What Should I Know Before Buying a Boat?
- Thread starter El and Bill
- Start date
thataway":7aa08zgg said:
We have the best of both worlds in what you described. A wonderful trailerable boat, that has been on many fantastic trips and stored at home in between. A great group of people to learn and share with Here in our own special club and fortunate for us we do have dock-mates at Bridge Bay Marina, Yellowstone National Park, that we look forward every new season to reacquainting and hashing over the off season and many enjoyable mornings and evenings in conversation about boats or most anything else in one of the most beautiful settings on earth. We have the smallest boat in this Dock Mates Group, but because of the uniqueness of the boat and maybe the sharing of our travels we are always made to feel most welcome and missed which is true in our regard of them also.
The 22' C-Dory cruiser has all the right qualifications to make it a "Just Right" boat for us, which is why we named her what we did.
Jay
Recently, a sailing buddy on another forum was talking about getting another boat; perhaps a small powerboat. I think a C-Dory would be perfect, considering his needs - he says it's over his budget. Whenever he mentions another boat (and he frequently mentions "the next boat"), I send him info on C-Dorys. :wink: He said something about me being the type of guy who would sit in the back of an AA meeting with a cold brewski. In the next post, he was quick to point out that he didn't mean that I have a "problem". Here's my response...
--------------------
"Jim has no problem..."??? Haven't talked to the Blonde lately, huh?
Hey, I'll be the first to admit it... I do have a problem. When something takes over your life and it's all you think about, it can be a problem. Some would call it an addiction, but I think that word gets tossed around too easily. My "problem" led to me becoming unemployed and selling off assets. Aimlessly wandering about. Family worried about us.
And Joan is an "enabler"; in fact she actively participates with me. Oh sure, she's not as hooked as I am, but she doesn't try to stop me. She can control herself more than I can, but I certainly haven't dragged her into this.
Hi, my name is Jim, and I'm an aquaholic.
I love being on the water... or near the water. It started out with some experimenting... going to warm places when it was cold up north... places with beaches and water that wasn't frozen solid. And then I saw all those boats. Those people looked like they were having fun; what harm could it be to give it a try?
At first, it was easy enough to just do it for a day or two. It's insideous, though; before long, a little isn't enough. I thought I could stop anytime I wanted. I was wrong. I justified it by saying it was just a little sailing... it was "green" - less impact on the environment, being out there in all that nature stuff. Hey, I wasn't hurting anyone. And then you find you want more. Work becomes a place where you have to go when you'd rather be... out there. One boat isn't enough. Deep down inside, I wondered where it would all end? And then I toyed with the idea of chucking it all and just giving in to my "problem." Oh sure, I had friends who sailed. They enjoyed it, and seemed to be able to control it. I didn't tell them about my "dark" thoughts.
And then a guy said, "I know what you need."
At first, you just "look into it." An occasional glance on the internet. You say to yourself, "But, I'm a sailor"... and there's the shame and the worry that you'll lose your friends... "what will they think?" As you find yourself being drug into the culture, you stop worring about what others think.
So, there you have it. I'm "all in." I go both ways - sail and power. The sailboat for when the living is easy, the powercruiser for making some miles. That "us vs them" thing? Who gives a rat's rear? "Light side - dark side"? I've found it to be no problem sliding in and out of both. As long as I can be on the water.
Yeah, I'm posting this from...on the water.
You can tell yourself, "It wouldn't happen to me. I know when to say when." But, you all have your little "secret": that internal combustion thing hanging off the back of the boat (or secretly tucked inside). Sure, you can motor "just when you want." Tell yourself: I can quit anytime, if I really want to.
Our families think we're a lost cause. Maybe they're right? All I can say is... we're OK; this works for us. We gave up our comfortable life in the northland to be on the water. Regrets? Yeah, during all those earning years, I wish I wouldn't have wasted all that money on buying stuff that doesn't fit in a boat - I coulda done this sooner.
--------------------
And that's another thing to consider before you buy a boat.
--------------------
"Jim has no problem..."??? Haven't talked to the Blonde lately, huh?
