C-Dory vs Class B RV

K

Knipet

New member
Hi C Brats!
I’ve been lurking for a while on this forum doing a lot of research and this is my first real post. My wife and I live half the year on Orcas Island and have been looking into getting a boat to explore all the surrounding area and beyond. I don’t have much recent experience, but many years ago during and after college I was quite involved in sailing, having owned several sailboats. I also co-owned a 16’ power boat when I lived a few years in California, many times taking it to Catalina and elsewhere. My wife, who was my girlfriend at the time, sure didn’t like the often rough seas coming back in the afternoon. I was pretty naive in those days as I remember not having a radio, no charts, and the first time heading to Catalina just after mounting a compass - not even calibrating it, and only having the heading told to us from the guy in the marine store who sold it to us!

I haven’t actually seen a C-Dory close up yet, but do believe it is probably the right boat for what we intend to do with it – explore the SJIs 3 or 4 days at a time, visiting marinas and anchorages, and hopefully as experience grows head up to the Gulf Island and perhaps even further. For awhile we were considering a Class B motorhome and doing the land cruising thing, but in many ways exploring on a small cruising boat seems like it would be so much more enjoyable. It is just my wife and I, and we do plan to take our two little foo foo dogs along.

One of the surprising things (maybe not so surprising to you folks) that have come up in my research is the depreciation rate between a typical RV motorhome and a C-Dory. According to my research is would seem that the retained value of a C-Dory is so much more than an equivalently priced RV. For example, and decently equipped new Venture 23 is about $100K, which is comparable to a new Class B. But after say 5-7 years, the C-Dory is likely to be worth about 70%, whereas I think one would be very lucky to get 40% of the price back for the used RV. Correct me if any of you think I am wrong. I know there are lots of exceptions, but this is sort of what my research is telling me, and of course more justification of going with the C-Dory!

I look forward to meeting up with some of you C-Brats and plan to visit your next gathering in Friday Harbor.
Best regards,
- Steve
 
Can't RV very far on an island. Seems a boat might be more useful.

Buy a good used C-Dory and in a few years you can probably sell it for pretty much what you paid for it. Look in the For Sale part of this forum.
 
Consider the use of a "Boater Home"--there have been, and are now C Dory owners who are traveling full time in their C Dory22--and that is their only home. The 25 is. closer to a B+/A-. We have yet to be turned away from an RV park when Boater homing in one of our C Dorys. Some tow with pickups, some with vans and some with Full size SUV's. These all give more "storage space".

As for depreciation---actually if you buy a used C Dory, it will hold the same value or perhaps go up in value a little.

I just sold my 42 foot class A--15% of the new price 11 years and 30% of what I paid for it 8 years ago: That was for an RV which was in very good condition both mechanically and cosmetically. New Cost today would have been in the 8 fold what I sold it for--if you could buy it today--unfortunately no longer made.

We replaced it with a used 25' Winnie VIA (A-) on a Sprinter chassis. More like a C Dory 25+ for enmities, because of the stall shower. That would be semi borderline towing a C Dory 22...
 
Steve, Welcome to C-BRATS and to a whole new way of life -- trailer boating, or, as some would have it -- Boater homing. Now, honestly, if you boater home, (tow your boat on a trailer behind your pickup) getting onto and off of Orcas Island, and leave your home island very often that price will add up. But, towing it over to the island, and then launching there and spending time on the boat visiting the islands will be cheaper than taking an RV to each of the islands. But, there are so many other places to go, and so much fun you can have on the boat.

Where do you spend the other half of the year? Maybe a boat would work out there too, especially on a trailer. And, oh, that Boater homing thing; That works when the boat is on the trailer too. It can be in many RV parks, state parks, KOA's, and even Walmart parking lots. Oh, and don't forget, there are many Casinos that have free RV parking. You will qualify there too.

AS to the next CBGT (that's C-Brat Get Together), there will be some C-Dory's at the Seattle Boat Show coming up, so you can get a personal close up look-see.

Lots of good reason to go C-Dory. A few of the best ones: Many great memories made on the water; economical way to have a "Yacht" full of great times, with good friends and a fun boat; much cheaper and way more fun that going on a cruise with 2000+ of your very closest friends; And you get to go where you want to; and for the choice between RV and CD, you will be money ahead on the C-Dory.

