Generic question about C-Brats Gatherings

[maryvmcclain]

Ok, I know I'm asking a generic question but I'm trying to get my head around what it will be like to be a power-boater versus a sailor and need a little help. When we belonged to our sailing group, when we had a gathering... we would meet, spend a few hours sailing to a location, camp for the night... go out sailing for a good part of the day... return to camp, repeat as necessary. We never really "marina hopped" and many days we would hang out all day...

Is it the same for your gatherings? I'm having a hard time imagining spending hours just powering from one location to the next anchorage. How many hours do you usually motor/day? Do you go fishing as a routine? What's our gas budget going to be like?

I read up on the last Lake Powell trip but I don't know the lake so I couldn't really tell how far between anchorages. The pictures were inspirational... until I got to the mouse stories.... now I'm a little freaked out... maybe my cat will have to learn to like cruising.

Thanks!

 

[JamesTXSD]

When we were sailors, we used to say, "It's about the journey, not just the destination." Almost 6 years and lots of miles later, with the C-Dory, it's still about the journey and not just the destination.

All the gatherings we've participated in have been different. Some, you stay at the dock and socialize. Others, you cruise to different destinations each day. There isn't one "this is the way we always do it."

You can run with the group, or break off on your own and meet up later.

When we first ordered our C-Dory, I said to Jeff Messmer, "We're going to lose our sailing friends."

He said, "You'll make new friends.

In fact, our sailing friends all understood what our intent was (and still is) with the C-Dory. You can do the same type of cruising, still enjoy sunsets in the cockpit, enjoy anchoring out... BUT, you get the protection of that inside helm (it'll spoil you) - hot sun, howling wind, spitting rain, cold... you'll soon learn to laugh at all that and enjoy the protection. If you want more breeze, open the center window, the side windows, and the cabin door. You have a great view from anywhere in the cabin (no "going down into a cave" like most sailboats), that never-ending headwind is insignificant, and the route that is the most direct is the route that you can take... if that's what you want. Put the boat on the trailer and haul it to the best cruising areas... easily. No mast stepping. Lots of standing height.

What you will miss: on those occasional days where the wind and weather are perfect, you'll miss the sound of the wind in the sails and the motion of the boat as those sails pull. I still enjoy sailing, especially on OPB (other people's boats). You won't miss having to wear foulies all day when the weather is less than perfect.

As far as fuel burn, you control that. If we run at displacement speed (about 6 knots), we burn around one gallon per hour. If we want to pick up the pace and run 20 knots we burn significantly more (but get there sooner). We seem to run at 6 knots or 16 knots. I've had sailing buddies tell me that they can run all season on a tank of fuel... but seem to forget that they spent $4,000 on new sails. There are no free rides. But, as far as powerboats go, the C-Dorys are pretty fuel efficient. I call it a powerboat with a sailing sensibility.

Good luck with your decisions. You'll enjoy the gatherings - an opportunity to meet like-minded folks and see what mods they've made to their boats. We always pick up some new idea at the gatherings. For the most part, we prefer to cruise on our own, but the gatherings are a lot of fun, too.

Best wishes,
Jim B.