Hey, I'll be the first to admit it... I do have a problem. When something takes over your life and it's all you think about, it can be a problem. Some would call it an addiction, but I think that word gets tossed around too easily. My "problem" led to me becoming unemployed and selling off assets. Aimlessly wandering about. Family worried about us.
And Joan is an "enabler"; in fact she actively participates with me. Oh sure, she's not as hooked as I am, but she doesn't try to stop me. She can control herself more than I can, but I certainly haven't dragged her into this.
Hi, my name is Jim, and I'm an aquaholic.
I love being on the water... or near the water. It started out with some experimenting... going to warm places when it was cold up north... places with beaches and water that wasn't frozen solid. And then I saw all those boats. Those people looked like they were having fun; what harm could it be to give it a try?
At first, it was easy enough to just do it for a day or two. It's insideous, though; before long, a little isn't enough. I thought I could stop anytime I wanted. I was wrong. I justified it by saying it was just a little sailing... it was "green" - less impact on the environment, being out there in all that nature stuff. Hey, I wasn't hurting anyone. And then you find you want more. Work becomes a place where you have to go when you'd rather be... out there. One boat isn't enough. Deep down inside, I wondered where it would all end? And then I toyed with the idea of chucking it all and just giving in to my "problem." Oh sure, I had friends who sailed. They enjoyed it, and seemed to be able to control it. I didn't tell them about my "dark" thoughts.
And then a guy said, "I know what you need."
At first, you just "look into it." An occasional glance on the internet. You say to yourself, "But, I'm a sailor"... and there's the shame and the worry that you'll lose your friends... "what will they think?" As you find yourself being drug into the culture, you stop worring about what others think.
So, there you have it. I'm "all in." I go both ways - sail and power. The sailboat for when the living is easy, the powercruiser for making some miles. That "us vs them" thing? Who gives a rat's rear? "Light side - dark side"? I've found it to be no problem sliding in and out of both. As long as I can be on the water.
Yeah, I'm posting this from...on the water.
You can tell yourself, "It wouldn't happen to me. I know when to say when." But, you all have your little "secret": that internal combustion thing hanging off the back of the boat (or secretly tucked inside). Sure, you can motor "just when you want." Tell yourself: I can quit anytime, if I really want to.
Our families think we're a lost cause. Maybe they're right? All I can say is... we're OK; this works for us. We gave up our comfortable life in the northland to be on the water. Regrets? Yeah, during all those earning years, I wish I wouldn't have wasted all that money on buying stuff that doesn't fit in a boat - I coulda done this sooner.
--------------------
And that's another thing to consider before you buy a boat.
marvin4239
New member
40 years ago I started traveling extensively in my work (Industrial construction). It became apparent pretty soon into it that RV's were the way to go. I remember thinking it would really be nice to have a trailerable boat to live in while I was out of town. There were a few houseboat style options back then that I considered but never acted on it. I had many different motorhomes and travel trailers over the years. When I retired 5 years ago I didn't want anything to do with a travel trailer. I had always had some sort of open fishing boat mostly specialty boats rigged for fishing. When I saw my first C-Dory it was love at first sight. I didn't have any idea about the quality of the boats or anything else about them other than they just plain looked good. After finding the c-Brats sight it wasn't long and I had to have one. My 22 is far from ideal for the type of fishing I do but it has opened up the world of cruising to me. The boat has pratically become and addiction and in some was it has lead my back into the RV scene. It's just simply the perfect boat for me at this time in life!
Pat-On the other hand, you may wish to read 'iCon', a biography of Steve Jobs by JS Young and WL Simon. Look forward to seeing you on the Snohomish, then Lizzie goes up to the premier C-Dory dealer, EQ Marine, for her colonic cleansing, then, to the Lake Washington Cruise. That will be it for this boating season, until we escort the SBS Arg-O-C cruise.
Marty,
Way to go!!!
When I get past my period of incarceration to the work thingy I will go back to my personal choice of communication media. Yellng for the barman!
Lovely day today in the Great PNW. Got the old cancer filter working in the sky, no wind, no waves and I am stuck at my desk.
It must be Winter 'cos James is posting sunny tales from TX and there are commercial crab pots everywhere I go.
Merv
Way to go!!!