I'm not that far away and would be glad to let you have a close up look at my 22 Cruiesr. I have done it before. Proper forewarning: C-Dory is infectious, and proper preparation should be attempted. Although there is no cure, there is good treatment available. You are starting down the right path. Best as you go forward.

Harvey
SleepyC:moon

JC_Lately_SleepyC_Flat_Blue_070.thumb.jpg
 
thataway":1xkszvtj said:
Consider the use of a "Boater Home"--there have been, and are now C Dory owners who are traveling full time in their C Dory22--and that is their only home. The 25 is. closer to a B+/A-. We have yet to be turned away from an RV park when Boater homing in one of our C Dorys.
Click to expand...

Bob,
I've read an interesting article about "boater homing" with a C-Dory. Impressive that some are doing it full time!

Thanks for the info, and definitely confirms what I see as the case with depreciation.

We currently have a truck bed pop-up camper with about the same amenities as a 22 Cruiser, i.e. porta-potti, etc. Gotta think the close quarter camping experience is somewhat simular.
 
Other than an oven. The TC255 TomCat is about equal to live in as an 11' Lance truck camper. For one Winter trip to the Florida Keys, we towed the TomCat behind the truck with the camper on. After that we just traveled and lived in the TomCat.

The Winter of 2002/2003 we towed a 24' TomCat to Cabo San Lucas, Mx. behind the Lance 11' camper on a Ford F450. We set the camper on the ground in an RV park, on blocks, and launched and loaded the TomCat almost every day for 3 months. The best of both worlds. Well the 24' TomCat was nowhere near the boat the TC255 is, but we didn't know that in 2002.
 
Welcome aboard, OD. Asking about "C-Dory or Class B campervan" on the C-Dory owners' site, you can expect a certain amount of bias. :wink:

We have had both and have a pretty good understanding of the use of each. In spite of the comparisons and folks here talking about using the boat on land as a "boater-home," we find that full-time on either is completely different. There are the similarities of size and amenities. The day-to-day use is different... or at least it is for us.

When boat cruising, stocking up on groceries means: getting the dinghy down, finding a place to tie off, getting yourself from that dinghy dock to the store (walk, taxi, bikes if you carry them), do your shopping with how you will cart it back in mind, get yourself from the store back to the dinghy, load everything into the dinghy, motor or row back to the boat, unload everything from the dinghy into the boat, put away groceries, put the dinghy back on top of the boat.

By campervan: drive to the store, park in front, buy what you want, carry it to the campervan and put it away.

Similar when dealing with laundry. Now, if you are staying in a marina, they will sometimes have laundry facilities. As do most commercial campgrounds and RV parks. Getting an oil change? Pull into a Jiffy-Lube with the campervan, no appointment, and you are usually done in a half hour or less. It won't be that fast or easy with your boat.

Don't get me wrong - enjoying yourself is a LOT more than which provides the most convenience for daily "chores." Boat cruising is a wonderful lifestyle, especially if you are in a great cruising area (Florida, the Pacific Northwest, the Erie Canal, etc, etc, etc). Nothing like it. The San Juan Islands and areas north of there are our favorites. Tow the boat to Lake Powell - spectacular!

There are unlimited places to explore by land, where the campervan is more suitable. For full disclosure, we are partial to land stuff where there is also water (Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, coastal Maine, etc, etc, etc).

If you are coastal cruising or doing the San Juans, you can generally find a good place to anchor - keeping a close eye on what the weather will be doing overnight. A Class B campervan is an ideal "stealth" camper - you can overnight almost anywhere there is a parking spot. Most come with an installed generator - a push of the button and you have electricity. Every campground or RV park has a sewer dump; even most Flying J truck stops and others have dumps. Fuel will be less expensive on land. If the wind kicks up overnight, your campervan isn't going to "drag" (well, unless you are in a tornado prone area).

The best solution from our perspective: some of each. If you are going to tow your boat around, you will need an adequate tow vehicle... if you pick a truck that would allow you to have a truck camper, or a campervan with adequate towing capacity, you have accommodations on land and water.

