Nordic Tug furloughs workforce

It is funny going back and reading old post especially when I now own a Nordic tug 26. This is my 13 or 14 boat. To many to count, but will say my best boat. Much like the c-dory, it's a boat you can modify with ease.
 
I will take the minority position and side with Matt Gurnsey. There are plenty of intriguing new upgrades that could be made to the C-Dory without changing the mold. New helm seat :thup , coverings on the wires inside instead of zip ties, organized shelving under the sink, comfortable mattress, carpet, carpet covering the walls of the V-berth, portholes in the V-berth, footrest at helm and 1st mate seat, more LED's, rod holders on the inside, stereo with bluetooth or at least an iPod or USB plug-in somewhere. I love my C-Dory but it seems like a facelift and more options would be appealing to a new buyer. Also, one reason a 22 owner would hesitate to move to a 25 is all the upgrades they've installed (like the ones listed above) would have to be done again. That's not appealing. And that's a very important feeder of new boat buyers for a company -- previous buyers moving to the next bigger (or smaller) size.
The C-Dory website is about the most stagnant website I've ever seen. Just sayin...
 
joefish":3qtj36fv said:
The C-Dory website is about the most stagnant website I've ever seen. Just sayin...
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honestly most boat websites seem to lack a certain pizzazz. I assume you mean c-dory.com, and not c-brats though, right? To compare I checked out the rangertugs website, sexy boats but website seems a little dated. checked out vikingyachts, kind a similar thing. So what is best... I looked at Ferrari's website, then Rolex, then Louis Vuitton... OK those last three websites are pretty sharp. Chevys page for the Corvette is pretty spicy too.

I kinda like thisdesign. I could picture a C-Dory (instead of the model) with a moving ocean background. (you'll notice the background on that website moves a bit).

ok i'm off topic enough. :beer
 
Joe,
I have pretty much given up on C-Dory. Many different owners and it seems like they have improved the quality of the build but have not thought about updating their offerings. Lots of ways to update older designs and adding options that they would not have to buy until someone ordered them. Generator brackets, kayak racks, better storage solutions. I mean make it so someone not so handy could have what they want on a boat right from the factory. Electronics packages. Color coded wiring diagrams. It just seems like they could spice up the website with options and showing happy people on the dock etc. I'm waiting for someone like Parker to remake some of their pilot house type boats to be set up as pocket cruisers. Maybe Seaway will offer a fully enclosed cabin. I think the Ventures were a step in the right direction. I'd love to see a 28' designed by Toland before he heads for the last big anchorage in the sky that be setup for someone out of the gate to do the great loop and still be trailer able and be able to run circles around a Ranger Tug.
D.D.
 
Will-C":3h0gi8np said:
Joe,
I have pretty much given up on C-Dory. Many different owners and it seems like they have improved the quality of the build but have not thought about updating their offerings. Lots of ways to update older designs and adding options that they would not have to buy until someone ordered them. Generator brackets, kayak racks, better storage solutions. I mean make it so someone not so handy could have what they want on a boat right from the factory. Electronics packages. Color coded wiring diagrams. It just seems like they could spice up the website with options and showing happy people on the dock etc. I'm waiting for someone like Parker to remake some of their pilot house type boats to be set up as pocket cruisers. Maybe Seaway will offer a fully enclosed cabin. I think the Ventures were a step in the right direction. I'd love to see a 28' designed by Toland before he heads for the last big anchorage in the sky that be setup for someone out of the gate to do the great loop and still be trailer able and be able to run circles around a Ranger Tug.
D.D.
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I too feel that if C-Dory wished to improve their revenues while servicing their existing customer base better, they would offer newer updates (configurations) of their classic 22 and 25. This could be more customization at the factory of new boats as was mentioned in previous posts.

Another way they would could bring interest to the company would be to service and offer parts for the existing fleet. Arima will work on your older boat if you are willing to pay. They will also sell you parts direct and assist in procuring parts that they no longer stock.

Arima went out of business and was purchased from Defiance boat builders in 2012. The new company immediately made changes to the materials being used and became very receptive to the current owners of the Arima boats. This was a welcome change and made me very happy (owned a 19' Arima at that time). Arima is now a better built boat as a result of the new ownership. Its not clear to me whether C-Dory has improved with each subsequent owner.

The only upside of the company remaining with their current offerings is that the used values have held up well for us on this forum :)
 
I'd love to see a 28' designed by Toland before he heads for the last big anchorage in the sky that be setup for someone out of the gate to do the great loop and still be trailer able and be able to run circles around a Ranger Tug.

