Doing Recon

[Coniferous_Wrecks]

Hello Folks!

I'm new to the forum, and looking at getting into my first C-Dory. First boat, in fact, unless we're counting canoes and row boats?

I'm leaning toward the 19 Angler. My wife and I have a 2 year old daughter and an 8 year old dog, just settling into southeast Alaska and are looking for something we can get out into some of the more remote areas for some fishing, crabbing, and on-board camping.

Cheers everybody!

[Hunkydory]

Welcome aboard. It seems not all that long ago, with only canoes & a rubber inflateable for past boat experience we were looking for & then purchased a CD 22. That short time ago has turned into 13 boating seasons of which the majority was spent in SE Alaska waters. From the start we felt a C-Dory was the right boat choice for us & thought a CD16 would best match our planned usage of it on lakes & rivers. Then we started dreaming of exploring SE Alaska waters too & felt the smaller CD 16 just wouldn't fulfill the dream. For your usage with couple, child & dog aboard, I would highly recommend the better size boat choice to be a CD 22. I don't think the price difference would be all that much, but room for you all to move around, storage & overnighting huge with also many more CD22's out there to select from. On the other hand there are C-Brats here that have been pleased with there CD 19, that boat in the PNW, still I think the majority would agree with my opinion of the CD22 being a better choice for usage as you described.

Jay

[Aurelia]

We do well with a 19 (highly customized) for 3 aboard but I would not add a dog underfoot in that space. If you canvased in the cockpit like we did, it would be doable depending on the dog and your patience for it but generally.... Look at the 22 cruiser or angler models to start exploring with family and dog and consider the rear canvas as well. The Cruiser allows for indoor cooking, the angler has more fishing and outside space (more camping like). The helm forward is the same on both boats and power/tankage is also roughly the same and more dependent on model year.

Greg

[thataway]

Some are satisfied with the 16, but with dog and child, it will not work all that well.
The 19 and 22 are similar as to the first 19 feet of the hull. That extra 3 feet makes all the difference in "livability" Many of us spend a month or more at at time (even in AK) on the 22. One couple lived aboard and traveled all over the US, Mexico and Bahamas, on a 22. My feeling is that the 22 is probably the best compromise for a young family.

[Jackie]

Welcome to Southeast. There is an older 22 Angler for sale in Ketchikan for $16,000. It is listed on the FB group boatcycle as well as on the SE Craigslist. They say it has a 50hp on it, which I thought was a bit underpowered, but it might be worth looking at.

I have no vested interest and don't know the seller, but I'm looking for a 16ft Cruiser myself (sold my husband's 22 ft when he passed) and happened to notice the ad.

Jackie

[South of Heaven]

Welcome to the group man. Btw, I like your username. I had to Google it but now the etymology makes sense. Conifer>>>Coniferous...

I just bought a used CD 19 about a week ago so I can't comment on her yet! Before that I had a CD 16 and enjoyed the boat a lot. She was very seaworthy, easy to launch/retrieve (if you don't have a slip) and FUN. Although I moved up to a bigger boat I would have been MORE than happy to keep boating on the 16 if I didn't get a good sale price on her. C Dory's have a great resale value.

Now, seeing that you're in AK and have a family I think a 22 would be in order for you. You'll need more space with a small troupe like you have, plus dog! I'm sure a 19 would probably fit the bill as well BUT children have that weird thing that they do called GROWING. Lol.

Good luck with your search. Don't hesitate to ask questions either; C BRATS is an amazing group of guys. Plus there's a high percentage of retirees !! So, they are quick to respond! LMAO!!

[chromer]

why mess around? go for the 30 foot cat

[Coniferous_Wrecks]

Whoa... great feedback! Thanks!

In talking with my wife (Happy Wife, Happy Life), reading your suggestions, and doing some more research, I think we're going to aim for the 22 Cruiser.

[gulfcoast john]

Excellent advice, and a great choice.
In the long run, the '2-foot-itis' problem is more expensive than getting the 'right' boat the first time..
You are also wise to realize that "If Momma ain't happy, ain't Nobody happy."
Happy hunting, and keep her happy!
John

[hardee]

Good advice so far.. I agree too. Unless your dog is a pocket size, and your child is going to be content to stay in the V-Birth until you are ready to sell the boat, you are going to find a 16 way to small, and a 19 mighty pretty cozy. And as you just posted, thinking of the 22 (Cruiser) would be a really food idea. The ladies usually like to have a warm cabin, in out of the weather and a place to wash or make something warm occasionally.

You didn't say what you were planning to do on the boat, fishing, cruising, etc, but you can do that with 3 on board easier on the 22 Cruiser. Also, it will give more storage space availability.

That 22 with a 50 on it that was mentioned, might be a good deal but it is under powered. If the boat is in good shape, and the OB is OK, get the boat, pull the motor off and sell it for a chunk off the price on a new Yamaha. (Just sayin.)

Harvey
SleepyC

[jennykatz]

When we bought the cd-22 cruiser it had a 50 hp Honda on it with 3 big adults top speed was 15-16 mph cruise at 10-12 on plane . maybe the Angler would do a little better being 200lb lighter .I think for safety sake i would opt for a larger engine .We put a 90 hp Suzuki on her and it flew 36mph 18-20 mph cruise . Buy the boat (if it passes survey) and trade in motor Good Luck in your Quest Jim