Are Used C-Dory's Overpriced?

P

Papillon

New member
Is it me or are there more C-Dory's on the market then a few of you can remember for a long time. Is this a result of higher cost of boating in general, or are these boats overpriced for today's marketplace? I know last year when I was looking for a boat I sure didn't have this many boats to pick from and the pricing was a lot lower then I am seeing in todays market. What are your thoughts on the matter?
CDforSale.jpg
 
First off - I think the number of C-Dorys for sale is still very small relative to other makes. The reason we see so many on here is because we have so many members, and several of those signed up just to advertise their boat for sale.

Secondly, a used boat, just like a used anything, is worth whatever the seller and buyer agree upon. So no, as long as people get what they ask for a boat they sell they are not over-pricing it. It is worth what it sells for.

It is a bit of a shock for a new shopper to see the price tag on a used C-Dory. But more than a few of them have learned why that is, and some of them have decided to buy new.

That's my take on it, anyway.
 
This is a very neat topic. I am betting we'll be hearing lots of views from both owners and prospective owners. And that is encouraged - let's chat this one up and eventually move it to the Market Place Reference forum so shoppers can use the discussion to help get over their sticker shock easier.

Thanks for the interesting questions.
 
There is something to be said for buying a product that holds its value. Our last couple sailboats have been like that... they were not inexpensive to purchase, but they held their value better than most boats. The cost of ownership is more than your initial purchase price. Unlike real estate, a C-Dory may not appreciate in value, but they certainly don't take a beating like most other boats. Of course, we plan on keeping our new CD-25 for a long time... :wink

It appears that there are a few more boats listed in the "for sale" forum here than last year... 15 or so, instead of 10 or 12. Not really statistically significant. Fuel prices may have some impact on the casual looker; the fact that these boats are efficient only makes them look better compared to most. I can wait to burn some fuel! :D

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
It appears that there are a few more boats listed in the "for sale" forum here than last year... 15 or so, instead of 10 or 12. Not really statistically significant.
Click to expand...

Yup...and in fact, there are not more boats for sale here proportionally than there were a year ago. A year ago, we had less than half the members, and less than half the traffic. There are not twice as many boats for sale...the increase might easily be explained by more people looking here, and more people being aware of us.

And your point on the gas prices is not to be taken lightly. People get a little nuts when gas prices go way up. You see it in the car market as well; take a look at what a used VW diesel Jetta/Passat/Bug is going for today. The notion of getting 45-50 MPG has sent the used prices through the roof...even though the price increase can't possibly be justified if you crunch the numbers.

But basically, it's just good old supply and demand. And we're certainly doing our part with this web site to increase the demand...which is great if you own already, not so much if you are looking.
 
The reason that C Dory's hold their price is quality and the fact that there is essentially no change in the boats since about 1987 and even the boats before had only minor hull differences. These boats don't detiorrate like many other boats do. I have yet to see a C Dory which, even if allowed to "run down" cannot be restored easily and in-expensively.

There is also almost a "Cult" legend about the C Dory. I first saw one in the late 70's and said at that time, some day I will own one. This organization is also one of the reasons--huge support group.

The design is timeless. Today with fuel prices high, the C Dory is one of the more economical boats for its size. The Semi Dory hull is one of the most sea worthy over many years.

There is brand loyalty--look at how many have started with a 16 and up to a 22, 25 and one of the cats.

Mine is for sale (appears to be sold) only because I am buying A Tom Cat 255. The C Dory 25 is a step up from the 22 and the Tom Cats are a step up from the 25. It is interesting that there is a parallel in the trawler world--Nordhavn has the same type of reputation--so you might say that the C Dory is the "poor man's" Nordhavn....Right now the C Ranger and the Tom Cat 255 have prompted a number of us to step up at this time.

However from the response to my "Ad" on the C Dory site there are lots of people looking. I have had 11 responses, all wanted photos and wanted to see if the boat would be in their area. The first person who called the morning after the ad appears to be the buyer.
 
Hi Folks,

I have always been interested in the simplicity of and the handling ability of a dory hull. I use to collect catalogues from Glen-L and Texas Dory. I even Purchased the DORY BOOK, because the only way I felt I would ever own a Dory was to either build it, or purchase one made and modify it. While this was going on in my head, I was playing around with sailboats because they were a lot cheaper in cost.

The first time I heard about a C-Dory was an ad in a boating magazine. I sent away for the plans, but could not afford one. This was in the early 1990's. I was teaching at a small college in Vermont and had a VW Vanagon which I called my "Land Yacht." It was all I could afford because I had two kids in college.

When I got to Nantucket, I purchased a Westerly Nomad because it was cheap and got me on the water. I had dreams of cruising, but discovered that to own a cruising sail boat, one needs "bundles of time", that which I did not have.

