My Last Boat VI

F

Foggy

New member
Just in to my dealer was my deposit for a C-Dory 26 Standard Venture with split bunk aluminum trailer. Anticipated delivery to MI is next spring for dealer rigging. Lots to consider since last cruising boat, brand new technology with electronics (I used Loran C then GPS), new bottom paints, changed cruising laws (?) and a human torso that can't quite do what it used to, although there are minimal complaints. Really like the Garmin electronics.

Anticipated cruising areas are Great Lakes including bordering Canada, coastal US, inland lakes and rivers, ICW, PNW maybe more. Some of these: deja vu. Looking for a fresh and salt water bottom paint (VC Offshore?).

Outta the blocks, we omitted the marine toilet and went with the Air Head composting upgrade still begging the question about grey water from galley and shower in Canada.

Engines are not decided. I initially like the twin 90 Evinrude ETecs due to performance and less weight but now am turned off by oil consumption/storage for longer cruises. Honda/Yamaha 90's will most likely get the vote.

Not liking stowing a dinghy on the pilothouse with 2 old rotator cuff injuries so this is still undecided.

Later, we may add cockpit canvas and stern solar panel(s).

I am ready to entertain your 'Top Ten' suggestions for accepting delivery and rigging a new C-Dory. Yes, we'll get insurance and, no, I don't need your favorite onboard recipes.

Aye.
 
Congratulations, you're getting a fine boat. We certainly enjoy Journey On and she has done well by us when we've visited the Great Lakes.

I do have a couple of comments (of course.)

First, get the cockpit canvass. When we launch, Judy has the bimini up before it gets in the water, to keep the sun out. We use the sides as another room when it rains or for sleeping the grandkids. It certainly is a great addition and adds a lot of room to a small boat. And, though you can install it yourself, having the factory do it is a lot easier.

Next, about the Hondas. They're great engines, have worked well on Journey On. Absolutely no complaints there. And you get to pick twins or singles. Just check around for a Honda dealer near you. There aren't many near me and Hondas aren't their main brand. And see how long they've been in business. In San Diego, the dealers come and go.

Boris
 
Congrats.

Good choices --> Garmin and Airhead.

You don't have to put the dingy on the cabintop. There are other solutions.

I'd vote for the Yami twins. I love mine but YMMV.

Enjoy,

Harvey
SleepyC
 
Journey On, do you like your stern cockpit SS railing? Does it interfere with boarding from a dock with your canvas up? What is your height on the trailer with your radar on an arch?

About canvas: probably next year.

About engine votes: Honda 1, Yamaha 1 so far.

Thanks!

Aye.
 
Congratulations on the new boat order. An excellent choice. The 26 has engines from 150 (although I saw one advertised with a 115) up to over 200 hp total. Two 90's are what Blue Eagle has, and she has now made at least 4 round trips from San Francisco to Catalina and back. This can be a very rough stretch of ocean, with some parts without shelter for a number of miles.

I agree with Boris, that the canvas adds a great deal to the function of the boat almost doubling the usable space. My preference is to have a local canvas maker you know do the work--that way you can get exactly what you want.

There have been a number of solutions to the dinghy on the roof. There are several davits which will make it much easier--and you can even add an electric motor if that is necessary. The lighter the dinghy the better. We have used dinghies from 30 lbs (a Bombard 6'7" slat floor--too small, but the two of us and a small dog used it for a month in AK, going ashore 3 to 4 times a day). Currently we have a 10' air floor inflatable, weight about 65 lbs, they are all fairly easy to get on the roof. We both stand on the side of the boat, one hand on the railing (extra rail added near the edge of the pilot house), and I pull the boat up by its painter, leaving most of the weight of the boat on the aft pontoons. We then each reach down as far as we can to grab the lines around the dinghy, and slide the boat up on the side of the cabin house. Sometimes we can get the boat all of the way up--at other times we may have to do a second "lift". If necessary you can have a loop of line to hold the boat in place for the second lift) I had fabricated a bracket for a Garhaue davit for the side of the Tom Cat which will work on any of the C Dory boats:

http://garhauermarine.com/catalog_process.cfm?cid=41

These davits are well made and light weight weight--since you have been a sailor you will appreciate the quality of the blocks.

I would probably go with one of the Torqeedo electric outboards.

Lots of great plans to make this winter. Some boat shows to go to decide on the electronics. There are a number of much better electronics during this last year.
 
Engine preferences have been hashed out repeatedly on this site over the years and after all the "votes" are in someone will say......"You can't really go wrong with any of the new 4 strokes, just be sure you have a strong dealer for the choice you make that is located in the area of where you are boating". (Or words to that effect). :lol:
 
VHF, if you only go with one, I would strongly suggest the Standard Horizon GX 2150 because it has a built-in AIS receiver that can send the received AIS signals to your chart plotter. It also has an automatic fog horn and hailer combination for limited viability compliance when underway. All you have to add is a horn speaker.

