C-Dory 22 Cruiser vs Arima Sea Ranger 19 Hardtop

O

O157

New member
Hello. First post here. I hope that these types of comparisons haven't been beaten to death to much here :roll: but I really like both of these boats so far and just can't make a decision. Mind you I haven't been out on either one yet so I'd really like some owner input on the 22 vs other C-Dorys vs the Arima. Of course I expect you guys to be a little biased. :lol:

Boat will be used and kept at the docks of our vacation home on the Siuslaw river here in Oregon. Most of the fishing/crabbing will be in the bay and river with occasional trips out across the bar to fishing grounds several miles away from there. Most times it will be 3 or 4 people aboard when fishing and sometimes as many as 6 (when the kids are there) and we are just making a run into Florence for dinner.

We plan to buy used and have a budget of about 30k. I know the boats handle similarly as the hull designs are similar but what I'm really wondering about is things like maintenance issues or quirks that C-Dorys might have. Is there a certain year I should stay away from or defects to look for when we are shopping? Is a Honda 75 going to be adequate? What type of fuel economy can I expect (range)?

Thanks for any help you guys can offer. Looking forward to your reponses.
 
My 2006 22 cruiser has no maintenance issues or quirks. I've been getting in it and going boating for 5 seasons now. The quirks in higher end quality build boats like C-dorys tend to be in the stuff that is on any boat. Outboards, electronics and the like. Though I've had no engine or electronic, trim tab, etc. quirks either on my boat. The C-dory hull is a fine piece of engineering.
 
0157-

I'm only so familiar with the Arimas, but will offer you this:

1. If you're going to ever do any serious cruising, the C-Dory Cruiser is a better cruising boat than the Arima, hands down. For a couple, it's ideal, unless the female member cannot be without an enclosed bathroom and shower, in which case you move up to the CD-25 Cruiser or equivalent.

2. If, however, as you say, you'r going to fish with 3-4 folks on board and occasionally carry up to 6, the choice then becomes between a C-D 22 Angler and the Arima 19, and the winner will be determined by which one offers the most floor space and fishing amenities. I would guess the C-D 22 Angler would be favored here, but my best advice would be to look them both over avery carefully in that regard.

3. I don't know about the Arima 19 SR, but I do know the CD-22 Angler comes with either a hard rear bulkhead, or is open, with a canvas cover optional. If you're going to leave it at your docks, get a boat with a hard bulkhead to discourage "thefts of opportunity" from easy entry. A determined thief can break into either type, but why set the table for easy fair for the passer by?

Much more to discuss, I'm sure!

Good Luck!

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
I'm just a nobody on here, but welcome to the C-Brats site. You will find tons of information on here regarding C-Dory boats for sure.

In general, C-Dory boats are great boats for all the reasons you already know. The 22 really doesn't have any quiks I know of and I have had mine for a long time. Maintenance is the same as all fiberglass boats: clean the growth off, lubrication, wash/wax, filters, winter storage....ect - the normal boat stuff.

Looking at your intended useage, I don't think a Honda 75 is going to cut it with 3-4 people on board with fishing gear. Also, consider how much weight will be added when everyone catches a haul of fish out on the bar. It will be significant. I think you would be sorry if you bought one with 70 ish horsepower. I suggest a Honda 90 and you shouldn't have trouble finding one - seems to be a pretty typical setup. Expect anywhere between 3.5 - 5 MPG depending on load and conditions.

Good luck in your search!
 
T.R. Bauer":u80bn3br said:
I'm just a nobody on here, but welcome to the C-Brats site. <stuff clipped>
Looking at your intended useage, I don't think a Honda 75 is going to cut it with 3-4 people on board with fishing gear. Also, consider how much weight will be added when everyone catches a haul of fish out on the bar. It will be significant. I think you would be sorry if you bought one with 70 ish horsepower. I suggest a Honda 90 and you shouldn't have trouble finding one - seems to be a pretty typical setup. Expect anywhere between 3.5 - 5 MPG depending on load and conditions.

