The C-Dory Legend

I'd like to share my thoughts from a design perspective. When a well-designed object (boat, car, guitar) endures for over twenty-five years, it becomes an icon. Look at the Fender Telecaster guitar, the Jeep CJ-5, and the Airstream trailer. It is safe to say that all three examples are Icons of American industrial design. Given that the original design for C-Dory was introduced in the early 80's, it could be argued that C-Dory is approaching icon status.

When the Reynolds family purchased C-Dory, they purchased the tooling for a boating icon with an enthusiastic and passionate customer base. They also inherited the C-Brats, a passionate, enthusiastic owners group where opinions and advice are offered at no extra cost! :D

Best Regards,
Leo
 
In the first C-Dory brochure they compare it to both the Jeep and Volkswagen. I guess they knew about the icon status even then. From personal experience I can tell you Volkswagen owners do not have problem free cars but they sure do love 'em. Same for me and Minnie Swann!
 
I agree 100%. We complain, argue, agree, modify, etc our boats with a severe passion that I've never seen, in myself or members of any other club I've been with. Rarely do the discussions revolve around a company's decision to change and come out with new lines in other boat clubs that I've known. I get so angry (and even begin telling my non-boating coworkers all about it!!) on some of C-Dory's management decisions (i.e., the V-29, expensive to design, wrong time to market, and not really a fit within the C-Dory niche). But like was said, it's all because we're so passionate about our boats and sincerely desire that our manufacturer succeeds and succeeds well.

I also agree, this C-Dory 'family' will continue on with or without, or actually, in spite of the factory!
 
When I saw the heading "The C-Dory Legend" I thought it was going to be another thread about Les. And I guess to us that is certainly a big part of the "Legend". I only hope the factory can turn this horse around and handle the economy before the economy handles them. These are fine boats, but just boats. There are a lot of fine boats out there. I too have been fortunate over the years to own several, three Boston Whalers, a couple Freedom sloops, but it is the Brats that make the C-Dory what it really is. Without the Brats it would just be another head without a heart.
 
I want to add my support to the general run of comments above.
I have found my 22 to be more satisfactory as an overall investment, as a seaworthy boat, and as a source of constant adventure...more than any of the eight boats i have owned. Some problems? Yes...but that is where this site comes in...I have never been chastised for my ignorance, or my persistent requests for help.
The factory is being challenged. i'd prefer to give them the benefit of the doubt. Keep pushing them toward what attracted all of us to this vessel

terraplane
 
I certainly agree, and feel that the C Dory reached Icon status long ago. The fact that resale value has held up so well is an indication of that. I have owned another Icon boat--the Cal 46. Not been built since 1976, but still going up in value (sells for as much as 2 to 3x when new) and has a very good organization of owners. There are many more boats, cars, planes, RV's and they all have the same characteristics:
They are very well built
They served the purpose for which they were designed very well
The initial service and builder took great care to be sure that the product was successful.
There are probably more that others can ad.
 
Well Said Dan...and others.

Icon is interesting. The coke bottle shape, the CD22 shape....even thru a courthouse window, but not close enough for any true details. Icon.

Yes, it to me is about our C-Brat community, and has been since I stood flat footed and told a great friend of mine ....yea...buy that boat...it is a C-Dory. You see...I still had stars twinkling in my eyes as I had owned 3 of them, no problems out of any of them, got just about all my money out of them (other than taking a bit of a hit on 3 year old electronic packages that had newer, stronger, better...and less exspensive than what I paid for mine 3 years earlier).... and had been in some very bad waters....never hurt the boat, scratched up a few folks, messed up some pants, but only to prove our old C-Dorys...are much tuffer than the human systems. :mrgreen:

So, he bought it....and oh...after oh....after oh... and, unfortunately, 12-18 months....many of the same ohhs come out on brand new ones.

So, I think I'll go drink an icon Coke, look thru our C-Brat albums, and reflect on the many gatherings and great friends these vessels have brought to me.

Go get on your boat!

Byrdman
 
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