C-Dory 25' Cruiser

I am pretty sure Minnow's problems are NOT typical of the CD25 or any C-Dory. If they were typical, you wouldn't find so many enthusiastic owners here. Don't really know what is going on there, but I'll bet there are two sides to that tale as well. Nothing made by man is perfect, of course, and that includes C-Dory boats. We have had our 25 for only two days, but have given it a pretty good inspection. You have to hunt pretty hard to even find a minor blemish on it - Andrew from the factory pointed out one or two, and then fixed them. I guess it may help to live close to the factory, I know Minnow can't be trailering it to Auburn, WA, from New Jersey whenever something needs attention. Our initial splash proved all systems work as advertised. All in all, our assessment is that this is an awesome boat. I can't talk about the other brands, have never owned one. But having had a CD22, which we absolutely loved for two years, and now having a CD25, we would be hard pressed to come up with any reason why we would even consider another boat (except maybe a Nordic Tug, when we cash in the house!). These are extremely high quality, durable and safe boats, Minnow's experience notwithstanding.


pmberman":dvag0x7f said:
ok, I've been reading a lot of your responses regarding the 25'. After seeing "minnow's" defect photos and hearing how there have been problems with other folks 25's like rub rails coming off, I wonder about the quality. If the C-Dory is 10k less than a comparable Whaler, but their are basic quality issues, is it worth the risk? If I am going to buy a boat for me and my wife to cruise on, I want it to be durable and safe above all else. Be honest, is the lower price of a C-Dory 25' compared to a boat like a Whaler a trade off for quality and durability, not to mention safety??
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"you wouldn't find so many enthusiastic owners here."

True -- and I might add, enthusiastic owners that have owned (many) Whalers. The enthusiasm (for me) comes from all you can do with these boats. As much as I loved the Whalers, I never camped out on a Colorado mountaintop in one. Never once used a Whaler as a hunt-camp cabin in Georgia, toasty at 18 degrees. I can't recall a single time I had one gold-mining in California, Oregon, and Wa. state. Was never photographed in the Whaler at a rest stop in Yakima grilling hamburgers . . . That's why you buy these boats -- because they're not a Whaler -- they're a different design altogether, and you do vastly different things than in a Whaler. Live-boating becomes possible (on a budget).

All that said -- if you're looking that nervously at them -- pass -- get your Whaler and be happy rather than sleeping on pins and needles. Life is to short for that.
 
We've lived on our C-Dory 22', Halcyon, for most of the past 4 1/2 years. Trailered her across the US east-west, north-south many times. Cruised her on all three coasts (and to Alaska) and most of the navigable rivers in between. She is, for us, the perfect boat for our purpose: to explore the waterways of America. For that, we required the smallest, best-built liveaboard powerboat. She had to be easy to launch, retrieve, and trailer. She had to be the best-built boat for our purpose -- safest, easiest to cruise, handle, maintain. She needed to ably satisfy our creature comforts -- comfy berth, good stove, adequate storage, room for guest(s), heater for winter warmth and good stow space for a porta potty (the only marine head worth having on a boat, in our opinion). She had to have 'dash board' space for the proper instruments (GPS plotter, and Sounder) and good space for radar and radio -- each separate, redundant and capable to stand alone. She needed two reliable engines (we're not mechanics), each separate and redundant, easy to service and economical to operate.
The CD 22 fits our requirements, and we wouldn't change boats as long as we have the same boating purpose. Bigger is not better for this lifestyle -- in fact, it would hamper it. Halcyon has been the trustworthy, safe, comfortable, perfect boat for cruising all of America's waters.
 
El and Bill-

Wonderfully said, and from the most qualified C-Dory cruisers ever!!!

The CD-22 Cruiser is the best all-around boat in the C-Dory line and satisfies more people's needs than any other. If you doubt that, just look at the production numbers!

There are those of us who have opted to "move up" to the CD-25 Cruiser or Tom Cat for various reasons of space accommodation or cruising style.

I personally, however, consider the CD-25 Cruiser option as a "move over" to a larger CD Cruiser hull, not an upward move to quality improvement, although we know that many women see the enclosed head/shower as the "sine quo non" feature in any boat!

The TomCat is an entity unto itself of a somewhat different character and occupies a niche of its own. The new re -designed TC-25 will breathe new life into this special boat.

Many find the smaller CD-s, such as the 16, meet their needs just fine, and prefer the greater simplicity of towing and storing these boats.

