01/14/05-01/16/05 - Seattle Boat Show and C-Brat Convention

Thanks to all who put in time and effort to bring this gathering to fruition. The only sad part was the leaving, wish we could have had more time. It was a great pleasure to be able to put faces to some of the many names, both personnel and boats, that we have come to recognize on the internet.

The trip home wasn't quit as interesting as the trip out. The road between Santa Barbara and Ventura is now open, a little worse for wear- but open.
 
The only picture I took was with Pat's camera. But it was a very historic photo op! So, if he feels up to sharing it, you will be able to find it here.

I will probably have something to say about this fine affair before too long, but I will need to catch my breath first.
 
Well, once again (happened two years ago) Pat and I got our wives (Kate and Patti) to go to the boat show "just to look". The last time in 2003 we both ended up buying our first C-Dorys. Jim and Laurie bought on too. The show floor model.
Well we really shined this time. All three of us sat down together and each bought a 25.

So spread the word. Those all to often, not to be found, barely used, 22 cruisers are now available for a short time. We will ship at your expense. Pictures are readily available and if you need a specific picture that is not on one of our the boat albums , just ask. Digital cameras are great.
 
Anna Leigh":104h6svi said:
Well, once again (happened two years ago) Pat and I got our wives (Kate and Patti) to go to the boat show "just to look". The last time in 2003 we both ended up buying our first C-Dorys. Jim and Laurie bought on too. The show floor model.
Well we really shined this time. All three of us sat down together and each bought a 25.

So spread the word. Those all to often, not to be found, barely used, 22 cruisers are now available for a short time. We will ship at your expense. Pictures are readily available and if you need a specific picture that is not on one of our the boat albums , just ask. Digital cameras are great.
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One quick question for the three 22' --> 25' upgraders : How much of the decision was driven by the desire to have a full size head?... The "facilities" seem to be more important when the wife is along and somehow I get the sense that a bigger boat is often tied to improved facilities. Any excuse to get a bigger boat...

Roger on the SeaDNA.
 
Well, everybody probably has their own thoughts. We LOVE our 22 and I had NO thoughts going into the Boat Show that we were going to move to a 25 - but I have NO "buyer's remorse," I am still floating on air!

I know Kate on Anna Leigh wanted a 25 from the start, I don't know all their reasons, I'm sure the head was important but they also wanted more room for grandkids and just generally...

For us, it was the whole combination, more elbow room, the ability to seat four adults in the cabin, more storage, the hot water, the head and shower, the Norcold, shore power, and so forth - all of these add up to the ability to be just a little more comfortable on those trips that are more extended than overnight - and we are certainly planning more extended trips. The boat show package including especially the Wallas, the windlass and the Norcold in the package price just sealed the deal - when Patty is crawling through the boat and then comes out and says "Well, let's just go over and see what the deal is," I pretty much know we are about to buy a boat!

rogerbum":lwo8h5p7 said:
One quick question for the three 22' --> 25' upgraders : How much of the decision was driven by the desire to have a full size head?... The "facilities" seem to be more important when the wife is along and somehow I get the sense that a bigger boat is often tied to improved facilities. Any excuse to get a bigger boat...

Roger on the SeaDNA.
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Well, got home last night about midnight after my 4-day trip to the Seattle Boat Show and C-Dory Factory gathering/dinner. AWESOME.....but only better can only describe my trip back northwest to the geographic region of the origin of the C-Dory boats, family, and lineage. What a wonderful group of people to be associated with and be a part of. Each owner, future owner, employee and staff members were truly warm and friendly. It felt as if I had known each of you for years. I do look forward to other follow on trips and truly hope to return some of the “Southern-Hospitality” shown me and my family members during out trip. Please allow me to provide an open invitation to each of you to the southeast, Alabama/Tennessee areas. As my pattern of northwest activities show…. I do not yield nor am I hindered by a little distance, particularly if it has to do with boating…C-Dory boating more specifically. I do plan on taking up the offers to “come-on back” and enjoy the sights, the fishing, the travel and most importantly, the furthering of great friendships and good times. God put us on this earth to help each other and enjoy life…What better way, than on a C-Dory! Now, Ya’ll get out your “things to do in the spring” check list, put down go to the C-Dory gathering in Nashville/Mt. Juliet, TN starting on 2Apr05. Watch for those Southwest Airlines specials and come on over even if you can’t bring your boat. We will make it work.
Byrdman on FreeByrd in Bama
 
