C-Dory Handling

I kind of think of my boat as a good, used, mechnically sound 4x4 pickup (not to enter the truck wars but I run a 3/4 ton 2500HD single cab 4x4 GMC with a 365ci gas guzzler). Its old enough that replacing the strakes like Redfox suggests isnt intimidating and I dont cringe when a crab pot bangs the side. At the same time it looks like a boat should look (salty) and is as comfortable in Alaska weather as any boat much larger and at least with my boat, its utterly reliable.

I do think it is different in Alaska because most people up here are more self reliant so tearing into a big project is just a matter of course. We do our own mechanical work, re-roof our own houses, use the bounty of this country to help feed our families, and most importantly, help each other out.

Dont be afraid to modify your boat to suit you needs, its part of the enjoyment of having a C-Dory
 
Salmon Slayer":pxomoub7 said:
I do think it is different in Alaska because most people up here are more self reliant so tearing into a big project is just a matter of course. We do our own mechanical work, re-roof our own houses, use the bounty of this country to help feed our families, and most importantly, help each other out.
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SS. Thanx bro! and so true for us to... at least most of us from old-Alaska :wink:

Ever think about bonding and screwing some of that plastic they use on airboat hulls :?: I know yas can get it in super-thick pieces :thup thought of doing the stuff up the bow a ways, for breaking ice and going through heavy icepack.
My buddy Fred on the Little Beluga has had the plastic stuff on his big ol fiberglass landing craft for as long as I can remember... no problems at all of the stuff coming off :thup :D :idea:
 
Red Fox:

I had never thought about using plastics but that actually is kind of interesting. I have always been a fan of wood because its so forgiving and easy to repair but plastic may be more durable.

I am interested in how your keel shield is holding up, I am thinking about doing something similar for a spring project.
 
Yeah, I have an '85 Angler and it tracks terribly in a chop. I've also often wondered if the bottom could be somehow modified to give it some tracking stability.

I installed a trim-tab kit--but i don't recommend it. The c-dory tends to get up on the step very ably without it and it makes the boat unstable to th point of being scary. And it cuts about a knot off the speed. My experience is that it does nothing for the performance of the boat and is a good modification to forget about.

Regards,

George P. Vancouver BC.
 
Hmmm, I wonder which ones you have and how they are installed.
I just put the Bennett Sport tab 120s on Sea Lion and I like them. Only 1 trial run with them so far but I see an improvement and I am able to trim her out and improve my economy and performance. It sure is nice in a chop compared to just using the motor trim.
 
Hi George , I too have the Bennett trim tabs on my 22',and would not be without them. But I think I understand what you mean by being scary at times. Lot more experience brat will jump in and try to help you. Here my theory about those little tabs, if your cruising at let say 12 to 14 knt just for an example , than you decide to go after this guy that just stoled your crab traps!... YEs if you do not retract your tabs it can get scrary , I think it is like if you where in a car at 50 mph than accelerate to 100 mph than put your arm out the window.Also when your are in following sea tabs should be up, engines should be use for trimming. I think most smaller boats our size will react the same. I find with reading some of the past posts on the subject ,and some patience with my boat I now am close to use and understand my trim tabs. The are a great tool if use right. Gary
 
Hi Folks,
I have a 1983 Angler. The bottom is almost perfectly flat.(It has a slight camber in the stern) It also has small keels running on the starboard and port side to give it stability. I find that the boat does not run well with the wind on it's side, in fact, stop the boat and the wind swings the bow around immediately. I have found the the best thing is to tack. I brought the boat across Nantucket Sound when the course was about South East, and the wind was coming out of the North at about 25 to 35 MPH. I tacked off the waves, and adjusted the steering depending if the bow or the stern was hit by a wave. When I got close to Nantucket, I had to tack to the North East, and then run before the wind riding up the waves, but not over, in the channel. ( the waves were not breaking.)

If you can find an old issue of Chapmans, maybe back to the 1960's, there is a great Chapter on running inlets and rough weather. (The newer Chapmans devote about a 1/2 page to the same subject.) Don't bother adding anything for a while until you get use to the boat. I did purchase a 75 Yamaha 4 Stroke engine, which can improve opertion because I can raise and lower it almost to the point that it will hold a straight course.

I hope this can help you.

Fred Heap
 
Well said Fred , one thing that I find with my new C-Dory is that I am more daring than all my other boats that I use to own in that same size. When it use to be rough we did not bother going , so you are right I just get to get more educated about all different sea conditions. I was suppose to sign up with they Auxiliary Coast Guard for a weather course but miss the sign up! My first storm was quit an eye opener got to love those C-Dory! Gary
 
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