Got to see one!

[JamesTXSD]

Sorta. You can see my original post down a ways... looking for a C-Dory to see in Texas. While driving through Rockport several days ago, we came across a C-Dory 22 Cruiser on a boat lift. I immediately pulled over for a closer look. Being the considerate kinda guy that I am, I did not walk on the dock without permission. The boat looked pretty rough: chalked exterior, clear coat on the color stripe disintegrating; couldn't see into the boat from our distance.

Ignoring my mortified wife, I went to the door of the nearest house to ask about the boat. The gentleman there directed me to another house down the block, and told me that the owner of the boat had passed away several months ago. At the next house, I met the wife of the owner, a dear woman with a delightful accent who clearly loved the boat. She graciously invited me to look the boat over, even gave us the keys. The interior has some mold in it (from sitting) and was showing signs of lack of use. It did, however, give us the chance to actually see one of these boats close up. Well, kinda close up... my wife was grossed out by the boat interior and spent a grand total of about 30 seconds in there before declaring it uninhabitable.

We are still looking forward to meeting with Bill and El if the timing works out, so we can see one of these in a more "user friendly" condition. Our visit with the above mentioned boat was quite short... but has us pumped for further exploration.

The V-berth had a bunch of stuff on it, so we didn't get to do more than glance that way (the black mold on the porta-potty was a real deterrent ). That leads me to my next question: do two normal-sized adults fit in there OK? I am 5'10", my wife is 5'7". We have done V-berths before, so that is not a problem (our little sailboat is a 17.5' Com-Pac SunCat, so we can handle small accomodations). Just wondering if there is enough room to "stretch your toes" in the 22 berth?

Again, thanks to those who wrote me direct and/or responded here previously. Your suggestions and comments are appreciated.

Best wishes,
James (still cruising about in the Lone Star State)

[starcrafttom]

hey tex, I am 6 ft and 210. my wife is ..well. not as far behind as she wishes. we both fit in the v-berth just fine. i can lay down with my legs straight out, but i sleep on my side anyhow. we have never been crowded yet.

[Salty Dog]

James,
I'm 6'2" and my wife is about 5'7" tall. The berth has plenty of room for both of us. We also have two Miniature Schnauzers that love to sleep up in there with us. No problem at all for all of us.

[C-Hawk]

James-
I'm 6-0 and my gal is 5-10-- we both sleep in the v-berth very comfortable.

[Sea Wolf]

James- It would help to know how old and or large your kids are (?).

The v-berth could actually handle an adult and two smaller kids, if their sleep patterns are not difficult ones to intertwine......

The dinette berth is 6' 3" and plenty big for most adults. Two really small children might be able to sleep there, one at each end. One can roll off this "shelf", so you'd be advised to add a lip or safety line to the edge next to the aisle.

You could devise a shelf to fit on the opposite side over the galley and folded down helm seat, providing your heater is somewhere other than under that shelf. I use an electric on the floor place in front of the helm when I have shore power, which would work with the hot air blowing out into the aisle space.

Another place would be to have one person sleep in the aisle itself. A bit inconvenient, and perhaps colder, but with a good air or foam mattress, sleeping bag, and a very small (computer, perhaps) fan to mix up the cold air off the floor, you'd be in business.

Going a bit further, build a second removable berth over the dinette, "Bunk Bed" style, suspending it from the roof. Some C-Dory owners have added inside rails from which this could be suspended, but to keep the pendulum effect under control (might be an interesting ride (!), I'd suspend it on stainless cables or chain with sailboat hardware. You could use hinges to allow the removable berth to fold into three or four parts (like a screen room divider) with a cross-lock on the center joint if you use four. The kids would probably fight over the "Swinging Berth"!

Another option is to enclose the entire cockpit in canvas and sleep out there, but only in moderate weather. Two can enjoy the weather out in the cockpit easily if they're not over six feet.

Let's see...two or three in the v-berth, one on the dinette berth, one over the galley/berth, one in the Swinging Berth, and two in the converted cockpit equals 7-8 "Happy Campers" !!! Porta Potti goes up on the foredeck just ahead of the hatch, now the "head" is where the "head" ought to be! No liquids after 7 pm, please! Bring on the Scout Troop! We're going to practice Submarine Sleeping Drills!

Hope this helps. Joe.

