Need advice on selling a C-Dory

P

Pete9

New member
I’m hoping to get some help from the C-Brats Community. I’ve been tasked with selling my deceased father’s 2000; 22’ C-Dory Cruiser. I don’t like the thought of selling any of his belongings, but living in South Central Iowa & with a busy summer schedule, I don’t have much time or use for this type of boat. As you would guess, Southern Iowa also isn’t the best market to sell this boat.

I have limited boat knowledge and while I understand C-Dorys hold their value pretty well, I’m having a tough time coming up with a fair starting price. I don’t mind offering someone a good deal on it, but I also don’t want to price it too cheap and have someone sell it on their way home. I’ve done a little research on C-Brats website and Craig’s List, but it seems like there’s a fairly wide price range on them. Obviously, condition of the boat and motor(s) have a lot to do with it.

I know your website has a location for people wanting to sell their boats and I will place something in that section also, but I wanted to start with this forum before I do much advertising.

My father purchased it used in 2002 and was the 2nd owner of the boat. He’s put some miles on it traveling on the Mississippi and other rivers in the Midwest. He made one very long trip (maybe called the Half Loop), putting in in Burlington, Iowa, going through Great Lakes and ending up in the New York Harbor and then worked his way back to Iowa. Due to health reasons, he didn’t put it in the water in 2016, but the boat ran well when my son and I went with him on a 3 day trip on the Mississippi in August of 2015. It is very clean and in good shape from what I can tell. It has always been stored indoors, except for the past couple of months while I’ve been trying to sell it.

Forgive me for not knowing many of the specifics and proper boat terminology, but the following is a brief description of the boat. If there are other specifics I should include in an ad to sell it, I would welcome suggestions.

Twin 40 HP 4 stroke Honda Engines – According to the hour meters, one has 2,366 hrs. & the other has 2,924 hrs. Both motors have been run about the same amount of time, so I’m not sure about the 600 hour difference. My step mom said my dad was mad that he did something to cause the difference but can’t remember anything more than that. A fin like piece on the lower unit has broken off on one of the motors, but it didn’t seem to affect how the boat ran on our trip in 2015. I can send picture of it. I’m assuming 2000+ is a lot of hours for a boat motor, but I do know that they have been very reliable. My father was still stubbornly taking the boat on the Mississippi by himself when he was 80 years old.
Removable Canopy for the back section, including sides
1500 MK 2 Radar
Garmin GPS
Sink, Stove, and an Ice Box
Horizon Intrepid VHS Radio
Sleeping Birth up front & a dinette that converts to a small bed
EZ Loader Single Axle Trailer
Removable port a potty

Are there any other websites in addition to Craig’s List that I should post an ad? As I said, I would welcome any advice on selling this boat, especially suggestions on a fair starting price. I'd like to move the boat fairly soon, therefore I'm not looking at holding on to it to get the highest amount possible. I'm not sure how to post a picture with this post but would be willing to email pictures.

Thank you very much,

John Peterson
641-203-4009
jtpeterson9@gmail.com

[/img]
 
This forum right here is the best place to sell a C-Dory. Go to the home page, look at the other boat listings on the "C-Dorys for Sale" on the lower right of the page. Follow the same format, including where the boat is located and the price you are asking. List as much about the boat as you know, and definitely include photos.

You should be posting all this on the C-Dorys for Sale part of this forum, and just double check it all before you post, because there is no editing after you post it (without getting assistance from one of the admins).

The number of hours is pretty high, so check out what others are listing similar boats for, and price yours with that "mileage" in mind.

When someone decides to look for a C-Dory, their search WILL lead them to this forum. Good luck with the sale (and condolences to your family for your loss).
 
Hi John, Sorry for your loss, and welcome to the C-BRATS site. You are not the first, and I'm sure not the last to be in your position. Was your father a user on the C-BRAT site? If he was ever here, or moderately here, there may already be photos on the site. There may be some that are usable for your endeavor. If you have access to his email or record of his use, (account user name) it would be easy to find his photo album. If not, you get to go from scratch.

Yes, the C-Dorys do hold their value very well. As Jim noted, the hours are up a bit, but certainly not at end of life, especially if they have been taken care of. Storing the boat inside shows he really took care of it and that makes a huge difference in the aging process on the boat.

There are folks looking here who are looking for good boats in good condition and they are willing to #1, travel to where it is, and #2 pay what it is worth. Please don't feel like you need to give it away to be able to move it soon. Again, as Jim said, anyone looking for a C-Dory boat will wind up here on the web site and if you do as Jim noted, (can get pictures and a good inventory) you will generate useful interest.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

JC_Lately_SleepyC_Flat_Blue_070.thumb.jpg
 
James & Harvey,

Appreciate the advice guys. I'll do a little more research & put together an ad for the "For Sale" section of the forum.

I'll take a closer look at the Help section again to try to figure out how to post a couple pictures with my ad.



Thanks,

John[/img]
 
John,
Losing your dad is tough, and, as you say, so is disposing of his stuff. Like losing him, again, in my experience.
First, this is indeed the place to sell/buy a C-dory. I drove 2,000 miles round trip for mine, and would do it again in a heartbeat. So being in south central Iowa is not the issue it might be for a lesser boat. In fact, you are centrally located!
Second, some advice I received years ago from a new car dealer who was helping me sell my old car: put an ad in "the paper" [yes, that long ago!] with a price you think is fair. If you do not get calls, reduce the price. Once you start getting calls, you have priced the car correctly and it will sell. With boats, I suppose the timeline is drawn out, maybe to weeks for reducing the asking price.
Your dad's boat sounds like a good one - well cared for. And, you did a nice job of describing the boat, its history, its equipment, and its maintainence.
andy
 
Yes, it is called the Abbie D. My dad named it after my daughter. I'm not sure he was ever on the internet so I don't think he would have registered it on this website. Heck, we could barely get him to turn on his cell phone. He researched how to navigate the various waterways by books & magazines.
 
You might try searching around on the site (memberlist) for Abby D or by region or dates. Or using some name he might have used for a user name, but then again, you say his research was by books and magazines so might not be here at all.

for the inventory consider: anchor(s), windlass, anchor line, radios, searchlights, anything. better to list than not.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

JC_Lately_SleepyC_Flat_Blue_070.thumb.jpg
 
Back
Top