Pat Anderson
New member
Yeah, or Nordic offers 50 year financing...
dogon dory":2wwoc0jg said:
Your first time in a C-Dory.
- Thread starter 416rigby
- Start date
Our boat evolution....a bit off track but may prove entertaining.
I've always been a boat nut and was mighty proud of my Coleman canoe (it was the model with the square stern that you could put a real motor on if you where rich enough) and had resigned myself to a life of canoeing.
One day a co-worker had a 16 fiberglass ski boat that he said he'd sell me for $1500. I bought it, M had a fit "we can't afford some durn $1,500 boat". it seems she'd been traumatized as a youth with family boating trips. Her dad had an old underpowered..or...sporadically powered fiberglass runabout that always provide more excitement than she wished, like when her dad backed the boat trailer down the busy ramp, removed his pants to get down to his swim trunks and threw them in the trunk....yup...you got it...the car keys where in the pants in the now latched trunk.
Needless to say we had a BLAST with that little boat but got a craving for something a bit bigger and newer (the essence of boating) so we really went all out, first class and bought a nice Smokercraft aluminum boat and a motorhome so we could pull it in style. It was a fun package but it sat altogether to much so I started looking at boaterhomes. A boat that we could spend the weekend on in comfort and use year around.
I studied on different boat designs for about two years, and initially was planning on building an aluminum C-D type boat. Between M's fear of a half built aluminum hulk laying in the yard and El & Bill's picture album of Lake Powell and some smooth talking at the boat show, we ended up with the B~C. Tis a long way from that $1500 boat that we couldn't afford. I feel like a truly rich hombre to have such a fine craft and cool spousal unit.
Oh, the first ride was just before we plunked down the boat bucks for the craft
I've always been a boat nut and was mighty proud of my Coleman canoe (it was the model with the square stern that you could put a real motor on if you where rich enough) and had resigned myself to a life of canoeing.
One day a co-worker had a 16 fiberglass ski boat that he said he'd sell me for $1500. I bought it, M had a fit "we can't afford some durn $1,500 boat". it seems she'd been traumatized as a youth with family boating trips. Her dad had an old underpowered..or...sporadically powered fiberglass runabout that always provide more excitement than she wished, like when her dad backed the boat trailer down the busy ramp, removed his pants to get down to his swim trunks and threw them in the trunk....yup...you got it...the car keys where in the pants in the now latched trunk.
Needless to say we had a BLAST with that little boat but got a craving for something a bit bigger and newer (the essence of boating) so we really went all out, first class and bought a nice Smokercraft aluminum boat and a motorhome so we could pull it in style. It was a fun package but it sat altogether to much so I started looking at boaterhomes. A boat that we could spend the weekend on in comfort and use year around.
I studied on different boat designs for about two years, and initially was planning on building an aluminum C-D type boat. Between M's fear of a half built aluminum hulk laying in the yard and El & Bill's picture album of Lake Powell and some smooth talking at the boat show, we ended up with the B~C. Tis a long way from that $1500 boat that we couldn't afford. I feel like a truly rich hombre to have such a fine craft and cool spousal unit.
Oh, the first ride was just before we plunked down the boat bucks for the craft
First time on a C-Dory...? OK, if you don't have a few minutes, blow right by this post, as it's going to take a while. Well, first, we have more access than most on the east coast because we live in Middle River, MD home of Cutter Marine, which believe it or not, I think is C-Dory's largest dealer. The place is lousy with C-Dorys! Thus, whenever we were out on our Whaler, Jen would frequently say, what's that boat over there? Invariably it was a C-Dory or Skagit Orca. I was as happy as a clam on the Whaler mind you, we'd spend all day on that boat, with a swim or two on the hot days... But, it was alot easier for me to spend hours on the boat than it was for Jen (we on the same page here...?), and she never complained and did what needed to be done.
