28' C-Dory
- Thread starter MannyBridge
- Start date
South of Heaven
New member
Nice. I like the straight shaft versus having an i/o.
The head isn't a stand-up though? So no shower?
The head isn't a stand-up though? So no shower?
We saw the very first 29 they made at a C-Brat gathering in Bellingham, WA. It may have been a work in process, but as I recall it was a "sit to shower" situation, just like we did on our CD-25. Not exactly "home-like," but functional. Yes, the head in the 25 was tall enough for me to stand, but showering was better accomplished while sitting.
Other things I remember about that first boat was the incredibly low steering wheel. The head compartment was actually in the way of the co-pilot's view of the bow... odd placement with the head being almost "featured" between the cabin and the berth area. It almost felt like an after-thought (to me).
I have to give C-Dory credit for designing a boat that looked like the rest of the line (in a Baby Huey sorta way), but it it lost all the great attributes of shallow draft, uncomplicated (bow and stern thrusters), diesel instead of outboard, permits needed to tow. It seemed like they took a 25 and expanded everything, instead of designing better use of space that the additional beam and length provided.
Ranger Tugs was selling a LOT of 25 Tugs with a diesel and had introduced their plan for a 29' Tug, so I think this may have been C-Dory's answer to that. It was right at the time the housing market and stock markets collapsed... bad timing on a boat that didn't have a well-thought out marketing target. I don't think it is a bad boat (there were some keel designs that were left off the building of these boats as I recall), just a bit tubby looking and no marketing effort to find an audience. Spending the money on this design at this tanking of the economy was the undoing of that C-Dory ownership/management.
Other things I remember about that first boat was the incredibly low steering wheel. The head compartment was actually in the way of the co-pilot's view of the bow... odd placement with the head being almost "featured" between the cabin and the berth area. It almost felt like an after-thought (to me).
I have to give C-Dory credit for designing a boat that looked like the rest of the line (in a Baby Huey sorta way), but it it lost all the great attributes of shallow draft, uncomplicated (bow and stern thrusters), diesel instead of outboard, permits needed to tow. It seemed like they took a 25 and expanded everything, instead of designing better use of space that the additional beam and length provided.
Ranger Tugs was selling a LOT of 25 Tugs with a diesel and had introduced their plan for a 29' Tug, so I think this may have been C-Dory's answer to that. It was right at the time the housing market and stock markets collapsed... bad timing on a boat that didn't have a well-thought out marketing target. I don't think it is a bad boat (there were some keel designs that were left off the building of these boats as I recall), just a bit tubby looking and no marketing effort to find an audience. Spending the money on this design at this tanking of the economy was the undoing of that C-Dory ownership/management.
T.R. Bauer
New member
$120,000 is a big pile of money - wish I had disposable income like that 
starcrafttom
Active member
Guy that lives in my area has one. The original design of the prop half tunnel was built wrong by the factory. It was supposed to have ( it I remember right) a wedge shaped piece right at the back. He had it added to his after the fact and it greatly improved the handling and speed. Ran in to him at the gas station a few times but have not seen him in a year. He did say it was a great ruff water boat.
Jim is right about the other stuff. Wheel to low and co pilot cant see any thing from the front facing seat??? I was told by the sells people at the time that the wheel was only to be used when docking and they expected you to use the autopilot most of the time????? yeah not the greatest design but would make a great Great loop boat. lots of room and your slow motoring most of the
time any how.
Jim is right about the other stuff. Wheel to low and co pilot cant see any thing from the front facing seat??? I was told by the sells people at the time that the wheel was only to be used when docking and they expected you to use the autopilot most of the time????? yeah not the greatest design but would make a great Great loop boat. lots of room and your slow motoring most of the
time any how.