Good luck in your search!
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Everybody is a somebody here! And I too welcome you to the site. I agree with TR that a 70hp will be a bit light on power for your intended used. I've only been on Arimas at the boat show but the one I was on had very limited head space relative to a 22. I remember feeling like I needed a hatch above the helm and would have better sight lines if I stood up with my head through the hatch. 3-4 fishing on a 22 cruiser or angler is definitely doable but I claim that 3 is the ideal number on a cruiser. If you don't intend to do cruising or overnight camping, a 22 angler might better suit your needs as it has more deck space for fishing.
 
Fuel on most of the 22s is around 40 gallons or a bit more. That should equate to 100+ miles of range at least with reserve or up to 150+ depending on how your motored/loaded and how you drive it. We see about average 4mpg so far in a loaded 19 angler with a Honda carbed 75hp.

Greg
 
I have owned them both, had my Arima for 10 years, have had my C-Dory now for 8 years.
As I read your post in my opinion you would enjoy the Arima more unless your tall over 5'11" that top was a real pain in the a#* for me.
I love my C-dory High top as we find ourselves mostly cursing now. The 75 hp might not be enough power for the Arima with all the people you are talking about.
Hope this helps you.
Dave
 
The few things I've heard about Arimas are that they are great fishing boats due to the wider beam compared to a C-Dory. However, the headroom as Roger alluded to is a negative factor (obviously not in the cockpit). I believe they come equipped with removable hatches in the roof. Although the hulls are similar, they are not as flat bottomed as C-Dorys and therefore require more power than C-Dorys of similar size. i.e. an Arima Sea Legend 22 HT comes with a standard engine of 150hp where a C-Dory 22 can only be powered to a maximum of 115hp. We are very happy with our fuel-injected Suzuki 90hp.

My take. C-Dory is a versatile all-around boat that can be used for cruising as well as fishing whereas the Arima is a better pure fishing boat due to its wider beam. I think both boats are fine for what you want to do.
 
O157":1o1nrkc2 said:
Most of the fishing/crabbing will be in the bay and river with occasional trips out across the bar to fishing grounds several miles away from there. Most times it will be 3 or 4 people aboard when fishing and sometimes as many as 6 (when the kids are there) and we are just making a run into Florence for dinner.
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The first thing that grabs me is that you don't mention any overnighting or camp cruising. You do say 3-4 for fishing and possibly 6 aboard for a restaurant run.

I can't speak to the Arima at all, but in the modern (1987 and newer) 22 C-Dory (not sure if you are aware of this or not) the same hull comes in a Cruiser version and an Angler version. Both the Cruiser and Angler have the same configuration forward of the helm bulkhead (anchor locker, V-berth, Porta Potti); where they differ is aft of that.

The Cruiser has a longer cabin and shorter cockpit. In the cabin there is a helm seat and a decent sized galley to stbd, and a dinette with two seats (can make up into a bed) to port. On some boats the forward dinette seat can be switched around to face forward (on boats without this feature it is possible to mod them to achieve it). The cockpit is just under 5' long.

I'm not as familiar with the Angler, and I think there are a couple of cabin layout variations, but the principle divisions hold: Same forward layout as the Cruiser, then the cabin is two feet shorter, and typically has two forward facing seats (helm, co-pilot) and then a couple of flats aft of that (I think these can potentially be seats or a mini-galley?). Basically the two "extra" windows on the Cruiser cabin are missing. But... then the cockpit is longer - around 7' long.

I would think that for the uses you describe, I would prefer the Angler to the Cruiser. I think four could sit inside on the Angler (perhaps with minor mods?), maybe a couple of kids in the V-berth. Or folks could be in the cockpit on chairs or coolers - especially if you had some sheltering cockpit canvas (retractable). There'd be so much more room for fishing on the Angler. I am a cruiser through-and-through, but even I wish the cockpit were longer. I actually daydream about a C-Dory 24 Cruiser, that is just the same as a 22, but with the Angler cockpit grafted to the Cruiser cabin :D (non-existent in reality).

