C-Dory Timeline?

[TimButterfield]

Hi, all. I know there have been mentions in various posts and threads of the changes throughout C-Dory history and the various moves and owners. I've even read them. I just don't remember the details. Is there a timeline compilation sticky somewhere that shows when these changes occurred? I'm considering a 2009 to slip in Cap Sante and am wondering if that's a more or less risky year.

Thanks.

Tim

[ghone]

Hi not sure if timeline exists anywhere but in '09 Fluid Marine was the builder. I had an '09 19 Angler built and was impressed with the quality. Should be no issues. That said the ones since are even finer. My 2011 22 has been superb.
George

[Sunbeam]

I don't know of a timeline sticky, but just the detailed posts you probably already found by searching terms like "history" and "year" "changes."

I also don't know of a risky year (or a less risky year). I had a certain preferred year range in mind when I was shopping, but it wasn't about risk so much as it was about my preferences in the combination of feature changes that have taken place over the years. For me, the range of around late 90's to mid-2000's provided the best combination of various things for me, but they are mostly just preferences not "better" vs. "worse."

I did nonetheless consider a 2009 22 that was built by Fluid Marine (even though I had my preferences I was still open to just about any year). It had some nice touches, such as the V-berth had three hatches already installed and the belowdecks area was finished (white) and had two mini-bulkheads separating the three sections. In the end I really didn't want a high top (and it was a high top), so I went "back" to my earlier year range preference. I ended up finding a 2002 that filled the bill.

So to me there are three main things:

1) The particular combination of features/changes you will find on any given year and how it fits your preferences.

2) The way the boat is outfitted - engines, electronics, canvas, etc. and how that matches up with what you like.

3) And the big one: Condition. To me, in any boat over around a year old, it's condition and care that really make the difference. It's easy to find a 20-year-old boat that looks better than a 3-year-old one (of any make) if the former has been stored indoors and babied vs. say, sitting neglected in a hot, sunny saltwater slip (just to use two somewhat opposite examples).

The one additional thing (but this kind of goes along with #3) is that most all fiberglass boats make extensive use of coring/sandwich construction, and most all production boat builders do not seal it with more than caulking. So core condition is something to watch for and check out prior to buying (any year).

Sunbeam

[TimButterfield]

Thanks, George and Sunbeam. I meant more of a time within a year and not the whole of a model year. Maybe it's my memory playing tricks on me, but I thought there was some mention of factory or owner changes that increased what needed to be looked at for boats made during certain periods. It's good to know the 2009 is not likely to have been affected, though I may have to worry about other years if this one doesn't pan out.

I have ruled out some based on lack of a feature. For example, my wife must have a forward facing seat across from me. Not being able to flip the front dinette seat to face forward has ruled out the older 22 Cruisers as I don't have the space or time to make that change myself. I think that is the only critical feature we must have.

I agree about the condition check, very important. I think, for me, that may be more important than how outfitted as some outfitting changes can be done later. Motors get replaced. Heat can be added. Electronics have improved. Canvas may need to be replaced. Outfitting is an opportunity to customize, which can be done over time as us noobs we learn what we want and like. It can be more difficult to improve condition.

Thanks.

Tim

[Captains Cat]

[TimButterfield]

Hi, Charley. I have an FB account, but don't post to it. It's just to separate this me from the others of the same name.

By risk, I was referring to the boat and the possibility of buying something from another region of the country far away from me.