In that Nantucket had been good to the Heaps, I wanted to give back to the Island. They did not have either a USPS or USCGAux unit. I decided to start a detachment to a Cape Cod USCGAux Flotilla and started to look for a C-Dory because after surveying the boat market, it was the only boat that fit into my present and future plans. I was hoping to find a newer Cruirser, and I was a member of the C-Dogs Site as a wanabee.

When I was attending my first USCGAux meeting, I discovered a 1983 22' Angler model owned by a Coastie who had purchased it when she was in Alaska. I may have paid to much, because six years ago, it was the only used C-Dory I could find East of the Rocky Mountains. At that time there was only one dealer on the East Coast, Cutter in Maryland, and they didn't have used C-Dory's I paid $9,000.00 for the boat, two motors, and trailer. I have since filled in the aft corners of the cockpit with storage areas, built a stern seat in the cockpit for sitting and napping, a galley behind the steering seat, and two shelves. We have purchased new cushions for the cabin, a cockpit cover with plastic windows, a new 75 HP Yamaha 4 stroke engine, two 18 gallon fuel tanks,a windless, and various other "boat Jewlery." I have over $20,000.00 in the boat. Was it worth it. Yes.

I think the 22' C-Dory is the best possible boat for me to own. You can cruise two comfortably. Ask Bill and El. You can fish on it. Ask all the guys on the West Coast and Alaska. It makes a great USCGAux OPFAC. It just might be number one for a brand to be an OPFAC in America. We sure have a lot of them.

I tell all my friends who own bigger boats about the cruise on the Erie Canal. They don't have the time or money to take their boat there. I drove back, towing INN-THE-WATER behind my Explorer in 12 hours, Canal to Hingham MA.

I have two Son-in-laws that have not gotten their boats out of Boston Harbor. They are bigger boats, but they don't go anywhere. In fact, I think most power boats are nothing more than floating summer cottages. I noticed that many years ago in Scituate Harbor. The only time most power boats moved was when it was put on the mooring, taken off the mooring, and the Bllessing-of-the-Fleet. The sail boats seemed to move a lot more.

Nobody travels like a C-Dory owner. We had seven 22' C-Dorys on out trip to the Erie Canal, from seven states. El and Bill's travels prove that it can be done. (Us guys need more ladies like El.) Rick from Maine had been everywhere around New England with his rig. as has been Dun.

There is no other boat on the market that is equal to the C-Dory. Thus, why should we give them away when we move up, down or sideways with our C-Dory purchases.

Fred Heap

A Grateful C-Dory Owner.
 
Great post, Fred!

What is implied in so much of what you and others have written is that there is a VERY LARGE UNFILLED DEMAND for these unique boats we have that drives the market and keeps the used C-Dory prices elevated.

Their styling and capabilities make them so much more attractive than the average used boat out there, that many owners look longingly for years at them before they're able to take the plunge. When they do, they have to pay a competitive price to wrest one from the market.

They also attract a special type of very thoughtful, thorough, and practical person. We are not novice boat owners who buy a Bayliner ski boat at the boat show on impulse, but a more seasoned, more deliberate, and wiser crowd who know what they want and are willing to pay for it!

Joe.
 
Sea Wolf":2uezq4ml said:
...many owners look longingly for years at them before they're able to take the plunge.
Click to expand...

Ain't that the truth...

The pic below is a repeat for some of you long-time C-Brats, but it's part of my story. Taken in 1988 on our honeymoon on San Juan Island, while wandering around Friday Harbor. It's pretty ironic that when we and the C-Lous finally snagged a 16, it was within a few stone throws of where I first saw one. In fact...isn't that Brown Island behind me in the photo? That was Pee Wee's previous home.

Since I found this photo last year, the memory is getting clearer...I recall coming back from Washington, and researching this intriguing boat. I remember visiting a dealer in Fairfield, CA - right near the junction of 680/80. Anyone recall that shop? They had quite a few C-Dorys on display - I'm guessing they may have been the sole NorCal dealership, as C-Dory volume back then was far less than it is now.

I drooled all over a 16 C-Dory they had sitting on blocks in their showroom. I schemed every which way I could think of to get my hands on the 16 that fascinated me so. Alas, as a student/gas station employee, it just wasn't going to happen...patience was forced upon me, and it ain't one of my virtues.

For all of you frustrated by prices...look at it this way. The vast majority of us who are owners, are in a very happy place. The cost for most is quickly forgotten, once the prize arrives... :lol:

San_Juan_C_Dory.sized.jpg
 
One major factor for our purchase 4 years ago was the "cute" factor. Put simply, my wife really liked the look of the C-Dory and agreed that we could upgrade boats as long as it was to a C-Dory. I was also looking at welded aluminum, Seasport, Skagit Orca at the time. I'm sure we paid a premium over other used 22' boats at the time. With gas over $3.00/gal she's looking pretty smart right about now. I wonder if the "cute" factor explains the relative lack of success of the old TomCat, despite its functional advantages? They made the new TomCat look like a C-Dory and now they can't build them fast enough!! Mike
 
westward":23un737k said:
I wonder if the "cute" factor explains the relative lack of success of the old TomCat, despite its functional advantages? They made the new TomCat look like a C-Dory and now they can't build them fast enough!! Mike
Click to expand...

