First time on a C-Dory 22

G

Gregw

New member
Hello all, I'm taking a test ride on my first C-dory on the 26th at Boatline in Charleston SC. I'm very excited to check it out, any suggestions for questions to ask, things to pay special attention to? I'm very new to power boating, more familiar with sailboats, so I'm a little intimidated.

When (or if) I get one of these, it will be single handed most of the time, so I am trying to figure out how to dock and lock-through from inside the cabin. I think having twin motors would help with the maneuvering, is that true?
Greg
 
Good luck on your first ride. It will be an exciting time. Don't worry about the docking alone. You are correct about the open window helping out, as well as having ropes/fenders in place prior to docking which will come with practice and doing it right sometimes, and getting it wrong others. Those who have not hurt our boats docking, simply have only boated in fair weather, or just have not docked enough yet... the day will come.

Just enjoy your ride. Think of how YOU want to use your boat... day boat, fishing, longer cruises.... and that is what makes these boats so neat....we can do all those things in them. You want to cook on board? See if it has a wallas on it or something else. Wallas is also great for boating in the cooler winter months, or just knocking the chill out of the boat. AC?? You like to camp out on your boat when it is hot? Many folks are starting to really apply the RV type roof AC units. Forget about the bugs getting in thru the screens.... close her down and get a good nights rest. Pay attention to the trailer... single or double axle? What type of breaks are on the trailer....if you are getting a trailer....but...the trailer is what makes these boats and allows us to haul them to gatherings and things and meet and see what others have done.

so... just go enjoy your ride...and thru this time frame, pay attention to the port side dinnette set up....and when the boat what made.
 
What fun...I remember my first ride... I was sold...there was no question in my mind that I wanted one of these boats... it was a good decision..

One of the neat things about docking a C-Dory.... often there will be folks on or near the dock that want to look at your boat so they will always help... it's not unusual for us to come out of a restaurant and find folks waiting to talk to us when we are on the road.... even roadside rests...one morning we awoke after sleeping in a roadside rest to find a man waiting an hour in his car just to talk to us..... everyone loves a C-Dory.

Joel
SEA3PO
 
One of the must-do's on my list is doing the Great Loop and other journeys. So I am interested in sleeping bunk length and head height, I'm 6'-1" tall. Am I right that they make a taller cabin as an option? Fishing and a fish cleaning station off the side. Can I stow a 16' long kayak and a folding bike? Cooking is a must, though mostly one pot wonders.
How was sleeping on you boat the first few times? Did it take a while to get used to or is it pretty natural?

I love the idea of leaving from my neighborhood boat ramp on the Ohio river and touring the entire eastern half of the country and ending right back where I started! And there is so much to explore along the way, might have to schedule a full year for the trip. Start from Louisville in late fall and chase the warmth right into the keys, winter there for a few months and then follow the spring warmth right up the east coast. Spend the hot months up north and cruise back home in the fall. That's what I'm talking about
 
I am (was) 6'2" and there is room on the CD 22 for sleeping. My son who is 6' 4" thinks it is too tight. The head room is just barely enough with the standard top--but with the high top, definately plenty.

Agree that single handing is easy with the C Dory 22. Just reach out the window--have the fenders fore and aft already rigged. There are even a number of docks where you can reach the cleats or bull rails from the window and loop a line thru and back to the deck cleat on the boat.

As for sleeping--after 3 days on the Road to New Jersey, it was such a relief to get onboard the boat and sleep there! I always sleep better in a boat than in a motel, and often better than at home.

You do have to remember that the CD 22 is a semi dory, which means a fairly flat bottom and you have to slow down when there is a steep chop. On the other hand it is ultimately more stable than the vast majority of other boats anywhere near its size.

Yes, with a rack you should be able to stow both a Kayak and bicycle on the roof--but I probably would use a folding bicycle and stow it in the cockpit...
I personally like the Wallas diesel stove, because it is a great heater as well as a good stove. The fuel is cheap and it really works.
 
and it is truly a blast to get out there when the weather is foul...and enjoy a great day on the water in these boats. Just before Easter, I had a great day to take my Mom out on my little 18 Angler for a nice lunch on the water.... 40 degrees, but solid winds constant at 18-20 knots.... and we just stuck her on about 7knots....and made our way thru just laughing and talking of all the changes we are now seeing on our wonderful Cumberland River/Old Hickory Lake.