However, seeing as how much she loved the water, and was such a trooper, I vowed we'd get a more suitable boat for long days at sea, and we really wanted to do overnight cruises. So, big plans and all, we thought we'd try to keep the Whaler, and maybe get a used Albin 28. Jen went along with the plan. We crawled all over Albins at a few boat shows. Even sea-trialed one. Very nice boat. Sea trialed a Skagit Orca 27 XLC too. Also a nice boat. For whatever reason, we were thinking, probably due to my bias, we wanted a big old beamy thing, 10' or more wide, and only a diesel would do. Skagit Orca was $$$, way more than a decent used Albin, and there were no used Orcas here. For the money it was alot smaller than an Albin too. Although you didn't have to go down in a hole to eat, sleep or have a seat on the Orca. But still, too small (we thought). We'd also happen by the C-Dory display, always hop on board, thought... "hmmmph, cute, nice layout, comfortable, salty lookng little boat." (FIRST TIME ON THE HARD) Even jumped on one in the water at Cutter one day while looking at the Orca (THE OFFICIAL FIRST TIME IN THE WATER). But again, definitely too small. And always in the background, the salesman Joe, from Cutter... as nice as you can be, everytime asked what we really wanted in a boat (big, diesel, deep V, etc.), and he always said, "most definitely, the C-Dory was NOT for us" (well, me). Thought if anything, we'd like the Orca, but that was just too much money. We made it through the summer very happily with the Whaler.
Well, kept looking through the winter, and there was an Albin 31, 1998, been for sale forever in Annapolis, and we thought we'd give her a look see. Now that's definitely a serious boat, and damn near as big as my house and probably weighs more too! The broker said, just make an offer, any offer... Well, we didn't. However, the Baltimore Boat show was three weeks later, and wouldn't you know it, after the Tiara's, Grady's, Pursuits, Whalers, Scouts, etc... we end up on the 25' C-Dory. Again, Joe told me, "I probably didn't want that boat," but now with a mirthful smile-- because he could see Jen light up like a sailfish ready to smack a ballyhoo as she started to open cabinets, jump in the helm seat, lounge in the V-Berth, lament that we hadn't brought our portable "Boggle" along to play a quick game at the dinette, and longingly gaze at the stand up head. Well, we left cordially, and again thanked Joe and Gary of Cutter, and walked out into the snow storm in search of steaming bowl of crab chowder and a cold beer. To make an interminably long story short, Jen said she REALLY liked the C-Dory, and what did I think? She had always liked these boats, and I thought this deserved a bit of research. I liked the salty lines, but all the rumors of noisiness, pounding in a rough sea, no precious diesel (my view only, again), etc... didn't sit well with me.
And then I stumbled on the MSN C-Dorys user group and ultimately C-Brats, and read with interest all these posts and the amazing amount of knowledge and sharing of experiences that clued me in that something special was going on here (I'm NOT the sharpest hook in the tackle box, OK? But eventually I catch on, and I don't let go). Anyhow, both the strong points and the shortcomings were honestly discussed... And we read and read, and I had realized Jen had zeroed in on this data a long time ago, and just knew she "felt good" about these boats. Me, being an engineer and a bit of an empiricist wanted some hard data on why I should let her talk me into this boat that, as Joe said, "probably wasn't for me." Well, the sea-trial at the Miami Boat show, Jeff Messmer's responsiveness, Joe's wily persistence and good nature, and especially what we learned here (thank you C-Brats) made it happen for us. And, I really have to thank Jen for her foresight and enthusiasm... and for never complaining about the the Rubbermaid bucket (on the Whaler). Although the minnow bucket that preceded the deluxe Rubbermaid did draw some unkind remarks. And well it should have! I love my girl, and I am sure we will both love our new boat. So there you have it, much more than you wanted to know. That's our story and we're sticking to it. And if you're still reading, thanks for hanging in with us...
Cheers!
PS- None of the above to disparage the Whaler (we call her "WhaleCall"), it's a great little boat. But we think one boat is all we'll have time for, so we have put the fine WhaleCall on the market, and will sadly bid her adieu this summer. Sail strong, WhaleCall, you've always treated us well!