When I get past my period of incarceration to the work thingy I will go back to my personal choice of communication media. Yellng for the barman!
Lovely day today in the Great PNW. Got the old cancer filter working in the sky, no wind, no waves and I am stuck at my desk.
It must be Winter 'cos James is posting sunny tales from TX and there are commercial crab pots everywhere I go.
Merv
Pat Anderson
New member
With his story telling ability, I think the second career Jim missed was TRIAL LAWYER!!!!
Jazzmanic":23fcnhnh said:
James.
Takes two to Tengo.! :shock: (British joke)
Keep the "stuff' coming we are all talking ourselves into hibernation up here.
Already done the 200 Hr "cough/sneeze/ bend over" on Kingfisher at EQ. (where else is there?)
Just hoping we can make the Snohomish cruise if I can get back from a trip to the Big Easy in time.
Merv
Takes two to Tengo.! :shock: (British joke)
Keep the "stuff' coming we are all talking ourselves into hibernation up here.
Already done the 200 Hr "cough/sneeze/ bend over" on Kingfisher at EQ. (where else is there?)
Just hoping we can make the Snohomish cruise if I can get back from a trip to the Big Easy in time.
Merv
patrick and linda
New member
18. will i have the required annual maintenance fund, plus 10% more for the unexpected problems which will occur?
19. do i have the proper and/or volume of medication to sedate my urge for a larger boat?
19. do i have the proper and/or volume of medication to sedate my urge for a larger boat?
20. If I plan on trailering it, will I have to re-truck?
A friend of mine was talking of re-boating to something he could fish with. We talked about the pros and cons of various styles and sizes for thirty minutes. Then I asked, "What are you going to pull it with?" He answered "A Subaru ____________". Well that simplified our discussion. I referred him to a 12 -- 14 ft. open aluminum skiff with a 7 - 15 horse motor. C.W.
A friend of mine was talking of re-boating to something he could fish with. We talked about the pros and cons of various styles and sizes for thirty minutes. Then I asked, "What are you going to pull it with?" He answered "A Subaru ____________". Well that simplified our discussion. I referred him to a 12 -- 14 ft. open aluminum skiff with a 7 - 15 horse motor. C.W.
A friend of mine's father in law had a life long infatutation with motor homes. He thought they were the greatest thing ever. He talked about someday buying one and travelling across Noth America. He just recently died and he never did buy that motorhome.
sometimes a thousand here and there is nothing....
regards
Jim
I had the same problem, but in my case it was a 15 year old paid off loan that was still showing up on the USCG documentation. After trying to sort it out for a couple of days, I just hired a documentation service. Paid them a little money, and quickly had the problem solved.tejohnsrude":eqheeffz said:
You can avoid such problems by researching the USCG documentation records before buying, or state title records if not a documented boat. I was buying from a friend, and didn't bother. When the CG said there was a lein, I contacted our friend, who said, "I paid that off 15 years ago!" If I had it to do over again, I would have hired the doc service at that moment.
squidslayer
New member
Why I picked the C-Dory Tomcat 255 over other Catamarans and other C-Dorys
All boats have their good and bad points
It's really hard to find the "Perfect Boat"
A perfect Catamaran is even harder I found out after much research
.
There are basically 3 kinds of Cat hull designs..
Displacement hull
Semi displacement hull
planning hull
At first I was all set on the Aggressive Displacement Hull like a Glacier Bay...no cat can beat these kind of boats for cutting though chop at high speeds but.. it was prone to tipping over…had a bad cabin lay out.
After much soul searching and laying out the most important features I wanted I added things up.. and got a planning cat …the C-Dory Tomcat 255
Here was my must have features” when I looked at all the boats
1) Must be a Catamaran.. for comfort…. attacking wind waves & anti seasickness…wave crusher… minimal slamming and back friendly..in sloppy seas.
2) Twin Engines…case one goes bad…long range.. up to 300miles
3) Pilot house design…. Roomy….. comfortable totally enclosed.. lock door behind you.. Bathroom for the ladies. .Mini RV inside.
4) Good Fuel mileage MPG
5) Fast.. up to 40mph
6) Stable platform when running or drifting in bad seas.. sea worthy. Minimal “Rocking”
7) Good handling in beam seas
8) Good handling in following seas
9) Reasonable price (as cats go…TWO HULLS!!!!)
