You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Ready to Buy - New vs. Used?
- Thread starter Riley-Morgan 735
- Start date
Thanks for chiming in Wefings (Marc). You can bet I'll take you up on taking a close look at your inventory.
I agree the value of a responsive dealer like yourself and a solid manufacturer cannot be overemphasized, It will carry significant weight in my buying decision.
See you soon,
/dave
I agree the value of a responsive dealer like yourself and a solid manufacturer cannot be overemphasized, It will carry significant weight in my buying decision.
See you soon,
/dave
I for one, am glad we purchased new only because we were new to boating and didn't know what our preferences were in terms of electronics, general set-up, motors etc. Plus, I didn't know what it took to maintain the boat. Mostly due to this site and lots of trial and error, I feel we've set-up C-Dancer just the way we like to use her.
So I guess what I'm saying is, if you already know how you like your boat set-up and find a good used boat that's nicely set-up for the way you're going to use it, then go for it. I know that if someone bought our boat the way it's currently set-up, I think they'd be real happy. In that way, you can tweak here and there but most of the big ticket items may already be installed.
However, if you think you would replace a lot of the items on the boat, like new motors, new electronics etc., you might want to look into buying new, if it's in your budget.
Peter
C-Dancer
So I guess what I'm saying is, if you already know how you like your boat set-up and find a good used boat that's nicely set-up for the way you're going to use it, then go for it. I know that if someone bought our boat the way it's currently set-up, I think they'd be real happy. In that way, you can tweak here and there but most of the big ticket items may already be installed.
However, if you think you would replace a lot of the items on the boat, like new motors, new electronics etc., you might want to look into buying new, if it's in your budget.
Peter
C-Dancer
Pat Anderson
New member
Kevin - enjoyed the photos of the restoration. Only $3,500 for the C-Dory but $500,000 for the shop, numeric controlled router, fork lift, etc., eh? Build a hydroplane? I am the "can't chage a lugnut" guy! I wish you were my next door neighbor!
Catch 22":1r6qxhw6 said:i bought used, it was the only way i could afford a c-dory, no other way to get a 22' for $3,500, gutted the whole thing and starting from scratch, so it will kind of be new....
yeah, im incredibly luck to have a shop at my disposal, it comes in very handy, i will post more pictures when i get a chance, the boat should be ready in a few weeks, at least for the summer, new interior, windows, rear cabin bulkhead, and paint will have to wait until winter, or ill have no summer left, cant wait to launch my own c-dory, i still cant believe i actually got my hands on one...thanks...
Pete in NY
New member
As a 4 year C-Brat member and CD25 owner I believe any core issues that are discussed on this site by potential owners are purely theoretical and not a concern of actual owners based on practical experience of C-Dory owners for more than 20 years. C-Brats or new owners will complain loudly about any issues not addressed by the factory or shortcomings and qualty control errors from the construction of their boats, me included. Balsa core issues are not a problem except for the minor penetrations of screws without proper sealing or attatchment points that may allow water penetration for a small area (2" square area max?). Check this site and I cannot find any major complaints or issues regarding the balsa core of our boats. If there were any major issues, I'm certain the C-Brats would have loudly brought it to everyone's attention.Spike38":1y9ub1br said:The core saturation concerns expressed above are a big worry to me as well.
Thanks, Pete, your observations are reassuring and you're right that as a "potential" I'm not that familiar with C-Dorys. My worries are based primarily on some horrific core problems encountered during years of fooling around with sailboats. I think you will find the issue raised as it relates to C-Dorys, though, if not here then on the Red Fox site. These may all be older boats on the other hand. The bottom line is that I hope to join you all as an owner and appreciate your having addressed my comments. This is a wonderful forum and unusually responsive group!
Spike,
I think you will find, upon searching this site, that pretty much all of the signifcant core/plywood leaching problems involved significant openings in the fiberglass in areas that were either underwater or open cockpit areas where water pooled for years over significant openings into the core area.
