Aluminum ... A-dory?

P

Punkin Drublic

Member
Been dreaming of a c-dory for quite some time. Currently own a weldcraft rebel 188. I fish out of Port Alberni, BC on the west coast of Van Isle. Anyway I'd like to be into a 26 venture but it got me thinking, a welded aluminum c-dory.

Anyone know of a manufacture doing something similar? I wonder if c-dory/sea sport guys would have any interest in this or would provide a rough layout/spec that I could approach a local builder with their blessing.

I'm not a fan of glass boats where I am. Frankly, in my searching for a c-dory I've been intimidated by the older 22's because I've no glass repair experience and rot scares me. Maybe it could turn into a partnership with one of the welded aluminum boat builders, I'd be all over testing one lol.

I've looked at dory's and wondered about podding one fully (meaning hull bottom extension) to reclaim the well space, to glass it in and make a fish locker/storage.

Pro/cons/thoughts on any of this? Would love the input of those more experienced with these boats.
 
You might consider looking at Kingfisher. Great aluminum boats with the amenities of a C-Dory and an enclosed head. Aluminum isn't perfect though. It will be colder and with the possibility of greater cabin moisture concerns. We also have an aluminum fishing boat but love our C-Dory. A lot depends on how the core penetrations were made on a fiberglass boat and if the boat has a lot of freeze/thaw conditions.
 
Certainly appreciate the feedback regarding Kingfisher. I have been looking at them but the cdory has more appeal. My daughter, our youngest at the wise age of 16, thinks the bigger aluminum boats the equivalent of lifted trucks with bull sacks dangling from the hitch.

That said theres a used KF Weekender nearby. I do like forward slope windows.

The cool temp of aluminum would be a boon in summer, and would certainly be using dry heat to avoid the moisture.

A-Dory strikes a good cord with me though lol
 
Alloy boats do look a lot alike....I have a Crestliner and it is great. And yeah, Kingfishers are everywhere so they are doing lots of things right. But alloy has disadvantages too....not that fiberglass doesn't....All of the alloy boats I have had eventually developed cracks that needed to be welded...probably too many cycles on the base metal and it just gave up. Whatever....comes with the territory. It's not the end of the world.

I say the best advice I can give is buy what suites most of your needs at a certain price point and buy it. The venture 26 is super nice, but so are many of the 26-28 foot alloy boats. And, I wouldn't buy a boat that doesn't fit your needs and then try modifying it as you'll be more money into in the end and won't be really happy with it. It is generally just not worth it.
 
Do the google search on "Aluminum Pilot house boats"--you will find many. A neighbor has a nice one, he brought from the West Coast--never uses it however. I don't the brand.

If you look thru the sights such as Cruiser forum, Cruising Anarchy, Trawler Forum, and even The Hull Truth--aluminum cruising boats come up in the discussions.
 
Thanks all. I’ve been in a number of aluminum boats of various design. I just thought a close match welded aluminum ‘c-dory’ would be rather cool. Already have the name chosen …

Eh! Dory (Canadian, aluminum, dory, it works)

Had a look st the skiffs, might mull that over some more but I’m wanting to avoid deep V’s and associated power required for them. Like the shallow draft concept.

My rebel 188 is 14 degrees at the stern iirc off hand, so not opposed to a flat bottom of a 22/25 or the slight V of the venture models.

Anyway, reached out to a couple builders, see what we can dream up.
 
Jasper Marine Boats seem really close to C-Dory style in aluminum. Defender 22. I'm sure they could give you an interior of whatever you desire. Just my assumption.
I follow them on Instagram. They are out of British Columbia.
https://jaspermarine.ca/
 
[/quote] But alloy has disadvantages too....not that fiberglass doesn't....All of the alloy boats I have had eventually developed cracks that needed to be welded..[/quote]


And all aluminum boats eventually corrode in saltwater. There is no exception to that rule no matter what a salesman says.
 
But alloy has disadvantages too....not that fiberglass doesn't....All of the alloy boats I have had eventually developed cracks that needed to be welded..[/quote]


And all aluminum boats eventually corrode in saltwater. There is no exception to that rule no matter what a salesman says.[/quote]

Are fiberglass boats forever? Definitely no. In my boating travels, I made a point of looking at old boats--Aluminum, steel, fiberglass and well made wooden boats (cold molded and traditionally built). I found a number of fiberglass which were ready for the garbage dumps in my travels. Fiberglass will crack and break under impact--aluminum dents. I know of one aluminum sailboat which was built in the late 1960s, had done at least one circumnavigation and sailed hundreds of thousands of miles offshore--still going strong at over 65 years of age. Her hull was gauged a few years ago, with zero sign of corrosions. Commercial fishing boats of the proper alloys and welding materials, are very low on corrosion--of course they have to be protected from electrolysis. The heavy plate boats can take a real beating and still keep going. Now the tin can boats, they may not last as long--but all depends on the proper alloys and welding materials, as well as the actual construction of the boat.

