need advice

J

jimmyg

New member
Hi

This is my first post and I appreciate any help. I am newly retired, remodeling a home on Lopez Island, Wa. As soom as I get thru with the remodel (spring) I get a boat -- take a couple of years to learn how to do all the stuff and then maybe take larger trips north. Went to trade school in Ketchikan, worked on the Pipeline, would like to go up the inside and turn around a come back safely.

I had a 24' Trophy on the Columbia River, went to Olympia once and came up to Lopez (flat as a pancake coming across the Strait , turned around a few hours later and boy was I in trouble -- 4 ft close chop and I was white knuckled). It schooled me in a hurry- I knew nothing, still today know nothing, but want to learn and will spend the time to do that

C-Dory has some great boats ( Tomcat, 26, 29 appeal to me), Seasport 24, 26, Osprey 26, Kingfisher 28.5 -- locally at Island Marine Center)
Need to plan on being by myself handling the boat a bunch, wife will go with and have fun but not all the time. Fishing is cool but just rubbernecking and learning are the priorities.

I'll go to the Seattle Boat show , make up my mind and write a check.


thanks for listening-
Id appreciate any advice



Jimmy Gouge
 
There's a very good chance that the first boat you buy will not be your last. For me, and I suspect for many others among us, each boat we own teaches us something more about what we really want from a boat. I like my current boat, but I am also always looking at other boats, admiring, criticizing, comparing.

What I am saying is, don't expect to get it right the first time, 'cuz you probably won't and may never. Find a boat that speaks to you, calls your name, says come learn with me. Trust your instincts, your comfort level, and ask a million questions. You can't go wrong.

HTH.
Warren
 
jimmyg":2mgchrja said:
Hi

This is my first post and I appreciate any help. I am newly retired, remodeling a home on Lopez Island, Wa. As soom as I get thru with the remodel (spring) I get a boat -- take a couple of years to learn how to do all the stuff and then maybe take larger trips north. Went to trade school in Ketchikan, worked on the Pipeline, would like to go up the inside and turn around a come back safely.

I had a 24' Trophy on the Columbia River, went to Olympia once and came up to Lopez (flat as a pancake coming across the Strait , turned around a few hours later and boy was I in trouble -- 4 ft close chop and I was white knuckled). It schooled me in a hurry- I knew nothing, still today know nothing, but want to learn and will spend the time to do that

C-Dory has some great boats ( Tomcat, 26, 29 appeal to me), Seasport 24, 26, Osprey 26, Kingfisher 28.5 -- locally at Island Marine Center)
Need to plan on being by myself handling the boat a bunch, wife will go with and have fun but not all the time. Fishing is cool but just rubbernecking and learning are the priorities.

I'll go to the Seattle Boat show , make up my mind and write a check.


thanks for listening-
Id appreciate any advice



Jimmy Gouge
Click to expand...

My advice, FWIW.

1. Having bought and sold 6 boats so far, I agree that your upcoming purchase will unlikely be your last one.....unless you do your homework well, i.e. buying the boat that meets your priorities perfectly.

2. Add Arima to your list. They allow you to custom build your cabin, depending on your priorties....fishing, cruising, or both. Ranger tugs is another one.

3. Visit Les Lampman at EQ Marine/Whidbey Island. He knows all the boats and can give you some straight up advice. Look at his website. He's written some terrific articles.

4. Once you decide on the boat, look at the used market carefully. There are some stunning buys in this buyers market. Make Craigslist your friend. If new appeals to you, there are dealers who are desperately trying to get rid of old inventory. In fact, I viewed a brand new '07, 21' Arima today that's being offered at a terrific price. Same is true for a Ranger Tug at another dealership, 2 miles away.

Doing all this homework in advance will help you nail the deal of a lifetime and more importantly, get you the boat you love the first time around.

I envy you. Buying boats is fun. Selling them....whole nuda mattuh.

-Greg
 
Hi Jimmy,

Welcome to a very valuable resource for boating in the vein of the listed craft you are interested in. If you are looking at IMC, don't (not to diswade you from C-Dorydom) forget the Ocean Sport. I keep hoping my C-D 22 will grow into one of those if I add enough water, but the Admirable says I need more green to put with it.

