C-Dory 14 suitable for Puget Sound waters??
- Thread starter T-Bones
- Start date
Well, first let me say I have lusted after a 14 footer since "Hector was a pup". That said, I have never set foot on one, nor will I probably ever will. So here, for what they're worth, are my thoughts from several years with two 16 footers on Puget Sound. Regarding getting beat to death when it gets rough, the boat may be able to handle it but you probably won't. As with any boat, you have to be aware of the conditions and the forecast, especially in these small boats. On the other hand, when conditions are favorable calm or light chop, you can go anywhere and enjoy the trip. I have gone from Edmonds to Bellingham and back and enjoyed every moment. If you do get the 14 footer I would recommend a couple things, first get a Permatrim for the engine. This inexpensive easily installed item will not just keep the bow down, it will help keep the entire boat down, and make for a much more pleasant ride. Second, wipers are a necessity on these small boats, even on calm days. Make sure you can reach the handle on the starboard wiper from a sitting position, If not, bite the bullet and get an electric wiper installed. I hope some 14 foot owners will comment. Good luck to you and welcome to the C-Brats.T-Bones":b28pd7fm said:
I have just one thing to add to what Marty has said, only as a precaution:
How much smaller a boat is a CD-14 than a CD-16?
If you answered 2 feet, you get a "C" in subtraction.
If you answered "It depends on not only the length, but the beam, the mass, the free board, the cabin configuration, plus other hull characteristics, equipment, seating, power, etc., etc., you may be on to discovering something.
Not to knock a CD-14, but to those of us that have extensive small boat experience, and especially in sailing dinghy sized craft, a few feet can be much more than a few feet, especially in short, tight chop, and with wind against the current.
I've sailed boats a small as 8 feet in length on San Francisco Bay and in the Near Coast Pacific Ocean, and a few feet in the mid-teen areas can make a lot of difference in a boat's handling the conditions comfortably.
Just be sure to look closely at the 14 and 16 and compare them throughly as them may be somewhat different creatures.
How many persons do you plan on taking out? How much equipment? Going how far? Cruising? Fishing? Crabbing? Shrimping?
Sorry to be so tentative, but it's the right the time to be asking these kinds of questions.
Another thought: If the 14 is capable of the same things a 16 is, why didn't they make and sell more of them?
Good Luck on your journey!
Joe. :teeth :thup
How much smaller a boat is a CD-14 than a CD-16?
If you answered 2 feet, you get a "C" in subtraction.
If you answered "It depends on not only the length, but the beam, the mass, the free board, the cabin configuration, plus other hull characteristics, equipment, seating, power, etc., etc., you may be on to discovering something.
Not to knock a CD-14, but to those of us that have extensive small boat experience, and especially in sailing dinghy sized craft, a few feet can be much more than a few feet, especially in short, tight chop, and with wind against the current.
I've sailed boats a small as 8 feet in length on San Francisco Bay and in the Near Coast Pacific Ocean, and a few feet in the mid-teen areas can make a lot of difference in a boat's handling the conditions comfortably.
Just be sure to look closely at the 14 and 16 and compare them throughly as them may be somewhat different creatures.
How many persons do you plan on taking out? How much equipment? Going how far? Cruising? Fishing? Crabbing? Shrimping?
Sorry to be so tentative, but it's the right the time to be asking these kinds of questions.
Another thought: If the 14 is capable of the same things a 16 is, why didn't they make and sell more of them?
Good Luck on your journey!
Joe. :teeth :thup
dotnmarty":1xqa58pm said:
Marty--Re: your--" If you do get the 14 footer I would recommend a couple things, first get a Permatrim for the engine".
As I have the 16' Angler I am interested in this comment of yours. C-Dory Angler-s, as you know' are not stern heavy and snapping up on plane is-well- a snap.
You seem to feel it adds more value here as well- possibly by adding a foot to the boat's length effect? Is this true?
Geoff
Honestly I don't know the physics of it. And, again honestly, I have heard others say that, because the angler is not as stern heavy as the cruiser, Permatrim is not as needed on the angler. My feeling (and that's what it is, a feeling), having had both a cruiser and an angler, is that the Permatrim added firmness and stability to both models. For the price and the ease of installation, I think it is a no brainer. It also gives one the security of a step to reenter the boat on the water if necessary. Sorry to take over the the tread. Lots of info on this subject if you do a c-brats google search.
It DEPENDS. Which is what Marty and Joe are both saying, and that's the right answer. It depends on:
Your skill -- in choosing the right time, place, conditions, load, power, and activity.
Your choice of where, when and how -- you manage the vessel
Your situational awareness -- Weather, water and traffic conditions. You can have glass flat water and a 5 foot tug wake on the beam could make things iffy.... If you took it on the quarter things might a been better.
Your towing capability: A V-Dub bug or a Duramax 2500. If you are maxed out at 800# then your choice is limited.
Your $$$ capacity: The C-Dory (of any size) will hold it's value much better than almost any other power boat. You could consider it an investment -- in $$$ sanity and pleasure. A 14 could easily be set up to row -- an investment in health and fitness.
So, my friend, you see, it really does depend.
There are several very accomplished mariners here who have more than considerable experience with the 16s. My friend Marty being one of them, is very modest but knows those boats and capabilities inside out. On this site, look up the boat Bambina. Under the capable hands of a very accomplished skipper, (on this site as Catman), Brock has taken that boat over more water than many of the larger boats have gone. Why? Because he could.
The difference between a 14 and a 16 is not just 2 feet, as Joe was saying. It is roughly 25 to 30% more boat. More length, more beam, more draught, and more weight.