However, seeing as how much she loved the water, and was such a trooper, I vowed we'd get a more suitable boat for long days at sea, and we really wanted to do overnight cruises. So, big plans and all, we thought we'd try to keep the Whaler, and maybe get a used Albin 28. Jen went along with the plan. We crawled all over Albins at a few boat shows. Even sea-trialed one. Very nice boat. Sea trialed a Skagit Orca 27 XLC too. Also a nice boat. For whatever reason, we were thinking, probably due to my bias, we wanted a big old beamy thing, 10' or more wide, and only a diesel would do. Skagit Orca was $$$, way more than a decent used Albin, and there were no used Orcas here. For the money it was alot smaller than an Albin too. Although you didn't have to go down in a hole to eat, sleep or have a seat on the Orca. But still, too small (we thought). We'd also happen by the C-Dory display, always hop on board, thought... "hmmmph, cute, nice layout, comfortable, salty lookng little boat." (FIRST TIME ON THE HARD) Even jumped on one in the water at Cutter one day while looking at the Orca (THE OFFICIAL FIRST TIME IN THE WATER). But again, definitely too small. And always in the background, the salesman Joe, from Cutter... as nice as you can be, everytime asked what we really wanted in a boat (big, diesel, deep V, etc.), and he always said, "most definitely, the C-Dory was NOT for us" (well, me). Thought if anything, we'd like the Orca, but that was just too much money. We made it through the summer very happily with the Whaler.
Well, kept looking through the winter, and there was an Albin 31, 1998, been for sale forever in Annapolis, and we thought we'd give her a look see. Now that's definitely a serious boat, and damn near as big as my house and probably weighs more too! The broker said, just make an offer, any offer... Well, we didn't. However, the Baltimore Boat show was three weeks later, and wouldn't you know it, after the Tiara's, Grady's, Pursuits, Whalers, Scouts, etc... we end up on the 25' C-Dory. Again, Joe told me, "I probably didn't want that boat," but now with a mirthful smile-- because he could see Jen light up like a sailfish ready to smack a ballyhoo as she started to open cabinets, jump in the helm seat, lounge in the V-Berth, lament that we hadn't brought our portable "Boggle" along to play a quick game at the dinette, and longingly gaze at the stand up head. Well, we left cordially, and again thanked Joe and Gary of Cutter, and walked out into the snow storm in search of steaming bowl of crab chowder and a cold beer. To make an interminably long story short, Jen said she REALLY liked the C-Dory, and what did I think? She had always liked these boats, and I thought this deserved a bit of research. I liked the salty lines, but all the rumors of noisiness, pounding in a rough sea, no precious diesel (my view only, again), etc... didn't sit well with me.
And then I stumbled on the MSN C-Dorys user group and ultimately C-Brats, and read with interest all these posts and the amazing amount of knowledge and sharing of experiences that clued me in that something special was going on here (I'm NOT the sharpest hook in the tackle box, OK? But eventually I catch on, and I don't let go). Anyhow, both the strong points and the shortcomings were honestly discussed... And we read and read, and I had realized Jen had zeroed in on this data a long time ago, and just knew she "felt good" about these boats. Me, being an engineer and a bit of an empiricist wanted some hard data on why I should let her talk me into this boat that, as Joe said, "probably wasn't for me." Well, the sea-trial at the Miami Boat show, Jeff Messmer's responsiveness, Joe's wily persistence and good nature, and especially what we learned here (thank you C-Brats) made it happen for us. And, I really have to thank Jen for her foresight and enthusiasm... and for never complaining about the the Rubbermaid bucket (on the Whaler). Although the minnow bucket that preceded the deluxe Rubbermaid did draw some unkind remarks. And well it should have! I love my girl, and I am sure we will both love our new boat. So there you have it, much more than you wanted to know. That's our story and we're sticking to it. And if you're still reading, thanks for hanging in with us...
Cheers!
PS- None of the above to disparage the Whaler (we call her "WhaleCall"), it's a great little boat. But we think one boat is all we'll have time for, so we have put the fine WhaleCall on the market, and will sadly bid her adieu this summer. Sail strong, WhaleCall, you've always treated us well!
I didn't start out to get a boat. I wasn't even thinking about having a boat.
I currently live in Niamey, Niger, on the edge of the Sahara Desert. Niger is a landlocked country a thousand kilometers from the ocean. Niamey isn't a very developed city, as national capitols go. On the street where I live, I have neighbors living in grass thatched mud huts. There are goats living on my street. There are camels. My street isn’t paved. It isn’t gravel, or even dirt, it’s covered with sand. As I’m typing, it’s 110 degrees outside, and the hot season hasn't even started yet.
