Factory option suggestions for new boats

[chimoii]

I was out for a little cruise in yesterday's sunshine and I took a moment to think about this question. I was lucky enough to pick up an '08 23 Venture built by Fluid at a reasonable price. At the time it was a side by side choice with a 22 with about a 10k difference. I have done nothing to the boat that could be called "customizing" partly because I am not that way inclined but also because the boat is a reasonable compromise as it is built. I have insulation, instant hot water, a great Blue Seas charging system including galvanic isolator, steps that make good lockers in the cockpit, a solid transom, a Wallas stove/heater that I love and so forth. I am sure that it is not the right boat for every taste. If I compare the boat with the current year model that I saw recently at the Victoria show I have one that is well equipped. It would also cost so much to produce today that it would never sell.

I think the factory is on the right track by offering a 23 hull, well made and finished and with the chance for 'options' or owner customizing as the budget allows. Judging by the comments of recent buyers who have worked with the factory and are willing and able to pay the price the factory is happy to provide options. Let me repeat that last bit, "and are willing and able to pay the price".

Options are a nightmare for a factory. As an example, I can buy a 1000W inverter on sale locally for $199.00. A handy person (not me) can wire that in themselves and mount it in a few hours. For the factory to offer as an option I would expect this to be close to $1000, or $1300 if sold through a dealer. Have a look at factory options on other boats and you will see I am not out of line. Some will pay it but most will not. Now think what some of the options would cost that involve trim testing (like relocating tanks). Many, like me, wouldn't want saddle tanks so the potential market could be small.

In the spirit of not only offering criticism but also solutions, here's an idea. There are some really good ideas here and possibly a market. Why not start a specialty shop close by the factory and offer a customized product? It is common in the truck market. I am sure the factory would be pleased to deliver a basic hull finished to whatever level required as long as liability etc, was clearly defined in the agreement. The specialty shop could then control their own brand marketing, boat show attendance, interaction with C-Brats and so forth.

Anyone looking for a business opportunity in the boat market? If you start the shop I will happily demo. your product for free, just cover my costs.

 

[anchorout]

Chimoii: Very well said. The best thing about the earlier CD22s is the rock solid hull and ease of customizing. The only problem I have found with my used boat was the add-ons drilled improperly into the core material, causing rot. The fewer the options done improperly by someone else, the better the boat will hold up.

As for price, when you start adding options like shell liners to cover-up those unsightly wires and head-liners because that looks more custom-like, and teak and holly floors etc. an already expensive boat becomes unaffordable. There are so many high end boats on the market now, that the KISS principle, in my opinion, is important to the future of this boat.

As can be seen in the forum, if luxury is desired, it is easily attained through a contractor or by do-it-yourself, and as you stated, a lot cheaper than as an option. On the other hand, those of us who like the utilitarian aspects of the boat can add the necessities as we deem necessary.

 

[Will-C]

I think the purpose of the thread were for ideas that could help sell new boats for the C-Dory line. I too have an 2008 Venture built buy Fluid Marine. I in addition had the dealer install some options. Some of the ideas such as insulation add value to the boat. I know after spending 70k K or so I and especially my wife would be pissed to find out that condensation was dripping down getting me wet. Our boat is insulated and it's quieter, and probably warmer than one without it. It did not fall down, or get moldy. The way it looks seems to be better than bare fiberglass. I think the question is if all of these items should be done by someone else besides the factory why buy a new C-Dory? Fix up a used one. Ranger Tugs seem to be able find folks willing to pay for factory options. Let's face it the factory website could show options on boats. They don't have to have them in stock. Lots of items would be much easier installed if they taken into account while building the boat. Apparently the current marketing is not working as well as it could. Dealers only special ordering boats because everything is an option. I'm happy with our boat. C-Dory has shown me nothing that would make me want to buy another. Not everyone wants to be a minimalist. JMHO
D.D.

 

[Chester]

But honestly, I think talking to the Wrights is like farting in the wind, sorry just my opinion. They don't get the historical value in the brand and the importance of relations with owners of boats made by prior incarnations of C-Dory... Scott Boysen got it. I was so sorry to see Scott depart. It is the Wrights' company of course but I am no longer a fan or booster. I think they are wrecking the brand.

I was disappointed with the presentation of the C-Dory Venture at the Seattle Boat Show. The representative was not 'selling' the boat well nor particularly informative. The times we looked at the boat I ended up educating other show patrons about the boat to a greater degree than the rep.
Now, it could be she was crazy like a fox and was letting other C-Dory owners sell the boat but that's not the vibe I got.

 

[Kushtaka]

One of my biggest beefs with my CD22 is that all reasonable points for fendering the boat at moorage are away from the widest part of the hull. It is nearly impossible to reliably fender the boat here. Rather, I rely upon fenders fore and aft of this point to protect it from dock rash.

This means I have to carry slightly larger fenders than I would otherwise have to. We get a ton of wind, especially in the winter, and that sometimes causes my fenders to twist around my mooring lines, raising the fenders up and allowing the boat closer to the dock. When I'm away, or when things get really nasty, I put a fender on a bridle, but it's a hassle.

fendering points in more strategic locations would prevent this issue, and save stowage space for fenders by allowing the use of smaller ones.