D.D.

There'd be at least 2 buyers -- you and me. :wink
 
The topic is getting a bit off thread from Nordic Tug, but we did see a lot of innovation in the C Dory line abut 10 to 14 years ago. The C Dory25 came out of this, as did the Tom Cat 255. There has been the molded interior (some like, some don't), The new boats have foam cores. There is the Venture line, with liners (may or may not be an improvement, since I have seen one with a mold problem). There was the "experiment with the C Dory 29--that's one foot bigger than some want--which apparently didn't go too well.

How did all of these changes work out for the Reynolds?

No excuses for the company because I do believe that they might do a lot to improve the web site, and should be advertising more. But there are some boats which are classic, and changes are always trade offs. On the accessories--that is probably a loss leader for a company whose core expertise is building boats--and the current owners of C Dory are boat builders--some of the other owners have not been. As for repairing boats, that is what dealers should be for. A few are. The dealer network is weak--because of problems I will not go into.
 
[NOTE: OK, going farther off topic. NOTHING to do with Nordics!] Not sure I agree with you here, Doctor Bob! Yes, the current owners are boat builders, just boat builders without a clue on maintaining current owner satisfaction. A truly great boat company - like Ranger Tug - covers both bases. The Livingstons design and build great boats AND Jeff Messmer, Andrew Custus and Capt. Mac makes sure their owners are and remain happy campers singing the praises of Ranger Tugs. Yes, they have a dealer network - great dealers like Marc - but you can always call Ranger for advice and support no matter where you are. We have been with Ranger owners Russ and Toni Portner when they called in with a water pump problem from Lake Powell - and it got handled. Great service after the sale was the great hallmark of C-Dory when Jeff and Andrew were at C-Dory. After they left, I would not give two figs for C-Dory's chances of rising from the ashes. Try asking the Wrights for ANYTHING and you will get the answer "We build boats, we don't do that." Not a satisfactory answer, at least not to us. If we bought another boat, and we probably won't unless we will the lottery, you can bet your bippy that it would be a Ranger just for the customer service. You are very handy and we admire you immensely for that skill! I need a boat company that is going to be there for both building a great boat AND providing great customer service!

thataway":3bnvtjpt said:
[t]he current owners of C Dory are boat builders--some of the other owners have not been. As for repairing boats, that is what dealers should be for.
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I've said it before and I'll say it again, the best thing Ranger Tugs ever did was to hire Jeff Messmer and the worst thing C Dory ever did was to let him go. I've only met him once, at a CBGT in MD in 2005, he brought his whole family from the left coast and both Bill and El were there along with Pat and Patty. Jeff brought a bunch of handouts, hats and giveaways and it was and still is memorable!

Andrew is cut from the same cloth as Jeff. I hope Ranger hasn't expanded too fast to too many sized hulls. If the market holds up, they should be fine, if not......

Charlie
 
I have to agree with Pat on this... our C-Dory is a great boat. The lack of marketing and customer support from every C-Dory factory entity since 2007 is just sad. In today's economic world, you can't just "build it and they will come"... you have to create the desire to own THIS boat. Give customer service that buyers AND dealers can count on. I have been harping on this for years, and realize that this horse isn't just dead - it has decomposed and the bones are bleaching in the wasteland.

Do they build a good boat? Hell, yes. Do they know how to answer a phone or return an e-mail inquiry? Um, no. Do they know how to promote the C-Dory lifestyle? It appears that they don't have any idea what the C-Dory lifestyle is. Look at Casey and Mary cruising in Florida right now. Rogerbum's and StarcraftTom's fishing exploits? Jay and Jo-Lee taking their boat where angels fear to tread! A decade of Bill and El's waterway travels. And scores of others who use these boats the way some only dream about. Folks on this forum know about that... who is taking that to the public? Certainly not the factory folks.

It doesn't have to cost much to have a web presence. It doesn't have to cost a damn thing to have a presence on this forum.

I've heard the argument that the C-Brats are a "double edge sword" for the factory and dealers... that we are strong supporters of the brand, but quick to recommend used boats to people looking to become C-Dory owners. Has anyone at the factory given any consideration to the fact that very little has been done to improve the basics on the boat? Comfortable seating? There were people here drooling over Bill Carli's Toyota van seat as a helm seat. Anyone try to sit in the aft dinette seat in a 25 for any length of time? How about simple stuff, like putting the water pump switch near the sink, where you actually USE water? Maybe a boarding ladder on the swim step that has enough rungs to be functional? Modern fabric options for seat/cushion covers. A head door that doesn't leak when you shower (yes, we've all made mods for that).

