What do you think of this boat? (Seaway Coastal Hardtop)

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involute

New member
I am looking for a versatile 21-23ft boat for my wife and I. The two of us will be doing some overnight camping trips but also would like to go on some day trips with a few friends. I was looking at C-Dorys but I happened upon Seaway boats after looking at the east coast lobster/downeast style boats online. I really like the Seaway 21 Coastal Hardtop. It doesn't offer the same level of protection from the elements that C-Dory does but the open layout seems more conducive to day trips with a few friends and days when the weather is nice. I also like the hull design because of its C-Dory like efficiency with sharp bow and deep forefoot, for cutting through chop. I have spoken to them about adding a real small galley area behind the helm seat (Like the 22 Cruiser) and they seem receptive.

What do you think? The link is below:

http://www.seawayboats.com/index.php?vi ... model_id=6
 
Looked at them before getting our 22. They are a lovely looking boat and would be great for your use. If your just going to limit your self to day use , cruising or fishing, you will be just fine. of course if you are just going to day criuise a 22 with two folding chairs in the cabin will do really well too. Now as you use the boat and find that you want to take longer trip or just stay on the boat over the weekends you will find that the cdory does that just fine too but the seaway does not. I like to get enought boat the first time. well I did not and had to sell my 22 and get a 27 but now I have it covered.
 
involute-

Not trying to be unkind, but after looking at that specific boat and the entire line, I feel that, in general, the Seafarers feature traditional East Coast designs that are both classic and dated.

This especially holds true when they are compared to some more modern boats, and is even when compared to our classic looking C-Dorys.

Some of them look like unfinished projects, by comparison. We see this sort of thing where some home builder/modifier has taken a basic hull and attempted to enclose it into a cabin-type boat, etc., yielding a work in progress, and one that's sometimes pretty crude at that.

The C-Dory line is way ahead of these boats in design and incorporated amenities. Get a list of all the C-Dory features for 22 from a sales brochure and then go over the Seafarer using it s a checklist. You'll see what's missing.

I wouldn't think there's much comparison, but if it's a simple, basic boat you're interested in, maybe the Seafarer fits the bill.

Good Luck in whichever you choose and decide!

Welcome to the C-Brats!

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
I would want to ride in one to see if it was that much better a ride than the C Dory 22. Although it does have sharper lines forward, and carries the higher deadrise further aft, it still has low dead rise aft, and I suspect will also pound at a certain level of chop--perhaps a bit more than the C Dory 22.

You do give up the protection, dinette and real galley which is present in the 22. The 21 hard top you linked to has canvas and vinyl sides, vs fiberglass on the C Dory 22.

When you get up to the Coast 25--that is very similar to the C Dory 25 in its interior layout--and is a nice cruising boat.

I agree with Jim, if you are looking for a day cruiser, and rare overnight, then the 21 would be OK--but there are folks "living" and "cruising" on CDory 16's which have less room.
 
I thought this was the forum where everyone played nice...

Starcrafttom: Thank you for the constructive criticism. I am sure this won't be my last boat, and if my intended purpose changes, I can re-evaluate at that point.

Seawolf: Yes, the Seaway is built with less amenities. However this does not make them outdated or incomplete. If this were the case every boat at the 2012 boat shows would look like a C-dory. I am interested in some C-dory type amenities in a more open, more fair weather setup. I don't understand what about this boat makes you think it was made in someones garage (assuming that is a bad thing).

Thataway: Yes, the 21 Coastal Hardtop, has canvas sides and I consider this an advantage for my use. My usage will be more nice weather that bad. During nice weather you are not stuck in a small hot bubble (cabin). I agree that my usage is asking a lot for a 21ft boat and everything is a compromise.

Dreamer: Yes I have looked at he the Marinaut. Nice boat, but I don't really care for its aesthetics. I am curious to what your definition of "boat" is because I am trying to figure out by what measure, you conclude that the Seaway is 10% of the "boat" that the Marinaut is.

Jounrey on: Yes the manufacturer and dealers are on the east coat...I looked on google and it appears there are roads all the way from Oregon to the east coast and I figure one could use those to haul the boat home :). No, I am not aware of any of these boats being for sale used on the west coat.
 