Good advise so far. The C-Dory is a very unique and adaptable boat. Look through the photo albums (look to the column to the left of the posts, to the bold boat name, click there and it will take you to the photo albums), you will see that there are as many different adaptions and modifications as there are owners, yet we share one very common accessory here, --the family of C-Brats, and that comes from a strong pursuit of individuality and commradorrie. The joy of getting together, sharing boat time and projects, trips and tales, and having the wealth of knowledge and experience, depth and breadth and willingness to share make the C-Dory experience a fine investment in future health.

There is plenty more than boating here, (just go through and look at the taglines with the signatures to see that), but everyone here will be more than happy to offer up something when boating is the subject.

Welcome aboard, neighbor, and enjoy. Plenty to keep occupied on here. Enjoy your delmna.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
Welcome aboard Jimmy,

This site is a wonderful resource for learning about these boats. You also have the advantage of being in an area where there is a good concentration of C-Dorys... plenty of opportunity to visit with owners and perhaps snag a ride. Take some time to go through the archives here and you will find many others who have been through your situation.

Good luck with your decisions. The discovery and educating yourself are part of the journey, and you've made a good decision to start that process here. There are plenty of knowledgeable, friendly folks here who are willing to share advice and opinions.

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
Whatever boat you choose, I suggest you make part of your buying decision based on whether there is an owners website. I have joked for years that C-Dory should list C-Brats as a standard feature on their invoices for all of their boats.

Many of us researched all the brands referenced above and decided upon C-Dory. You may want to consider Rosborough in your research as well.

If you talk about some of your priorities we might be able to help. Clearly we are partial to C-Dory but we will objectively talk about advantages and disadvantages for each of our boats.
 
I very much agree with the suggestion of Les...... I would go to him...he is so honest it hurts...tell him what you want to do...and he will tell you all the good and bad points of each boat... even if it costs him the sale...he will do it... He is honest and fair to a fault...
I diden't buy my boat from him...and am sorry about that...I had a dealer that is no longer in business...and for a good reason.....

Joel
SEA3PO
 
Jimmy congratulations on your retirement now the fun begins. Incidentially I have many friends who worked on the pipeline and some that still do. I think there are others on the site that have or do work there. You've definately come to the right place. I boated on the ICW in small craft for over 50 years but after hanging around here for a while I realized I actually knew very little about boating. I've bought three boats since retiring two were C-Dory's. C-Dory and this site opened a whole new boating world to me. My bet is if you go to the Seattle boat show you'll come home with a C-Dory. Not only are they great boats but this site adds so much to your boating world. I boat alone alot and the 22 is perfect for me but any of their models are easy to single hand. Good luck on your choice and I agree there are some great used deals out there.
 
I'd recomend going for a few test rides ( no shortage of Brats eager to show off their vessel) and from there look for a used 22 or 25 footer. With a used boat you get a lot of bang for the buck plus, if later, you find out boating isn't quite what you or the spousal unit envisioned, you haven't sunk your whole fun budget. If all is good, in a few years you'll know exactly what you want in a boat and will be ready for an upgrade......It took us about three boats to get it figured out.

welcome, enjoy
 
Greetings
Our boating grounds are also the San Juans, based out of a Summer home on Decatur. We cross Rosario Strait every time up. I agree with everything that's been said by the others on this post, particularly the suggestion that you consult with Les at EQ Harbor Service in Cornet Bay before buying anything. I would add the following:

1. With a home on Lopez your boating use will likely be more commuting/day use and less overnigt/camping use than you now imagine. I would personally favor added cockpit space over extensive berth/galley space.
2. Limit your search to boats with hard tops only. It gets COLD on the water in the evening at all times of year, and the joys of wind in your face grow old very quickly.
3. Limit your choice to boats powered by outboard motors only(or true inboards in larger boats) or get to know a good outdrive mechanic.
4. Keep storage, moorage, and fuel economy in mind. Once you get beyond about 22-24' and 8'beam it gets harder and more expensive to find moorage in Anacortes, Friday Harbor, etc. With a moderately sized boat you can almost always find a place to tie up in the Islands. Fuel prices are down now but the longer term trend is straight up. Some of the larger deep-vee boats you mentioned handle rough water well at high speeds but you'd better own an oilfield if you want to keep the tanks full!
5. There are plenty of times in your waters that you would feel terrified being out in a 40' boat. You want a seaworthy boat, but don't think that you can find a smaller, trailerable boat that will handle any sea condition you are likely to encounter up there. That's what the Washington State Ferry system is for. A big part of your boating education will be learning to read and discern weather conditions and trends, tide conditions, and the particular hazards (tide rips at passes, submerged rocks, etc.) of your boating grounds. Most of all good luck. It sounds like you're entering a very cool phase of your life! Mike.
 
Thanks all;
The response so far to my post have been whelming. As I lurked for a short time before post, I could see the quantity of help available on all topics. Its difficult to wait but I'm luck that the dead of winter is approaching. The shoulder seasons up here are the best from what I see out my front window (downhill view over Swifts Bay toward Thatcher- very little traffic). Its going to be a great place to go to "boat school".

I am convinced that I want-

hardtop
reasonably roomy cabin
seating for 4- whales, day trips, fishing with a few friends
sleeping for 2
outboard (2?) or diesel
new or very close to it

Again , thanks all
Jimmy
Lopez
 
Jimmy
I strongly recommend coming to the Seattle Boat show gatherings at the end of January. you will meet a lot of the people that have just given you such valuable advise and see what they are talking about when they speak of the camaraderie here.
 
Jimmy- Welcome aboard. You are living my dream! I love that Lopez Island. That restaurant just across the street and up the road a little from the Marina is the best. Those Seasports that are sold there by the resort are nice looking boats. Still, if it was me, I would take the ferry over to Anacortes and visit Les at Coronet Bay. I would ask him two questions. "What is your best price on the used C-Dory 22 footer" and "What electronics do you suggest". You will walk away a happy man, I promise. Oh, take your camera and ask Tyboo Mike for an album. You live in a place where people passing on the road wave to each other. How good is that?!Congratulations .
 
Hi Jimmy-

You mention some well built boats. They are also very different in some ways from each other, and each has advantages / disadvantages.

The first lesson to learn is that every boat is a trade off. To get one thing, you may have to give up something else, or go bigger.

Want to pound through a 4' chop at 20 knots? Only a deep V will do that. But you can't have the economy of the flatter deadrise C-Dory. A heavier boat may ride better or feel more substantial, but you'll need bigger tow vehicles and trailers.

The boat show is a great place to start. Plan on going multiple days. Go in the middle of the week when crowds are small. Let the salesguys know what you are looking at, and get the attributes of their model.

Avoid guys that "Bash" the competition. Pointing out differences is fine, but calling the oter guys names isn't. The people on this site will extole the virtues of the C-Dory, but I don't think they'd begrudge you choosing some other brand if it better fits your needs.

Most of all- have fun. This is an enjoyable hobby. While you may have to amke some choices and ecisions about your next boat, it shouldn't diminish the pleasure of the experience. Heck, for some guys, researching and fussing over the small details gives them tons of enjoyment. For others, they make the decisions easily and quickly, and get onto enjoying the boat.

Congratulations on being in one of the most beautiful parts of the country!
 
jimmyg":3qjr6po3 said:
Thanks all;
The response so far to my post have been whelming. As I lurked for a short time before post, I could see the quantity of help available on all topics. Its difficult to wait but I'm luck that the dead of winter is approaching. The shoulder seasons up here are the best from what I see out my front window (downhill view over Swifts Bay toward Thatcher- very little traffic). Its going to be a great place to go to "boat school".

I am convinced that I want-

hardtop
reasonably roomy cabin
seating for 4- whales, day trips, fishing with a few friends
sleeping for 2
outboard (2?) or diesel
new or very close to it

Again , thanks all
Jimmy
Lopez
Click to expand...

Given your criteria, you may want to add the 22' Campion Explorer to the list. I have one and I truly like it for these reasons...

1. It's deep-V and does a nice job in the chop
2. Versatile cabin. No permanent dinette or table. We have ours configured to seat 4 and sleep 2.

