SeaSport Out of Business

Yes.....what JamesTXSD said.

He nailed it for me.

Good luck to the continuation of the C-Dory brand and quality.

I purchased my 1983 C-Dory at the factory from Mark Toland after Ben took me, my sons, his grandsons and my FIL out in Kent on sea trials. I can remember the day like it was yesterday.
 
I purchased my 1983 C-Dory at the factory from Mark Toland after Ben took me, my sons, his grandsons and my FIL out in Kent on sea trials. I can remember the day like it was yesterday.

'89...purchased from Mark...seatrial with Mark...factory tour with Mark.

I too can remember the day like it was yesterday.

Over the course of several hours I got to see the production process beginning to end, came to understand the whole hull-design theory (doesn't it pound ?), and skippered one out on the sound.
 
Mark gave us a factory 'tour' also before we bought our '90. Ah, the good ol' days. - Why, we were even C-Dogs back then before the Brats split off, and the Dogs keeled over.
 
Some of the old dogs are still on the porch with ya Halcyon. I must say I have enjoyed the Brat porch much better. Even if our wonderful site managers do not agree with what we say, and/or Lord forbid we say something less than positive about our boats or their build... on the Brat porch, it stays just like you sent it. Not all Dr. up with some monitor's twist and editing. Life is good on the Brat porch. Enjoyed the days of the C-Dogs too for a spell.

I remember when opening the package with the paper work with C-Byrd and the documents on hand from the original owner. You could almost just hear the boat talking ....and if you were real quiet, out on the hook, at night with the fog rolling in... you could hear the guys at the shop building the boat....while reading the documents. :beer :cigar I sure miss that boat.

Fear not, some day, some where, the hulls will start rolling out again. Just some interesting times in the industry. Yep, some mighty interesting times.

Byrdman
 
Hi,
History does repeat itself. Ah, shucks not doing anymore warranty work? Not this again. I heard they are moving to plant to China and they will be called Chee Dories and that Angelina Jo Lee is also going to adopt C-Dory. All kidding aside I think Toland is your best shot folks in my humble opinion. I'm going to change my boat info card I hand out to read contact Mainaut folks. What's next the nautibrats? Personals attacks ok, political commentary for the uninformed? I like this site the way it is, that guy Jim is a real scream. I'm looking for him to end up on American Idol. :smileo
D.D.
 
Just for fun, I checked WSBA for Jeff Lindhout. I am a ways ahead of Jeff here, WSBA Bar# 2487, admit date 11/6/1975!

WSBA Lawyer Profile

Member Name: Jeffrey M. Lindhout WSBA Bar#: 21758
Firm or Employer: Admit Date: 7/21/1992
Address: 5397 Bellaire Dr
Bellingham, WA 98226-9037
United States Status: Active
Phone: (360) 838-0321
Fax:
TDD:
Email:
Private Practice: No
Has Insurance? - Click for more info
Last Date Reported: 01/23/2010
 
Friday I sent an inquiry to SeaSport about purchasing the 25 gallon gas tanks they were now using. I have a 96' 22' cruiser with 18 gallon tanks. I got a reply from Triton Marine asking me to verify my email address and I replied then got a notice it was undeliverable. Don't know what is up with that.
 
These boats are too good a design to not be built again, by someone, somewhere, sometime, and probably sooner rather than later.

Kinda like the Mini-Cooper, or the Mustang... (you may be able to think of an even better analogy.)

The design may change some, the manufacturer may (WILL) change, and the product may even be better (Maurinaut?), but when the Great Recession has passed, the C-Dory family will still live on and see a better day.

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
Future production of the boats could be complicated by the issues that Matt Gurnsey brought up--with another entity owning the molds--not Sea Sport. For more boats to be built--a bulder would have to enter in an agreement with the owner of the molds as to various rights and royalties.

There is also the question of how well the molds will be cared for in the interum. Will they be stored inside in a climate controlled building or left open side up on a field somewhere? There is also a question about what has happened to the molds for the 30 foot Tom Ca (Chilkat by BlackFeather Marine--out of business). I assume that they are still in Juneau.