[JamesTXSD]

Hi SeaWolf,
I did see that another poster was asking about having a couple kids aboard. That would NOT be us, however. Our daughter is 33, grown and married, and does not like being on the water... I sometimes wonder if she was switched at birth, but she does look like her Mother and acts like me.

When I read your post to my wife, she laughed and said, "If you plan on having any kids onboard overnight, you'll be doing that with your NEXT wife!"

My thanks to all the kind folks here who took time to let us know that the V-berth is comfortable for two normal size adults. I'll be looking forward to seeing one of these boats where you can SIT on the cushions.

Best wishes,
James (back home in deep south TX)

[CanDo]

James,

Regarding that 22 Cruiser you briefly visited in Rockport, Texas.
Sounds like it would be a good project boat.

Do you know if the boat is for sale?
What make and size of motor(s) are on it?
Was a trailer for the boat present or mentioned?
Do you have a contact name or tel. number of the owner?

A reply, at your convenience, to seabeechief14@aol.com would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Paul Ledbetter (Can-Do)

[JamesTXSD]

Hi Paul and others interested in this boat,

I have received several private messages regarding this boat and just want to stress that the boat is NOT for sale at this time that I know of. The dear lady has a real emotional attachement to the boat and hopefully will learn to use it herself. I have no further contact info for the lady, since I didn't want to intrude beyond asking to see the boat. I left my contact information with her and let her know that IF she wants to sell it, I would post the information here for her. I wouldn't put too much stock on this coming on the market.

I apologize if my original post implied that there is a "hot one out there"... this is not going to be like the e-bay deal that sold for way less than anyone anticipated. I was just excited that I actually got to see one of these boats in person!

Best wishes,
James

[El and Bill]

James --
We are leaving CO today for AZ and a few days with family. Then heading east and hope to arrive in OK about Friday evening. So, if your timing is right you might get a chance to crawl around on Halcyon on your way north.

[El and Bill]

Oh, yes, for your wife, James -- we can bring along a couple of grandkids if she'd like to see how life is with kids aboard. We have any number of volunteer g'kids who would love to come along for some cruising, and if it wasn't school time, we'd probably snag a few.

[cgrobler]

James many boat yards have guys that specialize in cleaning. I one bought a lovely little trawler, with the emphasis on little, that looked terrible and gave me serious second thoughts about buying it. I then met the guy at our local marina that specialized in cleaning, the boat really looked like hell, but the next time I saw it it looked brand new. If you can find such a cleaning crew, you can get buy that terrible looking boat if it is basically in good shape, get it restored for hundreds, and save yourself thousands on the purchase price. Take a good closer look with someone who knows something about structural integrity, and if it is basically structurallu sound, get a cleaning crew, and make an offer.
Van

[Cynthia - CLou]

Just wanted to add my thoughts to this topic. If anyone ever finds a "project" used C-Dory out there, don't hesitate.
Our Story:
When Jon found our "C-Lou" (86 Angler) it was in the back of a used car lot, on an old trailer, surrounded by junker cars and other crap. We took a look... It had been sitting out, uncovered, for two rainy NW winters. It looked very rough. I couldn't believe it when he offered good $$$ for it ! ! ! Anyway, off I went to Walmart for cleaning supplies, three gallons of bleach & other assorted cleaners later. We found our diamond in the rough! It's amazing what a little spit and polish can do for one of these boats. I took out the berth cushions and bleached the whole inside, everywhere. We didn't need to replace cushions or seats, but could have very easily.

We've now added the cockpit tent canopy, curtains, new motors, new trailer, Wallas stove, & other personal touches. The guys at the factory last month said that this is one of the best looking "classics" they have seen. The rest of the 'brats' can attest to this. Now I wouldn't trade her for anything! ! !
Cynthia

[JamesTXSD]

OK... grandkids... now, you're talking. We would love to have a grandkid or two! We've even had "that little talk" with our daughter and son-in-law, so we're pretty sure they know how it all works.

As teachers (yes, both of them), our daughter tells me that "other peoples' kids are the world's best form of birth control"!!!

Bill and El, how long will you be in Oklahoma?

Best wishes,
James

Also, thanks to those who suggested a clean-up project with that boat we saw this week. No assurance that it will even be for sale. I'll keep you posted.

[El and Bill]

Might want to dip Halcyon into the Ouachita River for a little cruising, so might be in that area until mid-week next week.