Greg: When you get down to doing the Great Loop... take the Cumberland off the forks of the Ohio/TN/Cumberland river area... Give yourself about 5-10 days travel time just to poke about the upper reaches of the Cumberland. Just plan to slow way down and enjoy the nature once you have locked thru the Cordell Hull Lock and Dam....there are some wonderful waters/views....and not many folks at all unless the strip bass are running....then....stay off the fishermans "ballons"....and give them some way due to the channel/river being a bit narrow. All good folks. Fill up real good at Defeated Creek Marina just above the dam on the right bank desinding,...about mile 315.25..last fuel you'll have....and do not burn more than 1/2 of what you are carrying up river.....or...you will be on the ride with the current.. If you get that close, go ahead and save about a 2-3 mile run worth of fuel and float, and use the last of the fuel to get you back into the creek area where the marina is.... way too far to paddle or swim your boat.
 
taller cabin as an option?
Click to expand...
This comes up fairly often. I am (was) 6'1" and standard cabin height is not a problem for me. If I was 6'4" I'd opt for the tall cabin. I suspect 6'2" is the limit for the standard . Some folks prefer the "looks" of one or the other. I like them both equally well. Maybe the standard cabin roof is easier to stow an inflatable on, not sure. But there is something that has never been discussed, and that is heat distribution. The Wallas throws heat at hip level resulting in a temperature gradient inside the house. Cool(er) at my feet and warmest at the ceiling. I assume the tall cabin raises this gradient and suggest that prospective buyers consider this as one (albeit small) factor. I can say when it's really cold(<40F) that my feet get chilly and guess that a 4" taller roof might chill them even more.
 
Interesting thought about the heat distribution. On the TC 255 we put a fan over the Wallas, both to help circulate the heat further--when heating and when we were in hot weather. Most of the CD boats have the cabin right on the bottom of the boat, and perhaps some of the cold of the water is transmitted thu the hull (certainly heat is, even thru the balsa core in the top).

The other item I didn't mention is that the CD's probably all need trim tabs or some way (such as Permatrims or Dolfins) to put the bow down in moderate rough water. So be sure that the person who is doing the demonistration knows how to run the boat. It does handle differently, with a lower planing speed, than the majority of "V" hulls.

When you get to Florida, there are several of us along your way who will host you and give you directions on the local waters. We are obtaining quite a network of C Brats down here also--but nothing like the PNW--and then some day, you can trailer to Alaska and enjoy that beautiful country as well as WA and BC.
 
Hi and welcome,

Just a few thoughts about the new 22 and the cooking. I have not seen the new butane stove that I think is now standard. We did not order the Wallas or the alcohoal stove. We have no built in stove. We carry a butane stove in the locker under the gally flat and get it out only when needed. Some people on this forum have had cold weather trouble with the butane stoves. They do not work well in freezing temps. We are fair weather boaters and when it gets cold we usually stay at a dock with 110 power and plug in our cube heater.

The new stove being built in would save the trouble of getting it out, replaceing the case and stowing.

We have just a single Honda 90 and normally I do not need my wife to help lock thru. I just reach out the helm side window and grab a line or use the boat hook on a ladder. I don't think the twins would be any easier to work around the docks because they are so close together.

You have a lot to think about. You will hear a lot from this wonderful gang of C-Dory boaters. ENJOY

Fred, Pat, and Mr. Grey (the cat)
 
Adeline":1h5o323h said:
[ The Wallas throws heat at hip level resulting in a temperature gradient inside the house. Cool(er) at my feet and warmest at the ceiling. I assume the tall cabin raises this gradient and suggest that prospective buyers consider this as one (albeit small) factor. I can say when it's really cold(<40F) that my feet get chilly and guess that a 4" taller roof might chill them even more.
Click to expand...

Pete-

I anticipated this problem with my propane Force 10 Cozy Cabin heater and installed a double fan and cold air lifting duct to take the air from the floor and direct it over the stove. The same could be done with the Wallas with minor modifications.

Photos start HERE.

Joe.

Fan_Tube_Assembly_Under_Galley.jpg

Cold air pick up system on Sea Wolf.
 
Good luck on your CD-22 purchase and the loop! I would get the tall top no matter what -- anyone can buy it if you decide to sell and it does seem to trap the heat up there as mentioned and that's not an all bad thing in summer.
 
Joe, Nice job on your HVAC project. When I said something that has never been discussed I was in error. REMINDER TO SELF: NEVER SAY NEVER.
 
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