Seems the Cruiser makes a great all around boat, and you can fish it or camp cruise it. But if not overnighting....

As Joe mentioned, some boats were made with a "soft" (canvas) aft cabin bulkhead. After spending time on a friend's 16 Cruiser (also has canvas aft cabin bulkhead), I prefer the ability to close a hard door to at least some of the engine noise and "the elements." That's just personal preference though.
 
I had an Arima 17 Ranger, with Honda 90, prior to buying my CDory. Great fishing platform for 2 people, getting crowded with 3. I've not been on the 19, but have fished offshore (way offshore) chasing tuna with a friend (total of 4 people) in his Arima 21 Ranger. That boat had a Honda 150, and it seemed about right in performance. It also burned a lot of fuel when compared to the CDory. For an offshore round trip of about 130 miles, we had a fuel bill of $240.

The 21 Ranger doesn't have a lot of headroom, but it fishes nicely. I really struggled with the choice between the Arima 21 and CDory 22. We chose the CDory, and I am glad we did. From my perspective, you can do more with it. Another great point about the CDory is this community! The CBrats are great people, and a great boating resource.
 
Your budget might be a little light for this, but I'd also check out the 22' Arima Sea legend hardtop. Its a very capable fishing boat thats got alot of respect around the fishing community.

We love our 22, but its a little small for fishing more than 2-3 people and 6 people would be impossible.

Still for a budget around 30k a 22' C-dory probably cant be beat.

We will fish all weekend and go from one corner of the San Juans to the other and back, and burn only 10 - 15 gallons.

You've picked out a couple of very nice boats that probably would make any fisherman happy. I also like the Parker as well as Defiance pilot house boats.
 
Wow. Thanks for all the responses! The Arima has a 115hp Suzuki btw. Possibly we could negotiate a new 90hp motor (Zuki or Honda?) for the C-Dory since its at a dealer. Dunno.

I like the idea of buying less fuel and the lower planning speed that the C-Dory offers. I don't think we would do much cruising other than the 7 river miles or so to town. Mostly just fishing for us which makes me wonder if we should be looking at the Angler 22. I think I'd rather have the hard bulkhead though to keep Grandma cozy in the winter. We'd look at a larger boat but I think our dock size and budget might not allow this.

One question I forgot to ask in the OP was how long is the C-Dory 22 on the trailer (prop to hitch)?
 
O157":y61le6t1 said:
Wow. Thanks for all the responses! The Arima has a 115hp Suzuki btw. Possibly we could negotiate a new 90hp motor (Zuki or Honda?) for the C-Dory since its at a dealer. Dunno.

I like the idea of buying less fuel and the lower planning speed that the C-Dory offers. I don't think we would do much cruising other than the 7 river miles or so to town. Mostly just fishing for us which makes me wonder if we should be looking at the Angler 22. I think I'd rather have the hard bulkhead though to keep Grandma cozy in the winter. We'd look at a larger boat but I think our dock size and budget might not allow this.

One question I forgot to ask in the OP was how long is the C-Dory 22 on the trailer (prop to hitch)?
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With a Permatrim plate on the engine, I think we are at least 27 feet.
 
Wandering Sagebrush":c9fawpm5 said:
rogerbum":c9fawpm5 said:
O157":c9fawpm5 said:
Okay. Thanks. It will be a tight squeeze fitting into the shop but it should work.
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If it gets too tight, you can have the trailer modified to have folding tongue.
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Just don't use the Dr. Bob modification...

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Doh!! I'm sure there's a story behind that.
 
Wandering Sagebrush":26xpcr98 said:
From Bob's description, it was just the result of a harmonic that set in while driving on a real bumpy section of freeway in Mississippi.
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That, and partial rot through of an old trailer.
 
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