best C-Dory to get a family of 4 to the San Juans (WA)?

N

NW_boater

New member
Hi folks,

I'm new to the forum, so my apologies if this post is in the wrong place. I am looking to buy a boat for motoring to/from/within the San Juan islands, primarily Lopez island, coming most likely from Anacortes or thereabouts. We have been enjoying the islands for several years by foot/bike/sea kayak and think that we're ready to take the plunge into boat ownership. Everything I read/hear about C-Dorys sounds perfect, especially that they are safe and fuel efficient, and good for cruising and exploring island nooks and bays, but I am hoping you can share with me some advice on the right model for our needs. We would be using this mainly for the trip out and back and some cruising in the islands (we don't fish at the moment). With college looming for the kids cost is definitely a consideration.

Would the 19' be big enough for making the trip across Rosario Strait in reasonable weather? I'm assuming that the 16' probably wouldn't be big enough for the four of us. We have minimal towing capacity so the boat will most likely have to be stored at a marina.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

Take care,
Phil
 
If you're just thinking about day trips then a 19 or 22 footer would work. If you're contemplating overnight trips on the boat then I don't think either of those two options would be very workable for four adult sized individuals.

We are a family of four and my kids are in grade school. When we are on a multi-day cruise we typically camp on shore. We do sometimes all sleep on the boat if we are tied to a dock where we can get out and move around, but I don't think we have ever, all four of us together, slept on the boat at anchor or tied to a buoy.

With our 22 footer, I regularly take four adults (including me) for a full day of crabbing, with eight crab traps.
 
I would go with the 22’. That is what I have and I would not want anything less either on the water or for room inside

I bought an angler as they are cheaper

Good luck!
 
A 22 Cruiser would be more sensible in affordability, size, adaptability, and resale value in the long run.

To sleep four, you'd need a full canvas enclosure over and around the cockpit, plus a folding cot or two. Two in the v-berth, one one the convertible table/berth in the cabin, and 1-2 in the enclosed cockpit.

Still, there'd be no enclosed head, but I'm guessing that depending on your family structure and ages, the porta-potti can be moved out into the cockpit at night, and the crew re-shuffled when necessary to accommodate the various crew needs for a few minutes.

Be sure to check this arrangement out with everyone concerned.

A CD-25 (with an enclosed head) would be a better solution, however, if it were affordable.

Hope this would work for you.

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
You will get some comments from a 19 owner I suspect. Agree with Joe (Sea Wolf).
You have to learn to drive the boats in rough weather, to avoid pounding. 4 is a load for a long trip, but I know of at least one group of 5, including large teens, which have been successful in a 22. The cockpit is smaller than in the 25. I prefer air mattresses over cots anyway (and spent my youth sleeping on an air mattress in the cockpit of a 26 foot sailboat, often in the open, under an open ended boom tent or with a piece of water proof canvas over my sleeping bag.

The table would be a squeeze for 3, Also seating for3 in the cabin, although a bean bag or folding chair can work in the cabin. The 25 has a wider navigator seat, and can sit two.

On occasion you can find a 25 at 40K or perhaps a little under, but most are going in the 50K to 70K range depending on condition and equipment.

The boats are ideal for trailering--and you may consider some serious on the water as well as trailer (boater home) land cruising to distant destinations. The boats are capable of Alaska, Baja, and Bahamas if you are so inclined.
 
You will get some comments from a 19 owner I suspect. Agree with Joe (Sea Wolf).
You have to learn to drive the boats in rough weather, to avoid pounding. 4 is a load for a long trip, but I know of at least one group of 5, including large teens, which have been successful in a 22. The cockpit is smaller than in the 25. I prefer air mattresses over cots anyway (and spent my youth sleeping on an air mattress in the cockpit of a 26 foot sailboat, often in the open, under an open ended boom tent or with a piece of water proof canvas over my sleeping bag.

The table would be a squeeze for 3, Also seating for3 in the cabin, although a bean bag or folding chair can work in the cabin. The 25 has a wider navigator seat, and can sit two.

On occasion you can find a 25 at 40K or perhaps a little under, but most are going in the 50K to 70K range depending on condition and equipment.

The boats are ideal for trailering--and you may consider some serious on the water as well as trailer (boater home) land cruising to distant destinations. The boats are capable of Alaska, Baja, and Bahamas if you are so inclined.
 
Get the biggest one you can afford. If affordability is an issue, go with at least the 22. It can become "cozy" for a family for more than just a day trip, but is a good compromise. I'd have a 255 tomcat if I could afford it. But.....its not the initial purchase cost that has kept us in a 22. They require a bigger tow vehicle, and much heavier duty trailer and braking systems to maintain. Also have more equipment to repair on board and have significantly more expensive engines to replace should that be needed down the road.
 
Hi folks,

Thanks so much for all the helpful advice. Based on your suggestions I think we will focus on the 22' models. We may have to wait a little bit and/or look at older boats to find one in our price range, but it sounds like having the extra length will pay off in the long run. If anyone hears of 22 footers available in the Puget Sound area and wants to pass those along to me, please feel free. Also if anyone has advice about how best to get a look at/test out these boats, I'd be happy to hear it. Boat shows? Visit the factory? Bribe local owners with beer/free food?

Thanks again.

Take care,
Phil
 
Phil, if you look on the home page, lower right corner, you'll see C-Dory boats for sale. Lots of them in the PNW area.

Good luck on your search.
 
If you find one that fits your needs, you need to be prepared to move fast on the purchase. These boats can sell quite quickly.
 
Welcome to the group Phil. In addition to the for sale section here, I would also make a habit of checking Craigslist and Boat Trader (and to a lesser extent Yacht World).

You'd be surprised at how many C Dory's arrive on Craigslist and NOT HERE.

Good luck! The 22 footer is the bread and butter of the lineup. Great boat.
 
NW_boater":13zu14p0 said:
Hi folks,

Thanks so much for all the helpful advice. Based on your suggestions I think we will focus on the 22' models. We may have to wait a little bit and/or look at older boats to find one in our price range, but it sounds like having the extra length will pay off in the long run. If anyone hears of 22 footers available in the Puget Sound area and wants to pass those along to me, please feel free. Also if anyone has advice about how best to get a look at/test out these boats, I'd be happy to hear it. Boat shows? Visit the factory? Bribe local owners with beer/free food?

Thanks again.

Take care,
Phil
Click to expand...

Hi Phil. Welcome and lot's of great info here. BTW, I'm available for small Bribes. No beer, but Pizza works :lol: Not that far away either, unless you get an offer for closer. PM works for making connections.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

JC_Lately_SleepyC_Flat_Blue_070.thumb.jpg
 
Hi again,

Thanks for the pointers to the 'for sale' sites. I will keep an eye on those. Just in case anybody has a second, I found the following link:

https://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/boa/d/dory-classic-dual-axel-trailer/6622534546.html

and am wondering if anybody has any thoughts, for example whether 60HP is under-powered for a 22'? Are there any typical 'red flags' to watch out for? And is it important to have the hull/engine inspected prior to purchase (I was assuming so).

Hope to join the ranks of C-Dory owners in the near future.

Take care,
Phil
 
It has bottom paint, that could still be good depending on type and age (but it looks good in the pix).

You are talking about for 4 adult sized folk right? SO, there is not going to be comfortable room in the cabin for 4, unless 2 are in the Vee birth. But you asked about the engine, ("is a 60 going to be enough power?"). I would say not, UNLESS you are doing slow cruise, (read hull speed = 5-6 knots) only. It might get up and plane with 2 adults on board, but I would doubt it will with 4 unless they are judicially placed and would have to be able to move and maintain for ballasting purposes.

The good part is that that OB engine has very low hours so it could be worth something on a trade. For 4 adults you are probably looking at a 90. That is the classic style, so the transom will not accept twins or you might get away with adding a second 60 but that is a lot of power for that boat. I have seen a few with 70's on them but those engines are working hard to plane with more than one adult and and gear on board.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

1_10_2012_from_Canon_961.thumb.jpg
 
Hey NW_boater.

The same boat is listed here with the owner Puget-Sounder. It's near the bottom listed as 1981 C-Dory Classic 22' For Sale.
Good luck!

Spuncopper
 
The above mentioned boat is a bargain for someone who wants a classic, which seems to be well maintained and upgraded. BUT..in 1987, the hull was changed, from the flat bottom semi dory, to a V shape forward, with a little deadrise (V) and the reverse chine, to carry more weight aft, and a better ride of the more modern boats.

Agree with Harvey that 4 good sized people are a crowd in this boat's cabin. The 60 Yamaha, is the same block as the 70, I believe. If so, you may do fine with lower planing speeds in the 15 to 16 mph category. For NW_Boater's uses, I think a standard 22 cruiser would be more suitable. There is also a 'Commuter" version available--it would be possible to make a short double bed between the two seats. (athwartships, forgo the galley, but have lots of room for seating inside the boat...).
 
Back
Top