New Here ( Santa Cruz, Ca, / Monterey Bay) real world experiences.

[tgraham]

Hello all,
By way of introductions my wife and I are recently retired and seriously considering a C-Dory as our first ocean-going boat. We’d like to get out on Monterey Bay for inshore cruising and fishing, with some crabbing and the occasional overnight. We’re on the waiting list for a 25' slip in the Santa Cruz north harbor, but that’s probably a couple of years out. Until then we’ll trailer from the west side to Santa Cruz Harbor, and we like the idea of trailering to other ports up and down the coast, or even inland. That’s also why I’m leaning toward a 22 or 23 over a 25. On the tow vehicle: I have a couple of older T3 VWs that I love but they can’t tow a kayak, so I’m thinking of replacing them with an F-150.

I’d love to hear from other owners about how your boats handle the bay, what you tow with, whether you’d recommend a C-Dory as a first boat, and what you wish you’d known before buying. Advice on 22 vs. 23 for someone trailering now and moving to a slip later would be especially helpful. I know that there is at least one C-dory in the harbor, and if by chance the owner is also a c-brat and would be willing to show us your boat we would be most appreciative.

Thanks, and glad to be here.

Cheers,
Todd

 

[thataway]

Welcome aboard. Yes your plan is very viable. The ocean can get rough in those parts, so pick your days. There is lots of good cruising from all of the way from SF Bay down to Monterey-Phiffer cove further down is also a potential harbor. A C Dory 25 regularly ran from SF bay to Catalina Island for C Brat gatherings in the past. All of my experience along that coast is in sailboats from 29 to 62 feet, but I have used the C Dory in the Delta and taken it out of the SF Bay to the Farlon Islands. I have college friends (also 90 yo) who live in the Santa Cruz area.

The 150, if equipted properly can tow a 25, but I used 3/4 ton, Diesel vehicles for towing the two I owned. The 22 is going to be around 5,000 lbs on the trailer for towing purposes. Many are less and a few are more. The 22 is a very versitile boat. The 25 has the enclosed head and shower, which makes cruising a bit more civilized. It will run in the 8,000 lb tow weight.

 

[Mijo]

Hi...

My experience has only been on 2 trips with a member from our marina in sf bay. He has a 22 cruiser with a 90 hp honda. The typical days in the sf bay after 11 am is wind and chop in the summer and both days he took me out in the summer. I have to say the wind chop is a bit rough in the 22. I didn't ever feel unsafe but the chop was a bit hard on the body. Even with that experience I still want a 22 cruiser for towing across the US and using it in calmer waters and to go on Cbrat meetings. The interior space is similar to my 22 ft Skagit Orca and it looks really fun. The reason I want to change from my Skagit Orca is that the C Dory looks a lot easier to tow and manage by myself if need be.

Here is also a video of someone who took it out of Santa Cruz:

Again, the cruiser 22 seems really fun to stay aboard in slips and calm waters.

 

[tgraham]

Thank you both for the responses very helpful! I'm early days and trying to educate ourselves as much as possible along the way. , the video was really interesting, recognized a lot of the landmarks and the conditions look pretty typical when the winds come up. I appreciate the comments on the 25' Cruiser; it has defiantly crossed my mind.