New member quality issues...

T

Thompson

New member
Hello, I've had a love of C Dory cruisers for many years. Now that I'm retired would like to purchase a 22 ft model for use in my backyard, Lake Ontario. However, recently I've run across a few cases of owners with quality issues. One is Scallywag on youtube with extensive balsa core rotting issues. Sorry if this topic has already been addressed on this forum. Just a few questions...is this something that is common on older cruisers. And, are there certain model years that are much better choices?
Appreciate any feedback. Love these boats and want to make the right choice when I soon begin my search. Thanks very much... Tom
 
Thanks for your reply. Guess a survey can be a good idea if you have any concerns. Just surprising to see such a gently used, low hour cruiser with some serious issues. Though it can certainly happen with any boat manufacturer. Has there been any changes thru the years with the core construction?
 
Yes there are some cases of moisture intrusion, that happens depending on how the boat is cared for. The delamination is a very rare occurrence. Look at the numbers of boats produced, and compare that to the delam issues found and reported.

As mentioned, a pre purchase survey is a good investment in future comfort, and worth the $$ cost.

These boats are well built, seaworthy and sturdy and an excellent investment in good memories. That is well worth the investment. The difference in cost between a new and used purchase is up to you. The variations in used boats is considerable, and the used boat value varies according what comes with the boat (gear, accessories, electronics, trailer) and how it has been cared for, (storage protection from weather, hull penetrations, impact damage).

As has been mentioned before, " YOU get what you pay for, and you pay for what you get".

By the way, Look up, (Use the search function here) and read up on the boats. There is hours of good information here and it is very useful.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

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Like any non-aluminum boat except for a few 2010 and newer, wood is a large component. If there have not been lots of holes drilled or an accident water intrusion is very unlikely in a c-dory. Look for modification, and poorly sealed former screw holds just like on any boat and if there are lots proceed with caution.

A friend has a 22 C-dory made in the 80's and it is rock solid. Unlike many owners of a "good" east coast brand https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9QbeFq ... 5H&index=1
 
The C-Dory Venture series boat built at NMI offers the option to go with 100% high density foam fill (standard Venture) or a combo of foam fill and balsa (Venture Sport). We bought a Venture Sport.[/quote]
 
The boats which have the problem are mostly boats which have been subject to freeze thaw cycles, and left out of doors during the winter, un shrink wrapped.

Foam cores can and will delaminate under the same conditions as Balsa. Foam will also retain water, even though they are advertised as closed cell foam which will "not" retain water.

Any hole in a cored structure should be over drilled, undercut and thickened epoxy filled. Then a new pilot hole drilled and the fastening re-bedded and applied. For the "L" brackets holding the cabinets in place, the L bracket should be removed, the holes filled with epoxy and then the cabinets tabbed in place with a strip of 1708 or 2 layers of 6 oz glass and epoxy.

Agree that very few % wise, have issues. I bought a 25 with known issues in the cockpit floor--the purchase price reflected the issue. It was repaired better than new by removing that floor, and making a new one with Nadi Core hex cell as the substrate for new glass.
 
All boats with a wet core are not in a good place - no matter the core. Sure the composite ones don't rot, but they sure will delaminate and the end result is the same. I personally would rather deal with wood cores, but that's probably just because that is more in my wheelhouse. Alloy boats can and do crack...more than you think. They all have issues - they key of course is buying one without issues and that is what a good survey does......hopefully. C-Dory makes a good boat - don't shy away because of one or two anecdotal problems with a handful of owners.
 
I'd heard of the incredible reputation of this C-Brat's site, but am truly impressed by the quality of posters and their wealth of knowledge. This has to be one of the best boating forums out there! So glad I stumbled upon it. :)
 
Hey Thompson, We're glad too. The more folks we have the more the knowledge breadth and depth is increased. Everyone has different history, experience and abilities, but we all love the same "cute" little boats. 8)

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

It's in there, just little.
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I opened this thread thinking that it was going to be a discussion about the quality of members who have recently joined c-brats. I was disappointed to find that, instead, it was a discussion, started by a new member, about the quality of c-dorys. There was no discussion at all about new members and their various crimes against humanity, earth and God.
 
johnr, so sorry you’re disappointed that we weren’t dealing with quality issues of new members. Hopefully no one new has any rotten core issues. 🙂👍
 
My 1988 22 cruiser is solid, I crawled in and out, under and over it. it is as solid as anything new. With having said that....I failed to look thoroughly at the trailer which has been my problem since I hooked up the hitch to it. The boat didn't fail the owner, at some point the owner neglected the boat for this to happen.
 
