New to possibility of small cruiser living.

C

cruiserlessvinny

New member
Hello to all,
New guy here.

Been studying small cruisers since the latest issue (3 whole days ago) of BoatUS published an overview of Bill and Els' life aboard the Halcyon.

Viewing the "gimme another C-Dory" photo series I've noticed one thing in common to most of the photos, they're, virtually, all taken "up-north". The C-Dory looks great for cooler climes but maybe not so much so for more temperate zones.

Feed-back on possible C-Dory models for warmer climates as well as other possible boat designs and models is greatly appreciated. I want to explore the possibility of life aboard a trailer-able outboard powered cruiser in the 20-22 foot range.

Thanks,
cruiserlessvinny
 
I think that the reason why most of those photos are taken "up north" is simply because that's where most C-Dory's are. This is a result of two primary factors:
1) The factory has always been in the PacNW and hence marketing and distribution has been better in this area and
2) The cooler temperatures and more frequent bad weather in the northern climbs creates a better market for a boat with an enclosed cabin.

I don't think you should take this as an indication that these boats aren't also good for warmer locales. In fact, I would claim these boats are excellent for warmer, sunnier locales especially for those boat owners who want to avoid the direct sun exposure by being inside a covered cabin. Many CD 22, CD 25 and Tomcat owners in the south have installed air conditioners in their C-Dorys and happily enjoy their boats in both warm and cold weather.
 
Cruiserless Vinny,

First of all, welcome to the pub! I was wondering how many newbies we would get from the Boat US article.

For a more accurate idea of demographics, go to the "Brat Map" at the top of the home page and you will see that there are many CD's in the southern part of the country.

Although we live in Ohio, we have cruised Valkyrie in the south and other sunny and humid climes many times including the Chesapeake, the Keys and have fished as far as fifty miles offshore from Beaufort, SC where my in-laws live. This year we covered 400 plus miles on the ICW in the Carolinas and next year will go from Beaufort to the Keys on the ICW.

With the front window open and the door open there is a great deal of airflow and is much more comfortable than an open boat. I speak as a former sailor who spent lots of time in FL and the Bahamas. Heck, go to Halcyon's website and see where they have been down south.

FYI: check out our album on page 25 for some sunny, tropical shots. Dig through the albums and you'll see plenty of C-Dory's cruising in your area of the country. In fact, two top dealers, Wefing's in FL and Mobile East in NC have a big following in this site

Glad to have you aboard.

Nick
"Valkyrie"
 
Vinny,

I'll echo what was said above. I live near Pensacola, FL, and the CD 26 Venture is a great boat for this climate. The Venture pilot house is insulated, which keeps the temperature down in the mid-day sun. With the hatch and windows open it is probably 10-degrees cooler in the cabin; and it feels even cooler than that. When I anchor during the day to fish or hang out I don't use the air conditioner. I have a roof-top RV type air conditioner that I run at the dock off of shore power or off of the generator when at anchor at night. Welcome and good luck with the decision on the trailerable cruiser.
 
We really enjoy cruising up north... in the summer. And the south in the winter. Great thing about these trailerable boats: you can take 'em where the cruising is good at the best times. We live in deep south Texas... latitude 26º... we're not there right now. You can read about our cruising in all different types of weather and locals here...

http://www.c-brats.com/viewtopic.php?t=5212&start=0

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
Believe me when I say I'd love to cruise the areas where the referenced photos were taken; Pacific NW, Great Lakes..... The Admiral is still working & $$$ is limited so I"ll have to cruise a bit closer to home.
 
***
Morning greetings from the cockpit of Lady KC.
A great morning in the Tar Heel State after all the triple digit temperatures, today is a great break.

We picked the C-Dory to keep the sun's rays off of us.
To us.......Lady KC is a great pick for use in the sunny south.

