C-16' Cruiser, or Angler for fishing and touring around

U

umy888

New member
Hello C-Brats!

My wife and I fell in love with a 16' cruiser about 8 years ago and only now are looking into buying one. I have a small 15' aluminum boat and hate to get rid of it as it is so easy to take to Columbia River, Lake Washington, and down to Shilshole Bay just a 5 minute drive from our house. Seems like a 16' C-Dory may be just and portable. Wonder if I can haul it with my 1999 Ford Ranger 2 Wheel Drive Truck. Sure would like a 18' or 20' Trophy boat for fishing, but 150HP engine? Too much money and trouble for me, besides I caught about 200 pounds of salmon total this year with my little 15' boat. Don't need to travel all over the sound each morning in pursuit of fish, there's enough of them near the light house.

Would love to take this little C-dory from Shilshole bay to: South Whidbey Island, to Indianola often, and though the Agate Pass to the little European village of Poulsbo. If the truck will pull it then perhaps to a launch near the San Juans.

Other questions I have.

On the Cruiser, can I salmon fish with 2 people and 2 downriggers?

Should I get the Angler as 50 - 70% will be used for fishing? -- there goes the cute little vbirth and cabin that sold my wife on this boat.

How safe is it? I don't mind going slow, just so I stay dry.

Can I run a 25hp yamaha 4 stroke on it now, albeit at only 10 - 15 mph if that? I could use my existing motor then. Can I buy another 25 later for 50hp total? That one 25 is very heavy due to 4stroke. What would 2 do to weigh it down?

Should I jump up to the 19' angler? Would this end all my boat desires forever?

Thank you very much and look forward to joining this great community of boaters (Adverturists) I've heard so much about.
 
Hi Darrell,
Actually, it sounds as if the 16' Cruiser would currently be good for you. (Remember, it is that "cute little v-berth and cabin that sold your wife on this boat"). (If your marital situation is like mine....."What makes her happy, makes me happy!, then keep that in mind... :wink .

Will it go to the places you mentioned? Absoulutely, as with any vessel, pay attention to the weather and sea conditions. When we had our 16' Cruiser we went to all of those destinations.

As to power, I think you'd be unhappy with a single 25 and don't think anyone has done twin 25s. Usually a single 40 or 50 and consider/but not necessary a kicker.

Will your current 2 WD Ranger tow it? Yes, it should do fine around this area.

"Will this end all my boat desires forever?" Probably not. Although we are not everyone, even though we were "taken" with the 16' initially, we knew fairly quickly that the 22' would suit our purposes better and couldn't wait to move up!

Join us on one of the gatherings and I'm certain you and your wife can find a ride on several different sizes of vessels.

(Obviously, tow rigs, money, storage etc. all enter into the equation on everyone's decision, therefore you have to find what fits best for your family).
 
My wife & I bought a 16' Cruiser in September and we just love it. I got to ride in the 16' Angler as well. The Cruiser V-berth sold us.

As for the motor, we have a 50hp Suzuki. I would have preferred a Honda 50 for weight, but it doesn't provide sufficient amperage to run GPS, sounder, radar, VHF, bilge pump, et al. We also have a Suzuki 9hp kicker on the back. Weight distribution can affect the comfort & ride, but we're extremely happy with the boat. We did run into 3-5 ft seas with 15-20 knot winds in Lynn Canal for a bit and it handled both well. We got bounced around a bit & had to slow down, but the boat tracked straight & true back to the harbor.

We were looking for a 22' Cruiser, but the 16' Cruiser allows us to explore the Juneau area before we move up.
 
I just love our CD16 Angler Crabby Lou. Right now it is not set up for overnighting but I have seen how with just a camperback that would be possible (Catman is Da Man), or maybe with a little bit of modification by converting the cuddy to a vee-berth it could become a pseudo-cruiser (I do not however personally have the skills to do that - Oldgrowth Dave, are you hankering for another project?). The advantage of the Angler configuration is that the helm (and weight of the helmsman) is a couple of feet forward of where it is with the Cruiser, which is why the Cruiser folks all love their Permatrims. With an Angler, you don't need a Permatrim - the attitude of the boat is just right without it. But either way, straight Angler or Cruiser with a Permatrim, these are seaworthy, extremely economical and FUN boats. Of course I would rather spend three weeks on Daydream but for day cruises and weekenders, the CD16 is perfect by me! I still have a bit of sales job to do with Patty, who does not quite understand the appeal of "smaller is better" yet...
 
Darrel,

From what you put in your post it sounds like the 19' Angler would be a better boat. More room, just about as easy to handle, yet far more economical to run than the Trophy you posted about. And I THINK you would still be able to tow it with your Ranger.

I don't think you would be satisfied with only a 25hp on the 16'. Sounds pretty under powered to me. Besides, the loss in resale value for your alum boat would be pretty bad. Get the new motor with the boat.
 
Darrell - if 30% to 50% of your boat use is going to be for other than fishing, get the cruiser. Trying to sleep two people in the angler, even with a camperback on is not easy. The cruiser is made for overnighting, however it is cramped.

You wont have any problems with the waters of Puget Sound or the Straits as long as you use reasonable care and watch the weather. As mentioned by Pat, you should put a permatrim on the cruiser. They are easy to make or can be purchased for around $100. Don’t put anything smaller than a 40 hp engine on the 16.

I towed my 16 cruiser with a GMC Sonoma (which is similar to the Ranger) without any trouble. Going over the mountains will be moderate work for the Ranger, but should handle it OK. Just be willing to go a little slower than most traffic.

I would be happy to give you a test ride in my 16 Cruiser, except it is not a 16 any more.

PS – welcome to the C-Brat community. Hope to see you on the Sound someday.

Pat Anderson":14mbarfd said:
or maybe with a little bit of modification by converting the cuddy to a vee-berth it could become a pseudo-cruiser (I do not however personally have the skills to do that - Oldgrowth Dave, are you hankering for another project?).
Click to expand...
Pat - you don’t really want to cut up that cute little Crabby Lou

________
Dave dlt.gif
 
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