They are all a fine group of superb boats of a unique and special qualities that make them a joy to own and use.

I have not found one incidence of faulty boat building in my CD-22 which is now 18 1/2 years into happy fun-filled service, and I'm looking forward to passing it on to my son someday when I can no longer enjoy its wonderful qualities. Joe.
 
Here's another slant on the C-Dory 25. We're downsizing from a 36' sailboat, and we still want to stay cruisers. We've been to Mexico, the South Pacific, Alaska, and even trucked the boat to the East Coast (by Peterbuilt.) We also live in So Cal which is not a cruisers paradise, good sailing but not much to see. So we want to get to places easily.

So we're home and want to go places in a boat: a trailerable trawler. The C-Dory 25 is the answer: all the amenities in a smaller package AND trailerable. Judy can live on her for 4 mos. and Boris can tow it. We did have a 25' sailboat, and we towed her up and down the coast, so we know it can be done. At our age an indoor head is a necessity, as is the Wallis stove, after a summer in Alaska. Gasoline is $3 per gallon, so the 350 outdrives aren't the best. The C-Dory (whatever model,) has an open cabin, so you can see what's going on whilst you're enclosed (try that in a sailboat.) We wish it was a diesel, that it was wider, etc., but it's going to do the job.

Judy and Boris, journey on
 
Great comments, guys. Bill and Joe, you guys know your stuff. Couldn't agree more. And Joe, it's true. My little sixteen meets all my needs, especially when alone. I'm done with sixfootitis, and I've found that sometimes the hardest part about living is learning to be happy where I am with what I have.
 
Judy and boris, Be patient there are several out board maker's working on diesel outboards right now. I think that when sold they will be a great match to the c-dory way of life.
 
Feed me more on the diesel outboards, what manufactures and are there any details or is this rumor mill info.
Don't mean to offend anyone but have not seen any OB manufacture that is showing much interest in diesel technology other than Yanmar with their overpriced 25 and 35 hp models.

I did run across some info last year on Yamaha buying some 2-stroke diesel patents but they seem to be sitting on the technology or developing under very tight security.

Just curious
stevej
 
I heard it at the boat show from a couple of jet sled manufacturers. I think it was the guys at outback sleds ( not sure of the name). they have the sled with the engine compartment half out side the cab. They were running one of the newer smaller diesel's in their sled. The mileage in that thing was twice that of a big block gas engine. We got to talking and they said that several manufacturers were working on diesel out boards for the 2008 model year. Take it with a grain of salt and hope of the best. But if they do it the c-dory would be a great boat match of that engine. long runs at moderate speeds with small fuel tanks.
 
Hopefully they'll port the diesel exhaust underwater, the moderate speed fine with me as the diesel will probably be turning a big prop, my loads are happiest around 18 knots.

I will miss hugging the Mercury daily though, don't think it's skipped a beat since I've had it and hasn't cost a thing in maint.

Just in from a 48 mile jaunt, the last 7 miles through a fairly stiff thunderstorm front and never once felt unsafe -- just battened all hatches and plodded in at 8 knots in the rain. Had a couple of open fishermen deep v's zip past at speed taking a terrific pounding from waves and soaked with rain and spray. I did tip my coffee to them as they flew past, and by the time I got in to the ramp they were loaded and gone, probably home drying clothes.
 
This is where I think C-Dory is "missing the boat" so to speak. If they were to offer either the Volvo Penta Diesel or Mercruiser Diesel I/O's I think it would be a VERY popular choice for a lot of people.

Sure you would lose some cockpit space but think of the benefits. The ability to have a better charging system for the electrical system, easily add a Red Dot heater system, plumb the Wallace into the main fuel tanks and superb fuel economy. All in all a very good way to go in my books.
 
They had a in\out on the 27ft ? pilot house.
C:\Documents and Settings\Tom\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\M5LQ7E50\27_pilothouse[1].jpg[img]
but i think it would be to big and heavy for a 22, may work in a 25. My wife will not let me have a sea sport with a in\out because of the engine. the hatch cover is not tall enough to sit on and just tall enough to trip on. we looked at her bosses 24 lx sea sport and she tripped 4 times in 3 mins. no way I can get one.
 
While I know there's a lot of development going on in smaller, higher revving, sometimes turbocharged, and more efficient diesel marine engines, several things give me second thoughts, even for the 25:

1. Weight total, distribution, and power to weight ratio.

2. Engine placement on a boat of this size wastes limited cockpit space and is very awkward for many activities, especially fishing.