Dr. Bob of Thataway has restored a cd25 in which large cracks at the transom/side hull junction were left open to the elements for years. His photo album shows details of that boat's problems along with some less significant leakage around hatch and window installations where insufficient sealing, screws into balsa alone, and bolts placed thru hull without the needed epoxy core liner installed first.
That boat is Frequent Sea which he is now using to tour Alaskan waters with confidence.
Significant balsa core problems in C-Dories have been very very rare
and usually have occured only in the above insufficiently sealed intrusion examples and maybe once in a hull that was used very heavily in rough seas for years, and that hull was replaced by the factory.
The benefits of the balsa core, however, have been present in every C-Dory owner's boats: Wide open interior spaces due to the reduced need for internal supports and bulkheads, efficiencies in towing and cruising due to light weight, superior rigidity, insulation, and more.
Just properly seal any holes you make in the boat (duh! I mean what boat allows the owner to blindly drill and screw thru underwater areas without care and proper sealing?) Investigate and repair any significant cracks early. Use a cockpit cover if the craft is left open to the elements to avoid standing water for long periods of time and freeze/thaw cycles.
Pick out the model that best fits your needs and enjoy!
John
I think you will find, upon searching this site, that pretty much all of the signifcant core/plywood leaching problems involved significant openings in the fiberglass in areas that were either underwater or open cockpit areas where water pooled for years over significant openings into the core area.
Dr. Bob of Thataway has restored a cd25 in which large cracks at the transom/side hull junction were left open to the elements for years. His photo album shows details of that boat's problems along with some less significant leakage around hatch and window installations where insufficient sealing, screws into balsa alone, and bolts placed thru hull without the needed epoxy core liner installed first.
That boat is Frequent Sea which he is now using to tour Alaskan waters with confidence.
Significant balsa core problems in C-Dories have been very very rare
and usually have occured only in the above insufficiently sealed intrusion examples and maybe once in a hull that was used very heavily in rough seas for years, and that hull was replaced by the factory.
The benefits of the balsa core, however, have been present in every C-Dory owner's boats: Wide open interior spaces due to the reduced need for internal supports and bulkheads, efficiencies in towing and cruising due to light weight, superior rigidity, insulation, and more.
Just properly seal any holes you make in the boat (duh! I mean what boat allows the owner to blindly drill and screw thru underwater areas without care and proper sealing?) Investigate and repair any significant cracks early. Use a cockpit cover if the craft is left open to the elements to avoid standing water for long periods of time and freeze/thaw cycles.
Pick out the model that best fits your needs and enjoy!
John
RandySo, what I need to do is, instead of believing that this money is burning a hole in my pocket, is to sit back and wait for a good used boat to come along and look at it as a long term investment, not just something to get me on the water by next weekend
Sounds like you have a pretty good handle on the process. As you listed, there are other needs besides a hull and motor. I kind of categorize the add-ons in these basic groups, Required (see the Coast Guard Inspection sheets for these) then the Necessities, (VHF, ground tackle, Nav gear, charts, extra horn) the Needs, (extra PFD's - even inflatables, backup VHF and GPS [both handheld], a dingy and then the Niceties, (curtins, LED lights, annual mooring pass, spare fenders). Then there are the Real Niceties like radar and AIS system, 2 speed winch and auto washdown system on the trailer and there will be others that suit you, like downriggers, or trim tabs or ......
So take some time and plan what you are going to dow with and on the boat, what will work for you and how you will accomplish it. And be ready because you never know when a used one that just fills the bill will pop up in that window and you just know that it is the right one for you.
Good luck and good sense,
Harvey
SleepyC :moon
hank schneider
New member
Just bought an 06 23 Cape Cruiser. I never considered new since my budget didn't even stretch to cover the basic boat w/o the accessories. Found a boat with lots of extras, with 40 hours of use an not a scratch on it - the price was about 66% of the selling price from the dealer and in NC there is no tax if purchased from an individual. Just took the first trip - 10 days - 500 miles on the NC coast - Ditch Witch now has a few blemishes and will probably have more
I'm a bit of a horse trader and buy few things new.
Good luck these boats are great.
Hank
I'm a bit of a horse trader and buy few things new.
Good luck these boats are great.
Hank