I'd go with the outboard version for it or any other boat. Unfortunately, I have the I/O, which takes a lot of room in the cockpit.

As to twins vs. a single, personally I go with a single, in particular the E-tec 150 or greater. If you're boating in the Sound, the chances you're going to be isolated is slim. Help is a radio call away. Going to Alaska....different story, but even then, if you travel with a herd, you'd be safe.

Oh....I fully agree. You will not go wrong with any C-Dory purchase, especially if you're willing to go slow through the chop vs. slicing through it. My Campion limits me in that regard. I either have to fly through it (25 mph+) or go 5-7 mph. With a C-Dory, you can go 10-15 mph while maintaining good visability and not pound the boat.

Funny thing about speed. You mention boating on the Columbia. We're fortunate to boat on it too and the Sound. When we're on the River, we hate going slow. When we're on the Sound, we love it. Reason....the Sound is considerably more scenic and diverse.


-Greg
 
From my perspective:
(1) % of Trailoring Time vs % Docking Time - you own the dock, plan on trailoring or leaving in water?
(2) Bottom Paint/Maintenance sitting in water - versus sitting on trailer or davit?
(3) Usage pattern: Deep-V navigate close wave periods/heavy chop versus V>Flat Bottom (C-Dorys) made to "beach"
(4) Fishing/Pod Harvesting verus Cruising/Leisue - # of mates on-board most of the time
(5) Integrity/Structure of vessel (safety/longevity/maintenance) - bolt-through bulkheads, core material, composite material, hull material, thickness of gunnels, stringers or no stringers, sizing/design of transom
(6) Accomodation (loose term I realize) - sleeping quarters, cabin size, cockpit size, davit accomodations, refrigerator, stove, storage, ease of use.
(7) Bailing system.
(8) Hardware employed in construction e.g. SS verus Galvanized versus Bronze, Zinc - including most fasteners.

My own personal is the integrity of the vessel to accomodate my requirements. Watch out for any boat that is not constructed "well". I live on the Atlantic Coast where there are many beaches and islands, and oyster bars. I enjoy fishing, pod harvesting & leisure. I can go off-shore within reason, but must maintain vigilence of wave heights/periods. I can run this 25' C-Dory wide-open 25mph+ into 10" of water on plane, turn it off, settle on top the sand, walk off the boat and start fishing the oyster beds, clam, beach-it or whatever. For me, it meets my functional requirements. I would not purchase the same vessel if I were routinely navigating 4-8' wave heights with close wave periods - I would buy none other than a Deep-V.
 
Of course one of the advantages of the Tomcat is the ability to comfortably cruise through chop at speed. I have found about a 3' chop is the comfortable limit cruising at speed. I usually cruise at 22 knots and it is just a pleasure on the Tomcat even in that kind of chop.

Every boat will of course have it's limitations. I was talking to the Captain of a high speed ferry earlier this week (100' aluminum passenger Cat) and he said 6' chop was the comfortable limit on his vessel.

As someone pointed out earlier, every boat has their advantages and disadvantages. It's important to make a list of your top priorities and select the vessel that addresses the greatest number of those.

Of course I wish I could own 4 boats....I have one of them (Tomcat) but I would also like a Ranger, a C-Dory 22, and a Callan C-62. Ha!
 
Hey there, JimmyG,

Looks like there is no shortage of opinions here! Welcome aboard!

I am just posting to relate my thoughts as I looked at purchasing this "last and final" boat of mine. I have loved the versatility, comfort and looks of the C-Dory 22 since the 1980's and all that time dreamed of buying one someday. Just as I was about to do that, the C-Dory 25 came out and I got to board one of those up in Seattle. I really liked the extra room and the enclosed head. The 25 was still a bit "tippy" (not a good term - but side to side movement was higher than some catamarans I'd been on (mostly sail).

I visited with the factory about putting that pilot house cabin on their 24 foot TomCat hull and it turns out they'd been working on that. While waiting for that to come about, I saw the Ranger Tug 25 and liked the looks of that, but it just would not work for me - inboard engine needing winter protection (I like to boat year 'round in the Kansas, Oklahoma area and did not want to have to winterize the hull after every outing).