I could go on (and I have in the past), but it is pointless. The factory builds boats... they don't seem to care how we use them. I know this thread was started a long time ago in regards to Nordic Tug furloughing employees. Anyone seen a new Nordic Tug lately? Yeah, they (Nordic factory) learned a lot in the process.

As much as we like our C-Dory, if something happened to her, I would be looking at something else. Certainly not because of the boat - C-Dorys are exceptional boats. If I were to plunk my money down on something new again, I would like to know the builders have the same passion for the boat that perspective buyers and current owners possess.

A lot has been said here about Ranger, Jeff and Andrew. Furthermore, a lot of former C-Dory owners have moved on to Ranger Tugs. People are buying boats... maybe not in the numbers that they were buying before 2008, but look at who is successful in the current boat business: those who know and provide customer service AND marketing.

Nordic is back. Smaller and, presumably, more efficient and focused. There IS a market for outboard powered cruising boats, too. Pat isn't the only person to retire - the boomers are retiring in droves; many are looking for the adventure they had to put off since the 60s and 70s. :wink: Our boats are the most affordable, most efficient "escape."

Somebody is... missing the boat.

Jim B.
 
Sorry to disagree with some here but our experience with the Wrights has included first rate customer service after the sale[/color]. We had two issues with our boat and each was handled promptly with transportation from Portland to the factory and return provided by Sportcraft and Ron Wright from the factory. Our opinion of this builder is that they are willing to customize a boat in almost any way the customer suggests (yes, it will cost you).

As for the quality of the product, after living with our new (at the time) and custom built for us 2004 25, I was totally unsatisfied with the build and finish quality of the boat (over 50 issues, some repaired, some not). After we sold the boat I promised my wife that C-Dory would never be on the short list of a future boat for us because of poor product quality (based on our 2004 25 Cruiser)

After examining (thoroughly) a 2012 23 Venture at Sportcraft Marina in Portland we discussed with Ryan that our needs would include some modifications and deletions from the standard offering. The factory agreed to the changes, I ate my words regarding no more C-dory's in our future, and our new 2013 23 Venture was built (the way we wanted it). Throughout the process, we were allowed to add, have the factory customize, or delete features. We requested some upgrades to the normal offering without issue.

Our opinion based solely on our experience is that the factory is highly committed to building their version of the C-Dory line right, the first time. The Wrights want C-Dory to mirror the quality of their Seasport line. Our 2013 23 V is much improved over our 1992 22 Cruiser and light years ahead of the quality of our 2004 25 Cruiser. The C-Dory line is evolving in many ways, you just have to custom order a boat with the changes that you want.
 
My IRA":a3kuc589 said:
Sorry to disagree with some here but our experience with the Wrights has included first rate customer service after the sale[/color]. We had two issues with our boat and each was handled promptly with transportation from Portland to the factory and return provided by Sportcraft and Ron Wright from the factory. Our opinion of this builder is that they are willing to customize a boat in almost any way the customer suggests (yes, it will cost you).

As for the quality of the product, after living with our new (at the time) and custom built for us 2004 25, I was totally unsatisfied with the build and finish quality of the boat (over 50 issues, some repaired, some not). After we sold the boat I promised my wife that C-Dory would never be on the short list of a future boat for us because of poor product quality (based on our 2004 25 Cruiser)

After examining (thoroughly) a 2012 23 Venture at Sportcraft Marina in Portland we discussed with Ryan that our needs would include some modifications and deletions from the standard offering. The factory agreed to the changes, I ate my words regarding no more C-dory's in our future, and our new 2013 23 Venture was built (the way we wanted it). Throughout the process, we were allowed to add, have the factory customize, or delete features. We requested some upgrades to the normal offering without issue.

Our opinion based solely on our experience is that the factory is highly committed to building their version of the C-Dory line right, the first time. The Wrights want C-Dory to mirror the quality of their Seasport line. Our 2013 23 V is much improved over our 1992 22 Cruiser and light years ahead of the quality of our 2004 25 Cruiser. The C-Dory line is evolving in many ways, you just have to custom order a boat with the changes that you want.
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That's encouraging to hear.
 
