14 ft. c-dory skiff

C

c-skiff

New member
I picked up a 14 ft. c-dory skiff this week, it's basically a 14 ft. angler without the top on it, it has 1988 40 hp evinrude ss 2-stroke ( to big ), took her out for a ride today, had the wife and 14 week old yellow lab forward, out on the columbia river in small waves and the boat was on a plain and it just kept slamming down, not a very fun ride, I realize we had alot of weight aft ( big motor-6 gallon gas tank- and a good size skipper) , more weight foward would help I believe,with the cabin on it it looks like the skipper and passenger sit past amidship on the boat, I guess my question is on other c-dory's when they ride how far down is the bow ? does the v down more smooth out the ride ? and stop the slamming ? any suggestions how to bring it down ? any input is greatly appreciated, I come from a sailing background, my bow does not slam on it .

thanks

c-skiff
 
Sounds like what you are describing with the bow slamming is porposing in that case a permatrim or other type of fin should eliminate it. I'm assuming you had the motor properly trimmed. Of course with these hull designs in heavy seas you must trim the bow down and slow down to avoid pounding. I had the same problem with a 16' carolina skiff with a 50 HP Merc four stroke. Even though the boat was rated for 50 HP they were speaking of lighter 2 strokes. It was stern heavy and no matter of weigh shifting would eliminate the porposing until I installed a larger fin of the motor. They also make wedges that install between the motor and the transom which change the angle of the transom which are said to help eliminate porposing but I've never used one.
 
Congrats on the 14 C-Dory. I had a 14 foot tiderunner with that same engine. The boats are quite different, but the 40 was plenty of engine. It sounds like you were using a tiller? and no power trim? Did you mess around with the trim angle by changing the thrust rod angle? I assume you did. What I did with my boat was add a center console. This balanced the boat out and made it a much more comfortable boat to operate.

How is the interior of that boat set up? Seats etc? Would love to see a picture.

Robbi
 
Definately get some fin for the cavitation plate--you might consider one of the cheaper ones--such as Doelfins or Bob's Machine shop for the smaller boat and lower hp. I have owned inflatables about that size, with similar sized motors, and the fins made all of the difference in the world.

You can also consider installing remote steering with a side console. This is only a few hundred dollars, for a complete rig--but you will have to buy throttle and shift controls also--another couple of hundred dollars...

The C Dory needs to be slowed down, and the bow put down in the chop--but it may give a wet ride in an open boat. Most of the boats have a cabin, which makes the spray a non issue.
 
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