Mike- I'm sure you're absolutely correct, at least for many people. Saying so may not endear one to the present TC-24 owners, but there is a lot of difference between the overall appearance of old and new TC's. The "salty" look sells! Joe.
 
Mike,
The high resale value is not a recent phenomenon. I am on my second C-Dory. In 1990 I purchased a used 83 angler for 10,500, used it for two seasons and resold it for 10,500. I purchased it here in Spokane and when I advertised it for sale in 1992 I attracted a buyer from the coast who bought it instantly. Unless C-Dories become a lot more common or make a foolish change is styling they will always have a very high resale value.
 
I find that the layout of the new Tom Cat was a deciding factor for us. The head was much more functional, the extra cabinet for hanging locker/storage, and the "green house" effect of the long slanted windshield, which heats up the cabin in the Tom Cat was a disadvantage in Florida. Also it was slightly easier to get in and out of the bunk on the Tom Cat 255.

I agree that the "cute" look is also very functional....with the overhang brow and the front opening window.

Regards,
 
I have owned several boats over the last 35 years and when the wife decieded that she would go with me more if we had a comfortable boat.
(she didn't like sitting in the open in the 22' whaler) We started looking for a used c-dory. The few we found were very nice, but almost as much money as a new one. We visited the factory for a tour and ran into a real trouble maker that was having his second c-dory built.( Thanks Pat) We thought about buying his 22' but decieded to keep looking. It took several more months before we decieded to just have one built. The main factors were the low fuel consumption and resale.
I fish a lot off the coast of Washington and have seen several C-dorys in some pretty damn rough water and the handled just fine.
 
When I first started looking I too thought the used c-dory's were "overpriced". At least with my experience of other boats. Over time I realized that these boats are in high demand. They really fit a market that no one else has bothered to tap. What other 22' cabin cruiser is there that can be towed behind a vehicle with only a 5,000lb rating and also get's 3-4 miles per gallon?

I get so many comments from people about my c-dory it's unbelievable. I just had my marine inspection done. Usually it's a 10 minute deal but noooooo. I have a C-dory. The coastie wanted to gander and talk about C-dory's. Fortyfive minutes later I finally pass! People just love C-dory's. Due to the low depreciation it's probably the ONLY boat I would consider buying new.

Over the weekend I logged over 100 miles out in the Pacific chasing Halibut. I used a measly 33 gallons of fuel. Many of the Deep V's were burning well over 50 gallons to go the same distance.

Anyway as you can tell I'm a fan.
 
Another factor:

Don't forget the role this site (and others before it) has played in the promotion of this wonderful boat.

I don't know of any other boat that has this devoted a group of owners and wannabe's constantly discussing and promoting a boat manufacturer or model.

As a result, C-Dory sells more boats, and we get the benefit of higher resale value.

In effect, we all kind of like share stock in the C-Dory enterprise, although not in the company directly.

Not a bad deal at all for everybody in the C-Dory convoy.

Joe.
 
Any old time, glad to help! I sort of remember that too!


Larry Q":115wn9nw said:
We visited the factory for a tour and ran into a real trouble maker that was having his second c-dory built.( Thanks Pat) We thought about buying his 22' but decieded to keep looking..
Click to expand...
 
Perhaps the actual ingredients in a C-Dory are not what set its price. By that I mean that a Bayliner is made of rather similar chemicals, by somewhat similar people and in a similar country. But I rarely run into a Bayliner owner with a similar passion for their boat and, at least up here, Bayliner ownership is not respected anywhere near that of C-Dory ownership.

If someone believes that price alone is how a boat should be measured, I guess I can understand the principle but I know for a fact that the principle does not stand up to fact.

If you want a product that will take you out into the water on a reasonable day and return you to shore with a fish or two in the cooler, you can get that for $12-$15 grand very easily. Don't waste your money on a C-Dory! If you want some built in safety, comfort, cross-utilization, warmth, efficiency, and perhaps a little pride, than you will need to pay more. If you want to knock the socks off your fellow millionaires, heck you can REALLY spend bucks.

I have purchased boats for far less than what a new or used C-dory costs, but the C-Dory was and still is the boat that I feel I got what I paid for and more. When it's really rough out there and I'm getting tossed about, I realize that I got more than I paid for, as the boat gets me home without falling apart. When I read what people have done with one of these boats such as the Red Fox, the river horse, Halcyon etc, I know that I got the very best I could for the money I spent.

You get what you pay for if you're lucky. I was lucky; I bought a C-dory! I got more!
 
Back
Top