CDoryJoe
New member
Hello fellow C-Brats. My good friend, Keith who I have known for many years and served in the Coast Guard Reserves (both of us recently retired) has known that I have been interested in C-Dory's ever since I came across them just over 2 years ago. I was looking for an all-around boat that I could sleep, cook, fish, has an outboard engine for easy upkeep, trailerable, go in the ocean and also in shallow water rivers and lakes. When I came across the C-Dory, I stopped searching for anything else. At that point I was looking for a 22' Cruiser. Keith wanted for us to go to a C-Dory annual get-together. The first choice was in Florida in March, but I was going on vacation with my wife to Japan in March, so that wouldn't work. Then from the C-Brats website we saw that there was going to be another event in Friday Harbor in May. So, we made plans to go and made the trip. We flew to Seattle from Los Angeles, then took a seaplane to Friday Harbor. That was really fun flying in the seaplane. Keith especially liked riding up front next to the pilot. We got a hotel in town and then would make the daily walk down to the marina where we met all of the owners who attended the event. After seeing all the wonderful boats, I began talking more and more with the Venture owners. I was quickly convinced on a Venture, rather than a Cruiser because I thought it would best fit what I would like to do with the boat. But, the cost for the Venture was way out of my price range that I was planning to spend of $40,000 to $60,000. Most Venture's that I have seen are going for $70,000 to $120,000 used. Then, we returned home and I was in a bit of dismay, because I didn't want to buy a Cruiser and end up selling it after a few year only to get into the Venture that I really wanted. Then, less than a month after Keith and I returned from Friday Harbor, I was the owner of a 2008 Venture with only 377 hours on the original outboard! Everything on the boat was kept up extremely well and all of the cushions and drapes are still like new. It's loaded with all kinds of goodies, such as cockpit steering, windlass anchor, auto-pilot and more! How could this have happened to me? I am so grateful and happy that I got something so special, so quickly. I found the boat on Facebook "C-Dory Boats for Sale." It was in Santa Maria, CA which is 2.5 hours north of me for $55,000. The original owners name is Kent McClish for those who may know him. I have to credit and thank my friend Keith for pushing me to go to Friday Harbor, because I honestly didn't want to go because I'm in the busy season for my work and also to drive and pick up the boat and drive it home. I also want to thank Gary F., owner of DayBreak for his advice while I was in the purchasing process. And Larry (Kent's neighbor), the 2nd owner that I purchased the boat from. He is such a nice person and patiently worked with me during the process. Now, I am officially a C-Brat! I have thought of a name that I really like and I hope you do too. C-farer. I am planning on making letters in the same font and style as the C-Dory logo. I think it will come out really nice. I hope to see you around with my friend Keith or my wife Trish. Hopefully, for owner get-togethers in Friday Harbor, Florida and Sacramento, CA.
Last edited:
