Is C-dory going out of business? (Short answer - NO)

2007 may have been one of the bigger production years during the Reynolds reign of C-Dory. They had moved to the bigger factory from the Kent location and were ramping up to make a lot of boats. Only stands to reason that if that year was the most production that there would be some good portion of those boats on the market. By 2008, the writing was on the wall, and savvy business people were reeling in production. Dealers had more than enough stock as the number of buyers receded. 2009, and the boat market was about 1/3 of what it had been, and C-Dory was on it's 3rd ownership in two years.

I think 3-4 years is frequently a turning point in many boat owners lives... the boat is paid for (if they financed it), they want to move up, down, or out, depending on their circumstances. Out is understandable with the current economy. However, these boats are unique... and desirable; but still a niche. This is just one guy's opinion, but if the Reynolds hadn't ramped up production beyond what the niche market could sustain, I would think that C-Dory would be in a similar situation as Ranger Tugs, with new buyers standing in line for their boats. Not many could have predicted the crash of the boat industry (along with many other), but too much production was more of a hurt than too little at that time.

Timing and circumstances. Perhaps a manufacturer out of touch with their customer base? In a niche market, you can't depend on "built it and they will buy it." You can't try to shove product down dealers' throats. When the dealers started balking, it should have been a VERY clear sign of things to come.

So, all that said, I'm with brother Byrd: buy the boat. Not for the good of the economy, but for the good of oneself. If you can afford the boat without putting yourself in a pinch, for those who "get it", there is little else that will return so much satisfaction. Time on the water isn't expensive, it is priceless.

Best wishes,
Jim B.

(Glad the meds wore off... I'm back to relatively normal now. Again, just kidding - I've been out on the boat!) :wink:
 
Today I went to Bellingham with a local group from Anacortes to visit the The American Museum of Radio and Electricity. I had never heard of it before, but it is well worth a visit if you have any interest in the history of electricity and radio. It is definitely not your Mom-and-Pop collection of old gear -- it is extensive and well-organized.

So, I was in Bellingham, and with somewhat of a spur-of-the-moment inspiration, I decided to visit the SeaSport factory. Scott Boyson gave me the nickel tour of the facility, and we had a good, long conversation about his boat-building philosophy (he's been at it for 22 years; most of the crew at SeaSport have been there for at least 10 years) -- and about his frustrations with discussions like this thread. After visiting the factory and talking with Scott, I wish that everyone who has questions about where the SeaSport (technically, Triton Marine Industries) is going with the C-Dory line could see what I saw. I did not count them, but there were several C-Dorys in various stages of construction. This brand is not going away.

Scott told me that one of the biggest problems he is dealing with is the poor condition of the molds he got from Fluid Marine. They don't meet his standards so he has had to rebuild some of them. So, yes, they are still ramping up production, and making decisions about how to build boats, but I was very encouraged by what I saw today. Scott would love to talk to any of you who want to make the trip to the factory -- I lucked out because Scott was able to make time for me, but it would be better to call ahead.

Warren
 
Perhaps we shouldn't be so quick to launch into such a speculative range of responses to a first time poster without first asking him to verify his credibility. The way to do this is to ask him a question or two in order to draw him into a second post or even a third post, thereby revealing a little more information about himself and his motives. Notice that this guy has not responded yet. Sometimes this forum is too trusting and eager to please.
 
O.K. everyone the old kingfish appreciates all of your input about the future of C-dory. I did sense that some of you were having just a little too much fun with the question!

Over and Out... The Kingfish
 
Jim, my friend. Glad to see you found the ties were in the back :wink and lucky for us, you got out on the boat. I should be so lucky.

Patrick, Nice job with the numbers. Now we know that for all those folks out there looking for boats, not very many are going to get a C-Dory. Makes each one of them, Used and new, more valuable.

Warren, Thanks for taking the time to go and check at the source, the horses mouth, if you will, and bring us some good news.

Socrateur, You have a very good point, Kingfisher came, and he went. Check the profile, no anything there but 1 post, and a PM box which I am going to try. Doesn't look like he is too serious about being here.es A splash in the pan, maybe, maybe a future Brat, but ...... had he spent some time searching around this site, he would have had all this same information, including Scott Boyson's phone numbers to actually call himself if he was really concerned.

Always learn something here. (Never knew Jim typed with his nose before) :shock: :lol:

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

PS: So While I am posting the above comments, Kingfish came in with this for post number 2:

O.K. everyone the old kingfish appreciates all of your input about the future of C-dory. I did sense that some of you were having just a little too much fun with the question!

Over and Out... The Kingfish
Click to expand...
 
Socrateur":191gom9h said:
Sometimes this forum is too trusting and eager to please.
Click to expand...

I for one, am glad it's that way. Far better than the alternative.

I can count on one hand, the number of times we've seen "drive by" posters with ulterior motives. It just doesn't happen here with any regularity, and as evidenced by kingfish's follow up post, it wasn't the case this time either.

Let's keep this place the open and welcoming community it's always been, giving every new person the benefit of the doubt. Even if it's a question we've heard a gazillion times, or a topic we've discussed in depth on several occasions. Remember, folks - you all were new here once as well.

Kingfish - welcome, stick around, and enjoy the place.
 
Hey there, Kingfish. We'll give you the Over, but please don't go with the Out. It's almost springtime and we will all lighten up a bunch soon.

The original post was a valid observation. There has been a bit of chatter on the rest of the Internets about SeaSport. Sometimes we think ours is the only Internet, but like the great former Senator from Alaska said, the web is a "series of tubes". Not everything is in our tube exclusively. It does, however, appear that SeaSport has gone a long way toward fixing its own tube, and with it their boat building business.

So, welcome to our Pub, Kingfish. We do hope you stick around. Good luck with your boat search.
 
Da Nag":1h0cd26w said:
Even if it's a question we've heard a gazillion times, or a topic we've discussed in depth on several occasions.
Click to expand...


Twins vs. Single?...... :roll:


(naw, just jokin' around.... :mrgreen: )

(I'll go back to my corner now and down another :beer .... :wink )
 
The clock is running on a return PM from Kingfish. Just a welcome note and encouragement to fill in the profile info a bit.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
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