More on day-to-day living: that RV is going to be pretty much rectangular shaped - that is more efficient for floorplan and storage. We found a 20 foot campervan gave us the equivalence liveability as our 25 foot C-Dory. We averaged around 3mpg in the C-Dory, about 13mpg with a gas campervan. Using the boat to stay on when on land? You don't just open the door and step in: there will be some climbing involved. The campervan will have standard RV hookups (electric, water, sewer), the boat will be more like a hard-sided tent when on land (RV parks and campground will not allow you to have your gray water flow overboard - grounds for getting kicked out). If you like to watch TV, the campervan will likely have a TV mounted and a powered antenna; yes, you can add those to your boat.

As far as re-sale value, a used C-Dory will generally hold its value better than a used RV. If you keep either for years, you are buying a "lifestyle," and the depreciation is part of the cost of being able to enjoy that lifestyle. The best way to avoid that depreciation is to buy neither... but that would be a tragedy.

We have decades of RVing and boating experience. Both are great. I don't think I can say that one is better than the other - more convenient, yes, but that doesn't make it "better." Watching the sun go down at anchor is priceless. Having a campsite at one of our many National Parks, especially if you are able to do that in the "shoulder seasons" can be equally spectacular.

Looking back at what I've written, it seem like I am favoring the RV - and that is not the case; just presenting what we have found to be the parts of usage that don't often get discussed. SO much of which would be the best fit will depend on how you intend to use it. If staying around the San Juans is the goal - they are islands; you need a boat. If you go somewhere else for 6 months, is that to the warmth, and inland? An RV is the answer.

Good luck with the decisions.

PS - Orcas Island is lovely. We spent 3 summers living on our C-Dory in Friday Harbor (San Juan Island), and two summers living in our 29.5' motorhome there. Love that area!
 
Boat vs motorhome?? In my experience, landlubbers and mariners are like
oil and water. Each to their own and don't necessarily mix too well.

Oh sure, I drive a motor vehicle and have a boat. The difference is what I
really enjoy doing; a passion so to speak.

We have friends who own a motorhome "to see America". Yup, it's larger
and has more creature comforts than a comparable ($$) boat. It most likely
gets the same mpg too and has a larger fuel tank.

Boaters, I've found, enjoy a certain camaraderie I've rarely experienced traveling
by road. I recall a few years back around LA drivers were actually shooting one
another. Then there's the more common road rage, traffic jams, rerouting to do
from road construction, etc. On the water, there are no lanes and few speed
signs. There's a feeling of openness, freedom and connection with Mother Nature
you may not find driving thru 'the concrete jungle'.

So, to each his own. There's still room for us both.

Aye.
 
:mrgreen: Having done both, and knowing plenty of people who enjoy both, I haven't seen the "oil and water" thing. I don't know many people who look forward to driving their RVs through "the concrete jungle" any more than boaters who run "the Narrows" at Lake Powell on a holiday weekend. The joy of each is getting away from it all. I think they have more in common than their differences.

It also seems that some people are more suited to one than the other, although we haven't had a problem going back and forth. Ask Bill, Dr Bob, Pat, Brent, Steve, and many others here about enjoying both. When on the boat, I don't recall anyone bad-mouthing RVers or vice versa. In fact, many may recall what sailing folks joke about: when you can no longer handle the sails, it's time for a trawler... when the trawler gets to be too much work, it's time to "swallow the anchor" and get a motorhome or a travel trailer.

Or, sit home and grow roots.

Seems pretty clear to me that the OP is leaning towards the boat. But, the fact that there was some consideration of a campervan led me to share some experiences. The "romance" of either sounds great. I think we have all come across folks who have tried one or the other and find out it doesn't suit them. But, hopefully, whichever way the OPs decide, they won't look down their nose at the other. 'Cause a lot of folks just enjoy being "out there." :D
 
Boat vs motorhome?? In my experience, landlubbers and mariners are like
oil and water. Each to their own and don't necessarily mix too well.
Click to expand...

Like Jim, I disagree with this. We find many campers have small boats, and a few have large boats. There is always an intense interest in our C Dory at campgrounds when we are "boater homing".

