SO WHAT DID YOU DO WITH OR ON YOUR C-DORY TODAY??

Hi CatyMae & Steve,

I sure wish I could share some of this warmth... seems like you folks in the NW have been getting more than your share of the cold and snow. We are expecting to see some "winter" (yes, that's a relative term) before this week is over... if there is any unfreezing of anything to be done, I will be lobbying for moving further south (and we are about as far south as you can get and still be in the good ol' USA). It is still in the 70s at 10:00 pm - if only I could "bank" some of this warmth.

And for Grumpy: I can't imagine boating in 23º temps. You are one tough dude!

Stay warm, friends!

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
THanks, Bob of Thataway.... I'll be looking for Brent's posts and pictures. I really could use that camping feature on some trips from KS/OK to the Gulf this summer! John
 
What you folks in the PNW would call a typical winter day (46º, drizzle, gray sky, wind NNW @ 15) is what we call nearly unbearably cold. Wild Blue is coming out of the water today (at least that's the plan). I have her scheduled for the 200 hour service this afternoon. She is pretty well packed and ready to roll. Looks like no real break in the weather for the next week, so we've decided to just go. Sunday looks like the best (relative term) weather window to hit the road.

We've towed bigger sailboats in much nastier weather, but always with an RV to retreat to when it got bad. Oh well, I am ready for this next adventure. I know there's warmer water and blue skies waiting somewhere.

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
Hey, Jim --

Why not retreat into the boat (parked in a campground, plugged into power, warm and toasty) if the weather is nasty for driving??

Our boat is our RV when on the road and it's wonderful to 'live aboard' when on the hard -- of course, you get a few strange looks from snow birds in the mega motor homes near you in the campground ... but who cares?

Have a great time on your new adventure!
 
We've used the boat in campgrounds on the way back from the PNW, and plan to do that as we make our way to Florida. Looking at the temps along the way, a plug in and the electric space heater are going to be a necessity.

The boat is on the trailer, the 200 hr service is done, a bit more packing, and closing down the house... we should be rolling by Sunday. Joan reminded me that today was much like the day Tom and Susan took us out in the Susan E. The Wallas got a workout on the way to the ramp. What a great boat!

Have fun at the SBS!

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
Hi Roger,
Nice looking cover. We will see you soon at the SBS.

I was looking at your album. When you went to the San Juans last August where did you launch and leave the trucks? Was it very crowded at any of the places you stayed? Did you tow a dingy the whole time?

We have always gone in Sept. except one time in June. We are going again this year probably in Sept.

Also where did you get your seat? Matches the boat well and looks comfortable.

Thanks,
Steve
 
Dragged SeaDNA out of it's parking spot and spent about 1/2 of Sat cleaning her up. Got most of the dirt and some algae off and scrubbed down the cockpit floor really well. Ran both engines for about 5 mins. Tues it's into the shop for 100hrs maintenance, new batteries (it's about time), a replacement of the idle cable on the port side and a few other minor issues. Hopefully, places aren't backed up too much and I'll get it back in reasonable time. Haven't decided where to take it. The factory was my dealer and use to do my maintenance, now have to find someplace else. Any suggestions for reasonable (but more importantly) high quality maintenance in the N end of Seattle (I live in Kenmore) would be appreciated. I took it into 3 rivers marine once - they did OK work but were about $100/more per engine than the factory was.
 
Roger , I dont know how good he is but there is a new boat repair shop on bothell everret hiway up by my work. Its on the left side headed north bound. I can remember the cross street but is you get to the burger master across for my work (cadman cement plant) in mill creek than you have gone a block to far. its just a half block off the main road. Just opened this year and seems to be getting a lot of traffic.
 
I completely stripped C-Voyager of everything I could. Monday we will pull the deck lining and seat supports in preparation of cutting the stern off and adding two feet. She looks extremely naked right now.
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Dave dlt.gif
 
Hi Dave,

I'm sure you'll have photos to share as this project gets underway. It will be fun to follow your progress.

We are rolling NE, on the way to Florida. Lots of rain in this area, we spent the night in Wild Blue in a sailor-buddy's driveway. By late today, we might even be out of Texas! :wink: More chilly weather and rain predicted. We got a call from Brent (Discovery) last night, he said it's warm and muggy in Everglades City - just my kinda weather!

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
Jim,

If you haven't been to Everglades City before, have dinner at the Fish and Game Club, a classic piece of "Old Florida".

When I was cruising the area on my sailboat in the 80's, I anchored near the Gulf close to the mouth of the channel to Everglades City, out of sight and with no lights one, as advised by those in the know, and listened to the darkened go-fast rumble in and out of the channel all night. Business must have been good.

Nick
"Valkyrie"
 
Steve,

Thanks. I ordered the seat from West Marine- it is a Garelick seat and it is comfortable- mounts a little close to the steering wheel. Joel (SEA3PO) has one just like it, he also repositioned his steering wheel.

When we went to the San Juans, we left the motorhome and trailer on the farm (thanks Roger) and launched from the north end of Camano Island. We towed the dink about 98%. Friday Harbor and Roche Harbor were both crowded. I had to give the dock man at Fishermans Harbor a stern talking to about moving my boat- he scratched the gel coat and the rubrail was out of the track.
We would love to go back and spend more time around the San Juans.