I have seen iron planked boats over 100 years old in 1985 and still going, which would make it over 140 years. I saw one wooden boat which is probably nearly 150 years old, with only relatively recent restoration work. On the other hand, what is the average life span of wooden boats?
 
Not to sound like an idiot but aluminum is lighter than fiberglass then why would a 22’ Jasper boat need 300hp? Maybe it goes 50+ mpmph

I would like to see it down at the Columbia River bar going thru less than stellar weather like the FaCdory test team in the 22’ cruiser.
 
Xtraplus18":11b0mdp4 said:
Not to sound like an idiot but aluminum is lighter than fiberglass then why would a 22’ Jasper boat need 300hp? Maybe it goes 50+ mpmph

I would like to see it down at the Columbia River bar going thru less than stellar weather like the FaCdory test team in the 22’ cruiser.
Click to expand...

I didn't see the bottom of the hull in that Jasper site, but... if it is a deeper V hull (and looked likely from the video of it on plane), it will require more horsepower (and need to be at a higher speed to plane) than the flatter hull C-Dorys.
 
JamesTXSD":66heaim5 said:
Xtraplus18":66heaim5 said:
Not to sound like an idiot but aluminum is lighter than fiberglass then why would a 22’ Jasper boat need 300hp? Maybe it goes 50+ mpmph

I would like to see it down at the Columbia River bar going thru less than stellar weather like the FaCdory test team in the 22’ cruiser.
Click to expand...

I didn't see the bottom of the hull in that Jasper site, but... if it is a deeper V hull (and looked likely from the video of it on plane), it will require more horsepower (and need to be at a higher speed to plane) than the flatter hull C-Dorys.
Click to expand...

The Jasper certainly isn't a C-Dory. From Jasper's website here are the specs for the Defender22:

Length Overall: 27′
Hull Length: 24’6″
Length at Waterline: 21’4″
Beam: 8’6″
Draft: 1’6″
Deadrise at Transom: 18°
Deadrise at Entry: 50°
Dry Weight: 4,700 lbs
Seating Capacity: 8 people
Fuel Capacity: 330L/87 US GAL
Power: Single or Twin Outboard to 500hp
Speed (Twin 150HP): 47mph
 
Aluminum in saltwater does well, especially with modern alloys AND correct 'zinc'

5086 is what my weldcraft is built with and I had issues my first two years of ownership. The dealership had done a piss poor installation of the electrical system AND used incorrect anodes (magnesium). I tried actual zinc but the last 5 years have been using aluminum anodes. I'm happy seeing them oxide readily and change them annually. Luckily the damage to my hull was superficial/cosmetic and easily corrected.

The wiring was more of a hassle but being an electrician, easily done myself and yes, the dealership paid for the material costs (wiring, terminations, chemicals). I had to involve Weldcraft in this situation and the dealership no longer carries their hulls. I do shop there (new boat purchase discount) but I have service done at another marine shop.

The Jasper Defender 22 is a beautiful boat but not what I'm looking for. Open bow for one is a no go and I'm looking for multiple over night capabilities for 2 adults (and 2 little dogs - great sea lion alarms salmon fishing)
 
A friend has a Lifetimer (Duncan, BC). Great boat. It has a deep vee but with the rear third shaved off giving more plane-ing surface. "Climbing out of the hole" characteristics very similar to a C-Dory which is to say "no hole" just a gradual rise of the bow. Manufacturer was very open to modifications by the factory at original build but that was some 20 or more years ago.

Jay
 
Hey Jay, thanks for that info. Will add lifetimer to the writing list on the subject.

By chance know any cdory owners on the island that might be willing to do a ride along? PM me if you do.
 
I meant that the Lifetimer is made in Duncan. My friend and his boat are in Duluth, MN. So I don't know a sloe on Vancouver Is. which is the island I assume you were referring to. I checked out the LIfetimer 22 on the web and it is close to a CD-22 except for the hull bottom.; buy local, no tariffs! I apologize for the us president.

Jay
 
Yes sorry, I was meaning Vancouver Island. Bad habit to refer to it as 'the island' when theres a few of them in the world haha.

Silver Streak was more interested to selling me a Swiftsure from their manufacturing line up than discussing a A-dory. Will go look at lifetimer a bit closer in a few minutes.
 
Yes, the lifetimer 2200 series on paper is a very close match in a deep V. Have written Lifetimer with some questions and going to have a look in person hopefully soon'ish. See various boats of theirs around and have always impressed me visually.

Also found Cope boat design in qualicum through some more of my own digging and written them as well. Liked what I was seeing on their website. Maybe a A-Dory born yet. My wife asked if the A was for Abomination-Dory. . . might make that the name and run a pirate flag lol
 
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