Anyone ever seen a C-Dory with a "tower" on it?

First Draft":1my2h0dx said:
Something like a mini "tuna tower" or "cobia tower"? Something where you could pilot the boat from above and enjoy better visibility.

Get an autopilot with a remote control and a lawn chair. Put the lawn chair on the roof. Done.
 
I like the idea that ssobol came UP WITH. You would definitely need to strap it down and have some cup holders in place. :cocktail :beer
 
I think this came up years ago on this forum. The C-Dorys are designed to carry their weight low - that kind of weight aloft would be an issue, not to mention all the ancillary things you'd deal with, like: access to getting up there, the railings you'd need to stay on the boat while up there, and running engine controls and steering. I would think it would be more stable on a TomCat compared to a 22 (since the OP didn't mention what model C-Dory he was thinking of doing this to).

Could it be done? Sure. Should it be done? Seems to me that it would be better to buy a boat that has been designed to have that upper helm and has been built with it. Another case of the right tool for the job.

That said, with money and determination, you can do almost anything. I recall one of the Brats who put a sunbathing platform made of wood planking on top of the boat. And another who took out the dinette in a 22 and made an enclosed head that mostly filled that space. Personally, I think these boats are great as designed, and will give you the most utility when used within that design parameter.




I suspect someone will pull up the Photoshopped image of a 20' ladder on top of a C-Dory running at speed. :twisted:
 
"I suspect someone will pull up the Photoshopped image of a 20' ladder on top of a C-Dory running at speed."

Jim, I'm not sure that is photoshopped. Might be though, and I did look for it but lost the link I used to have for it. Never saved the pix on my computer. It is a moose hunting mod, with remote control and comm system. (there is a guy up on the ladder and one at the helm if I remember right.) I think it was credited with Alaskan ingenuity.

I'm with Jim, Seems like the boat was designed for a different purpose. That much weight aloft would have a frightful righting moment.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

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There was also a recent thread on this. My concern is that the center of gravity is placed considerably higher, on a boat which is relatively narrow beam, and not self bailing. I have seen 20 to 25' foot boats capsize with additional weight aloft.
 
One way to find out is to put some weight on the cabin top estimated to the amount of the person(s) and necessary equipment and see how the boat handles in different situations.
 
Here's one image...

flybridgeC_Dory2.jpg

Yeah, it has been Photoshopped (as revealed by the person who posted it).

Here's the ladder one I was talking about...

Moose_Hunt_Dory.sized.jpg

What could possibly go wrong with that? :twisted: :mrgreen:
 
CaptMac":3kzv1fkb said:
One way to find out is to put some weight on the cabin top estimated to the amount of the person(s) and necessary equipment and see how the boat handles in different situations.

This would not account for the elevated weight, which would take less weight higher up to have the same derighting moment as a heavier weight down lower to have the same destabilizing affect.

Once the weight aloft gets out side of the righting ability cone of the Centers of gravity and buoyancy, bad things will happen.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

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I've seen more than one tomcat with a tuna tower. There was one Tomcat 24' that was up on the Olympic peninsula that had a really elaborate folding tower a number of years ago. These cat hulls are more laterally stable, so would be more suitable. for it
 
First Draft: What C Dory are you looking at? I think the only option would be the Tomcat. Its still only an 8'6 beam but would probably be the best choice to add some steering on the roof.

I had a 25 and couldn't imagine having a 200 lb person up there. If you hit a wave wrong that boat will flip over. As others have said , the C Dorys dont like to have their center of gravity upset.
 
South of Heaven":37ybcxsp said:
First Draft: What C Dory are you looking at? I think the only option would be the Tomcat. Its still only an 8'6 beam but would probably be the best choice to add some steering on the roof.

I had a 25 and couldn't imagine having a 200 lb person up there. If you hit a wave wrong that boat will flip over. As others have said , the C Dorys dont like to have their center of gravity upset.
Either a 22 or 25. I am not thinking of something way up high, though.
 
South of Heaven":w5irlu37 said:
First Draft: What C Dory are you looking at? I think the only option would be the Tomcat. Its still only an 8'6 beam but would probably be the best choice to add some steering on the roof.

I had a 25 and couldn't imagine having a 200 lb person up there. If you hit a wave wrong that boat will flip over. As others have said , the C Dorys dont like to have their center of gravity upset.

Instability to some degree, changing the ride; but to say that a C Dory 25 will "flip over" by hitting a wave wrong, is a real stretch of an imagination!

I have seen a 25' CC with a full down capsize when at rest in the surf--but I don't believe than anyone is talking about a full tower!
 
thataway":1uuuexsr said:
South of Heaven":1uuuexsr said:
First Draft: What C Dory are you looking at? I think the only option would be the Tomcat. Its still only an 8'6 beam but would probably be the best choice to add some steering on the roof.

I had a 25 and couldn't imagine having a 200 lb person up there. If you hit a wave wrong that boat will flip over. As others have said , the C Dorys dont like to have their center of gravity upset.

Instability to some degree, changing the ride; but to say that a C Dory 25 will "flip over" by hitting a wave wrong, is a real stretch of an imagination!

I have seen a 25' CC with a full down capsize when at rest in the surf--but I don't believe than anyone is talking about a full tower!

Bob: I should've clarified that. With a 200lb man on the roof and if you hit a LARGE wave at the wrong angle then the boat will not do well.
 
"Bob: I should've clarified that. With a 200lb man on the roof and if you hit a LARGE wave at the wrong angle then the boat will not do well."
_________________
<><><> Jason <><><>

Jason, I would be willing to bet that the boat would do way better than the 200 pound man. :lol: :lol: :roll:

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

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61163ab5831414415effdbe7b9fd34dacb2ea8c_jpeg.sized.jpg

Go to your album.
Right click on the photo, brings a menu up.
Chose "copy image address"
Go to the "post reply" page, and click inside the text box, then
Left click where you want the photo to be, brings up a menu.
Chose Paste, and click there.
Go up to the buttons above the text box, and chose "Img"
Click and highlight the image address you pasted.
There should be an "
of your image address.
Click on Submit or Preview.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

1_10_2012_from_Canon_961.thumb.jpg
 
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