Rethinking My Needs...

M

MilesandMiles

New member
Hi Everyone,

I'm only in the thinking stage of this right now, but wanted to throw this out here for opinions and possible situations.

When I discovered these boats (when angels sang and the clouds parted) I was looking at the 16-cruiser as the perfect boat for my (mostly) solo explorations (in the future my 1 1/2 year old son Miles will be my #1) I was a little taken-a-back by the prices of the 16-cruisers in relation to the anglers and even some older but goodie 22-cruisers (i.e. I currently have fine examples of both) Are they "rare" or only recently built-explaining why the ones I've seen for sale are roughly the same price as a perfectly fine older 22-cruiser?

My conclusion so far is the 22 is wonderful, and comfortable, and I know sounds a bit silly, almost too much boat for my needs. I strain in all areas of life to keep things as simple and minimal as possible while still enjoying all that the activity has to offer. For example, I've had dozens of motorcycles, ranging from big thumper dual-sports down to what I've settled on: a 200cc dual sport that can go anywhere at 80+mpg..just not at 100mph. My 16-angler I imagine will make a great fishing boat, but unless I do a cabin extend, there isn't enough room to comfortably camp out on nice summer nights (and even colder ones--this is Superiorland) like I will want to.

I should point out the obvious by stating I love the idea of the super-economy the 16's are capable of, without losing out on where they can go (I won't have any reservations taking a 16 to Isle Royale on the right set of days for example)

So what am I getting at? Maybe I've shot all around the target this winter and what I've really been aiming at is a 16-cruiser. I've seen how most C-Dorians here start small (16) and move bigger (22-25-TC) My biggest reserve on selling/trading my 22 is the possibility of using it as a PT live-aboard during the winter in other places (Florida, Powell, etc.) a 16-cruiser wouldn't shine in that regard. Whether my lifestyle will evolve into that snowbird approach is still up in the air due to still unsettled family dynamics (longer story, trust me)

Anyone else had these thoughts and/or experiences? Is any of you 16-cruiser folks itching to move up to a 22-cruiser?
 
We all have those "if only..." thoughts from time to time. We can all tell you how we use our boats, but your situation may be different. It is a fortunate boat owner who is able to buy a boat that truly fits the way he/she will use it... and generally, that comes with some boating experience.

Since you've made a couple boat purchases in a relatively short period, I'd suggest living with what you have for a while to see what really fits your style. Too big or too small can be problematic, but most folks have to get into something a lot bigger than the 22 before they start feeling that "too big" consideration.

When the winds blow and the temp drops, you will really come to appreciate that solid bulkhead in the 22, and the ability to use it longer on both ends of your season up there.

Good luck with your decisions.

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
You should see my thread on my crazy idea to save on commute costs. I am going to be attempting to live part time on my 16 cruiser for 7 months. Lots of pics in my album of the interior and what can be done, and I am going to post pics when I am set up and "residing" in Litl Tug. 16s are really easy to handle, can go anywhere as long as you have about a foot of water and are cheap to tow and to run, a big consideration if gas does what they are predicting.
 
i get moving up from a 16' to the 22' c-dory. i personally would have a problem dropping down to the 16 after having owned a 22. both boats look great but in this case, size matters.
jim b. offers the best advice, work with the boat you have until you absolutely need a change.
i've bought a number of boats over the past twenty years, made some misstakes, got some right, but for the most part, enjoyed the process along the way.
good luck with your decision and keep us inform as to how this works out.
pat
 
It is, of course, up to personal taste. However, in my opinion the 22 is a more versatile boat for a variety of climatic conditions, as well as space. This is particularly true if you live in a colder climate. I had a 16 and realized that a larger boat would meet our needs better. There are two of us, but even if I didn't have a first mate, I'd appreciate the flexibility of the 22. That said, the 16 is a very fine boat.
 