See ya this weekend in Seattle
 
Spent saturday mounting some plastic storage to the underside of the bunk in Sue-C. Sunday finally got my boating fix. Drove up to Willamette Park in Portland, launched, ran down the Willamette to the Columbia, then up the Columbia to Marine drive, by way of North Portland Harbor. Saw a 22'. green trim, upriver from the slough bridge. Parked in front of a floating home. Then took the open water all the way back. Felt good to finally get the boat in the water. Water was smooth, got to stay on plane for an hour at a time. Doesn't happen very often. Weather was okay, no wind, no rain, but no sun. Portland has put in a lot of dock space on the east side of the willamette downtown. Would make a great place to watch the fireworks at one of the many functions throughout the year they have down there.
 
JamesTXSD":p60o7b9g said:
Hi Dave,

I'm sure you'll have photos to share as this project gets underway. It will be fun to follow your progress.

We are rolling NE, on the way to Florida. Lots of rain in this area, we spent the night in Wild Blue in a sailor-buddy's driveway. By late today, we might even be out of Texas! :wink: More chilly weather and rain predicted. We got a call from Brent (Discovery) last night, he said it's warm and muggy in Everglades City - just my kinda weather!

Best wishes,
Jim B.
My main man is here to help and he/we will actually start sometime today. Picking up parts and equipment right now. For a while, it seemed like this project would never get started. I will start a new thread later today on the progress and post pictures in my album.

You can have that hot muggy weather. I like cool crisp sunny mornings and moderate daytime temperatures (mid 60’s to mid 70’s).

Keep us updated on your travels and post pictures, even if they are not water related.

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Dave dlt.gif
 
Well with limited suggestions on where to take the boat for service now that I can't go to the factory, I decided to give SeaRay Lake Union (shop in Redmond) a try. I was able to schedule an appointment on line and go a return call within an hour or two. Not every one of their shops is Honda familiar but the shop in Redmond can handle what I need for now. I'll let you all know of the experience and pricing work out. For now, here's what I'm asking them to do.

• 100 hour service on the engines (twin Honda 40hp)
• replace idle cable on port side engine
• check all other cables for cracks and replace if necessary
• check impellers and replace if necessary
• check all fuel lines and replace as necessary
• disassemble and re-seal any through-hulls below the water line (in particular, the depth sounder transducer).
• Clean and grease all steering related components
• Replace fuel filter
• Replace batteries

I'm really hoping I can find a place/service person who is
1) Anal retentive about doing thins right and
2) will make recommendations as if the boat were their own.

The boat will probably be in the shop a little while as most people are tied up with the boat show this week.... C'est la vie
 
Wild Blue and crew are two nights out from our home port... on the road. It has been chilly (by our standards), but we've had an electric hookup both nights and have run the electric heater. Our timing has been good to keep us between the two weather fronts that are moving through. It's been a couple years since we've made this drive; Houston hasn't gotten any less congested and I-10 across Louisianna will have you thinking someone stole your tires and replaced them with square rocks. :disgust We've promised ourselves that retirement would allow us to stop and smell the roses more often... trying to stay ahead of weather means we have mostly just waved at the roses as we roll by. :wink: Slowing down is on the agenda as soon as we can feel some warmth again. Hope to make Pensacola area by tonight.

We'll be enjoying reports from the Seattle Boat Show, tales of boat stretching, newbie questions, and stories of anticipated trips that make this place so interesting. Look for more from us when we get Wild Blue back in the water.

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
We just spent a delightful 24 hours with Bob and Marie (Thataway). I've been intrigued by "the man behind the posts" since I first saw them here. What fine, hospitable, warm, friendly people! They welcomed two strangers (and Joan says I can be stranger than most :wink: ) into their home like old friends.

Like all the C-Brats we've had the pleasure the meet, it was so interesting to get to know them... the world travels, the experiences, and the friendliness.

We've now had our C-Dory from the northwest to the southeast... traveling with the boat is great; the cruising is fun and exciting... but the great people we've had the pleasure to meet are what we treasure the most.

Thank you, Bob and Marie, for the warmth (regardless of what the thermometer read) and hospitality.

Best wishes,
Jim & Joan B.
 
Finally, the boat formerly known as Nancy H is in her new home. I can breathe a sigh of relief, not that there was any stress or doubt involved. Larry and I concluded our business in late October, and then there was a wait for motors (I put a 90 and 15 Suzuki on at Master Marine in Mt. Vernon). Then there was the flood which almost hit the area. Then the motors came, were installed, and it snowed....

I'm not a weenie about towing a boat on snow or ice, BUT this is the largest boat I've pulled, and I have an older Explorer that is just about maxed out on tow rating. I wanted clear roads for the first tow. Then work got in the way.

But she's home now, and it's a good feeling. Tomorrow after I get a few items cleared off my desk, I'll start a punch list of things that need to be done...new depthfinder, downriggers mounted, a wheel bearing that may need looking at, and so on. The fun begins...

Unfortunately, we can't make the SBS, despite earlier plans to do so. I have to be in Woodland most of Friday, and Jennifer has to work late on Saturday as well...and while I could venture over that way Saturday, I'm thinking it might be a great day to break in the engines and perhaps catch a few flounder.

We'll do our darnedest to make the next get together.

In the meantime, we're trying to come up with names. I really like C-Run because searun cutts are one of my favorite fish, but that's been taken, so we're trying to come up with another.

Keith
 
Keith – I am happy you finally got the boat home. I know you will enjoy it immensely. Hope to cross paths with you some day on the Sound.
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Dave dlt.gif
 
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