Help!

Angler · Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2020 2:53 pm Post subject: Help!

Greetings C-Brats and thanks for accepting me. My daughter lives in the Seattle area and on a recent visit we spent a long weekend on San Jaun Island. (beautiful) It was there that I saw my first C-Dory and it was love at first sight, literally. I live in WNY and primarily fish Lake Ontario salmon. With occasional trips to Lake Erie and both the upper and lower Niagara river. My sights and budget lean towards the 22 Angler or cruiser. Here are my questions.
1. Does the 4' or so of stern space on the 22 cruiser allow for enough space to fish 4-6 rods, both riggers and dipseys.
2. What age stops making sense for solid hull (boats) Not concerned so much with power I can fix that.
3. Any Great Lakes owners here who want to advise on their experiences?
4. Who has a 22 for sale.

Thanks in advance for any and all input.

hardee · Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2020 5:20 pm Post subject:

Not a fisherman here, so I will defer to those that are.
AS the wanting a 22, the best place to look is on the C-BRATS Home page, bottom right corner. Be advised, the good ones go fast. Sometime so fast the ink isn't dry on the computer screen Wink

Soooo, Be sure and know what you want, Have your $$$ all lined up in a row, and be willing to travel, 'cause sometimes the right boat for you is not around the corner or in the same county, but across a few state lines. Go, look and take it home. If you see the one you want listed, call or PM Right Now, and get an address to send a check to hold your first option to buy, THEN arrange for survey and mechanical inspection with the sale pending on those results. Hesitate and someone else is going to be fishing out of your boat.

Harvey
SleepyC Moon

Angler · Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2020 5:24 pm Post subject:

Well then...that was a positive owner response. Thank you Harvey, advise is noted.

hardee · Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2020 5:59 pm Post subject:

ssobol · Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2020 7:45 pm Post subject:

I don't fish, but I've had my 22 cruiser out on Lake MI and Lake Erie (Sandusky, Islands area, Vermillion) among other places. Definitely doable.

However, there will be times when the bigger boats might go out, but you'd be better served staying home. In those situations, it's not that the C-Dory can't handle it, but it'll be an uncomfortable ride and probably not worth it.

A C-Dory is not a heavy boat, so it doesn't really punch through waves. It tends to go up and over.

Angler · Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2020 7:55 pm Post subject:

Harvey, Ssobol, We choose our days wisely on the great lakes. Good to know the C-Dory will get us home on a quick weather change.

Thanks,

Wandering Sagebrush · Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2020 8:17 pm Post subject:

My 2¢. A 22 cruiser is great for fishing 2 people, OK for 3, and crowded for 4 or more. Look for an Angler if you’re looking for room.

ssobol · Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:28 pm Post subject:

starcrafttom · Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:48 pm Post subject:

22 angler is great for fishing. Are you asking about fishing 4 to 6 rods ( as on the great lakes you can fish as many rods as you want ) or are you asking about fishing with 4 to 6 guys ( as in the pnw you are allowed one rod per person???? ) See if you are looking to fish 6 rods. 2 0n downriggers 2 on divers and 2 on boards then yes you can. I used to run that set up out of a 12 foot alum boat on lakes for trout. but 4 people would be the max in a angler and 3 in a cruiser. with one guy on the wheel all the time. It all depends on which question you were really asking.

Angler · Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2020 10:20 pm Post subject:

Thomas, Sorry for the confusion. My question was all about space and not necessarily anglers. In example, could I mount (fish) two down rigger rods and run 2 dipsey rods on a 22 cruiser and find any comfort of space with 2-4 anglers on board? Not all need to be in the cockpit at the same time. I like the cruiser cabin but reality is, primarily I fish!

Pescador2 · Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2020 11:34 pm Post subject:

have fished on 22cruiser many times 2 Down-riggers 2 dipseys is workable could maybe add trolling board to mix problem is when you add a cooler and say 2 crew in cockpit area it gets tight ....to play and land a fish around all that fishing gear can be done but is not optimal Throwing in a bit of Lake Superior seas can create a cluster f...!

starcrafttom · Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2020 11:44 pm Post subject:

I have not fished that many rod here in the PNW but you could fish two downriggers and two dipsys just fine I think. You could even set out two side planers. but i will say that an auto pilot is going to be a necessity. narrow flat bottoms boats are awful at holding a course with no one at the wheel if you are trolling by yourself setting gear or reeling fish. 4 lines in the water at that time might be a PITA.

thataway · Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2020 5:04 pm Post subject:

My feeling is that more than 5 rods (two each side, one straight aft) is about max for an 22' boat. Two people in the cockpit of a 22 is about all I would want when fishing.. 4 fish on would be a circus. It is not the physical layout, but the mechanics of reeling in and then boating the fish. (Gaff or net).

Years ago I had a dedicated 26' in board sport fisher--3 in the cockpit (bigger than the C Dory 25) was about max either trolling or live bait fishing. Even 2 fish on at once was difficult.

starcrafttom · Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2020 6:02 pm Post subject:

" add an ice chest and 2 people and it gets crowded." True so make the best modification to a 22 you can . http://www.c-brats.com/modules.php?full=1&set_albumName=album1207&id=DSCF0815&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_photo.php just add a back wall with a drain and a star board lid and instance ice chest or storage. Also a great seat. Did this to our 22 when we had it and it was the best mod ever. Could not talk the factory into it.

Angler · Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2020 9:02 pm Post subject:

Thanks for all of your comments everyone, very helpful.