Just Browsing and wndow shopping
- Thread starter alanc
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Les Lampman
New member
Hi Alan,
I'm probably arriving late for the party here but I'll add what I can.
The quality of your experience depends on two things: the dealer and the factory (if you go factory direct then obviously you're only working with one place). It's imperative (if you want a good experience) to find a dealer or a factory that you feel very comfortable with and develop some trust in.
Buying a boat like the C-Dory (that is to say, not a cookie cutter mass produced boat) is a lot closer to buying a vacation home than a car, so just forget how the typical car buying process goes, it's not the same at all. You'd likely not have a home built by just anyone and particularly not by someone you didn't feel some level of connection to (even it it's just knowing they're listening to your wants). Don't do it with your boat either if you want a pleasant experience. You're spending a fair amount of dollars and you should expect respect and attention in return (at the least).
There's a lot of difference between a boat like the C-Dory and a mass produced boat. Think of the difference between a "spec" home in a large sub-division and a custom home. The big guys save lots of money by building to the lowest common denominator due to quantity buys and labor savings (everything is repetitive)...that's for houses or boats. The small builders (like C-Dory) can't gain that advantage because they don't build enough boats. And the biggest reason is they don't want to. You don't build (if you're smart) hand-built niche boats if you just want quantity and a factory, mentally most of the small builders love what they do and are driven to produce a much better-than-average boat because it's what keeps them going. Because the pricing is higher than for a mass produced boat and it's just a few folks that ever work on the boat the attention to detail can be much higher...every boat is for a particular customer and it counts.
Thataway's boat was built when the folks that built it had lost sight of what mattered most and decided quantity was better than quality...and they went away. That's not the case these days. If you're concerned about things like how fittings are installed and if things like drilled and cut holes are sealed properly ask about them, a good builder (or their dealer) will be happy to answer because they'll be proud of their work.
About the engines...they're all the same. They have different shapes, colors, and decals but they all do the same thing. You can grab the barstool next to the two guys arguing about whether a Ford or Chevy is the best and argue with your bud about whether the Yamaha or Suzuki or whatever is the best but it's the same "there is no answer" argument, and ever will be. Get the one you feel the most comfortable with. That's usually the one the best dealer in the area sells and the one folks in your area seem to prefer the most (and sometimes, maybe even oft times, it's more than one brand). If the dealer you trust most sells Yamaha and Mercury then get one of those two brands. The after sale support and long term maintenance relationship is much more important than the brand decal stuck on the hood. If there's a "lousy" engine in your area (like everyone hates Mercury (just an example)) it's usually because there isn't a good dealer in the area but sometimes the engine just doesn't do well in that particular environment...that one I'd avoid.
It's good that you're asking questions here, there's a wealth of knowledge to tap. But ask just as many of your dealer or factory just as you'd would if you were building a vacation home (and you are!).
All the best...
I'm probably arriving late for the party here but I'll add what I can.
The quality of your experience depends on two things: the dealer and the factory (if you go factory direct then obviously you're only working with one place). It's imperative (if you want a good experience) to find a dealer or a factory that you feel very comfortable with and develop some trust in.
Buying a boat like the C-Dory (that is to say, not a cookie cutter mass produced boat) is a lot closer to buying a vacation home than a car, so just forget how the typical car buying process goes, it's not the same at all. You'd likely not have a home built by just anyone and particularly not by someone you didn't feel some level of connection to (even it it's just knowing they're listening to your wants). Don't do it with your boat either if you want a pleasant experience. You're spending a fair amount of dollars and you should expect respect and attention in return (at the least).
There's a lot of difference between a boat like the C-Dory and a mass produced boat. Think of the difference between a "spec" home in a large sub-division and a custom home. The big guys save lots of money by building to the lowest common denominator due to quantity buys and labor savings (everything is repetitive)...that's for houses or boats. The small builders (like C-Dory) can't gain that advantage because they don't build enough boats. And the biggest reason is they don't want to. You don't build (if you're smart) hand-built niche boats if you just want quantity and a factory, mentally most of the small builders love what they do and are driven to produce a much better-than-average boat because it's what keeps them going. Because the pricing is higher than for a mass produced boat and it's just a few folks that ever work on the boat the attention to detail can be much higher...every boat is for a particular customer and it counts.
