C-Dory vs. Arima

R

Redsolitaire

New member
I'm new to the forum, so I might be asking some old questions. Briefly, I want to buy a new boat, and I am considering the C-Dory 22' and the Arima Sea Ranger 21' Hardtop. I'd like to hear any advice from folks who have shopped (or especially, owned) both of these boats. For example, would I be right to say the CD is more a cruiser and the Arima more a fishing boat? Does the CD plane with less power, and does the Arima ride quieter and softer in chop? Any other comparisons or observations would be appreciated, very much.

Thanks,
Red
 
Red,
I owned a 19' Arima for 7 years and some things may have changed. I really liked the layout for fishing but mine was the standard open model with a skip tower. Cruising amenities were very scarce. It was a good boat but I wanted to do more cruising so went with the C-Dory. Some of the things I did not like about the Arima: all the interior fittings on my boat were butt-jointed starboard and many of the screws holding it together backed out and fell out during rough water use and long miles of trailering. Very few trips I didn't find one or two in the floor. In some cases I had to add a little caulk to the hole and reattach and sometimes switch to a slightly longer or larger screw to get it to hold. Another thing I noticed when running in very rough water, the hull would have a lot of flex to it. Coming down hard off a wave just did not have the same solid feeling the C-Dory has. That said, in the years I owned it , the hull showed no damage or any effect from use that I could tell. As you will hear so often on this site-it all depends on how you intend to use the boat. The Arima has a medium V hull and will require a little more power to plane. My 19' had a 90HP Honda and I sometimes wished for just a little more. In very heavy head seas I could just barely stay on plane at 13-14kts, which often was just a little too fast for the water conditions. The C-Dory in the same type water does just fine at 10-11 kts which often gives you a slower but much more comfortable ride (and better fuel economy). Hope this helps and good luck.
 
For example, would I be right to say the CD is more a cruiser and the Arima more a fishing boat?
Click to expand...

The short answer is: yes. Do you want a boat you can live on and fish off of, or a boat you can fish on and live someplace else. Boils down to about that.
 
You are right.

The C Dory is a better cruising boat, the Arima is a better fishing boat. Both will handle any water we have in the Straits, and that's a lot. I've owned and operated both for years. They are both quality boats and it depends on how you will use the boat. I've been fishing a 19' Arima for 6 years, have owned a 21 Arima, have a new 21 Arima on order, and presently own a C-Dory. Some guys just can't make up their minds, eh?

HTH,

Dusty
 
If you are over about 5' 10" you won't like the hard top on the Arima. It has access panels that you can (Actually must if you don't want to slouch) remove but you won't be able to see anything out of the boat while standing up. At least with the Skip Tower you can stand up fully. I've only been on the 15' Arima to fish from and it was a great riding boat. I've fished from several of the CD 22's and would gladly fish it all the time. While it has less room in the cockpit than the Ranger does I would venture to say you will likely be more comfortable on the CD.

If I were going to get a hard top Arima I would take a very close look at the custom hard top that is done by Inland Boat in eastern Washington. It would give you a full 6'+ headroom and much better visibility (albeit at a price addition!)
 
Having owned an Arima, I wouldn't plan on it running softly in even moderate chop. They are very flat boats in the rear section and pound quite a bit. Like the C-dory, this is the main reason that the Arima 21' can run with a 90 HP engine.

That being said, they are a better fishing boat. The 21' is about 4" beamier than a 22' C-dory and have quite a bit more cockpit space and amenities for the fisherman. If heading to the ocean, the closed transom well is something that I would prefer.

The tradeoff is that it doesn't double as a cruiser very well.
 
I primarily use my 22 cruiser for fishing with some camping/cruising. Although the c-dory 22 may not be THE ideal fishing boat due to space, with some creative ideas you can do quite well. I use a fish bag across the stern rather than haul an ice chest around.

I like being able to put the boat in a marina the night before I fish, stay the night in the warm cabin and not hassle with the boat ramp rodeo show in the morning. Although the Arima's have a v-birth due to the lack of heat most people never sleep in them.


Definately walk around the Arima. It's true that the hardtop is rather low. good luck.
 
The arima's are more of a dedicated fishing boat, for sure( fish boxes, etc.). They are nice boats too. My first boat was an arima and I enjoyed it alot. But the headroom when standing under the hard top was a major consideration for me, as well as the ability to cruise more comfortably, with heat :wink: . Winter blackmouth or chum fishing comes to mind. I remember freezing in my arima, not so in my CD. The 22 Arima IMO is more equal to the CD22 than the 21 Arima. They probably do ride a little softer, in the chop but not a huge difference like with a deep V. Both are great Northwest boats. I looked hard at both too, but for me the ability to cruise and keep my family a little more comfortable was the difference. Get a ride on both is my suggestion. What are you're uses going to be? Purely fishing? Some cruising? Winter fishing? All these might affect you're decision. Good Luck.

Sark
 
We all agree! It's all how you, the individual, use the boat. Wow. My 21 Arima has a solid "Alaska" bulkhead and heat. 150 E-Tec. I've been shrinking with age so headroom isn't a problem :lol:. I liked my 22 Arima, but it had a canvas top and my poor old hands (curled from holding a coffee cup and fishing reels day after day) just don't do canvas snaps any more.

Do I think the Arima is a better boat? Heck no! Apples and oranges. My 22 CD is a GREAT boat, and if I planned to ever spend a night aboard there would be no question. Both Arima and CD are top quality, designed for our water, boats.

Re another thread - I think C Dory was very smart in their decision to drop factory sales and service. The bottom line IMO, we get a better boat and better service. True, an individual buyer has full and personal attention from the factory, but a dealer is also a customer, and with annual purchases from the factory in 7 figures or so the factory must listen and work closely with each dealer. We'll see, eh? No doubt there was heavy discussion before the decision. Jeff knows full well there is no better salesman than a satisfied customer. Or no one more vocal than a neglected one!!

Dusty
 
Wow, I'm glad I found this online group! It's like eating chips. Having started, I can't stop reading all the info in the various forums. Also, good to know that a newbie is welcome.

The consensus is that either the CD or the Arima are fine boats. My interest is more in cruising than fishing, and I'm thinking the CD might have an edge there (for less money). In fact, I'm even thinking the 19' cruiser might be completely adequate for one person aboard.

Anyway, your responses were thoughtful, supportive and informative.
Thanks!!
Red

:D
 
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