 

[Rob & Karen]

One of my biggest beefs with my CD22 is that all reasonable points for fendering the boat at moorage are away from the widest part of the hull.

We have always used one fender on the rear cleat and another fender that hangs from the roof hand rail at the widest part of the boat. I have a line tied in a loop at the correct length to loop through the hand rail and then I attach the fender with a hook. All of my fenders have the same length line attached, so it doesn't matter which one I use. The picture below has a lot of "mess" in it but you can see the fender setup pretty well. If you are not currently using the fender but will be again later in the day, the yellow line is long enough to let the fender hang neatly in the forward corner of the cockpit. Hope this helps.

Rob

 

[JamesTXSD]

We walked through an RV show yesterday. - a dealer was showing several smaller motorhomes based on the Mercedes Sprinter chassis... about the same length as a CD-25. I sat in this dinette for a while...



Very comfortable. Designed for the average human with proper seat depth and back height. Good storage. No pointy corners on seat surfaces.

Another unit (I didn't take a photo) had curved seating towards the part of the seating by the wall... you could sit straight, facing the table, or turn sideways, with your legs across the seat.

Comfortable options. I've seen similar seating in some "bubble boats" (my term for the swoopy cruisers), so some boat manufacturers are considering ergonomics.

 

[Pat Anderson]

OK, there is a lot of misunderstanding being evidenced here, sorry, but I got to call it the way I see it. Why doesn't the C-Dory website have more information about current options on it? LOOK AT IT! This is not the Wrignt's website, it still lists the owners as Triton Marine Industries - that was the Lindhouts, folks. Look at "Read their Stories." "Pat and Patty's Story" and "Jim and Joan's Story" are there. Jim, correct me if I am wrong, but we wrote and submitted those to Jeff Messmer in the Reynolds era, correct? Look at the "Store" - there have been no wearables in stock or being sold since the Lindhouts inherited the last of the Reynolds' inventory, and they ended up giving most of that way (they were down to the really, really big or tiny sizes). The Wrights have not apparently even looked at their own website.

For those of us who have followed (we have been C-Dory owners since 2003), the Wrights are the fifth owner of the brand (note, not the "company" - the Wright acquisition was the result of an implosing of Lindout's Triton Marine). Count 'em: Toland, Reynolds, Fluid Marine, Lindout and now Wright.

Now, everyone gets to have an opinion, and be wrong if they want to! But please folks, sorry if this offends some people, but please think twice about posting whereof you know not!

 

[dotnmarty]

One of my biggest beefs with my CD22 is that all reasonable points for fendering the boat at moorage are away from the widest part of the hull.

We have always used one fender on the rear cleat and another fender that hangs from the roof hand rail at the widest part of the boat.

I put little snaps just outside the windows. It's easy to reach out the window and set the fenders.

 

[JamesTXSD]

Hi Pat,

My recollection of those stories submitted was after Jeff's time at C-Dory. Probably 2008. It appears that nothing has been done to the website since that time. Sad, because people looking for information get dated info, at best. I have no beef with the current folks building the boats. It is their business to run the way they choose. Certainly not the way I would promote my product, but I have had no dealings with the factory since shortly after Fluid took over. Seems that each successive factory entity has made it abundantly clear that they don't want to be bothered with previous boat owners. I buy any replacement parts (wiper motor, fresh water pumps, Honda items, Wallas, etc) from the respective manufacturers - and have had no problem finding what I need.

It's a great boat. We still get plenty of comments from people about the boat, but I quit telling anyone to contact the factory for information years ago. I do tell them about Marc at Wefings. Several people who have asked about our boat have gone on to purchase a Ranger Tug (two alone in our small town). I have no doubt that they would have purchased a C-Dory had the factory made even a small bit of effort to promote the boat.

I read the same stuff here as everyone else: the factory is busy. Maybe they are doing as much business as they care to do? Still, it seems short-sighted to me to not promote in ways that are proven to be cost effective - beginning with a current website. But, sincerely, I just don't have the interest in promoting one entity after another that turns away from the customers who could potentially bring them new business. Not sure why I even posted that photo of the dinette, other than to show other C-Dory owners that there are comfortable options.

This has been an interesting thread; the most interesting part of it is the fact that it was started by Marc, and not anyone from the factory. Marc is a good guy. He does a fine job of matching people up with boats. He listens and responds. Maybe the factory folks listen to him?

My suggestion: let it go, Pat. You have a great boat, too. You're retired now and have more time to use it. The new detailing has it looking like new. Put that energy into having fun with the boat... and the RV... and the grandbabies. Chase the redhead around the new shop building. Haul something south and get out of the cold and wet. :wink:

Yeah, I know: I have said I'm done with making suggestions to the factory, too. What is that definition of insanity? Oh yeah: doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. I guess that could apply to the factory as well as a lot of us. :roll:

Best wishes,
Jim

 

[Grumpy]

Hey Jim,

Are you suggesting that we should be able to get some of those Sprinter slide-outs on C-Dories ???
That would be a fun project (not)

We have often thought about the fact that the "View" was the same length as our boat but with a lot more room.

M