Greetings from New Member

O

Outdoorsygal

New member
Have been noodling around C-Brats forums for a while now, so time to introduce myself. My name is Teresa and I am, sadly, boatless. Good news is I now have two nickels to rub together! So only 599,998 more in my piggy bank makes enough to buy my first preloved C-Dory 22 cruiser. I have one in college yet, ($$$) so not sure how long it will take.

While my nickels pile up, I will continue to read and learn. Thanks to all of you on these forums. And the albums . . so beautiful. So many lovely pictures it almost feels as if I were along for the ride on the C-Brat cruises.

Have been following along on the technical aspects as well, learning as much as I can about how all the systems work. When ready to buy, it will be so helpful to know what will need upgrading etc.

Michigan is home. 4th generation worm-dangler on the lakes of the northwest lower Peninsula. My folks keep their pontoon boat on Torch River. I grew up cruising and fishing this chain of lakes (Torch, Skegemog, Elk, etc) on my grandpa’s old wood cruiser. I loved the cozy security of that cabin. Maybe that’s why the C-Dory was love at first sight for me.

Of course I have a zillion questions, and hoping to find some friendly folks here willing to help. For instance, would you agree that the 22 will be best for a solo lady to manage? Are there any other solo lady C-Brats?

Thanks for reading, and best wishes for happy and safe summer cruising.
 
Welcome to a great place! As you have no doubt begun to discover, you can find just about anything you need to know about boating in general, and C-
Dories in particular, discussed (sometimes ad nauseum :lol: ) on this forum.

I did not buy my first boat, a C-Dory 16, until I was nearing 60. My ignorance was pretty complete. I learned enough form this place that in a couple of years I was doing things and going places I would not have imagined possible.

Which boat you should get depends on your budget and intended uses (fishing? day cruising? multi-day remote expeditions? trailering?). I started with a 16 and graduated to a 23. Everything from launching to docking tends to get more complicated as the boat gets bigger, but a 22 or 23 is certainly easily managed by a single person. Many, many people on this site single-hand their boats all the time. And yes, there are several "solo ladies" in that group.

You can probably find one or more C-Dory owners in your area who would be happy to let you see their boats and watch what it's like to launch and run one.

Dream on! And keep asking questions as they come up.
 
Rubbing and collecting 599,998 dimes instead of nickels will allow you to get
more boat. If you can handle a 22, a 23 or a 25 won't be a problem and you'll
thank yourself later, frequently.

I've had kids in college too. Having yours pay their own wireless phone charges,
in a few years, could make the nickels to dimes thing happen for you.

I grew up on Burt Lake allowing me to get out into 'the big lake' via Cheboygan
locks. Once done, almost never returned.

Aye.
Grandpa used to say, "Clean unsalted water is addicting."
 
I just recently upgraded from a 22 to a 25, and didn’t think i ever would. I loved the 22 and it was the perfect size! I did a lot of solo handling plus times with my wife. We are both fairly big people and still felt there was room. Yes the 25 will give us a little more breathing space and the enclosed head. But it comes with a little more upfront and operating costs. I’ve already solo handled this boat as well and it’s just as easy. If I were single or solo all the time, I would have stayed with the 22! It really is the perfect size and easy to squeeze into spaces. Colby
 
Noro Lim,

Thank you for your kind words. Any you got me beat: I turned 60 this year and don’t have my first Dory yet.

As for my boating plans, I will fish, a lot. Already dreaming of rigging up the cockpit just so. For example, that big area at the transom, the splash well? What function does that serve? I imagine walling in the transom to level, and using an extended motor mount bracket. Has anyone out there done that? Pros n cons? Would add so much more room. And could then build in a nice live well above the fuel storage area. Haven’t figured out where to hide a big locker for fish and ice. Is there room in the hull below the cockpit floor? Even for a shallower fish locker? Nice power down riggers for salmon and lake trout will be spendy I know, on top of all the other electronics needed.

Sorry . . I digress. Anyhoo, I would love to cruise too. I will probably keep her at Torch River at first. But I want to trailer it all over. Lake Michigan certainly. Will definitely sleep over on her for weekends and weeks at a time. Would love to do the C-Brats cruises in the Pacific Northwest. I did my undergrad at the University of Oregon, and miss it out there so much. But would be fearful boating there alone. Will need my trusty C-Brats mates to show me the ropes.

Does anyone think I should be looking at Anglers? I just don’t wanna compromise on the cabin space!
 
