as basic or yachtish as one wishes.

20 my foot, I know you have to be at least 21 or you couldn't be in the pub Smile

CaptainCook · Joined: 09 Feb 2005 Posts: 9

Depends on who owns the pub I have come to find.......thanks for all your replies folks......and everyone knows nobody drinks beer until they're 21 what was I thinking. Wink

Sneaks · Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2005 11:15 am Post subject:

A Virginia "Country Boy" named "Josh" worrying more about where his bride showers than where the fish are biting and what the boat's beer capacity and top speed is?

My scepticism abounds, I josh you not. Mr. Green

Salty Dog · Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2005 11:26 am Post subject:

Josh,
You should consider going to the East Coast gathering in June if possible. You'll get to see lots of C-Dory's with the way it sounds and get lots of good ideas.

I haven't done the TV/DVD combo, but I did install a stereo system last summer. So far I've been very happy with it. I need to add a couple more speakers still, but it works pretty good with the way it's set up currently. I have a Kenwood receiver/CD player and two MB Quartz speakers right now. Will probably install a couple of speakers in the rear of the cabin and am contemplating adding a sub-woofer and amplifier.

I too am interested in making the crossing from Florida to the Bahamas in my 22. I read an article about it in the most recent AAA magazine about a month ago. Don't know if you are an AAA member and get that or not. Very interesting article. Talks about the organization of flotillas and everybody crossing together. Is 48 miles from Florida to the island they go to mostly. I can try scanning the article for you and e-mailing it to you if you'd like in the event you don't get the magazine.

Jack

CaptainCook · Joined: 09 Feb 2005 Posts: 9

Indeed I worry more about where my bride will shower, her level of happiness is directly proportional to the amount of beer the boat needs to hold.......as for the fish that's a whole other story I love to fish and usually the amount of beer drank is directly proportional to the size of the one that got away..........so you see all things considered it's all relative.

No I dont recieve the AAA magazine and would very much appreciate a scan if it isnt to much trouble......I have long dreamed about that two week wondering cruise with white sand cold beer blue water and many fish...anyway I am dreaming once again at work.

Pat Anderson · Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2005 11:36 am Post subject: Re: New C-Dory Member

Josh, Josh, Josh! I was with you right up to the "B" word! Bud is for people who like to pee a lot, or as we like to say, "the King of Beers My Ass!" - NOT for those who truly enjoy the taste of a good beer! Got to get you out here for a Copperhead Pale Ale or even a Wildcat IPA! When you turn 21 of course.

Pat Anderson aka "One of the Beer Guys"

P.S., I was not quite 21 when I started brewing, either...

C-WEED · Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2005 11:39 am Post subject: shower

In the South it is so hot most of the summer that we use the fresh water washdown system with a spray nozzle quite a bit. It can be used over the side of the boat or in the cockpit for privacy with the camper-back up. If used in the cockpit it is best to have some type of floor board to keep you up and allow water to drain beneath to the bilge pump for pump-out.

http://www.summithut.com/catalog/remap/product.asp/DeptID/125/SortOrder/1/pfid/2367/

When the weather turns cool we found this shower to be very heavy duty and still store in a small place. It can be solar heated or since the top opens wide (you can scoop up lake water if needed) you can easily heat water on the stove and pour in without spillage. Mix in hot and cold for a warm shower.

CaptainCook · Joined: 09 Feb 2005 Posts: 9

Let me clarify my last post her level of happiness is directly proportional to time spent on the water, which is directly proportional to the amount of beer needed.

And I would like to make out to the June gathering any info on dates and places?

DaveS · Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2005 11:45 am Post subject: Re: New C-Dory Member

Bluecrab · Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2005 11:59 am Post subject:

Hi Josh, and welcome!

For info on the Eastern Shore gathering, go to the "Upcoming Events" section on the home page, and then click on the "Eastern Shore...June 3-5" link. We'd love to see you and show around our boats.

As others have said, there's no reason you can't do everything you've suggested on a C-Dory. For a lower tech approach to showers, there are a bunch of portable systems out there. Here's just one example:
http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?memberId=12500226&productId=13513
There are many more available in camping stores and boat supply places. Stored on the cabin roof, it will heat up nicely and give you a pretty good shower. Really nice after a cold swim.

Although we get mighty hot and humid out here on the Chesapeake, I haven't yet found the need for a/c ... I thought it would be hot inside the cabin, but it just has never been bad. With the windows open, we always seem to get a breeze, and it's a heck of lot cooler in there out of the sun. There are threads elsewhere on the pub about installing a/c, but you might want to try the boat out first, before making the leap.

We thought about a refrigerator, but opted for a big cooler - doubles as a seat, but more importantly, it holds a whole lot more beer.

Have fun - shopping for and thinking about getting a C-Doy is almost as much fun as having one!

CaptainCook · Joined: 09 Feb 2005 Posts: 9

Thanks for everyone's replies and information it's been nice to "meet" such a nice group of folks who are so willing to offer information....thanks to all........

Pat Anderson · Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2005 8:41 pm Post subject: Re: New C-Dory Member

I brewed my first batch of beer in the summer of 1965...I am two years younger than you (I know this from your Happy Birthday thread!), so you can do the math. I have brewed more or less continually ever since, except for the two years in the Peace Corps in Turkey 1968 - 70, where brewing did not seem like such a good idea, right up until starting the brewery with David in 1997. So, yes, you could say I am truly well fermented!