How much boating experience before you bought your C-Dory?

[homerjack]

ZERO.
Was city boy all my life till moved to AK. But always loved fishing (fresh water) so living on ocean here made boat a no-brainer. Still learning. Having someone show me ropes was essential.

[RichardM]

Colby has a great point. If you haven't done it, do get a boating course -- at the least, basic boating. My state requires it. There's a certain fund of information about aids to navigation (buoys, lights, etc.), safety (right of way, rules of the road, communication, emergencies) and some other things everyone should have in common.

US Power Squadrons is a national non-government organization that offers classes from startup (ABC: America's Boating Course) through Seamanship, Piloting, Advanced Piloting, and even celestial navigation, and a lot of others like weather, boat electronics, etc. Their website is now americasboatingclub.org and there's a tab at the top for "find your local squadron." There will be classes near you.

That said, a boat with an active owner group like this is a huge plus. It gives you a leg up when buying, using, improving, fixing and even selling. Like some other older boaters I moved over from sailboats and spent about a year boat hunting. Craigslist was a pretty good source (use the national searching tools) as well as the big boat sale websites. Finally bought a boat way out on Long Island and had uShip tow it to Ohio to simplify things.

[Esmi2]

Bump.

Anyone have anything to add to this FOUR+ year old thread?

I am a little incredulous that I have hesitated so long -- or rather, that I stayed interested so long, that I haven't wandered off to get interested in something new!

Any input appreciated (not including observations ending in "... or get off the pot!") !!!

[cbbernard]

My advice? Buy one. It can feel like a different world on the water—a better one. You will spend a lot of money and time keeping your boat skookum but there's nothing like the experiences it will allow you to have.

Also: Make friends with someone who knows boats—they're everywhere if you live near water—ask questions, and learn from their experience. Pay attention when you're on the water, always, and learn from your own experiences too.

My CD22 is not my first boat. I've had much bigger and much smaller, fiberglass, wood, and metal. But it's my favorite, and it's a fine first boat.

[thataway]

[Esmi2]

[bridma]

I sailed around the world before I bought a C-Dory, so I have a little experience. Been playing in boats since I could walk. Done seamanship courses, navigation courses, all sorts of other courses. So the key is, if you have not boated before, enroll on some courses.
I planned the 2012 Comox C-Dory gathering having never seen or been on a C-Dory. Fortunately by the time the gathering rolled around I had purchased a 22. So have your ducks in a row and cash in hand. You have to move quick.
BTW, when I sailed around the world I was on a Destroyer with 249 other guys, does that count!...........lol

Martin.

[DayBreak]

Took the plunge nearly 5 years ago and it is the best and smartest purchase I have ever made next to home ownership. So glad we bought a C-Dory when we did.

[starcrafttom]

I grew up around small boats. 10 ft to 14 ft alun boats fishing as a kid and not with grown ups. Once I could do it my self I was allowed to take the boat on to the lake when camping. at 10 to 14 i would be gone fishing all day with just me and my younger brother. Then the family had a 27 ft Chris craft cabin boat in maryland for 5 years. Got to drive that, not alone, and other boats all the time. brother and I would drive a 56ft christcraft connie while my folks played cards with the owners. No chart plotter back them. Map and compass and a close eye from my father. 16 I got a 14 ft flat bottom jon boat for christmas. used and motor never did work right butI used it. Bought my first boat at 30. 12 ft outboard for lakes and river. Then a 16, then 19 alum then in 2005 I finally go the 22 cdory. 2010 got my 27ft cdory. I have had or had use of small boats to 30ft most of my life. Not once have I been on a sail boat . Not on purpose, it just has not happened. I currently have a 27cdory, a 17 kingfisher, a 18 ft lowes open sled with 115hp jet, a 16ft sled with 60hp jet, a drift boat, dinghy 3 kayakes, 2 canoes , layout boat for duck hunting and other forms of floating debris.

My best advice is just go and practice. Get out for the soul purpose of learning the boat. when I got a MFD chart plotter with radar I was the fool in the drive way after work pushing buttons and learning what ever thing did. The kid that skate boarded up and down the next street probably has cancer from all the times I tracked him on radar back then. Take the trailer out and go practice parking and launching, backing and docking. JUST GO DO IT. find some one that will take you out the first few times. I have trained 4 cbrats at one time or another in new boats. Go rent a 12 to 14ft alun boat with a small outboard. You will learn more about boats handle in that then anything else.

Hope you get off the fence and go get a boat.

[starcrafttom]

Oh if I was buying today I would not get a 22 cdory but a 23 venture. Better performing boat in my all to humble opinion Ok let the hate rain ... but its true...

[hardee]

Well, experience, yes some, lifetime of smaller paddle craft, and smaller sailing boats, 10 to 18 feet. Ran a power boat teaching water skiing in college, along with everything else water craft related. Spent a year and a half trying to buy a CD-22, but was never number one on the call back list. Finally found a very nearly new 22 Cruiser with twins and purchased it ASAP. Took me 4 years to sell my Sailboat after that

Take a Boating safety class, find a mentor, and get on the water. You are missing memories.

Harvey
SleepyC