10) Local dealership for sales and service (C-Dory) i.e. Outboard Motor Shop ..Oakland)
11) Live well.. Insulated fish boxes
12) Trailerable
I really wanted a displacement Cat …like a Glacier Bay because these type of aggressive hull cats blast thru waves like no other but
I decided against the Glacier Bay because when I test rode one and did A LOT of research it was weak or was compromised in items #3 thru #8
When I rode in a Glacier Bay 2680 I really loved the boat …well made wave puncher
But I did not like the following:
1) the cabin layout.. no pilothouse …toilet next to queen bed??mama said NO! No door to lock out weather
2) Speed was ok but not great
3) When drifting in seas the boat had an uncomfortable yo yo bobbing motion because of its sharp hull design
4) In big following seas I had read from numerous sources that the boat was hard to handle
5) had read from numerous sources that the boat was hard to handle in beam seas
6) did not plane so fuel MPG was lower
7) Higher profile hull made it rock more…had read online about one overloaded Glacier Bay rolling over in Beam Seas!
So… to each his own
I think that Glacier Bay Boat is a great boat
No boat has everything you want it to do however
So I compromised some wave slicing ability for….. comfort ,layout ,speed, MPG, and overall handling. So what?
I can run full tilt into 3 ft WWaves
A displacement cat can run full tilt into 4ft Wwaves
Tight Lines
Dick E
Orinda,Ca
All boats have their good and bad points
It's really hard to find the "Perfect Boat"
A perfect Catamaran is even harder I found out after much research
.
There are basically 3 kinds of Cat hull designs..
Displacement hull
Semi displacement hull
planning hull
At first I was all set on the Aggressive Displacement Hull like a Glacier Bay...no cat can beat these kind of boats for cutting though chop at high speeds but.. it was prone to tipping over…had a bad cabin lay out.
After much soul searching and laying out the most important features I wanted I added things up.. and got a planning cat …the C-Dory Tomcat 255
Here was my must have features” when I looked at all the boats
1) Must be a Catamaran.. for comfort…. attacking wind waves & anti seasickness…wave crusher… minimal slamming and back friendly..in sloppy seas.
2) Twin Engines…case one goes bad…long range.. up to 300miles
3) Pilot house design…. Roomy….. comfortable totally enclosed.. lock door behind you.. Bathroom for the ladies. .Mini RV inside.
4) Good Fuel mileage MPG
5) Fast.. up to 40mph
6) Stable platform when running or drifting in bad seas.. sea worthy. Minimal “Rocking”
7) Good handling in beam seas
8) Good handling in following seas
9) Reasonable price (as cats go…TWO HULLS!!!!)
10) Local dealership for sales and service (C-Dory) i.e. Outboard Motor Shop ..Oakland)
11) Live well.. Insulated fish boxes
12) Trailerable
I really wanted a displacement Cat …like a Glacier Bay because these type of aggressive hull cats blast thru waves like no other but
I decided against the Glacier Bay because when I test rode one and did A LOT of research it was weak or was compromised in items #3 thru #8
When I rode in a Glacier Bay 2680 I really loved the boat …well made wave puncher
But I did not like the following:
1) the cabin layout.. no pilothouse …toilet next to queen bed??mama said NO! No door to lock out weather
2) Speed was ok but not great
3) When drifting in seas the boat had an uncomfortable yo yo bobbing motion because of its sharp hull design
4) In big following seas I had read from numerous sources that the boat was hard to handle
5) had read from numerous sources that the boat was hard to handle in beam seas
6) did not plane so fuel MPG was lower
7) Higher profile hull made it rock more…had read online about one overloaded Glacier Bay rolling over in Beam Seas!
So… to each his own
I think that Glacier Bay Boat is a great boat
No boat has everything you want it to do however
So I compromised some wave slicing ability for….. comfort ,layout ,speed, MPG, and overall handling. So what?
I can run full tilt into 3 ft WWaves
A displacement cat can run full tilt into 4ft Wwaves
Tight Lines
Dick E
Orinda,Ca