The perfect boat.

N

nomadcruiser53

New member
I can see from my months of reading threads here that putting together the perfect Dory package is going to be a daunting task. I see a great idea one day and another very different idea the next. It's looking like I'll never get it right on the first go around and will be changing and adding to the boat for years to come. I was hoping to get it right for first launch and just enjoy cruising and fishing. Now it looks like I'll have to add "working on the boat" to the list of retirement hobbies.
 
Your post is indeed profound. As one who spends much too much time reading admireingly about all the great things other C-Brats have done, are doing, and will do, all the while knowing I haven't, won't, and, in most cases can't do, I still take great pleasure in heading out from the same place, going essentially nowhere, just the way it is.
 
Me too. My boat was "The perfect boat" when I pulled out of the dealers. It had everything I wanted. I have hung more fire/CO2 alarms and a paper towel holder. Added 2 folding chairs for the cockpit and I was done. I spend time keeping her clean but I'm not much for adding a lot of stuff(weight). If I'm not using it, I take it off.

Patrick
 
I too have been considering the perfect boat. I'll probably be getting a 22 in the next 12-24 months. Debating an Angler vs Cruiser. I have actually looked at EVERY picture in all of the gallerys for ideas, etc. There are some great ones!! I have had 4 boats in the past, which tells me to get used over new most every time. But these have such huge resale, makes me wonder. But I have also seen some water damage on older boats.

I'm looking forward to some customization, in the interior, some easy seating in the cockpit, and the motor well has the best mods of all!! Many thanks for all the ideas, the "perfect boat" is a fantasy, but what a chase. Now that I'm a graybeard, the best boat is the one I have, not the one in the showroom.
 
I think the "Perfect Boat" is an elusive target, fun to pursue, but never attained.

For one thing, no one boat can have everything, period.

For another, your needs will change as your lifestyle changes and aging sets in.

And if you do get one boat pretty well set up nearly ideally, boredom will soon set in and you'll find yourself with another one.

Four boat owner Joe. :smileo
 
For us part of the joy of boating is trying new ideas and modifying the boat. The CD 25 will remain very simple--the Tom Cat 255 continues to get more complex systems. Both work well! Go with the miminum and then add as you use the boat. Even if you have used 50 boats, there is a good chance that you will want modifications after owning a CD 22 for 3 months.

For example, we found with the 22, that food storage, took priority and that ice chests became seats. There are lots of options, and you don't know what is for you until you have used the boat...
 
Okay, now that you have made me think about it, I no longer have the "perfect boat". So here is my question. Can you add an aft steering station with full controls to an already built boat? Or can you dock a boat with remote control auto pilot? If so, which is better?

Patrick
 
You can do anything you want with used boats! (you can see examples of that by "Old Growth")--I have cut pieces out of them, put in new engines, all sorts of systems etc....

The "easiest" way to put in an aft station is to go with electronic controls--Micro Commander comes to mind. Not cheap--but fairly "easily done".
On the Stb side there is plenty of room under the gunnel to run all sorts of cables. On the CD 25 there is room to run cables under the floor (at least in the 2003-5) I would personally use auto pilot steering manual, jog controls. I have added these to a number of boats, including some which didn't have that feature on the primary pilots. We had several boats with a box, which over-rode the pilot, turn the rudder right or left.
We also put in a jog control and throttle/shifter in pilot houses--no other controls. Many modern boats are built with no steering wheel--all electronic steering stations.
On the other hand, hydraulic steering stations are also quite easy to add.
 
"The Perfect Boat"... every boat I've owned has been the perfect boat... usually right up to the point of writing the check for it! :wink Then, I think of what it needs to make it "even more perfect." :lol:

Even well equipped from the factory, these boats still have plenty of room for customization and addition. Time and tastes will change; get the boat, use the boat, see what works.

Now you've got me thinking... and I'm outta practice at that... the perfect boat: big on the inside when we're living aboard; small overall when we're towing; economical when motoring; a sail or two for those times that the wind is "just right"; shallow draft for anchoring; heavy full-length keel when the conditions get snitty; narrow for going into a slip; beamy when at anchor. :disgust Sounds like I need a motorsailor with slideouts like an RV and a detachable keel. :roll:

In the meantime, we went 16 whole miles today. Took the dinghy in to the little general store on Blind Bay to get ice cream. We're kicking back in the cockpit right now, 'cause it IS 5:00 somewhere (right here). Damn, this is perfect!

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
What I refer to a Jog control, is basically a joy stick--in this case a double pole, double throw large toggle switch, monintary on to each side, and off in the middle. This allows the hydraulic motor on the autopilot to turn the rudder right or left, without the autopilot engaged. You can also rig it so it will over-ride the pilot. Basically finger tip power steering. If you rig it with the autopilot on, the boat will jog to one side, then resume the origional course when you release the switch and allow it to come to neutral.

The latest fly by wire boats, control bow thrusters, stern thrusters, shifters all thru such a jog stick--to make the boat walk sideways--nothing so sophisticated for our boats--only steering.
 
I enjoy working on the CD-22 more than any other boat I've owned (not
really very many, considering what some members have owned). It
is relatively easy to work on, and there are lots of ideas here.

However, I generally don't plan to add items during the prime
summer months. First, it's hot working on boats in the summer, and
second, that's when I plan to use it. About the only issue I have
coming up is I need to do some epoxy work for deck cutouts, and
so need to either check out my friend's garage or do that before it
gets too cold out.

As for working on boats in the cold: that's where a Wallace is
quite useful!

Mike
 
the perfect boat is a matter of perspective, from the dealership's standpoint the perfect boat is the boat they sell and get back two years later for brokerage and then resell and again, the cycle continues.

the perfect boat as viewed by the neighbor, you continually ask out, is your boat.

the perfect boat as viewed by the repair facility is the one that keeps breaking down.

the perfect boat as viewed by your insurance agent is the one that never generates a loss and if it did the owner would paid for it out of his pocket.

the perfect boat as viewed by the lienholder is the one that generates the largest prepayment penalty.

and last but not least, my perfect boat will be the next, and last, boat i purchase!
so, there you have it!
best regards
pat
 
The perfect boat would require the perfect bank account balance. :wink:

The best that you can do is continue to research how the various brats have their boats set up and try and decide what will work best for you. Good luck.
 
The perfect boat affords us the most wonderful experiences without demanding so much time that there is little left over to savor the joys of life.
 
I think after ownership of our first boat for a year now my definition of a perfect boat is many things.
1) Something I hate leaving and can't wait to come back to.
2) Meeting other people that are patient, fun to be around, helpful in contribution knowledge and freely give advice without being arrogant.
3) A vehicle that links everyone together.
4) Gatherings that offer a chance to meet new people and all are welcome.
5) People that share pictures and stories about their trips and boating experiences..
6) A boat manufacturer that makes a quality product you can be proud of and stands behind it.
7) A dealer that hosts gatherings, offers his slip to you when you come to his area, you can call his cell on a holiday and he will coach you through getting the problem solved plus will have you come to his home and feed you during a tornado
C-Dory & C-Brats ---How about the perfect experience.
I can't see it any better and am thankful for both.
:smile
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I am somewhere between C-PEARL & HALCYON; :? i must also agree the perfect boat, physicly, is an ellusive beast. the times spent in pursuit, and those on the trip to capture that beast are forever fantastic :D
c u later
mike
 
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