You are welcome :wink:

Harvey
SleepyC:moon

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Regarding 4 stroke outboards, I found Honda 90's, which I really want to like, do not have NMEA 2000 output capability. Apparently, Suzuki, Evinrude, and Mercury 90 hp models do. For some reason Honda models less than 90 hp, and certainly the larger hp models do also. I have to decide, because of this, do I really 'need' digital gauges or digital engine data on a multifunctional display to monitor engine/fuel functions vs std analog gauges I've experienced in the past.

Not sold yet on AIS. Knowing commercial vessels have to have it, and thus can be seen on a plotter, but not recreational boaters is a small concession if you collide with another recreational boater. I'm now thinking what is good for one is good for all but maybe the compromise works too: if I have AIS, I can be seen if others have AIS as well.

More digging needed on the 2 above.

Aye.
 
E-tech oil consumption is NOT an issue. You will save on fuel consumption due to lighter weight engines and frankly, more efficient engines to more than compensate for costs of oil and for the micro amount of space a gallon of oil might require on your big CD. So, be careful about excluding, in my opinion, the most practical outboard yet. I own Suzuki's and E-techs. So I have first hand experience.
 
What is the engine 2 stroke oil capacity in you ETec and how many hours (approx) can you run it one "tank" of oil?

I have visited ETec website and got onto a blog where several complaints were excessive oil consumption and improper oil/gas proportions resulting in poor performance and increased fuel consumption not to mention the headaches.

Better question: how can you tell you just bought a 'lemon'?

Aye.
 
Foggy":zzalbt1q said:
Regarding 4 stroke outboards, I found Honda 90's, which I really want to like, do not have NMEA 2000 output capability. Apparently, Suzuki, Evinrude, and Mercury 90 hp models do. For some reason Honda models less than 90 hp, and certainly the larger hp models do also. I have to decide, because of this, do I really 'need' digital gauges or digital engine data on a multifunctional display to monitor engine/fuel functions vs std analog gauges I've experienced in the past.

Not sold yet on AIS. Knowing commercial vessels have to have it, and thus can be seen on a plotter, but not recreational boaters is a small concession if you collide with another recreational boater. I'm now thinking what is good for one is good for all but maybe the compromise works too: if I have AIS, I can be seen if others have AIS as well.

More digging needed on the 2 above.

Aye.
Click to expand...

Standard Horizon GX 2150 only has an AIS receiver. It allows you to see others but not others to see you. Alternatively, you can get an AIS transponder/receiver which provides both functions and if you don't want others to see you, you can turn off your transmissions at will. I boat in the Pacific NW and am often near the entrance to the straight of Juan de Fuca or in the Puget Sound. Both places have heavy shipping traffic and lots of fog. The large container boats often go 25-30kts and at several 100 ft long, they don't stop or turn quickly. AIS lets me not only see them but determine their speed, current direction, size, ultimate destination and ETA to that destination. I've found it to be incredibly useful and the cost of a GX2150 is only $100-$200 more than a radio without AIS. Since most large vessels are required to have AIS transmitters, you see all the "big guys". Very useful for the price and pretty easy to hook to any modern chart plotter.
 
NMEA 2000 and engines: Interesting that the 40, 50, 60 and 115 Hondas do have NMEA output, but not the 90. If you want a Honda, then I would make inquiry to see if there is a "new" 90 with NMEA in the works. I have had Suzuki and Yamaha with NMEA--and not put it on the chart plotter, but on specific gauges. The major advantage of NMEA to me is the fuel consumption, which allows you to trim the boat to its most effecient running attitude/trim. I usually run two chart plotters--one with large scale and the other with small scale charts--and the depth sounder on the side of one of these chart plotters. (1/3 or 1/4 screen). Generally I have run radar on a separate screen--usually over head--but with the larger screen chart plotters, you can do overlay or split the screen if you want separate radar. (From what I saw up your way in June, I would want radar).

AIS--I love just the receive--if I was setting up a new boat, I would spring for the VesperMarine Watchmate 850 Class B AIS. This is $850, less on sale. You can overlay on your chart plotter or use their plotter--or both, as (I understand it--but have not owned or fiddled with one.) I never sweat the small boats (OK rarely), but often sweat the large vessels. You get not only their location, speed, projected track, but rudder angle, (which lets you know if they are initiating at turn), as well as the direct contact via your radio. Great safety feature--not only on the lakes, but around corners and on the rivers and waterways.
 
Foggy":1oln2axs said:
Stuff clipped.

Not sold yet on AIS. Knowing commercial vessels have to have it, and thus can be seen on a plotter, but not recreational boaters is a small concession if you collide with another recreational boater. I'm now thinking what is good for one is good for all but maybe the compromise works too: if I have AIS, I can be seen if others have AIS as well.

More digging needed on the 2 above.

Aye.
Click to expand...

"AIS" and "AIS receive" are not the same animal. You are right, not every body is going to be on AIS. The important part is that the BIG GUYS (read commercial shipping and like Roger said, they are moving in the 20 knot +/_ bracket) and they are the ones that you need to pay attention to. And the little things called Victoria Clipper (fleet) -- 100+ft moving at 30 - 40 knots and don't show up real strong on radar.

