The resurrection of a C-Dory

handmeawrench-

Nice work!

Looks great!

These older C-Dory's clean up just fine, and still look nearly new / just out of the production line, if done properly.

I have a 1987 Cruiser (same year as your Angler), and it's construction is flawless and I'm sure better than many of the production years that followed.(!)

If you'd like an Album to put your photos in, drop a note to one of our site owners, Bill* or Mike*, and ask them to set one up for you!

Tight lines!

Joe. :teeth :thup

* Send them an email or PM from our Membership List. They're #'s 1, 2, and 3 at the top of the page.
 
What a beautiful job you did. Please ask Bill and Mike for a photo album. I can't wait to see more pictures. Congratulations on a true C-Dory 'Lega-C'.
 
Looking great :thup It's nice to see what you've accomplished. Glad you posted.

Joe: Flawless construction... I've never seen such a boat :wink (Although I can sure understand why you love your 22; I know I do mine!)
 
great looking boat and nice write up. Maybe you mentioned it, but, what did you use to polish & restore the gel coat?

I sure the hell hope you had all of the permits and studies completed before you destroyed C-mite habitat :)
 
I have been on this site for at least two years and have never posted but this story was a real eye opener about these boats.

I am still looking forward to my first C Dory and this story may help me make my decision on an older bought rather than saving for the newer one I hope to purchase. Do you want share what $$ you put into it? If not that's okay. Thanks for your story!!!!!
 
SeaCurious":bgz5c62d said:
Do you want share what $$ you put into it? If not that's okay. Thanks for your story!!!!!
Click to expand...

Well, it was not cheap. I'll say that much.

If you're skilled with fiberglass, gel-coats, woodworking, electronics and are generally pretty handy you can save some substantial money on labor.

The one thing I would say as a takeaway is that a really thorough inspection before you buy will go a LONG way. Don't trust anybody about anything. Explore every angle, nook, and cranny of an older used boat. Would we have EVER seen termites in the bulkhead on an inspection? Probably not. But there is plenty that CAN be seen if you take your time.

Obviously, two brand new motors are going to cost about the same no matter how handy you are. If you are a reasonable mechanic and can find good used ones, that's an area of savings. For us, the motors that came with the boat were just too used for our comfort.

If you don't have to rip up the deck and replace the core, obviously that is going to save you time and money. 8^)

Electronics always go on sale, especially as new models come out. So being savvy and timing purchases right will get you some really fine equipment without breaking the bank. That chartplotter/gps unit on the Lega-C is better than what at least half of the boats on the water have. It will do everything you want, and more, despite not being the latest Garmin unit.

One last thought. Some of the work done on the boat didn't need to be done this season, or wasn't generally required to get it on the water. Nobody said it has to be pretty if what you want is a functional boat that does what you want it to. Don't jeopardize your safety for speed, though.

I hope that helps!
 
I really appreciate the rebuild story/photos. And I really appreciate the fact that you worked your way through and let us know the results.

How is the Evenrude doing? Did you ever find a decent dealer?

Boris
 
B~C":22eguk4y said:
what did you use to polish & restore the gel coat?
Click to expand...

3M Marine Fiberglass Restorer & Wax 09006 + 7" angle buffer with wool bonnet + lots of patience. Careful not to work one area too hard - it's possible to burn completely through the gelcoat.
 
journey on":2jge1114 said:
How is the Evenrude doing? Did you ever find a decent dealer?

Boris
Click to expand...

Thanks, Boris.

Apparently, all it takes is one call to BRP HQ to complain about the local dealers and things start to happen in a hurry. We went from not being able to get anybody to call us back to having 4 dealers calling multiple times per day.

I remember physically driving into one of the dealers and saying, "I want to give you thousands of dollars. Why won't you call me back?" THAT didn't do it, but Corporate breathing down their necks sure did. It was too bad that it had to happen that way, but the story ends well.

Some more pics to prove it's sea-worthy.

IMG_8885.jpg

IMG_8886.jpg
 
Awesome job on the whole project! Love it when people take the time, money and patience to restore older boats and equipment. It is a labor of love that really makes one feel proud of the accomplishment.
 
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