Changes at C-Dory

[Byrdman]

Good Day to All! I made a post in another link, but wanted to bring it to this particular link as in hopes for Scot to be sure and see it, and not be preceived as "hidding in another link" that Scot, and any of his current staff, may not be following. No way we can follow everythings that goes on this site....

First, Scot, thanks for opening the factory doors each year to host a party for us C-Brats, owners, future owners, past owners, and want-a-be owners. I look forward to seeing folks in Seattle again this year too. It is just a great trip for me each year, as it has been for the last several years.

Second: By looking at Roger's (SENSEI) post it looks as if the factory is again going to supply who knows how many free passes for those of us wanting to get into the Seattle Boat show. I have been blessed by meeting folks like the Johnson Family thru these boats and this site. I enjoy helping him with the Seattle Boat show gathering and hotel stuff too. Thanks for the tickets.

Third: My home is always open to you Scot and your family. It always has been, as is the offer for myself and a few others to get together with you and your staff/dealership owners for a little round table talks.. We all love these boats and want them to always be available as a high quality, very useable, niche boat.

Now...the post...just to bring it up front and keep some for thinking I would just hide it in some stray message and/or link.

Heartland Regards!
Byrdman

Nobody loves these old salt C-Dory boats more than myself. I have and do travel the country to be with the other owners, friends, and just be in the mix. I wear their hats, jackets, and spend way too much time on here... I did not do that with my Bayliner, Bass Tracker, Sea Rays, Master Crafts...or any other brand I or my family have owned. It is a neat, niche group/cult. I like that.

But, what I have seen in the last 18 months was Scot, and i say Scot due to him having the helm of the current C-Dory factory, & hires and fires who he wants... may have attempted to possibly have all dealers stock all boat models at least to start "the boating business year."

The dealerships have to either pay for or finance the boats thru say GE or some other agency...

Take a small established dealership in the NW for an example who may sell 7 CD22s, 5 CD25s, and when one of use wants a CD 16 or a CD19, they would order, rig and sell it to us. That is about 14 boats a year, which "fits" what was sold at that smaller well established dealership.

Now, if Scot's Annual Dealership Agreement indicates something to the effect that "Dealers will order at least one of each model we have in production..." that would mean about 8 boats to start the year off. CD16 Angler & Cruiser, CD 19, CD 22 Angler, Cruiser & Center Console, CD 25, CD255...and the new...not CD but Ven something...29.

OK..many of you know about my unsuccesful attempt to get a CD25 Angler built for about 5 years...or, when Ranger was C-Ranger and Jeff was still active part of C-Dory...attempted to take the R-21-EC layout and put it on the Ranger 25 hull... )

That causes the dealership to attempt to dump the boats that do not sell on their particular lot, ties up their shop/employees rigging the boats that they "dumped" with low profit margins as to be able to free up "their" monies to move on to ordering the boats that do sell, and have sold, on thier lots. I feel very sure that each of the smaller dealerships now and in the past have at least attempted to have one or some of each of the boat models on their lot as to get a "feel" for what turns around on their lots. Then, they had a good idea of how many "days on their lot" (read on paying interest to GE) that could have been used on boats that do sell on their lots.

But, as I understand, some changes have taken place of late at C-Dory...and maybe, they will get back to what had worked in the past and keep C-Dory a nice, niche boat, and the small dealerships who got C-Dory to the dance to start with...can still dance.

Maybe, in the next 12 months, we will see our "old faithful" type business struckture back and our smaller very personal dealerships back. The dealers own their business' too, and have to do what is best to keep their doors open.

SOME NUMBERS AND I WILL RETREAT FROM MY SOAP BOX: You have 10-15 dealerships that can sell 14-15 boats a year...makes for about 140-225 boats a year, or about an average of 15 boats a month from the factory, with dealers selling what sells on their lots, working to manage their finances...and the QUALITY CONTROL and values of the boat should be there right from the factory. Build it right the first time while it is in the plant, give the dealership a well built boat that has been finished properly, they can sell it for a reasonable profit, we as the end users/consumers buy a quality boat, that holds it value much better than blow-n-go boats...and we all win.

And..I think that waiting for your boat to be built, rigged, and getting to the water is one of the best parts of a niche boat... Just look at the excitement we read about on this site of those who traveled to the factory to see their boats in the building process.....and the post they made during that process... It just makes you want to go buy another one...and get out on the water!!