3. Dealers for service and repair of a specific brand/make of diesel are far less available than for a typical outboard.

4. Diesel fuel is less commonly available than gas, especially on inland lake and river situations.

5. Outdrives seem to be more complicated and prone to need repair than lower units on outboards.

6. When it comes time to finally replace or rebuild the engine , the cost and difficulty would be (in my estimation) greater than replacing an old with a new outboard, which would also get you all the latest updated developments in technology and efficiency.


One of the virtues of the classic C-Dory boats is that their hulls last forever if properly taken care of, and are always worth repowering. New O/B's aren't cheap, but they offer a simple gateway to a whole new life for an older, solid hull.

To see the opposite side of the coin, go to most any large marine engine repair shop that works on inboards and see just how many (and especially less expensive/cheap) I/O's are lined up in the storage lot that need either a new engine or outdrive, or both , and which are apparently deemed not worth it by their current or former owners. There are graveyards of these "goner's" that need a final resting place.

On the other hand, a light, quiet, efficient diesel outboard would be worth serious consideration, but like the new e-techs and Verados, would have to prove itself to a cautious and skeptical boating public.

For now, we've got the best group of versatile "pocket cruisers" on the market with many quality straightforward outboard power choices to suit our individual needs. KISS, KISS, KISS,!!! Joe.
 
Boy, count me out on that one! I hate diesel boats - had many, don't regret 'em all gone. Hate outdrives -- had many and won't have another Just enough cockpit space now, can't lose any and do my chores (shrimp, fish, crab). If I worried about more charging capability (I don't) I'd buy a 2kw Honda genset... even Yamaha if I wuz desparate :smile.

When you get old and white headed you sho do get mouthy, eh?

Dusty
 
Agree on the IO -- had one on a 28 Fiberform and that was enough for me -- no more! Maybe (big maybe) they're OK in fresh water, but add a drop of salt to the mix and it's a disaster waiting to happen because unlike your outboard, you cannot swing them up and out of that acid water.
 
Da Nag mentioned a Diesel power, jet drive "pod" that bolts to the transom in another thread:

Forum: All C-Dorys, All the time
Thread: Diesel Power.

They might be suitable for a 25 (start at 150hp, up to 300hp), and wouldn't take any cockpit space. I don't know if they're on the market yet, but they look kind of interesting. http://www.jetpac.us/
 
now that is a really neat idea. It would work on a wide verity of boats. I was surpeised to see it on v-hull boats. It would be great for the 25 dory or any big sled . not sure it would work on the cat.

aivig, are you back in country or still ducking.
 
Not to be argumentative, but both the 150 hp diesel and the 275 hp gas versions weigh in at 940 lbs! That's a lot of weight centered a foot and a half to two feet behind the transom. Usual power on the 25 is 130-160 hp, which comes out to something around 500 lbs for a single engine, or maybe (rarely) 750 lbs for a pair of twins that add up to 180 hp or so.

My intuitive hunch is that this is too much weight too far aft and would contribute to

-stern down buoyancy at rest

-porporising and light bow lifting in chop (can the trim be adjusted as with an outboard to force the bow down?)

-how would this very much weight aft arrangement work in a following sea considering the traditional keep the ends light design of dories?

-how about the usual mushy directional lack of steerability of jet propulsion?

-at this weight, the 150 hp diesel would be underpowered (especially with the 25-30% power loss of jets), and the 275 hp gas would come out about like this-

275h hp -80 hp* = 195 hp (*=29%)

Which compares favorably with the 200 max hp recommended for the 25.

Granted, it would be a sweet and clean looking set up with the motor cowl so low and well behind the transom! Add a swim step on both sides and combine the European look with the traditional fishing trawler design!

For someone who needs a jet river boat and doesn't venture out into open water, it might be a great way to have a C-Dory.

To mount such a unit, it would probably be necessary to have the factory do some special lay up alterations of the transom to handle the weight and location, and also to plan out all the connections, especially in light of the raised interior floor of the CD-25. The engine well could also be re-designed, since it wouldn't be needed in it's regular form.

I couldn't find a price for these units on the website listed. Who knows this information?

I also couldn't find the original discussion on the first 3 of eight pages of search engine listings for "Diesel Power" or under the forum listings! Perhaps someone who has the time can find and post direct links to this discussion??? Joe.
 
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