Foggy,

You are so right re the dimes. I would love the extra room, for cruising and fishing. But also I want to be boating as soon as possible. Not sure I wanna wait long enough to pay double for a bigger boat. I understand my nickels will only get me a smaller and older boat. I am hopeful my new friends here will help me find the right one when the time comes. Maybe after a few years with a 22 I could trade up.

I hear you about the big Lake. Would love to be out there after salmon.

Your ‘26 Venture must be gorgeous. I durst not even look . . . or 22s will be ruined for me.
 
Hi Teresa and welcome aboard! Depending on your use, each of the C-Dory sizes fits a particular mission. Can you single-hand a 22? Since you have boat experience and a determined nature, I would say: absolutely.

When I got called away on a family emergency, my wife pulled our 25 out single-handed, and no issue. Generally, though, we do almost everything together. I think a 22 for an individual would be great! While it will handle a cruising couple comfortably, it is compact enough that one person can launch, retrieve, and cruise in comfort - the cabin of the 22 will keep you comfortable on many adventures.

While you're waiting for those nickels to grow into dollars, there is a lot of information to be mined from this site. The folks who participate here are friendly and welcoming.

We took our C-Dory coast to coast to coast. From the Gulf Coast to the Pacific Northwest; the Florida Keys to San Francisco Bay; inland lakes and the Erie Canal... it kept us safe and comfortable all the while. While perusing this site, check the Grand Adventures section and look for "The Cruising Adventures of Wild Blue and Crew" to see some of the places that great boat took us.

You have a worthy goal - it will be fun to follow along on your journey to ownership. Keep us posted,

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
Colbysmith,

I think I saw that you recently found a new home for the Midnight Flyer. Someone sure got a lovely boat. I wish I had been ready.

I hope the 22’ will be just right for me. Can’t decide if it makes more sense to “cabinize” an Angler, or to modify a 22’ cruiser to be a little more fishy.
 
Hey there JamesTXSD,

Thanks for the story about your bride pulling that 25’ out by herself. It helps give me confidence.

And I will look over your albums . . And dream!

PS how did your Dory do in the Keys? Now that’s a dream trip! Would love to fish there. How did you manage the heat?

Thanx for your kind words.
 
Hi Teresa. Welcome to C-Brats. You mention walling in the transom. If you buy the 23 Venture or Cape Cruiser, you won't have to do that. It comes with a full height transom from the factory. We fish out of our Venture and are very pleased with the size and fuel economy of the 23. The 22 is also a great boat to fish out of, cruise in and gets great fuel economy.
 
Daybreak,

Thanks for the tip. I like the looks of the transom on the Venture. But that splash well area seems like wasted space. Surely it serves some purpose. Btw, do you know when they started making the Venture? don’t think I have seen one come up for sale used. Or maybe my eyes glazed over and my memory circuits fried when I read the price lol.

So how do you and your wife store bait and your catch? Coolers? I suppose the cockpit stays cleaner with coolers.

Ever thought about live well or fish locker mods? Do you know of any C-brats with such mods?

Thanks again and be well, and safe boating.
 
Outdoorsygal":jvcqdjxc said:
Hey there JamesTXSD,

Thanks for the story about your bride pulling that 25’ out by herself. It helps give me confidence.

And I will look over your albums . . And dream!

PS how did your Dory do in the Keys? Now that’s a dream trip! Would love to fish there. How did you manage the heat?

Thanx for your kind words.
Click to expand...

We were in the Keys during the winter - we had our heavy weather coats on a few times. Good thing about the trailerable C-Dory: you can tow it to best cruising areas at the best weather times. As far as the heat: we live in the southern Tip of Texas - about the same latitude as Naples, FL. We did carry a small window air conditioner that would easily run on a Honda 2000i generator on our summer trips - it fit in the forward center window. Of course, you can head to the Pacific Northwest in the summer, where the water temp is sure to keep you cool.

Good luck with your search!
 
Teresa,

The Splash well is your first defence. When a small wave hits the stern, the motors break up most of the force. The water that does hit the higher well collects and falls back over the lower transom.

The 23 Cape Cruiser came out in about 2006 and only sold for a couple of years. C-Dory was given the hull molds in a lawsuit settlement and within a short time C-Dory used those molds to make the 23 Venture as it is today.

We use frozen bait and have no need for a livewell. When we catch a fish it goes straight into a very large cooler in the cockpit. Never thought of doing any mods to our boat as it works perfect for us in what we do. The C-Brats community has much talent in doing all kinds of modification and with amazing knowledge of materials and construction techniques. Take a look at the 'Forums' in the heading above and in the Library Section you will see many modifications to these boats and some are fishing related.
 
For instance, would you agree that the 22 will be best for a solo lady to manage? Are there any other solo lady C-Brats?
Click to expand...