Everyone is being nice, we just really like our c-dorys and tend to compare everything to them.

Its like I tell my clients (real estate) you have to decide what your needs are. What your goals are and then go find the boat or house that matchs those goals. If I lived in a hotter climate ever again, god help me, I will look at other boats. If I lived in southern ca or the atlantic sea board and was just day fishing I would own a different boat maybe. If I was you I would not compare this boat with a 22 c-dory cruiser but with a 19 or a 22 angler. that is a far more fair compareson based on planed use. My commit on planning for the future uses is based on watching so many freinds, including my self, get 2 ft itis once they see and experince what a c-dory can do.

One last thing. I dont see the cdory cabin as a sweat box like so many boats. Lots of boats dont have windows and hatchs in the vberth the way the c-dory does in the cabin. thats one of the things i love about my boat, the cabin is up high with lots of windows and sunlight. its also heat able. You will be amazed how good bad weather can be when you are in a heated cabin boat and not on a exposed open deck, even one with a hard top and side curtains. I have had both


I looked on google and it appears there are roads all the way from Oregon to the east coast and I figure one could use those to haul the boat home .
Click to expand...

Loved that one :wink: I hear this as a reason to buy or not buy boats all the time. I think nothing of driving across the country if the price is right. Just a added expense but nothing more. Fly in rent a truck and drive home. nothing to it. i used to rent trucks to haul equipement all the time.
 
You almost sound like dealer trying to sell boats more than a consumer in your responses. I mean really this a C-Dory owners group website after all. Seemed odd that you would ask a west coast based owners group about a boat made on the east coast. The model you mention looks like a picnic boat. C-Dory does not have anything quite like that. Never the less I think Seaway has a pretty good reputation and I think you should buy one. Do they have an owners group?
D.D.
 
Involute,
I have you even ridden in a C Dory 22 in hot weather? Those of us who boat on the Gulf Coast find the full cabin an asset. With the front window open, the side windows open and the aft door open, there is a great flow of air, and it actually more comfortable than a bimini or T top boat. (I owned both). If I was boating in Oregon (where I have passed thru several times up and down the coast)--I would want the full cabin--having found that most of the time it was cool, even in the middle of the summer.

No one is not "making nice"--but you would probably get more information from the Seaway owner's group, if it existed. The Hull Truth, is a good resource--and occasionally a Seaway owner posts there.

I have never really thought of the C Brats as being "West Coast based"--Wasn't the old C Dog forum administered out of New Mexico. At least you are more likely to find a C Dory owner on the East Coast than a Seaway owner on the West Coast. I think that the Seaway is a good boat--and have nothing against it--but like any boat, you should ride in one before you buy!
 
Involute,

The title of your post is "What do you think of this boat?" I gave an honest answer, but apparently it's not what you wanted. Yea, the roads are paved, but it's 6000 mi for a boat you haven't seen.

I'm not sure what you wanted as an answer, but I would certainly think about going to the East Coast (6000 mi RT) to see and buy a boat, and then haul it home. Sounds a lot harder than going up the coast to a C-Dory dealer, and I'd have to have a good reason to do that. I have shipped a sailboat from San Diego to Mobile and back. And I bought Journey On in Seattle, driving up and down. Neither was especially easy, so it's something I'd certainly consider. However,that's up to you. But have you seen one or talked to a dealer?

Boris
 
I kinda felt like Dave on this one: first post and the question is about something other than C-Dorys. So, I sat on my hands... 'till now. I don't think anyone here was less than nice. What can we say about this other boat? Not likely anyone on this forum has owned one. Ask us about C-Dorys - we know these boats!

I've found our C-Dory cabin to be THE thing that has impressed me the most about these boats. Oh, there's plenty of other stuff to like about 'em, but that wonderful enclosed cabin with the protected helm has spoiled me. It keeps me cool when the sun is blazing, dry when the rain falls, and warm when the cold wind blows. I've always enjoyed looking at other boats, but I find my criteria for what constitutes "that's nice" has become very biased in favor of (at least) an enclosed helm.