So, my answer to your question (and others may agree or not -- (It Depends), is Yes it is capable, and yes, with the application of some speed in certain conditions it can beat you to death, OR you slow down, and drive the bow down (with that permatrim Marty mentioned), and cut through t\he chop. OR, you pay attention to all the above, weather, water and situation, and have a beautiful day on the water.
It just depends.
Harvey
SleepyC :moon
Your skill -- in choosing the right time, place, conditions, load, power, and activity.
Your choice of where, when and how -- you manage the vessel
Your situational awareness -- Weather, water and traffic conditions. You can have glass flat water and a 5 foot tug wake on the beam could make things iffy.... If you took it on the quarter things might a been better.
Your towing capability: A V-Dub bug or a Duramax 2500. If you are maxed out at 800# then your choice is limited.
Your $$$ capacity: The C-Dory (of any size) will hold it's value much better than almost any other power boat. You could consider it an investment -- in $$$ sanity and pleasure. A 14 could easily be set up to row -- an investment in health and fitness.
So, my friend, you see, it really does depend.
There are several very accomplished mariners here who have more than considerable experience with the 16s. My friend Marty being one of them, is very modest but knows those boats and capabilities inside out. On this site, look up the boat Bambina. Under the capable hands of a very accomplished skipper, (on this site as Catman), Brock has taken that boat over more water than many of the larger boats have gone. Why? Because he could.
The difference between a 14 and a 16 is not just 2 feet, as Joe was saying. It is roughly 25 to 30% more boat. More length, more beam, more draught, and more weight.
So, my answer to your question (and others may agree or not -- (It Depends), is Yes it is capable, and yes, with the application of some speed in certain conditions it can beat you to death, OR you slow down, and drive the bow down (with that permatrim Marty mentioned), and cut through t\he chop. OR, you pay attention to all the above, weather, water and situation, and have a beautiful day on the water.
It just depends.
Harvey
SleepyC :moon
The Permatrim (or any hydrofoil, for that matter) adds apparent length to the hull when added to the boat/motor configuration.
This makes the boat act like it's longer when pitching in the waves/chop.
(Think of the bottom of the Permatrim as an extension of the bottom of the hull, which ='s a longer boat.)
Simple physics w/o the vectors, quantification, detailed analysis, or chalk dust.
This is in addition to earlier planning, planning at lower speeds, etc.
Hope this helps explain the topic.
Joe. :teeth :thup
This makes the boat act like it's longer when pitching in the waves/chop.
(Think of the bottom of the Permatrim as an extension of the bottom of the hull, which ='s a longer boat.)
Simple physics w/o the vectors, quantification, detailed analysis, or chalk dust.
This is in addition to earlier planning, planning at lower speeds, etc.
Hope this helps explain the topic.
Joe. :teeth :thup
Blueback":1l7rijbh said:
Geoff- I have no personal experience with the 16 or 14 with a Permatrim, but it seems to others that do, and to 19, 22, and 25owners, that it does! Ditto for other boat brands, generally, though that would be a sweeping generalization, and I'm sure there are exceptions, or at least, boats where it is unnecessary. I've always found it to be a great addition, myself. There's only one true Permatrim supplier for the US: ShipYard Island Marine, in Michigan, and IIRC, Andy Munao is the Permatrim Guru(!). Try:
http://www.permatrims.com/
Joe. :teeth :thup
I also once considered the purchase of a 14', mainly for the following reasons:
1) Easily fits in garage
2) As a secondary boat to be used on calm days and lakes
3) Most importantly, the cuteness / fun factor!
I ultimately decided on a 16' Angler for the following reasons, and couldn't be happier with this boat:
1) Used 16's are much easier to find than 14's (but sounds like you've already found a 14 so not an issue)
2) The Hardtop on the 16' angler is the same as the 14', but it sits on a wider, longer, and deeper hull, as others have said. Still cute, but a bit more functional, for example, being able to walk around the outside of the cabin if you have to get to the bow. Surprisingly I was also able to fit it in my garage.
3) The wider transom of the 16 has room for the kicker, without needing a kicker bracket.
4) At the time of purchase, it was no longer a secondary boat but my only boat, so the extra capacity and seaworthiness of the 16' is much appreciated...can easily go anywhere in Puget Sound and beyond.
I think the 14' C-dory would be a excellent boat if you are looking for a 14' boat.. The hardtop makes it more comfortable to take out in the weather than most other 14 footers, as you are protected from the rain, sun, wind and spray. That's what I love most about the C-dory compared to other 16' footers I've had.
-Mike
1) Easily fits in garage
2) As a secondary boat to be used on calm days and lakes
3) Most importantly, the cuteness / fun factor!
I ultimately decided on a 16' Angler for the following reasons, and couldn't be happier with this boat:
1) Used 16's are much easier to find than 14's (but sounds like you've already found a 14 so not an issue)
2) The Hardtop on the 16' angler is the same as the 14', but it sits on a wider, longer, and deeper hull, as others have said. Still cute, but a bit more functional, for example, being able to walk around the outside of the cabin if you have to get to the bow. Surprisingly I was also able to fit it in my garage.
3) The wider transom of the 16 has room for the kicker, without needing a kicker bracket.
4) At the time of purchase, it was no longer a secondary boat but my only boat, so the extra capacity and seaworthiness of the 16' is much appreciated...can easily go anywhere in Puget Sound and beyond.
I think the 14' C-dory would be a excellent boat if you are looking for a 14' boat.. The hardtop makes it more comfortable to take out in the weather than most other 14 footers, as you are protected from the rain, sun, wind and spray. That's what I love most about the C-dory compared to other 16' footers I've had.
-Mike