Another New Member

U

UUoody

New member
My name is Scott and I have just joined C-Brats. My wife and I have been sailboaters for many years, but aging bodies have dictated that our boating be done in the comfort of a power boat. In late August we bought a 1995 22 cruiser powered by twin Honda 45's. Our first cruise took us from Georgetown Island Maine, where we have a slip, to Bar Harbor.

We are planning to make some changes to the boat over the winter. On order is an opening center windshield. I hope to get the fuel gauge to read accurately and am planning on rewiring the battery shutoff switch to include power to the motors. All boats in Maine need heat, so we are considering a Tiny Tot heater. Beyond that we feel the boat needs better steps for exiting the cockpit. We will be towing a Cape Dory 10 dingy on a bridle.
 
Welcome Scott, and wife.

We have always wanted to visit Maine, sounds beautiful. One of the things on my bucket list was to ride "The Cat" from Yarmouth to Bar Harbor. Unfortunately I missed that boat!

Regards, Rob
 
Welcome aboard! Indeed Maine is a great cruising ground. We spent a summer up there in the sailboat we took Calif. to Europe and back.

If I was looking for heat, I would look at a forced air diesel fired unit--Espar, Wallas etc.

I have used small wood fired stoves on a sailboat, and they were problematic. There is the issue of enough stack to get a good draft going, localized heat, fuel, ashes, and some way to distribute the heat (ECO fan helps). The tiny tot takes up a fair amount of space--which is limited on the C Dory.

Lots of our members use the boat 4 seasons in the PNW and British Columbia areas. Of course some of us think the best solution is to bring the boat South for the winter!

The opening window is a great addition.
 
I too am a new C-Dory owner! Just did the maiden voyage today with my son.

We need heat in WA too; its about 40 degrees here today. I got input from other C-Brats and ended up installing a Wallas stove/heater. It takes a while to get started, but it keeps the cabin nice and warm! We even opened the windows a bit to combat the foggy windows!

Best of luck with your boat!
 
Welcome Scott,

It's good to have a new C-Brat in Maine. Hope we can meet up this summer. Having a slip in the mid coast region must be terrific. That's my favorite ME cruising area. We go there a few times each year.

I second Bob's recommendation on heat. I keep thinking about putting in a Webasco or Espar type heater. We've been using an alcohol Heat Pal for 15 years to take the chill out on cold AMs, but we don't run it overnight because of the condensation.

Definitely put in larger raised steps on top of the molded steps. It makes getting in & out and locking much easier. The next important improvement is a windlass. Once you've been using a windlass, you'll say why didn't I do this sooner.

Rick from Maine
 
Scott,

Welcome to you and your wife, and great to have you here. C-BRATS is about the best place on the i-net, and for sure the best place for C-Dory info of any kind anywhere.

I'm form the other end (left end) of that big line on the map. Was going to say the top left corner but there are others farther W and N from me... BC and AK.

Maine has been a long time goal of mine so maybe we can cross wakes at some point, but in the mean time ENJOY and Happy 2016.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

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Scott-
As you know, you live in some fine cruising country. We sure have enjoyed chugging along Maine and the northeast in general. The front opening window is great for circulation and keeping out condensation. We had a Wallas heater -- it was great for cooking and heating. We had a small gas stove on a board that crossed over the engine well and was good for summer cooking. Welcome aboard!
 
Scott,
As Rick said, nice to have another Brat in Maine. That was a pretty long cruise to Bar Harbor. We have a mooring across Frenchman Bay from Bar Harbor, but like to do a lot of our cruising around North Haven & Vinalhaven. There are pictures in Widget's album of enlarged steps copied from another C-Brat. With my wife's penchant for collecting sea glass from beaches, I would have to put the windlass at the top of my favorite upgrade. We have been happy with the Wallas stove/heater combo. Hopefully we can do some cruising together this summer.
 
I'm not in Maine but it's great to have another fellow New Englander on the site. Welcome to the group. (make sure to add a photo album. I'm very nosy and like to see others boats! HAHA)
 
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