So, if you ask our opinion of a boat that doesn't have that wonderful cabin and fully-protected helm, it doesn't make anyone here not nice if we're honest with our opinions... we have simply all voted with our dollars in favor of these boats. We know what we like. Ask about that other boat in a sailing forum, and you're likely to hear all the bad comments like "where's the mast?" :wink:

Check around the internet to see if you can find an owners forum for that Seaway. Are they as enthusiastic about their boats as this group? What would they think if someone got on their forum asking about C-Dorys as a first post?

Being up-front and honest is a nice quality. Sorry you didn't get the "yeah, those are great boats, too," response that it sounds like you wanted, but it seems that the folks here gave you their honest opinions.

Just for future reference, when I first signed on here years ago, I introduced myself (including a first name), and gave a little background, admitting that I knew nothing about C-Dorys beyond what I had read. But, I came to a C-Dory forum looking for info about C-Dorys. The response from members here could not have been MORE nice... and I've made some great friends over the years, thanks to this forum.

Good luck with your search.

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
These second round of responses have been much more helpful. Thank you. I expected C-Dory biased opinions and that is why I asked. However a few on the initial responses were negative for no reason. Giving specific reasons why you like the C-Dory better is still constructive and helpful.

Yes, I have seen the C-dory and Seaway in person. Both on more than one occasion. I have seen the Parkers and Marinaut online but not in person. I have not had a chance to get out on the water in any of these though (but would like to).

Hearing owners comment that they don't think the cabin is too hot is also helpful. I guess that my impression that the cabins are hot is based on walking into the c-dory while sitting in the sun at a dealership, when there isn't much airflow to cool them down. That being said it was Oregon and it was only 75 deg outside.
 
When I was looking for my boat, I did a sea trial on a Seaway 24 Offshore with a Honda 150. It has a different hull design. With the 150 on it, it wasn't very responsive. Even that boat is more of a day boat that the C-Dory 22 cruiser. It is a nice boat. It didn't suit me. Besides the way I would have outfitted it, the price would have been over $100,000. Wat to expensive for what you get in my opinion.

I boat in all kinds of weather. It is hot down here in the Summer. My other boat is a 16ft Alumaweld. I have a canvas top that I always use. It is hotter than my C-Dory. We get a lot of chop down here. It is nice to be able to open and close the side windows to eliminate the spray when the wind is blowing. Much more of a chore on the Seaway. It does get cold down here (comparatively). I really like to be out on the Gulf in the Winter on a clear cold day with the heater going.
 
involute, I don't think that "small hot bubble" is an accurate description of the C-Dory cabin at all. I live in southwest Florida and I think the cabin is quite comfortable with the windows open and just the slightest movement of air. The top stays cool to the touch and unlike sitting under a bimini top you can't feel the heat radiate through. Anyhow, best of luck with whatever boat you purchase and you absolutely won't find a better, more helpful group of people than on this site.
 
I had a few other thoughts about why we would choose a C-Dory over a Seaway 21 Coastal Hard top. We like the security of being able to close our back door and lock it regardless if we are on board or not. It's nice to have that security and not have worry about canvas being the only thing between the outside world, ourselves, electronics and other valuables. Even when when have our camper top installed I'll take our Honda EU 2000 generator and place it in the cabin if we should go on shore for dinner etc. Being able to close the windows and doors and to have diesel heater extends our boating season by a few months allows us to enjoy rainy days. We use the cabin to sleep while we travel with the boat on a trailer by crawling up in the boat to sleep, have a cup of coffee,or eat in, campgrounds, truck stops, or rest areas. We feel the enclosed cabin provides far more benifets than handicaps. Since we have a rooftop air conditioner we are not affected by heat while at anchor or while tied up in a slip. It's like a small made for two vaction home at the seashore. We call it tiny town.

D.D.
 
I echo those who prefer an alaskan bulkhead cabin to a hard top. My only advice is to test the Campion 21 footer that comes both ways. The ride and response through the chop is better than any other boat I've tested or been on.

-Greg
 
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