Thanks to all you folks who helped put on and came to the great get together in Seattle!

All of us continue to share in the spontaneous good will generated by the love of boating and the C-Dory experience. We are a magical crowd.

I went to get to know as many of you in person as possible, and was overwhelmed by the warm-hearted reception shared by everyone. We did ourselves proud. Thanks! Joe.
 
I have thought a great deal about what to say here, and I keep coming back to Robbi's words:
Wahoo, What a time! There is not a nicer group of folks on this planet than the Brat Group. Period.
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Don't know how I can say it any better.

I know it has been expressed, but again I want to thank the folks at C-Dory for all they did for us. It was a truly remarkable welcome. I think they were surprised at the participation, yet during their busiest time they made time for us.

Thanks also to all those who traveled so far just to be a part of this past weekend. Wonderful people, all.

And we've all been thanking Roger over and over, but it still isn't enough. Besides, Lisbeth gets a whole bunch of the credit! It is the little things that mean so much that she makes happen. Like the special C-Brat hats they had made for the folks from the greatest distance away. What a thoughtful thing to do. Thank you both!

And folks like David, who offered to give away the six or so fish clubs he had. I don't know how much time he spent making the things after he posted the offer, but he provided one for all who asked, and it was a good deal more than six. I can thank him for the one he gave me, but how do you thank someone for doing something for so many in the group - most of whom he hadn't even met?

These are the kind of things that bring Robbi (who I think is pretty neat herself) to say what she said.

It is amazing to me that the most memorable event we do as a boating group happens completely without any of us bringing our boats. (Well, a couple members had boats in the show display again this year!) Usually, after an event is over, I zap the signup list and the entry in the Upcoming Events box. This one wasn't easy to erase. I read over the list again. It was the longest signup list we have had yet with 40 entries, and it was also the shortest list when viewed in light of who participated without signing up. Someone said there were one hundred people at the C-Dory plant. I don't think they all showed up just for a boat show - it was something pretty special.

As for me, the best part was meeting so many new friends and seeing so many old friends.

Thank you all for being there, and thanks to every member of C-Brats for making this group something that inspires the type of comments we get.

Mike
 
OK, OK, here you go...Andersons and McKibbens buy their 25s (Martinsons must have stepped away for a few minutes, this was a "three-fer" for Jeff Messmer).

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TyBoo":21y37hch said:
The only picture I took was with Pat's camera. But it was a very historic photo op! So, if he feels up to sharing it, you will be able to find it here.

I will probably have something to say about this fine affair before too long, but I will need to catch my breath first.
Click to expand...
 
I must apologize, I was not my prolific self with the ol' camera - enjoying everything too much to get wrapped up taking pix. Here is one more snapshot thought...

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Saturday morning I got off work from a 48 hour work shift and in the evening I started the drive down to the CBC. After encountering the icy roads I reluctantly turned around and returned home. It has been good to "hear" of the good times had by all and to "hear" about the sale of 75' of C-Dory at one sitting. (Jim and Laurie, Pat and Patty, David and Kate...congratulations!).
Today, I finally made it to the SBS today and had the pleasure of meeting and talking for some time with "Scaley Waterman" aka Bob from Santa Monica, Ca. who is soon to be the proud owner of TC 25 hull #2. We shared a few similarities of our adventures in life. So it turned out to be a CBC on a very small scale. (Not big in quantity, but great in quality!).
 
