The Challenge of Buying A Used C-Dory

J

jarobi

New member
I've been looking for a used 22 Cruiser for a while and I find it a bit challenging; they're in relatively short supply and I find the task of buying a used boat long distance daunting. I've purchased new in the past and didn't have to deal with surveys, engine inspections, trailer inspections and the like; finding a good boat with a good trailer at a good price that isn't 3000 miles away is hard. If I could afford a new C-Dory I'd buy one but I want to stay married. :wink:

If anyone has a garage kept, fresh water only 22 Cruiser with a new Honda 90 and a new trailer for $30K, let me know. :lol: Otherwise, any hints on buying used would be appreciated.
 
All in can say is have cash in hand and be ready to deal. Don't wait......

Inspections are important to some, but most mechanical issues will be discovered during a good sea trial. If you can swing around 40 grand, you will likely end up with a very nice and pretty new 22. At 30 grand, you're going to have pick through them, but there are always deals out there too.
 
Agree with above. There are resources with the C brats. Many of us have looked at boats for folks who are a distance from where the boat is for sale., Having someone look at the boat and trailer, plus take detailed photos, will make a lot of sense. No boat is going to be perfect. I had Capt. Charlie took at the 2nd 22 I bought--it was an hour or so drive--for me it was 1200 miles. His assessment was all I needed--it was a go.

I would remove that caveat about a boat used only in fresh water. For example the first C dory I owned, was used mostly in fresh water, but had been used for several years in the West Coast Salt water. No harm--it depends on how the boat is stored, and kept not if the has been used in salt water.

These boats are so resilient and easy to repair, that even if there are some dings, and even a little core rot, the repair is relatively easy, in comparison to a Deep V, with floors, and stringers, where the entire interior has to be removed and redone --many of these boats end up in the dump--few if any C Dory's have met this fate.

Good luck with your quest.
 
Thanks, T.R. and Bob. I'm a bit a perfectionist, which I'll have to overcome or increase my budget. I have to trailer every time I go boating and plan to do a lot of longer trips with the C-Dory, so a good trailer is important. Many of the used boats I see have trailers that look pretty rough and it's hard to know what it will take to make them right. I've always stored my boats inside on the trailer, so both look almost new, even after 20 years. Maybe I should look for a boat without a trailer and buy a new one but so far the prices for these are the same as those with a trailer.

The C-Dory 22 seems like the perfect boat for what I want to do and I'll bide my time and keep looking. C-Brats is a great resource and I can live vicariously through all of you until I find my own boat. :D
 
The asking price is not always the selling price--as you know. Often the boats on the market for a longer period without an offer, you may get significant reduction in the price. Generally boats which are not in the PNW are gong to sell for a little less.

Agree, that a good trailer is important. My current 22 came with a single axle trailer which was fine for short runs. I had put about 10,000 cross country miles on it. I had considered replacing it with a tandem axle trailer--then the tongue of single axle broke on I 10. (probably related to the type of towing vehicle and the road conditions). The place where the boat was towed, had a 15 year old very high quality trailer, but no brakes. The cost of this trailer was $2,000, plus my broken trailer (including 4 new tires and rims) I spent about $1000 on electric over hydraulic disc brakes.
 
Finding a used C-Dory takes patience and being ready $$$$$ in hand. Occasionally there will be a super deal pop up, usually the boats are just good sound vessels, some with more hours of usage, some with more storage hours or years. Some of them will be close, and sometimes the right one will be across the country. As Bob mentioned, having a trusted C-BRAT on the other end of the deal makes a big difference. Also, as he mentioned, the ones on the east side often run slightly less $$ than the PNW boats. Often, the difference is about what it would take to ship it across the country so the pricing may be a wash from paying more for one closer.

Keep a sharp eye, and even the ones that show up on Craig's list may have history here. If the boat has a name, it may be searchable here from a previous owners record. Worth trying.

If you are looking for the perfect boat, that may take some time, maybe a long time, but if you go looking with an open mind and know that these boats are adjustable to what you want, that may open up your selection availability considerably.

Have fun in your search, and good luck.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

1_10_2012_from_Canon_961.highlight.jpg
 
Eric, when I was looking two years ago the national Craigslist search tools were a big help. Other internet listings occasionally came through too. In about eight months I was able to find 6 boats in the $25,000-$35,000 range and visit several of them in person. By the time I found the one I got, I was familiar enough with them that I knew more about the boat than the broker (OK, he'd never sold a C-Dory). Still got a survey, though it turned out to be less than complete.
 
jarobi":36ygbz5l said:
Many of the used boats I see have trailers that look pretty rough and it's hard to know what it will take to make them right. I've always stored my boats inside on the trailer, so both look almost new, even after 20 years. Maybe I should look for a boat without a trailer and buy a new one but so far the prices for these are the same as those with a trailer.
Click to expand...