My IRA":3mwj0g2j said:
Sorry to disagree with some here but our experience with the Wrights has included first rate customer service after the sale[/color]. We had two issues with our boat and each was handled promptly with transportation from Portland to the factory and return provided by Sportcraft and Ron Wright from the factory. Our opinion of this builder is that they are willing to customize a boat in almost any way the customer suggests (yes, it will cost you).

As for the quality of the product, after living with our new (at the time) and custom built for us 2004 25, I was totally unsatisfied with the build and finish quality of the boat (over 50 issues, some repaired, some not). After we sold the boat I promised my wife that C-Dory would never be on the short list of a future boat for us because of poor product quality (based on our 2004 25 Cruiser)

After examining (thoroughly) a 2012 23 Venture at Sportcraft Marina in Portland we discussed with Ryan that our needs would include some modifications and deletions from the standard offering. The factory agreed to the changes, I ate my words regarding no more C-dory's in our future, and our new 2013 23 Venture was built (the way we wanted it). Throughout the process, we were allowed to add, have the factory customize, or delete features. We requested some upgrades to the normal offering without issue.

Our opinion based solely on our experience is that the factory is highly committed to building their version of the C-Dory line right, the first time. The Wrights want C-Dory to mirror the quality of their Seasport line. Our 2013 23 V is much improved over our 1992 22 Cruiser and light years ahead of the quality of our 2004 25 Cruiser. The C-Dory line is evolving in many ways, you just have to custom order a boat with the changes that you want.
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Great to hear your experience with the factory was positive! My concern (and I can see where some would consider it a rant): not the quality of the boat, but the marketing savvy of the factory boat to turn your good experience into future boat sales. It is encouraging to hear that the factory is willing to make changes to meet the buyers' desires... why do you suppose the public isn't aware of this evolution? Imagine how many potential buyers would see that IF the factory brought that information here. Or, to a boat show ... or a C-Brat gathering.

You are an experienced boat buyer. How about the first time buyer who is looking for a great couple's cruising boat? If they look in the boating magazines and get on the forums, they will see Ranger's presence. There is more mention of new Marinauts here and at C-Brat gatherings than new C-Dorys.

As you said, "it will cost you." These boats are a great niche alternative to other trailerable cruisers. The cost of admission isn't cheap, but it is certainly competitive with other turn-key alternatives. Buyers are turning to those other alternatives because of marketing... and the public awareness of outstanding customer support.

I have tried to sit on my hands when discussion of the factory comes up. I guess my passion for these great boats gets out faster than I can reel it in. I would love to see the C-Dory brand be a viable alternative... again. I just see no evidence that the factory shares that same passion. Please understand, I'm not saying they don't... if they do, why not share (and promote) that?

I'll be quiet again... as long as I can stand it.

Jim B.



I don't wish the factory any ill will; quite the opposite. I just don't see them doing much to promote the boat.
 
JamesTXSD":1f9tnpf8 said:
I don't wish the factory any ill will; quite the opposite. I just don't see them doing much to promote the boat.
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I have read Jim's heartfelt comments on this subject for 10 years. If I were "the factory" I would contact Jim & Joan and put them on some kind of retainer to become the faces of C-Dory. Send them to the boat shows and the gatherings. Jim is knowledgeable, articulate, and passionate about C-Dory boats. Oh, and he plays the guitar. Seriously, you couldn't find a better ambassador for the boats we love and want to succeed.
 
At the risk of playing devil's advocate, maybe Wrights are producing the number and mix of boats with which they are comfortable and which gives them the ROCE they want and need. Is the plant at an optimum operating point perhaps?
 
dotnmarty":ued4c2mw said:
JamesTXSD":ued4c2mw said:
I don't wish the factory any ill will; quite the opposite. I just don't see them doing much to promote the boat.
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I have read Jim's heartfelt comments on this subject for 10 years. If I were "the factory" I would contact Jim & Joan and put them on some kind of retainer to become the faces of C-Dory. Send them to the boat shows and the gatherings. Jim is knowledgeable, articulate, and passionate about C-Dory boats. Oh, and he plays the guitar. Seriously, you couldn't find a better ambassador for the boats we love and want to succeed.
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Marty, I'd second your vote, and agree that would be one of the best factory moves they could make.

IMHO trailerables are here to stay and a big part of boating's future. Good to hear the positives about the builders, and there are probably other good experiences out there too, but the word HAS to get out.... the more it's out the more likely there are more new orders for more new boats to be built.

Harvey
SleepyC:moon

PLI_and_SB_CBGT_2_433.sized.jpg
 
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