It was hard to decide. The CD22 was lighter and easier to tow, a bit less fuel use, the CD25 had the enclosed head, but not all the room, speed and stability as the TC255, and almost as high fuel usage. I finally went with the TomCat 255. I decided I'd rather have the larger boat if I later needed to downsize rather than have to come up with the extra cash and sell a smaller boat later to "upsize". I have not regretted my decision.

The TomCat 255 has tremendous storage capacity, room for an air cooled genset so you can stay on it in a truck stop or camp site and do not have to winterize it. I'm spending this weekends on the TomCat in Oklahoma lately and it's snowing, freezing at nights, but that cabin is warm as toast and I can use the genset for all the creature comforts if I wish. I had to winterize the kitchen/bath water, but flush the head with RV antifreeze and have no other winterization to do back at the dock.

I took my maiden delivery voyage up in your area and got caught in some trememdous winter storms by accident, but the TomCat stayed calm and delivered us safely every time.

So, I vote for a TomCat if you've any thought of maybe getting a larger boat down the line. I have the shortest boat on my dock, but the other guys are constantly remarking on the TomCat's fuel efficiency, close-in handling with the wide motor set, all winter use, shallow water use, wide range of operational speeds, etc..

The TomCat runs very efficiently at slow and medium trawler speeds too.

Good luck and have fun whatever!

John
 
Welcome aboard.

You have some excellent advice--as usual from this group. A few comments--first about keeping the wife happy. This is extremely important and a lot of that will depend on the ride of the boat. Blasting along in 4 foot chop was mentioned--there are very few if any deep V's which will do that. Maybe a Regulator or Contender--but these are 26 degree dead rise, and will not be as stable at rest and are open center consoles where the crew sits bean bags (not something that would appeal to many wives).. It would be very uncomfortable to run a 20 degree deadrise boat less than 36 feet in 4 chop (implies close spacing).
Of the C Dory line--the Tom Cat 255 rides the best in chop. I had a 28 foot, 9.5' beam deep V prior to the Tom Cat (about the same weight and hp) and the Tom Cat outrides it--and very importantly--gets about 50% better gas mileage. A deep V will not get as good mileage as the flatter bottom semi dory--or a cat.

There are other cats to consider--that include the Glacier Bay and the World Cat (these were on my short list)--at lower semidisplacement speeds these rode slightly better, but at high speeds the C Dory was equal-up to 3 foot chop--and the cabin layout was better for us--(especially my wife).

The diesel will be more effecient--but you will be pretty much restricted to inboards. There are some I/O--but I personally have not had good luck with I/O kept in salt water all of the time.

One other issue is the seating of 4 people. Again I think you will be restricted to the 25 footers--unless you make a "settee" where the dinette is on the 22. Also the enclosed head is seen more favorably by wives. Also for some of us, the bunk the the 22 is marginally small--and more difficult to get into (we both have back problems).

I have owned many boats thru the years, and had seen my first C Dory in about 1978. I had vowed at that time, that I probably would own one of those at the end of my boating life. We spent almost 2 months in our C Dory 25 in the PNW last summer. We went 1200 miles (decided against going all of the way to Juneau--where we had been in larger boats--because of the cold and rain, but we saw only one day where boats were holded up not going (except tugs, cruise liners and boats over 100 feet)--and that day we went down wind in 6 foot or so seas, with no problems. We had one other day when part of the trip, I would describe as uncomfortable--5 or so foot seas on the beam, but this was only for about an hour. Our over all fuel mileage was 3 miles per gallon. We had a 46 foot diesel motor sailor which we took to Alaska 3 times--and averaged 6 miles a gallon (at 6.3 knots)--and never saw a day where there was sea conditions where we could not travel. (we were on the water about 150 days out of the year). Generally the waters where you boat are protected.

The other real beauty of the C Dory is its trailerablity. This has allowed us to keep the 25 in S. Calif, where my son lives, trailer it across the US, and visit lakes and waterways we would not see otherwise. The larger the boat-the more costly to trailer. As for boat handling--any boat this size can be easily handled by one person.
 
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