So true! AND, many sellers on Craigslist seem to think those beat up trailers are worth their weight in gold. So you might be able to make a pretty good deal with such a seller by offering to buy the boat without the trailer and then turn around and buy a brand new one for what you just saved in the deal.

I'm same way in regards to trailers, if the trailer can't be trusted then using the boat is not an enjoyable experience...when I bought my 16, I stopped at the C-dory dealer on my way home from the sale and bought a new trailer for it. They swapped them out while I went and got some lunch.

Certainly an easier purchase for a 16 than a 22, but even a 22 trailer isn't that bad in the big scheme of things. For reference, having just bought new 22 this year, a new roller trailer (with spare tire and side guides) is in the same price range as the factory installed Wallas stove option. Which makes sense because if you read enough posts here you'll find that trailers and Wallas stoves are the 2 items that cause the most heartache with C-dory owners!

Good luck with your search!

-Mike
 
MikeR":2ehoak3v said:
jarobi":2ehoak3v said:
Many of the used boats I see have trailers that look pretty rough and it's hard to know what it will take to make them right. I've always stored my boats inside on the trailer, so both look almost new, even after 20 years. Maybe I should look for a boat without a trailer and buy a new one but so far the prices for these are the same as those with a trailer.
Click to expand...

So true! AND, many sellers on Craigslist seem to think those beat up trailers are worth their weight in gold. So you might be able to make a pretty good deal with such a seller by offering to buy the boat without the trailer and then turn around and buy a brand new one for what you just saved in the deal.

I'm same way in regards to trailers, if the trailer can't be trusted then using the boat is not an enjoyable experience...when I bought my 16, I stopped at the C-dory dealer on my way home from the sale and bought a new trailer for it. They swapped them out while I went and got some lunch.

Certainly an easier purchase for a 16 than a 22, but even a 22 trailer isn't that bad in the big scheme of things. For reference, having just bought new 22 this year, a new roller trailer (with spare tire and side guides) is in the same price range as the factory installed Wallas stove option. Which makes sense because if you read enough posts here you'll find that trailers and Wallas stoves are the 2 items that cause the most heartache with C-dory owners!

Good luck with your search!

-Mike
Click to expand...

Mike,
Did you buy your 22' new ? If so what dealer ?
 
MikeR":iacmxjli said:
jarobi":iacmxjli said:
Many of the used boats I see have trailers that look pretty rough and it's hard to know what it will take to make them right. I've always stored my boats inside on the trailer, so both look almost new, even after 20 years. Maybe I should look for a boat without a trailer and buy a new one but so far the prices for these are the same as those with a trailer.
Click to expand...

So true! AND, many sellers on Craigslist seem to think those beat up trailers are worth their weight in gold. So you might be able to make a pretty good deal with such a seller by offering to buy the boat without the trailer and then turn around and buy a brand new one for what you just saved in the deal.

I'm same way in regards to trailers, if the trailer can't be trusted then using the boat is not an enjoyable experience...when I bought my 16, I stopped at the C-dory dealer on my way home from the sale and bought a new trailer for it. They swapped them out while I went and got some lunch.

Certainly an easier purchase for a 16 than a 22, but even a 22 trailer isn't that bad in the big scheme of things. For reference, having just bought new 22 this year, a new roller trailer (with spare tire and side guides) is in the same price range as the factory installed Wallas stove option. Which makes sense because if you read enough posts here you'll find that trailers and Wallas stoves are the 2 items that cause the most heartache with C-dory owners!

Good luck with your search!

-Mike
Click to expand...

We've towed sailboats from the Keys to BC and most places in between. Trailer problems for the most part are due to a lack of maintenance. They are really pretty simple.

I'm surprised to hear two different opinions re the Wallas stoves. People either love them or hate them. What causes the difference in opinion? I don't have a clue. (But if you ask Nancy, that's normal for me. :lol: )
 
Another couple of ideas:

1. If you're in no hurry, you can watch/shop for a long time before you buy your boat, and in that way become comfortably familiar with prices, equipment, transport costs, etc.

A careful studious buyer is a wise buyer, while one in a hurry much more likely to blunder into a mistake.

2. Look at the boats of the C-Brats on this site, particularly those who post a lot and to whom you have a positive reaction to. Some do become available for sale, eventually.

Buying a used boat from a very careful and talented owner can be a even better deal than buying a new one.
First class optional equipment and nice high quality customizations can make a boat far better buy than any new one you could order and at a much better or reduced price as well.

Buying a boat can be fun! Much of the thrill is in the hunt itself! :smiled

You've been warned! :lol:

Good Luck!

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
Nancy and Bud":2fulakb5 said:
I'm surprised to hear two different opinions re the Wallas stoves. People either love them or hate them. What causes the difference in opinion? I don't have a clue. (But if you ask Nancy, that's normal for me. :lol: )
Click to expand...

Well we should keep this thread on topic, but just for the record I don't own an Wallas, was only making a light-hearted observation regarding various rants here...you will see a lot of trailer frustrations (including my own!), and the most memorable quote from Pat Anderson, "there are only two kinds of Wallas owners, those who have had it crap out and those who are going to"

-Mike
 
Thanks, all. I appreciate the continued tips and encouragement. I'm not in a big hurry, but at this stage of life I don't want to wait too long. :wink:
 
I just bought a used C-22 in September and couldn't be more excited. I discovered C-Dorys about 2 years ago and joined C-Brats. I looked at a couple of dealers and had a good visit with Les Lampman at EQ Harbour Service. I spent a lot of time on C-Brats researching, looking at photos and day dreaming. I watched the for sale ads on a regular basis and got a good idea of what I wanted, prices etc. Since I live in Canada, I always hoped that I would find a suitable C-Dory for sale in Canada, but resigned myself to the fact that I would have to buy a boat in the US with the associated hassles of getting it across the border and paying for it in US dollars, which have become 30% more expensive than when I first decided to buy a C-Dory. I thought that Ideally I would find a boat sometime after 2018, when I was closer to retirement.

Then one Sunday morning in September I opened the for sale listing on C-Brats and there was my boat. I was a C-22 High Top (I'm 6"4") with a full camper back, newer engines, nice selection of electronic and well maintained. Best of all it was in Canada. The seller had put the boat on C-Brats the day before. He had an excellent description of the boat and a very good selection of photos. I called him up, and had a long conversation with him. We made a deal and by noon I had sent him a deposit by e-transfer. I was able to buy the boat in Canadian Dollars. I live in Alberta and the boat is in the Yukon.

Since the sale, he has been very helpful with the purchase arrangements, helping to put the boat in storage and other technical aspects. We decided that we would store the boat in Whitehorse for the winter and bring it home in the spring. We could have rushed up north before winter and brought it home. But, we decided to make a vacation of it, take our time driving up the Alaska Highway and take some time to explore the lakes in the region. The seller has been very helpful by sending us charts, maps and air photos of Lake Atlin with detail boating hazards, anchorages and hikes. We plan to do our maiden voyage on Lake Atlin and explore some of other northern lakes like Teslin on our journey.

The lessons I learned about buying a C-Dory is that you need to know what you want. C-Brats is great for this. Watch the C-Brats ads and know fair prices and the features you want in your boat. Have your cash ready and be ready to act quickly as most good C-Dorys are sold in 3 days. Be prepared to travel. I thought that I would buy my boat in the PNW as these boats equipped for colder weather causing. If I need air conditioning in my boat, I'm not going there as my Nordic blood in not suited for hot climates. I'm looking forward to travelling 5,000 kms return to the Yukon instead of Florida to pick up the boat and enjoy exploring the northern lakes.
 
On buying a used boat:

There is no formula to determine a fair price. The price is up to what the buyer
is willing to pay.

Your favorite and cherished gadgets and features on your beloved boat don't
mean squat to the buyer. So, don't expect to get all the $$$$ back you spent
on what you had to have for reasons known only to you.

Clean and functional helps. Records of mechanical repairs and routine
maintenance helps. Of course, a favorable survey will help.

Trailers? They are a bug-a boo. No rust, good brakes, and good tire tread
help. Beyond that, buyers don't get excited about a thing that doesn't even
float.

Best advice for boat owners: don't plan on a wind fall when you sell your boat.
Get one initially you'll enjoy for a long long time. Then donate it and get a
tax write off.

Aye.
Grandpa used to say, "Looking is much more fun than owning."
 
Aye.
Grandpa used to say, "Looking is much more fun than owning."

Or as my good friend says: "It is better to know someone who owns a boat than to own one yourself."[/b]
 
My 2 cents as a 22 owner of 7 yrs in AK.
My buddy here bought a 99 Tomcat 24 last year. I have fished with him many times now. Big mistake. The upgrade from a 22 to the Tomcat is HUGE. Aside from the enormous jump in creature comfort and roomyness, the handling and seaworthiness of the catamaran is in a whole other world. With prevailing 3-4ft seas during summer day breezes, the 22 is a struggle for comfort and leads to slowing way down and putting up w bobbing and weaving. The Tomcat is spotless at 22knts in same seas. I have been in legit 8ft seas with my wife on his boat and she felt completely secure where she starts to turn green in 3ft seas in the 22. His setup is twin ETEC 90s and gets near same fuel usage as my 22 w Honda 90. Upshot is I would spend the extra 10-15k in a heartbeat to move up with the right opportunity.
 
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