***
 
Hello, I'm a newbie too. I wanted a Cdory for maybe 2 years before I got mine. These boat are more than just boats. They are more like a commitment to a life style. The first thing you have to change is the hurry up and get there attitude. Since the old fishing scene for me was up early, drive two hours, fish hard all day, two hours home, clean fish and maintain my boat left me absolutely exhausted. Southern cruising for me is so much better than just fishing. These boats will be popular in the south, it is just a mater of time until the word gets around. You can hardly get away from a dock here with out being swamped by people who want to talk about and see your boat.
Living near New Orleans the first thing I wanted was Air Conditioning, but that is not to much trouble.
One thing the article on Bill and Eli did not mention about their life style was the old fashion way of caring about strangers and seeing the good in people. I guess this used to be called trust in man-kind. Of course they have the spirit of adventure in their blood but it is so much more than just that.
When I first read about Halcyon I wanted a Cdory-dory too. The thing that convinced me was simple. I told people I was undecided about such a large expense and was a little scared. Bill wrote me, a total stranger, offer to let me cruise in his boat for a week while he was visiting family somewhere inland. To say the least that is something I will never forget.
It seems strange to admire someone you have never met but now I am sure one day I will.
 
Hello cruiserlessvinny,

Hello from Guttenberg, Iowa, a way to answer any questions you may have about owning a C-Dory could be answered by attending the National Mississippi River C-Brat Gathering which is coming up in September.

Even thought it is “up north” we do have at least two C-Dory’s coming from Texas which might be a good comparison.

Also we have one couple attending who spend their winters in Florida where their C-Dory 25 is located.

I believe it could be well worth your time and effort to attend this gathering since there will be several lengths and models of C-Dory’s present (eighteen C-Dory’s are signed up so far).

As a note; we want to encourage any followers of c-brats.com, that do not own a C-Dory (yet) or want to attend without their C-Dory to feel very welcome to attend and take part in this gathering.

I’m sure that with conversation/s and going along on day cruises as a guest on the various C-Dory’s present, hopefully any questions you have can be addressed and answered before everyone at the gathering heads home.

So here is your invitation to attend the 2nd National, Mississippi River, C-Brat Gathering & Reunion, with or without a C-Dory.

We look forward to see you in September.

Best regards,

Ron, Connie, Bear & Dolly Fisher
 
I'm guessing the C-Brat gathering is in Guttenberg Ia.? Thanks for the invite but I have a busy Sept. with a 4 day 3 night pontoon over-nighter and a 5 day 4 night fishing trip (in my 41 y.o. classic whaler) in east central Fla. I plan on making it a point to rendezvous with one of the C-brat family to see these boat s first hand.
cv
 
If you get to Pensacola in the next few weeks, I will be happy to show you my Tom Cat (which appears to be sold, and should be around for a few more weeks). Any questions you have about the Gulf Coast and C Dories will be answered by those who live there, and own them. As noted above, they are easy to air condition for night time sleeping (either a window unit for less than $100 at Wal Mart or an RV AC unit--look at some of the Albums on this web site).

The boats are ideal for ICW, Lakes and offshore--even to the Bahamas. The cabin is a real plus, even in the hot weather, as others have noted.

We have owned the 22, 25 and Tom Cat, all of which have been used in very hot weather--as well as the colder climes.
 
Hello,
As others have already said these boats are great in the south. I also want to extend an invitation to join us at the NC gathering wihich is Sept 23- 25th We will have 16ft up to the Tomcat for you to take a look at. I saw your post about how busy you will be, but if you can squeeze out the time it might be worth the trip. We have a great Dealer in our area who will be in attendance at the Gathering.


Erma
 
Dont forget Wefings is pretty close to you and we will have some new C Dory Boats on the way soon. I am looking to have the Gulf Coast Gathering again in Apalachicola for Oct. 2011 . We skipped a couple years but have a great new venue with a nice protected canal. Have a few local Brats that will show their boats as well !

Marc
 
Marc I'm glad to hear that the C-brat gathering will happen again in applachicola( 2011 ) Loree and I have enjoyed all of them . I will bring up a Cape cruiser (Venture 23) Hope all is well . Jim and Loree
 
Vinny, One more Southern boat. Put a 5000 btu AC in my '85 Classic 22' and run it with a Honda 2000 gen. Great boat for life on the Tenn. river
 
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