Would you buy a C-Dory on sale?

Matt,

Just got back in from bottom painting a boat and read your post, I too am glad to read that Kitsap has decided to stick with us that is fantastic news.

After reading all the posts, I just wanted to jump in and clarify the 23' Venture issue, it is correct that we will be offering for 2012 a version of the 23' Venture that is outfitted like a 22' Cruiser, however the pricing for this model will be more inline with the 22' Cruiser NOT the existing pricing for the 23' Venture. We came to this conclusion after listening to the dealers and current owners input, which is very important to us, and after looking at the trends in the marketplace. Offering the ability to make the 23' Venture a high end product makes sense to us, but not as standard, so we decided that we will continue to offer the 23' Venture with the vinyl on the interior deck sides, the headliner, the teak steering wheel, etc, however it will now be listed as an optional build package to the 23' Venture price, so that customers can choose to purchase the boat either way, and still be able to enjoy the hull ride of the 23'.

In fact we are currently building a full blown 23' Venture for Sportcraft right now that will be ready for deliver to them at the end of the month, so if anybody would like to come up and see first hand what the Venture line fully loaded will look like, just let me know.

Now get out there and enjoy this wonderful sunshine!

Scott
 
Matt, Marc, Les, and the factory crew:

My hat is off to you guys. As a building contractor I have also experienced going through this recession from within a very hard hit industry. I really do admire all of your willingness to try creative new alternatives, persevere through incredibly tough times, and hang in there with dignity and honor. I've noticed all of you trying different approaches and tweaks in the past few years to kick-start things. You've shown patience and restraint as well-meaning but largely uninformed folks have offered unsolicited advice. "When the going gets tough" sure rings true here. I have had the extreme pleasure of purchasing new from one of you, and it ranks as one of the most pleasant major purchases I've ever made. My wish for all of you is for happiness, health, prosperity, and a surge in new boat sales! All the best, Mike.
 
Thanks Mike. Appreciate the support and we will continue to work hard through these challenging times.

All the best,

Jon Lindhout - Triton Marine
 
OK, enough of this interesting "banter". Now someone, other than me, go out and BUY a new C-Dory from SOMEONE. I'd do it myself but I've already got two TomCat's :cat :cat and one wife. And I'd like to keep at least one :cat and the wife :hug :love :hug2 , whom I would lose if I bought another boat just now. Now, a year down the line is another story entirely (after I shed one :cat) :mrgreen:

Charlie
 
Jon C.":15g471v8 said:
Matt,

Great to hear Kitsap Marine has changed their mind in regards to being a stocking dealer for the C-Dory boat line. We were dissapointed after last weeks converstation that you had decided to go in a differrent direction so this is good news for all parties involved. I will have Jeff contact you when he gets back in the office to discuss your build orders. Nice to have you guys back in the family!

Jon Lindhout
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If I were a dealer I sure would not appreciate this discussion to be posted on the forum.
 
Maybe I'm out of line here, but I agree with Matt Unique that banter between the builder and dealer don't belong on the open forum.

Scott--the C Dory web site on the Venture 23 has a Copyright by Fluid Marine on the PDF spec sheet. (I think that was a 2009 model?) I suggest that you bring the spec sheet up to date, note what is included in the basic and upgraded boat, give us some idea what the price is--and post some photos (both on C Brats and your Web site) of the interior of the Venture 23--both versions.

You have to get the product out there--you have to keep the product in front of the public--photos cost next to nothing.

You invite us to see the boat you are building for "Sportcraft". It took me a few minutes on the internet to find out that Sportcraft Marine is near Portland and is a C Dory dealer--not that you were building a boat for "Sportcraft" who builds boats (which is what comes up when you enter "Sportcraft" in Google search.) Your customer base is all over the US--not just the PNW.

We all want you to succeed. But without current specs, photos, and some idea of the prices, we (who are your best salesmen) are in the dark. Look back over the last few weeks--and you will see the perception is that C Dory is not building the Tom Cat--that there is some confusion about the Venture line. This all should be clear on your web site. You got a great boost from the Bill and El article--go with it. You build a great boat!
 
