Experience

chimoii · Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2011 11:23 am Post subject: Experience

I was out on a little weekend cruise and had the (not unusual) request to look over the boat from a couple thinking about a C-D. Most of the questions seemed to be about the 22 Cruiser and 23 Venture differences. Ours was the first physical Venture they had seen. At the end of the 'tour' I was asked about the Marinaut. I said I didn't know how many had been built or sold and referred them to C-Brats. If they do come by maybe someone would like to answer the question up front and maybe some current owners could post experiences?

c-ness · Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2011 12:25 pm Post subject:

I believe that Les Lampman at EQ Marine has sold the first Marinaut, but it has not yet been delivered. I too am looking forward to hearing this 'plank owner's' experiences with the boat.

Les Lampman · Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2011 11:21 am Post subject:

Thanks for your post chimoii. Smile

And thanks too for sending the folks you met over to C-Brats (regardless of which boat they do (or don't) choose).

The first boat out of the molds was Dave Thompson's personal boat (or the factory demo boat if you will)...not sure you could count that as a sold boat but Dave's wallet thinks so! Smile

We have one M215 on order for a couple on the east coast of the U.S. so that will be hull #2. Hull #3 will be our boat. There are several more folks in the fact finding/decision making process so I do expect to build more boats this year (and many more next year).

One major consideration is that the Marinaut isn't really an "all new" boat in the sense that there's anything radically different about it...build wise or design wise. It's really the next iteration of the boats Ben Toland has been involved in for decades blended with an awfully lot of good layout and design decisions by Dave and Ben with input and experience from the C-Dory 22 and Cape Cruiser/Venture 23 boat owners.

I guess what I'm really trying to say is that there's nothing "scary" about the boat...like it's some newfangled thing and one should wait to see if the boat floats right side up.

In some sense it's really a modernized C-Dory 22, not so much in terms of actual design (since it doesn't share the lines of the CD22) but certainly in concept. It's like taking a look at a classic (which the CD22 is) and imagining what a new design incorporating the same design philosophy (easy planing, low horsepower requirement, simple systems, trailerable, enclosed cabin, cruising capable, open water capable) would look like, and taking into account the weight of modern outboards, range requirements, and typical accessories and equipment.

And like every other classic design that's been reinterpreted that are those that will always prefer the original and those that appreciate the original but like the newer ideas too. I loved my original VW Beetles but I can tell you without a doubt I much prefer our current New Beetle. It's always a personal choice for sure.

Les

Yellowstone · Posted: Sat Jun 18, 2011 1:02 am Post subject:

Les - Thanks for the update on the Marinault. Have a comment for you and the other designers and then a question. What I see certainly shows much thought and some interesting innovations, e.g. side saddle tanks and opened berth on port side. Question. The Marinault appears to accommodate only a single engine. Does the reliability of today's engines blend into that decision? Give us your thoughts. Thanks. John

Les Lampman · Posted: Sat Jun 18, 2011 1:20 pm Post subject:

C-Otter · Posted: Sat Jun 18, 2011 8:15 pm Post subject:

Hey Les, Sounds like your talking about the pre "87" CD Classics. Smile

What comes around goes around. C-Otter

Yellowstone · Posted: Sat Jun 18, 2011 9:35 pm Post subject:

Les - Thanks for your analysis. I recommend that every visitor to this site read what you have to say. It summarizes so many valid points that have broad application to our kinds of boats. I believe it was about 15 years ago when we visited , and I suggested to you then that you had the qualities of a master teacher. Still believe that is true. John

Les Lampman · Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2011 7:09 pm Post subject:

Les Lampman · Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2011 7:10 pm Post subject:

chimoii · Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2011 12:03 am Post subject:

Les Lampman · Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2011 3:08 pm Post subject:

Chimoii,

I have no argument whatsoever. In the situations you're describing your twins have taken care of you.

It is situational however. If you have twins and you hit a log often times both props are damaged and you have no kicker to resort to (one with a good prop since it would have been tipped up out of the water), ditto if you happen to wander into shallow water and hit bottom.