Sort of the difference between dog lovers and horse lovers "They are basically alike, but smell different!" We have a window sign in our motor homes "Dirt Yacht"

I sent a PM to the OP about our experiences recently downsizing and the difficulty of finding a well built class B RV, which had all of the features we both want. The best of both worlds is to tow the C Dory with an RV...if you don't like "Boater homing".

I have never seen anyone shoot another on the road in S. Calif. (where I lived over 50 years)...now maybe Chicago? Rare that there is "Road Rage" involving an RV--tonnage rule also applies to big trucks and RVs.....

The large RV got an average of slightly over 8 miles per gallon; the new smaller RV (also diesel) gets about 16 miles per gallon....very few boats get that mileage!
 
I'm the OP and thank you all for your replies and insights! I really appreciate it.

Actually, I'm not trying to decide whether to get a motorhome or a C-Dory - it was my surprise that a C-Dory would most likely would hold so much more of its value compared to a similarly priced motorhome!

Prior to buying our home on Orcas Island a few years ago, I was looking seriously at Class B motorhomes. This was prior to discovering the wonderful cruising opportunities just beyond our new home! So yes, I do plan to buy a C-Dory and experience the "pocket cruiser" world.

Now I just have to find the right C-Dory...

- Steve
 
I'd say my opinion rides along side Jim and Bob. Over the years I've owned a camping trailer, a class A motorhome, and several boats. Not to long ago I thought it would be great to get a class B and keep my boat. However, I found that the passenger seat in the smaller van style motorhomes wasn't all that comfortable for my wife, and many could not tow the C-Dory anyway. The next step would be to consider Class C's or A's, but at this time I decided to just stick with the CD-22 only, which I do a fair amount of "boaterhoming" in as I cross the country with it from one body of water to another. I'm having a blast now days doing the boat cruising/camping thing. But there are times I do miss the motorhome lifestyle.

Now, more in line with your comment: "
Actually, I'm not trying to decide whether to get a motorhome or a C-Dory - it was my surprise that a C-Dory would most likely would hold so much more of its value compared to a similarly priced motorhome!
Click to expand...
", while one can compare cash value of depreciation on various objects, the person above that said you are paying for a lifestyle has it absolutely correct! Regardless what the object is worth after your use of it over time, it's that value of use that really matters! When I sold my motorhome, I could consider how much less I got for it than I paid for it. However, the value of time with my late wife and twin sons, the places we saw and enjoyed, the family and friends we visited, the relaxation and enjoyment it brought us, well that value would far surpass any amount of depreciation taken in the end. I look at my current C-Dory the same way. Sure it'd be nice to get decent cash back out of it when I'm done, but there is no way I'll feel I lost out when I look back at my/our time on it! Colby
 
colbysmith":2i9v4mol said:
while one can compare cash value of depreciation on various objects, the person above that said you are paying for a lifestyle has it absolutely correct! Regardless what the object is worth after your use of it over time, it's that value of use that really matters! When I sold my motorhome, I could consider how much less I got for it than I paid for it. However, the value of time with my late wife and twin sons, the places we saw and enjoyed, the family and friends we visited, the relaxation and enjoyment it brought us, well that value would far surpass any amount of depreciation taken in the end. I look at my current C-Dory the same way. Sure it'd be nice to get decent cash back out of it when I'm done, but there is no way I'll feel I lost out when I look back at my/our time on it! Colby
Click to expand...

Very profound advice, thank you!
 
Thought I would throw this out and see what bites!

We have been looking at trawlers and class c and b and boats for years now. Nothing seemed to cover all angles, that is until we decided a Class B would work size wise. Lol then towing becomes an issue.

I said all that to say this.
1ton dually and a 26 Venture makes perfect sense.

Looking to go full time so when we decide its Alaska and BC time we can drive and use the Dory as a camper.

Now then how are the tank (s) set up to empty? Pump out only?
Can a macerator be added and used at an rv dump station?

Totally Serious Here.
Thanks,
Jim
 
Fish Catcher Jim":ff1k2nog said:
Thought I would throw this out and see what bites!

We have been looking at trawlers and class c and b and boats for years now. Nothing seemed to cover all angles, that is until we decided a Class B would work size wise. Lol then towing becomes an issue.

I said all that to say this.
1ton dually and a 26 Venture makes perfect sense.