Thataway's boat was built when the folks that built it had lost sight of what mattered most and decided quantity was better than quality...and they went away. That's not the case these days. If you're concerned about things like how fittings are installed and if things like drilled and cut holes are sealed properly ask about them, a good builder (or their dealer) will be happy to answer because they'll be proud of their work.
About the engines...they're all the same. They have different shapes, colors, and decals but they all do the same thing. You can grab the barstool next to the two guys arguing about whether a Ford or Chevy is the best and argue with your bud about whether the Yamaha or Suzuki or whatever is the best but it's the same "there is no answer" argument, and ever will be. Get the one you feel the most comfortable with. That's usually the one the best dealer in the area sells and the one folks in your area seem to prefer the most (and sometimes, maybe even oft times, it's more than one brand). If the dealer you trust most sells Yamaha and Mercury then get one of those two brands. The after sale support and long term maintenance relationship is much more important than the brand decal stuck on the hood. If there's a "lousy" engine in your area (like everyone hates Mercury (just an example)) it's usually because there isn't a good dealer in the area but sometimes the engine just doesn't do well in that particular environment...that one I'd avoid.
It's good that you're asking questions here, there's a wealth of knowledge to tap. But ask just as many of your dealer or factory just as you'd would if you were building a vacation home (and you are!).
All the best...
So, I have determined that all other things being equal ( engines, gadgets, gear) the Angler model is about 6K less than a new Cruiser. What, exactly am I giving up to save that 6K? Dinnette? Stove? For sure some pilot house space, but again..untill I see both in person.....Ok, brats...bring on the input.
thataway, sir, we have searched every marina within 200 miles of home, on line and on the road. Little did we know that if we just lurked here long enough the right CD would show itself. Our survey came back with an "above average" rating overall, and the seller has accepted our offer, now its just paperwork..we will take ownership next week.
We were willing to go for a brand new one, but hey..I am already not missing those payments , not to mention all the stuff I would have to go out and buy...I even get a place to keep her until the season starts...
I just got off the phone with the insurance agency, so reality is starting to sink in..OH Boy!. The best news is that The Admiral is more exited than I...off to a good start.
We were willing to go for a brand new one, but hey..I am already not missing those payments , not to mention all the stuff I would have to go out and buy...I even get a place to keep her until the season starts...
I just got off the phone with the insurance agency, so reality is starting to sink in..OH Boy!. The best news is that The Admiral is more exited than I...off to a good start.
Northern Pike
New member
hey that last part is funny! I'm sitting on my PC reading and learning as much as I can from our Forum. It is almost 20 below zero, I just filled the Woodstove to the hilt and we have over 2' of snow. I wish I be on my boat right now!
Cheers, Peter.
Cheers, Peter.
Good Luck and happy cruising .When you get the boat make sure you get an album set up here on c-brats and that way we can see your pride and Joy .
Nick (Valkeri) and I are going out in 80 degree weather in Naples ,fl. Also what is nice about your boat is it's able to towed down to florida or texas and enjoy great winter boating
Nick (Valkeri) and I are going out in 80 degree weather in Naples ,fl. Also what is nice about your boat is it's able to towed down to florida or texas and enjoy great winter boating
Wandering Sagebrush
Free Range Human
alanc":1n2276g4 said:
Congrats!!!!
Hey alanc I tried to address the behoojies and wound up editing your post. Damn technology tried to use the quote feature for the first time. So everyone it was me not Alenc saying forget the behoojies ...sorry. Damn the behoojies anyway. I have had them myself ...big wave from the side the behoojies jump ship ...gone...just like that
Chris
Chris