Another argument is that since you have two engines and their attendant systems there are twice as many things to go wrong and a higher probability that something will go wrong. Seems to makes some sense for a pure logic standpoint but I don't know how you'd ever prove it in the real world.

No matter what, twins make a boat more complex...there's just no way to have twins and the systems for each and the interface points for both, and not end up with more on the boat than with a single.

And ad infinitum since the scenarios can go on forever; that's why it's such a personal choice and why I can't give folks an unbiased objective technical answer about which is the "better" choice since there just isn't one except for the individuals involved.

It's 98% a psychological choice; you either feel more comfortable with twins on the transom and want them or you don't. The only issue I have is when someone tries to take away from the importance of getting what you want (just because that's what you want) and turns it into a justification argument. Except in very rare circumstances there is no justification for it beyond the fact that the twins or a single is what you'd most like to have on your boat.

I'm absolutely not arguing for or against. Even though I have an interest in seeing Marinaut 215 boats purchased I would never try to talk someone that really feels more comfortable with twins into the Marinaut. It wouldn't be their vision of the "ideal" boat and they wouldn't be happy in the long run...and then neither would I.

Les

chimoii · Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2011 3:54 pm Post subject:

Hi Les

I absolutely agree with you and hope you don't think I was disagreeing with your prior posts. Every boat is a compromise and you make a good point about complexity vs redundancy.

After 40 years engineering drive systems from high speed (120 mph +) to ice class vessels, tug boats, ferries etc. I have only ever been involved with one pleasure boat. It was 115 ft long so no CD. Personal choice was very obvious when the owner made decisions on that one for sure! Rolling Eyes

I hope never to do another one.

I wish you all the very best with the Marinaut. I also wish Triton every future success with CD. Hopefully the folks I met will follow up and then choose the boat that best suits them, just as you wrote.

C-Nile · Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2011 5:17 pm Post subject:

C-weetness:

My wife and I are the "plank owner" for the new Marinaut, and Les informed us that ours will be Hull #1 manufactured by Marinaut Boat Company. So when I read your comment "plank owner" at the time, I wondered if it was poking fun at our being the first. I'm so dense! Les explained to me that the term plank owner is "...actually a compliment. In the Navy it refers to the crew that's aboard when a ship is first commissioned and is considered an honor when the ship's history is looked back on." So thank you for the compliment. My wife and I will be proud to own the first boat off the line. We have just about finished nailing down all the customizations for the boat, which will be extensive. And when we do, we will share the details with the group. I have to say that it has been very enjoyable working with Les at EQ Harbor Services (EQ Marine). It has been quite an educational process, and my wife and I are so glad we chose the Marinaut 215 and EQ Marine.

Incidentally, Dave Thompson did a brilliant job of designing the original Marinaut interior. In the fall, we are going to have a two-week shake down cruise from Seattle to the San Juan's, and plan to live on the boat throughout that time. That's one of the reasons we are getting the full camperback enclosure, and the Wallas 85 DU stove/heater. Dave's design we think will make a huge difference in the boat being comfortable for that length of time.

Thanks,

Rich

C-Pup16 in Los Angeles · Posted: Fri Aug 05, 2011 10:55 pm Post subject: Marinaut owner's experience

Hi Rich,

I'd love to hear your comments about your new Marinaut as you put it to use in coming years. Seems like a fine design. I'm im SoCal so I prefer a boat like the CD16 with no bulkhead to make it easier to pilot and position it while fishing. I missed the chance to buy a nice looking used Venture with cockpit controls. Too bad. Given this economy, I'll wait to see if a used CD22 Angler or Venture23 comes on the market. If not, then maybe I'll oprder a new CD or Marinaut that is customized to my uses. My credit should be beteter than the U.S. Treasury. The problem would be unloading my CD 16 for a price my dear wife won't cry over.

Keith
C-Pup16 in los Angeles

c-ness · Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2011 11:17 am Post subject:

Yes sure would like to hear any updates from the new owners. I'm glad you understand the compliment in being a plank owner. It's been 40 plus years from my Navy days but the lingo remains for some reason!