Looking to go full time so when we decide its Alaska and BC time we can drive and use the Dory as a camper.

Now then how are the tank (s) set up to empty? Pump out only?
Can a macerator be added and used at an rv dump station?

Totally Serious Here.
Thanks,
Jim
Click to expand...

Hi Jim,

The "water issues" are the only downside (my perspective) of using a 26 Venture as a land cruiser. That said, you can make it work - just know that none of the solutions we came up with were "elegant."

You can use the macerator to pump out at an RV dump station. We tried various "adapters" but no easy way to adapt the macerator output (about an inch and a half) on the boat to the typical 4" RV sewer hose. Make a mess at an RV dump site (or even worse, in a nice RV park) and you will not be welcome back. RV parks don't allow the dumping of gray water on the ground, and the C-Dorys are plumbed so the sink/shower output goes overboard. You can use a dishpan in the sink and use campground shower facilities (our solution), but that (again, to me) isn't really "RVing."

On more than one occasion, we found a marina along the way where we could launch the boat, pump out the holding tank, enjoy a few nights on a lake (at anchor or in a marina), then load up and keep land cruising.

An electrical adapter to attach your 30 amp electrical to 30 RV pedestal works fine.

Again, personal perspective: a one ton dually is over-kill for hauling a 26-Venture. A 3/4 ton will give you a better ride, and single rear wheels are much easier to live with for a daily driver as well as less slippery on a boat ramp. A dually is necessary if you have a lot of weight in the bed (as with a 5th wheel trailer with a heavy pin weight, or a slide-in camper).

When we first ordered our CD-25, we had a Class B campervan (one ton Dodge chassis) that we thought would be a great match-up. The actual weight of the boat (compared to factory specs) was more than the towing capacity... so, we bought a 3/4 ton diesel truck for hauling the boat and kept the Class B for just land cruising.

Some compromises to be made with trying to do land and water cruising with the same conveyance, but there is as LOT of land and water out there to enjoy! Good luck with the decisions.
 
Journey On is a 25' C-Dory and doubles as a rv and better yet, as a boat.

The only RV parks where we've been refused is one south of Campbell River and the KOA in Las Vegas. Both times that was a blessing because we found better solutions.

Emptying the poop tank is easy. I found a 3" rubber elbow with a lip on one end at a RV parts place. I attach a normal pumpout hose on one end, place the lip end over the overboard fitting and have Judy turn on the macerator. All flows gently into the RV park pumpout. Pay attention, if that elbow slips, there's a mess.

For the grey water, I made a PVC fitting that fits inside the sink overboard, attached a garden hose to the other end and lead the hose to a 5 gal can. To make the fitting, turn down one end of a PVC nipple and slot it so that it will fit.

Boris
 
C-Sharp-
When did you get your CD22? I see from your side bar info that you have a CD22 and a photo album with pics of the boat "C-SHARP"

C-Sharp
Joined: 11 Nov 2018
Posts: 34
City/Region: Eastsound
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 2006
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: C Sharp
Photos: C-Sharp

Looks like a nice boat.
 
Hi Roger,
Bought C Sharp in AZ (where we winter) last January, and hauled it up to Orcas Island in April. Still sorting it out, but plan on attending the CBGT in Friday Harbor the weekend after next. So far I really like it!

- Steve
 
The liquids are a bit of a problem, when "Boater Homing'. We have used a 2 1/2 gallon container with the sink hose hooked up to it, and then taking that to dump into the sewer. The porti potty covers the septic side of it--in the 22's and 23's. We have a composting toilet in the 25, so that does not require a holding tank. (The urine tank is discharged every 2 to 3 days into a toilet or sewer connection.)

I agree with those who feel that a 3/4 ton--and not a dually--unless a very large camper. Less weight on each of rear tires--plus light pickup body--more traction in 4 by 4 3/4 ton. (or even just a 4 x 2). The GVCW is too much for most of the 1 ton Camper vans. I had a Road Trek on a 1 ton Dodge chassis--towing the 25, was marginal--I did it a few times short distances. The Tow capacity was 6800 lbs--but had to have pretty much empty class C. And the C Dory 25/ Venture 26 all weigh more than 6800 on the trailer.
 
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