WOW.... Both the CD25 & TC25 are taking off for sure !!! Great pics! Looks as if I am building up for another trip back to the NW when they get a TC25 on the floor at the factory...and one of my Sea Ray dock mates want to possibly fly back with me and take a gander at both the 25s... Think I'm getting the C-Dory thing rolling a bit here.. I know my brother is also waiting to "ride one out" prior to putting down order it now money on the TC25. I am going to have to get Jeff and the factory to send me a couple/few of the brochures. I am going to print off the 8 pages from the site and put in a binder for now and just reference them to the wealth of information on the factory site and the two owner sites... Ain't' life Grand!!
Byrdman
 
Hi, all. A virus has kept me from ya'll, but I just want to send a happy note of good will to all C-Nuts. The boat show was fabulous, and the reason wasn't anything material. It was all of you. A big hug from the Cat to all you critters, and I look forward to Jarrell Cove.
:love
 
Hey all
I have been reflecting on the SBS-CBC .
First of all, Thankyou to the C-Dory factory and all they did for us. It was a great party !!!! The salmon was excelent, clam chowder and chilli, and a good ceasar salad. also thanks for getting some of your vendors to donate some door prizes and all the coats and hats from C-Dory. I cannot remember all the vendors but thank you all.
The canvas gift certificates were great(100.00$ & a 500.00$)
a pair of 25 gal. upgrade fuel tanks,the 50 00$ gift certificate to West Marine, and lots of other gifts.
I am sorry that I didn't get all the names of the recipients . but congratulations
Also the chance to get a tour of the factory was very informative. the ability to take a boat from lamination to finished product all in one building is a nice change from the original plant.
it was so cool to have the Byrd family ( Patrick,Mike & Brenda) come from so far away. they recieved some prizes for coming the farthest.there was another couple ,Don & Darlene Pinkney, from Alberta Canada, and the infamous Bill & Ell , not to mention the contingent from California & Oregon. If I have missed any other area I am sorry.
Another thanks goes out to the Brew Crew from Snoqualmie Falls Brewery for donating the excelent keg of Ale, it was enjoyed by all I am sure.
My only beef was that I did not get around to everyone to meet some of you. Oh well, there is always next year...lol...
I have to close for now so Just a warm and fuzzy to you all
 
Cheers Roger!!! :beer Go ahead and book my room again for next year.....and I feel sure I will soon be out once the TC25 has power on it... Gotta do that poke-look-n-feel thing. Who knows.... I might just have to drag my TC24 back out for a trade-in/sell and my brother and I both purchase a TC25 and do a "dual hall-back" to the east side.

I truly appreciate :love you being there Thursday night to welcome my brother and his wife....particuarly after the little sight-seeing trip Southwest "blessed" me with due to the weather... Looking forward to a return in the spring/early summer...to do a little water time.
Byrdman :thup :thup
 
Byrdman, really nice to have met you, your brother and his wife. I told Buster about you and how you was just funnin' about barbecued cat. He flipped at the news, 'cause, see, he was worried about just what kind of Brat you were. Turns out you're kind of a softy.

Bill, it was the computer. Still, I may have viruses I don't know I have, since I'm so social and all, but about now I'm back at it, just-a huntin' and-a-peckin' fast as these two fingers can lie. I mean fly.

Speaking of flying, I'm on the road to the boat show right now. Cat out.
:cat
 
I would echo Roger's sentiments-this was my first C-Brat gathering and it couldn't have been better. I got a chance to meet a few of you, but there were so many I missed. My wife was lucky enough to win the King Marine canvas door prize which was great since we have been planning to get a camper back canvas this year! How lucky is that? However the drive home to Spokane on Monday was not pleasant. Pass closed in the morning and fighting snow and slush all the way home-it was a l-o-n-g day but well worth the trip. Can't wait for the next event.
 
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