A few months ago, I sent Triton an email about boat models pdf flyers and they plan to update them or make new ones.

m2cw is all of this time and my hat is off to them for building and improving the boat lineup
 
patrick and linda":331fmlex said:
the answer to your original question is, no. always felt they are over priced for the quality of construction.
good luck though,
pat
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I agree although reluctant to say so on this list
 
Just my opinion is that the C.C. Venture 23 is an evolution of the 22 cruiser. The factory is correct in offering them built to the customers desires. We use our boat a fair amount and we have trailered it a bunch. We have been living aboard since August 5th in campgrounds, Flaming Gorge,Grand Teton and Yellowstone Lake. Yellowstone Lake where we are floating on presently to be able to access the internet near Steamboat point. We don't eat out much I like the fact that I don't have condensation dripping on me. The standard features like interior grab rails, curtains, refrid, shore power, battery charger trim tabs, standard butane stove etc are things we use. I think the factory needs to update their website and publish list prices. As far as the interiors go the molded interior has been no problem for us and anyone with limited skills can make modifications. I know a lot of folks won't agree but I think the 22' cruiser should be dropped from the model line up. Raft a 22' and a 23 together and walk down the boats one foot on each and you will see there is a big difference Want a 22' Cruiser buy it used. Lets move on with the the better designed and a boat to be offered with factory options that a cruiser would need. I mean the same guy designed both boats. I would also offer a Espar or a Webasco heater in place of a midget refrid. Why not some solar power options with factory installed heavy duty battery options and some inverters. No wonder The Tug people are kicking butt they are up to date with the heart beat of America. Once again it looks like Triton is slow to update the website and inform the folks of what exactly their offerings are. Communicating with its dealers thru this website as Matt and Bob mentioned only high lights a dysfunctional relationship.
D.D.
 
I like the way Will-C thinks in letting older models be just that. There are a lot of 22s out there and we all know they will be out there for quite some time, aholding their value well. I agree that the 23 is the next step and would absolutely be delighted to see some solar factory packages and more options in general including interior layouts. Also, how about bringing back the 14 and perhaps a 12 as a yacht tender in limited numbers. It seems like everyone around here loves the little guys and the cost could be low enough (keep them very simple) that the number of multi-owners would grow quickly. Imagine the fun day trip CBGTs with a bunch of 12-16 footers !
 
My response was really tongue in cheek.

I actually wanted a 23 but couldn't find on used in my price range.

I would "venture" to say the 22 cruiser is still the best seller. Since Triton has the molds, and in production (hand not assembly line) of these boats it doesn't matter which they build from a productivity point of view, why drop any boat?

Seems that the 23 and 22 are different enough to warrant keeping both.

They should close the dip in the splash wells on the 22 and 25 (like the 23 and 26) as I found backing into the waves on the west coast fishing for halibut.

I would agree on the updating the website and brochures, and how about an online store for parts / accessories, with prices like Arima had...
 
My thinking is that products that never change with the times eventually fallout of favor. The 23 and the 22 compete with each other and if in the interest of a companies survival one model has to go well. Maybe the bare bones build it yourself thing just isn't working. I have cruised with folks that owned a 22' cruiser and rather than put a pile of money into the 22 they opted to buy a new 27' Ranger. What they felt was the largest trailerable cruiser. They intend to become loopers. They got solar panels, and inverter,compost toliet etc. You can't buy a C-Dory equipped like that from Triton and if you can no one knows it. Why not advertise a full blown cruiser edition with, shore power battery charger composting toliet,solar panels, inverter, heavy duty batteries, heater etc with an advertised price? No one said you actually have to build it first. I mean just to see if they get any bites. The tug guys are selling boats which are improved over previous offerings. They listened and acted on the customer base, wow look at the magic. The original VW beetle was a great little car just think what would have happened if they had never changed it?
D.D.
 
Stay tuned on the factory option list . We [Wefings and Triton]are working on it now . I agree there is room for all the models . From entry level to all fancied up ala Ranger Tugs and Cutwater. I run across folks that want both and everything in between .
Marc
 
Will-C":3f1y6xx4 said:
I have cruised with folks that owned a 22' cruiser and rather than put a pile of money into the 22 they opted to buy a new 27' Ranger.
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Oh, come on - that's really stretching things.

Are you really suggesting, there was any way a 22 could be rigged that would have prevented them from buying a new Ranger 27?

If so - I wish I had that kind of money to throw away. With a new Ranger 27 starting at $160K + tax, that's easily $120K more than any 22 is worth.

That buys an awful lot of rigging. And, once setting up the 22 nicer than any other out there, you would still have enough left over to hire a full-time cook and masseuse, along with a used 22 for them to follow you around in.

I should have been a financial planner, I tell ya'...
 
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