Wife-Friendly Boat Advice

A

AB. Angler

New member
I'm looking for advice. I don't have a c-dory yet, but I'm very interested, especially in the 22'cruiser. I would use the boat in SE Alaska at least once a year and would have to tow it from Southern Alberta to Prince Rupert. From there, I'd head north to the Craig, AK area to chase salmon and halibut, both on the inside passages and on the edge of the outside. I'm an avid fisherman and would love to be able to stay on the boat for a few days with my sons, and maybe . . . my wife! (she always gets cold on the water and it's no fun for her!) Fishing would be my primary use but now that I'm in my 50's, cruising slowly sounds good! I would also use the boat for family outings on large lakes and reservoirs in our area. I was particularly impressed with one review that said that the C-Dory was something that could be passed down to the next generation. I am a bit concerned about the lack of fishing equipment like rod holders, ice cooler space, and outlets for electronic fish finders. I'm looking for a boat that is towable, economical, durable, safe/reliable, fish-functional, and wife-friendly. I'd appreciate some experienced advice. MLH
 
I'm pretty new to C-dories but have been a sailor for 30 years and know a comfortable boat when I see it.
My wife and I just got a C-dory 19 and it is perfect for us, for you a 22 would be better with the closed cabin and heat.
My wife is big on comfort also and won't go on a boat she deems unsafe.
For lots of good info check out the Bill and El thread on Halcyon they have been and done it all. Lots of great insight else where and you'll love the boat.
:lol: :smiled
 
AB. Angler":1leixpm0 said:
I'm looking for advice. I don't have a c-dory yet, but I'm very interested, especially in the 22'cruiser. I would use the boat in SE Alaska at least once a year and would have to tow it from Southern Alberta to Prince Rupert. From there, I'd head north to the Craig, AK area to chase salmon and halibut, both on the inside passages and on the edge of the outside. I'm an avid fisherman and would love to be able to stay on the boat for a few days with my sons, and maybe . . . my wife! (she always gets cold on the water and it's no fun for her!) Fishing would be my primary use but now that I'm in my 50's, cruising slowly sounds good! I would also use the boat for family outings on large lakes and reservoirs in our area. I was particularly impressed with one review that said that the C-Dory was something that could be passed down to the next generation. I am a bit concerned about the lack of fishing equipment like rod holders, ice cooler space, and outlets for electronic fish finders. I'm looking for a boat that is towable, economical, durable, safe/reliable, fish-functional, and wife-friendly. I'd appreciate some experienced advice. MLH
Click to expand...

MLH, spend some time poking around this website and you'll find all of these things, "rod holders, ice cooler space, and outlets for electronic fish finders. I'm looking for a boat that is towable, economical, durable, safe/reliable, fish-functional, and wife-friendly." and more. Most of the enjoyable time is adding/customizing the boat just how you like it! Have fun!

Charlie
 
The OP mentions wife-friendly. With my blue-water better half, two things are essential. Warmth and the Loo. On my 22' Campion, it's the portapotty which she tolerates....barely. However, if a 22' were to become our primary cruising boat, we'd have to change the boat to a cabin configuration that has an enclosed head. To my knowledge, only Arima offers that in a 21' and 22' version. If your wife is like mine, then you might consider the 25' C-Dory or similar model.

-Greg
 
Looking for a "wife friendly" boat... easy: take the wife with you when boat shopping. When we decided to move from sail to power, I did the research. We went to the Seattle Boat Show that year, thinking we'd be buying a C-Dory 22. My wife said, "The 25 is a better fit for us." Yeah, it was what I was thinking, but I was also considering the price difference. We are very happy with our decision.

If you're going to use it together, you should be shopping together. Good luck with your decisions.

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
I will take a stab at this from the fishing side. if you are going to fish most of the time with out the wife and only take her out on over nighters, not weekenders, then a 19 or even a 22 angler are better fits. I would really like to have more room in the back when I'm fishing or crabbing or shrimping or just standing for that matter. There is just not enough room in the back for more then two people and gear. Hell I dont like getting stepped on or stepping on other so there is really only room for one and gear as far as Iam concerned. That said I still fish the 22 cruiser a lot but we camp on the boat a lot too. We go for several 10 day trips every summer. I hardly every invite more then one person to fish with me at a time. I did it once with three guys and two small boys and almost lost my mind. :smilep As for a fish box. I had one built in to mine and I need to post some good pics of it. I really love it for the extra room it provides. I was always kicking the ice chest around and really hated it. Now I have a fish box that is out of the way and self draining. it also provides a work space or seat in the back and takes up no floor space at all.