The big guys require considerable space. For me, I do not cross in front in anything less than 5 miles, or behind in 2 miles, or approach closer than 2 miles on their side to the stern. That makes a triangle about 7 miles long and about 4 miles wide that I do not want to be in. That has to do with their maneuverability, control and wake.

The AIS receive helps me draw that triangle in a few seconds. Yes, with the receive only, they do not see me, but I have their radio contact info if a crossing arrangement needs to be done.

In some situations (fog) I have contacted the ship, (call my name, or do a direct call via DSC - available through the HS 2150) and have had positive results each time. The active AIS would allow them to see me on that screen as a target, where the radar return I present may be pretty minuscule, the AIS will be a little purple triangle. If they are interested, they will have to actively investigate for further information -- my size, direction, speed etc.

My boating is limited to the PNW so I can't speak for the Chessy or the ICW, or other areas, but from what I have heard it it is a pretty practical tool for there too. There is plenty of AIS info on the C-Brat site and other places so I won't try to turn this thread into an AIS thread.

FWIW, if I was setting up a new boat, AIS or AIS receive at the minimum would be part of the package. With the receive feature on a high end VHF for only a $100 extra, it seems like a pittance for the added safety it can provide.

Harvey
SleepyC:moon

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Got a new CD-25 this year, and here's some of the things I can recommend:

Trailer

I got 4-wheel disc brakes with electric over hydraulic power, and in the vehicle I'm using a Tekonsha P3 controller. It's expensive, but check the pricing for an original installation - should be a lot less than a retrofit. This stuff really works well and allows backup maneuvering without getting out of the vehicle. I found that my Magic-Tilt trailer really needs side bunks to load the boat centered and I'm having a yard retrofit that. Gotta be done!

Chartplotter

Got the Garmin 4210 and it's a great size for the helm. Radar overlay works like a champ and I would get this unit again. This is an older design, however, and you may want to hold off till spring to see if a newer model with a faster graphics processor is out, or if there's a price reduction to be had.

Radar

Have the Garmin GMR24HD. No complaints, works great. The dealer was concerned about the size of the dome but it looks good to me (Not like an AWACS airplane or E-2 Hawkeye!). I chose it for the improvement in angular resolution (3.6 deg beam width) over the GMR18 (5.0 deg beam width). For $800 more it seemed to be cost-effective to me.

GPS

The GPS external antenna was mounted inside the boat - just forward of the helm bulkhead and near the starboard sidewall. Sounds crazy but it works perfectly. Avoids long cable runs and interference with the radar, radio, etc.

Engine

I have the Honda BF150 and couldn't be more satisfied. The dealer didn't install an NMEA200 interface with the chartplotter, and so I'm gonna do a retrofit. A really worthwhile addition as Dr. Bob says.

AirHead

Really like it. Solids chamber is rarely used in our cruising, but it can hold 80 deposits before emptying, which is like once a year!

Transom Wedge

My dealer is big on this, and it turned out to be helpful. It sets the engine in a more bow-down position to start with. I've found this to be good because the ride in chop is improved with the bow down to split the waves.

Fresh Water Washdown Pump

The factory option washdown pump is raw water. I asked if they could hook it up to the potable water tank, and they did at no charge. Now I can hose everything off (including me) with fresh clean water if desired and the 30 gallon capacity is not a serious limitation.

Small Stuff

There's never enough grab handles inside the boat for safety reasons. I got the inside overhead bars and ended up buying and installing a passenger seat grab handle on the forward bulkhead too. I would have the dealer put that in too unless you want another DIY project.

The Big Jambox coupled with a iPod makes a great sound system for the boat and you can move it around / take it off. Better than installing a system in my view.

Still working on putting up fans. Many Brat examples of how best to do this.

I was getting condensation and mildew in the rear stowage locker, so I'm installing vents in the doors and SS Nicro Solar vents in the roof to keep everything aired out. Effectiveness TBD.


I've only got one season's worth of experience, but these choices seem pretty helpful so far .
 
I've heard rumors that the BF75D and BF90D will be available soon with NMEA2000 integration. Check with your dealer for more information.

I have a single, 2008 BF90D on my 22. I'm quite pleased with the engine after 1100 hours. The only problem I've had, which has been corrected on the newer engines, is a leaky thermostat housing. Otherwise I've just done regular maintenance per the manual.
 
I wonder if one 90 hp motor can get you on plane? If not I would consider a Yamaha in line 4 cylinder 200 hp only weighs in at 489 pounds. That's a lot lighter than two Honda 90's at 365 pounds each. Slap a 10hp high thrust Yamaha kicker on for you get out of trouble free card. The Yamaha 200 has little more alternator output. I'm thinking better fuel economy than feeding twin 90's. Nothing against Honda. Look into Coastal Explorer software and using a laptop for navigation. Get at least a point and shoot simple auto pilot with a remote control. It's the bomb for cruising at displacement speeds.
D.D.
 
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