I had a 15 before we got SleepyC a 22 Cruiser, (No that was not a typo it was a 15 Montgomery sail boat.) We spent many nights on it and several weeks, one at a time, with 2 of us. Believe me, that 22 looked like it had the space of a Holland America cruise ship when we first looked into it. However, after putting in the things that we deemed necessary for safety, and some for basic comforts, it fits 2 just fine. It would fit one and a half just fine too, plus, the enclosed cabin and birth make for safer boating for a young un, as well as better temp control, (they don't do cheat or COLD as good as we adults do. Maybe the economy of the 16 isn't there, but given a few years and there will be need to take a friend or two, and then the 16 will get real crowded real quick.

Jim makes a good point. pick what you have, and give it a good season to get used to how it fits and what it does. (Me, I'm hopelessly biased towards the 22 -- I like being able to close the door and have a hard bulkhead there, use the Wallas, and enjoy the weather.) The 22 is not too big to single hand, and it will stand up to some weather the 16 would scare the "what's for" out of you.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
If you really want the super economy--run the 22 slower. The amount of room in a 22 is so much more for "liveaboard" We where moored near a 16 cruiser which a couple was cruising in--and it involved moving a lot of gear out of the berth each night just to lie down. Maybe you can make a storage rack on one side of the v berth (I would make it removable).

I agree--live with the 22 for a few years and see how you do with it. It is a lot more boat and more capable.
 
I'm prejudiced but the 22' is a great family boat. It does Isle Royale like a champ and can do kid camp outs. Kids can squirrel around in the v-birth or so can two consenting adults :wink: Anyway 90% of my outings are day trips for fish mostly. Sometimes alone in the fall and I have no reservations about going alone. Bottom line is I would think long and hard about ditching the 22 for a 16 until Miles is off to UMD. A 22 may be Lake Superior perfection. Like Bob says throttle back and enjoy.



Chris Bulovsky
 
I have a 22' Cruiser with a canvas bulkhead instead of a wall bulkhead. It still does well in the winter and is "GREAT" in the summer. As far as size goes, it fits 5 of us on fishing trips very easily. I'm not real sure about the 16' but I will definitely tell you that you can not go wrong with the 22'.

Good luck in your Dory search!
 
patrick and linda":1n5uc4t7 said:
i get moving up from a 16' to the 22' c-dory. i personally would have a problem dropping down to the 16 after having owned a 22. both boats look great but in this case, size matters.
pat
Click to expand...
I agree, it's tough to go down to a 16' from a 22'. Last year I bought a 16' Angler. Although it was a great little boat and ran well considering it was 20 years old, I really missed the size and comfort of our 22' Cruiser. Yes, I was spoiled going from the relatively new, totally customized cruiser/ fisher boat to the older, smaller 16.

The biggest advantage I see for the 16' was the ease of launching, the ease of storing the boat on our very tight city property and the nice size cockpit for fishing. Disadvantages, impossible to sleep on board without a camperback. No enclosed cabin, no galley, no heat, just not as comfortable.

Like Jim said, keep the 22' to see if it fits your needs, at least for one boating season. Just my $.02.
 
I would more than entertain some sort of a trade of my 16 Cruiser for a 22. In fact my wife is actually driving this desire to upsize. I understand the downsizing perspective, and the upsizing perspective as well (since I have done both in various vessels over the years).

Think long and hard before you make your final discission. But unless Sweet Pea sells out right soon, I would consider talking about the possibility of working out a deal.

But there are a lot of miles between MN and MS!
 
The 22 is more like a travel trailer and the 16 cruiser is more like a very small pop-up camper. I have slept on both boats over the course of a couple weeks in cold wet weather on Yellowstone lake and the 22 is diffidently a home away from home like an RV. Today’s high temp here in Bozeman is around zero, I can turn on the heater in the 22’s cabin and be well above freezing in a few minutes. This I have done recently as I have many winter projects going on in the cabin. On the 16 there is not much room to safely run a heater. Although… if I were a single guy, traveling alone on a very tight budget, in a very warm climate wanting to move light and fast, it would be hard to beat the 16 cruiser.

Kevin
 
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