Hi Teresa and welcome!
To answer the question above, search for C-Gypsy - a 22 Cruiser owned and operated solo by a lady named Sandra. I believe she has since sold the boat, but we buddy-boated with her up to Princess Louisa Inlet and she managed the boat just fine.

The other question about the transom space, I think I have seen a 22 with a mod for a fish locker, but my 23 has an aluminum fish locker in the splashwell. Here's a pic:

23_Cape_Cruiser1_1.sized.jpg[/quote]

Chris
 
CCRider,

Thanks for the tip re C-Gypsy. Will looker her up.

And your boat is the bomb! Love that aft helm and splash well fish locker. And I see there remains plenty room to tilt the motors forward. Did you add the aft helm? Is that fish locker insulated? Or maybe doesn’t need to be?
 
Hey there Daybreak,

Thanks for all the good 411. I will be sure to look up mods in those forums.

And I do see your point about the splash well keeping water out of the cockpit. Then again, perhaps a good way to keep water outta the cockpit would be to not have a huge opening in the cockpit.

With the aftermarket mounting brackets, wouldn’t the water pour out over the bracket? Then the splashwell space could be put to use chilling fish, or whatever.

Am thinking of these hollow, buoyant Armstrong bracket extension thingys:

Oops . . I can’t seem to post a photo. Anyhoo you have seen them. Methinks aluminum framed glassed platforms with a hollow box under. . Supposed to permit motor to mount up a couple of inches higher for better performance and fuel efficiency. They say it helps get up on plane with the added lift in the back. Anyhoo it.seems water would pour over the bracket and out the sides.
 
Outdoorsygal":2nh5b3fb said:
Daybreak,

Thanks for the tip. I like the looks of the transom on the Venture. But that splash well area seems like wasted space. Surely it serves some purpose. Btw, do you know when they started making the Venture? don’t think I have seen one come up for sale used. Or maybe my eyes glazed over and my memory circuits fried when I read the price lol.

So how do you and your wife store bait and your catch? Coolers? I suppose the cockpit stays cleaner with coolers.

Ever thought about live well or fish locker mods? Do you know of any C-brats with such mods?

Thanks again and be well, and safe boating.
Click to expand...


I use a kill bag instead of a cooler to store my catch and it’s out of the way because deck space is a premium for me which is why I bought an angler- a cruiser has a few feet less fishing room but you gain a sink and cooktop.
There is also a live well in my port lazarette. If the photo didn’t load it’s in my albums.
Fish on!

http://www.c-brats.com/modules.php?full ... _photo.php
 
Hey Fishwisher,

Thanks for the tip about the kill bag. What a great idea. I can see how that would be easy to move around the cockpit as needed.

Yes, such a painful trade off, more fishin space vs kitchenette.

Pretty sure I will never be able to afford a 23’, so I will probably end up with an older 22’. Gotta be able to make some coffee and scrambled eggs in the morning!
 
Welcome to the club. At age 60 you have many years of great boating ahead of you. The 22 is the perfect boat for single handing although you'll probably get an argument from Cliff on Ocklawaha Queen. You'll get so much advice from the C-Brat family. Your contact with Colby will prove to be most helpful as he traveled all over making needed adjustments to improve his single handing skills. I'm located in the UP and have hosted many C-Brats as they learn the joys of cruising Lake Superior and look forward to adding you to the gang.

My 22 is currently located on the Tennessee River with my son and his family. Sadly, at age 86 I've discovered these old bones are no longer capable of the single handing life. One bit of advice I can offer is to stay fit.

Pat Clow
Meri Aura
 
Teresa,
Welcome aboard. My wife has also solo operated the 22. Ladies often make better skippers than men. It sounds if you have a good handle on what the boats are, and how they work.

I am 84 and still "C Dorying"--so as Pat Clow (a great person to get to know and I recommend a visit to her place), says, you have a lot of years to do that boating.

Many of the 22's have the port lazaretto made into a bait tank. If it is not already done, the conversion is fairly easy. Not a thing wrong with an older boat, as long as it has a good survey by a person who is knowledgable about cored hulls and the C Dory line.

You wil find that the splash well can serve many purposes. We keep a stern anchor there, have our Honda Generator mounted there, plus a "handle to help boarding from the water or dinghy, and keep small propane bottles for emergency stove, plus a gas can for the generator in the splash well. There are also some real disadvantages to bracket mounted outboards. The Tom Cat 255 is one boat which uses the bracket properly and enhances the boat's usefulness.

Your search may take you many miles, but the journey will be worth it.
 
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