Now to the potty concern. I want a bathroom. Susan is just find with the porty potty but I dont like it at all. I would rather go over the side but folks complain every time I try it. :moon . She calles me a big baby but hey I dont want to see other people any more then I want them to see me use the head. its the main reason that I want a bigger boat. I just dont want a new 25. I think that they really screwed up the boat when they moved the door and walk way to the center. The old design just needed some big windows in the head. Oh well we never get what we want unless we build it our selves.
 
One thing I'll point out-

If you look at a boat with a "stand=up" or enclosed head. Try is out as if you were using it. Because a lot of them, (and the Arima was one) aren't really suable.

But they are there so that the buyer that wants a "private" head sees it and goes "Okay, honey, you can buy the boat."

Even some of the bigger boats have tight heads. So sit down in it. Then see if you can do what business you would need to in there. Some are so tight you can't sit down and close the door.

Just sayin.... :embarrased
 
Matt Gurnsey":1p0e4zub said:
One thing I'll point out-

If you look at a boat with a "stand=up" or enclosed head. Try is out as if you were using it. Because a lot of them, (and the Arima was one) aren't really suable.

But they are there so that the buyer that wants a "private" head sees it and goes "Okay, honey, you can buy the boat."

Even some of the bigger boats have tight heads. So sit down in it. Then see if you can do what business you would need to in there. Some are so tight you can't sit down and close the door.

Just sayin.... :embarrased
Click to expand...

Matt's right! I'm 6' and 200 lbs. I did sit and stand on the Arima head with the door closed. My immediate thoughts were as Thomas describes....use the outdoor plumbing over the side. It's basically a phone booth. However, my 5'3" petite wife would do fine. Is this head worth it to me....no......unless it would enable us to cruise longer than a couple of days.

Bottom line. Unless your wife is related to El, then you best be thinking about a 25 footer with a real head.

-Greg
 
Matt Gurnsey":2hlov8mp said:
One thing I'll point out-

If you look at a boat with a "stand=up" or enclosed head. Try is out as if you were using it. Because a lot of them, (and the Arima was one) aren't really suable.

But they are there so that the buyer that wants a "private" head sees it and goes "Okay, honey, you can buy the boat."

Even some of the bigger boats have tight heads. So sit down in it. Then see if you can do what business you would need to in there. Some are so tight you can't sit down and close the door.

Just sayin.... :embarrased
Click to expand...

Very true!

Also, you're supposed to be able to undress, take a shower, and get dressed again in some of those cubicles!

Then get half way out and wipe it down and dry it out!

Gimmie a break, Superman!

I wasn't born a phone booth magician and quick change artist!

Houdinni would be proud of anyone who can contort their way through that vertical coffin corner.

The CD-22's V-Berth and curtain arrangement has more room to move around in and feels less clostrophobic than some of these boat (and RV) bath/shower stalls.

Have you ever seen an open ocean center console boat with a head in the console?

In the old time prisons they put people down in "The Hole" for solitary cnfinement in places this big!

Now you pay $100,000-$200,000 for your own, and get to bound around at 40 mph in 3-5 ft of chop while doing your business under the same conditions while some other clown drinking beer with his buddies up on deck tries to see if he can knock you off your can! :lol:

Ain't life fun and full of ironies? :smileo

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
To address the fishing issues. We all add what we want from down riggers/mounts/power sockets, Fishing rod holders, we put on the railing. Ice chests, are far getter portable, than built in--there are some high end ones which will keep ice for 10 days or more in AK. There are racks to put the ice chest in the motor well if you want.

Trailering--the 22 is easier--much lighter--and smaller tow vehicle: about 4500 lbs. The 25 about 7500 lbs, and the Tom Cat closer to 10,000 lbs. The 25 for those roads at least a 3/4 ton truck--the Tom Cat a 1 ton truck. The boats work sell as "campers" on the road.

Heads--I am 6'2" and about 200 lbs. The portipotty worked fine in our 22, but we removed it from under the bunk at night, to make it easier to use. For the male a urinal works well. (for us, with bad backs, we finally decided that the 22 was a bit cramped getting in and out, although I could sleep comfortably--my son at 6'4" and 230 lbs, was cramped.
The 25 and Tom Cat have managable heads. I find that sitting down to shower works the best--and towel off the last bit in the isle. None of these boats will have much privacy.

Durability--the ones which are close to 30 years old are still going. Just put new motors on every quarter of a century....

The ride--this is a semi dory--minimal V foreward, and flat run/hard chine--it will not ride as well as a deep V in chop--so you have to put the bow down, and use trim tab, Permatrim to avoid pounding--and slow down if it is choppy.
But the boat is very seaworthy.
 
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