I bought a C-Dory Venture 23 Sport in March of last year. I am not impressed with the quality of workmanship, I was looking at possibly a 25 but am reconsidering doing business with C-Dory.
First of all, it is difficult to talk to anyone there to get help, and I've only talked to one person there concerning the water pump for the sink. It has basically destroyed the pump and faucet due to excessive pressure from the pump. It literally shakes the faucet when turned on. And no, this is not a "freezing issue" as the boat was stored here in Las Vegas indoors, heated Hangar since early November. I was told someone would call me and send new pump and faucet. No one has called. You can see this issue was an issue before delivery of the boat on you tube, search Y Marina C-Dory 23 Venture Sport...that is my boat before delivery.
I decided to dig deeper into issues. The starboard fuel tank had two clamps that are used to secure the rubber hose from the neck to the tank. They were dangling on the rubber hose, there was a bag with half of a burger king sandwich stuffed in the fuel tank area. Now I know why I smelled fuel an hour after filling that tank. I have not eaten at burger king since the pandemic.
When you spend 100k on a boat you expect better.
Additionally, why are the electrical wires and equipment not protected from damage by stuff in the forward bunk area?
The first time I tried using the 12 volt outlet it popped the fuse...using it for an Iphone.
Underneath the sink area same issue. Storage for heavy items in that area is just looking for trouble. No protection again for any water lines or electrical. Water lines in the same area as electrical lines without protection????
I do not like to bad mouth a company, but there are issues here that are unsafe. :sad :(
 
Wow, grumpmeisters, so sorry to hear of the trouble you are having with your new C-Dory 23 Venture Sport.

I feel I need to do some damage control on behalf of NMI. We are very satisfied with the quality and build on our 2018 23 Venture Sport. Last Summer, I do remember seeing a sales video of a 23 Venture Sport from Y-Marina in Oregon and so I am thinking this is the same boat. The Burger King bag you are talking about could have been placed in your boat while at Y-Marina by whomever. I would not blame NMI for that. Y-Marina should have caught the fuel line issue before sale to you. As far as the water pump, we had an issue with our water pump slightly after one year of use. I called the Johnson Pump company and they sent me a new one for free, including shipping without question and I did not need to send them the old one. No problems since then with this quiet and quality pump.

Keep in mind that the 23 Venture Sport is simple with no vinyl covering on the inside of the cabin and the wires are exposed. This makes it nice for cleaning and the ease to add modifications later. There should have been a soft vinyl covering for the wires you are concerned about in the forward cabin.

Hope you are able to work out these issues and that you may enjoy the use of your C-Dory for years to come.
 
Yup, What GaryF of DayBreak said.

I have some agreement with the wire issue, It would be SOOO NICE if NMI would use a wiring loom, and have things labeled, But that is asking a lot $$$.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

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Generally NMI has been pretty good on "quality" control issues. I would hate to list all of the issues on my new Tom Cat in the 2006 era. They were lack of paying attention to what was done..

Despite the anticipation a "new" boat should be perfect, unfortunately this is rarely the experience. That does not mean that the boat is not a good boat, or the manufacture doesn't care.

The hose clamps is down right carelessness. The water pump is sort of another type of issue. Ideally a 12 Volt water system has an accumulator, which smooths out the pulses in water flow. I have never seen one on a C Dory. When I was crusing full time with a large motor sailor, I had a rebuilt pump with quick disconnect on the water and power features--since the pump failed regularly. The newer pumps generally are more reliable. The boat builder buys things like pumps by what is available. That has nothing to do with the quality of the boat. They certainly should have been more responsive to your concerns and complaints. Or--the dealer should be the point of contact.

All of the C Dory's I have owned had the back of the console covered with a fiberglas or sunbrella shield. The lack of one would suggest that someone forgot to put that there, or it had been taken off, and not replaced. (For example if there were electronics installed by the dealer.). Are there snaps screwed into the ceiling just forward of the back of the console? How about the inboard side of the console. That is where a canvas cover would snap onto. Again the dealer should be able to get that for you.

Photos of the electrical/water lines might give us a better idea of what the issue was. None of the C Dory's I have owned had any "protection" for wiring--but it was well up under the counter, and hoses run by the inner aspect of the inboard side of the galley counter. I have never seen a safety issue there. The 25 I recently sold, has extensive wiring, plus the auto pilot pump, and now a water heater, and mixing valve for the shower all well out of the way under the galley.
 
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