I certainly hope that when the economic conditions improve, that some reliable bulder will pick up the molds and continue the line. In the mean time, I believe that the boats in existance will keep their value--or perhaps become a bit more valuable. This site and the people on this site are what will assure the survival of the brand and concept.
 
Sea Wolf":1ajnbjuf said:
These boats are too good a design to not be built again, by someone, somewhere, sometime, and probably sooner rather than later.

Kinda like the Mini-Cooper, or the Mustang... (you may be able to think of an even better analogy.)

Toyota Landcruiser FJ-40

1977_LC.sized.jpg
 
I for one don't think that the C-Dory design will go away. I just think it is too attractive and utilitarian to fade away. I hope to buy one again someday from somebody.

My present boat is built on a stretched 43 Tollycraft hull. The boat was last built in the mid 80's by Tolly. Tolly sold the company and I think the last owners went out of business in the mid 90's. There is still a rabid cult following for all of the Tollycraft boats and an active owners group.

Forbes Cooper from Canada found the 43' molds in a field, thought that they were the perfect design for his new concept and built 23-24 Westcoast 46's from 2004 until the boat market collapsed. So if the C-Dory molds survive, I think the C-Dory design will survive.
Lyle
 
Hello,
Just wondering if Cape Cruiser people gave the three piece molds for the Cape cruiser to C-Dory after the legal battle. And if Sea Sport bought the assets only, what would prevent Mainault of someone else from building the better one piece mold versions of the Cape Cruiser if they aquired the molds? I mean since everyone is bankrupt. Not that there would be a big market but someone must be sitting on those molds. Maybe people can't provide warranties but still have money left to sue. I wonder who SeaSport is paying royalities too? Just wondering.
D.D.
 
Wefings":z38t16o2 said:
I am kind of astounded that they dont jump in here and clarify things........
Marc

Communication with the customer base and number one cheerleading organization has not seemed to be a strong suit for any of the last couple of owners of the CDory line. Where's Jeff Mesmer when you need him?
 
Wefings":3dezurtg said:
I am kind of astounded that they dont jump in here and clarify things........
Marc

Yep! We did see a post from Jeff last week, saying they were moving and would have a new phone number. And now, it's come to all this presumption? Let's give Jeff a chance before we start planning the wake.

That's not saying we can't raise a glass to C-Dory right now. :wink:

Patience isn't my biggest virtue, but I can wait and watch,
Jim B.
 
Unfortunately, the recent state of the C-Dory brand with the various owners reminds me of a banner I have seen on some restaurants in my neighborhood: "Open Under New Management".

The C-Dory design has become an icon, such as the Airstream trailer, the Jeep Wrangler, or the Fender Stratocaster. Hopefully we will hear from the Triton Marine folks (whoever they are) and get a straight answer on the status of the business. We all have excellent taste in boats, otherwise we wouldn't be visiting this site.

Best Regards,
Leo
 
JamesTXSD":3trz7nqf said:
Wefings":3trz7nqf said:
I am kind of astounded that they dont jump in here and clarify things........
Marc

Yep! We did see a post from Jeff last week, saying they were moving and would have a new phone number. And now, it's come to all this presumption? Let's give Jeff a chance before we start planning the wake.
...
Jim B.

Jim, I am not planning a wake at all, I would just like the folks at Triton to keep us in the loop to the greatest possible extent. Jeff's email on "moving", and the start of this thread with the quote from Triton don't seem to comport entirely.

I am sincerely hoping for their success in this very difficult market.
 
Seems to me that keeping this forum in the loop hasn't been a priority of any of the last three keepers of C-Dory. While it may be what some here want, it's their prerogative. I think it would be smart business for them to do so, but that's just my opinion. An opinion obviously not shared by the factory folks. Since 3 of them have tried it that way... well, you know. :roll:
 
James,

Interesting point. The last three C-Dory factory owners did not use or advise the Brats and they all went out of business.

Did the C-Brats exist during the Tolands ownership?
 
Back
Top