Coming from Alaska, as I do, Niamey is the very definition of foreign, which is what you should expect when you join the Foreign Service. Still, I am occasionally nostalgic for my home in Alaska. I think about Alaska a lot.
What I was actually looking for was a plot of land. A remote recreational parcel where I could build a cabin and spend my R&Rs and Home leaves far away from sand, goats, camels, and 110 degree days. I found a 5-acre parcel for sale on resurrection bay. I own a house in Seward, so I thought that would be perfect. The only problem was, the parcel was not on the road system. The only access was by water.
"Hmm", I thought. "I'll need a boat." While I've never owned a boat before (well, I had a canoe), I did work as a commercial fisherman for several years, and have spent many months living on, crewing and skippering a boat, so I've spent lots of time in small boat harbors in South Central Alaska. One of my hobbies has always been walking the floats and looking at the boats. Sitting in my office in Niamey, I wondered what kind of boat I should look for. I googled Boston Whaler. I googled Bayliner. Hmm. I googled C-Dory.
That was it. Third times the charm. I knew immediately that this was the boat I wanted (even though I'd only ever seen them in Marinas, and had never been on one). There was only one thing standing in my way. My wife is from Nairobi, and she has never understood some of the things I really enjoy, like camping or boating. She says that Africans spend their whole life dreaming of things like running water, a comfortable bed, a stove and refrigerator in the kitchen, etc. and once they get it, why on earth would they want to go camping where they are right back where they started from? Of course she is from a middle class background, where she always had running water, a bed, a kitchen (not to mention a maid, nanny and chauffer), but she has close relatives (uncles, aunts and cousins) who live in the village, and have none of those amenities. So she sees anything that smacks of camping as a step in the wrong direction.
She was certain she would hate boating, and by the way, what was I thinking about looking for a cabin site that was off of the grid, and had no running water? Well, to make a long story shorter, I gave up on the idea of the land, but now I was bitten with the C-Dory bug, and I wore her down relentlessly. Eventually, one day last March she caved. "Ok, ok, buy your stupid boat" she said. That very day, a 1 of a kind 27-foot pilothouse C-dory came on the market, and before she could change her mind, I bought it.
Last June we were in the U.S. for R&R, and we took the boat out for a week in the San Juan Islands. Prakah had been complaining bitterly about having to spend her vacation on the boat, but I later found out that she was secretly e-mailing her friends saying "don't tell Jim, but I'm having a really good time". She still isn't fully reconciled to the idea of being a boater, but I love it, our kids love it, and secretly, even she likes it.
Jim
I currently live in Niamey, Niger, on the edge of the Sahara Desert. Niger is a landlocked country a thousand kilometers from the ocean. Niamey isn't a very developed city, as national capitols go. On the street where I live, I have neighbors living in grass thatched mud huts. There are goats living on my street. There are camels. My street isn’t paved. It isn’t gravel, or even dirt, it’s covered with sand. As I’m typing, it’s 110 degrees outside, and the hot season hasn't even started yet.
Coming from Alaska, as I do, Niamey is the very definition of foreign, which is what you should expect when you join the Foreign Service. Still, I am occasionally nostalgic for my home in Alaska. I think about Alaska a lot.
What I was actually looking for was a plot of land. A remote recreational parcel where I could build a cabin and spend my R&Rs and Home leaves far away from sand, goats, camels, and 110 degree days. I found a 5-acre parcel for sale on resurrection bay. I own a house in Seward, so I thought that would be perfect. The only problem was, the parcel was not on the road system. The only access was by water.
"Hmm", I thought. "I'll need a boat." While I've never owned a boat before (well, I had a canoe), I did work as a commercial fisherman for several years, and have spent many months living on, crewing and skippering a boat, so I've spent lots of time in small boat harbors in South Central Alaska. One of my hobbies has always been walking the floats and looking at the boats. Sitting in my office in Niamey, I wondered what kind of boat I should look for. I googled Boston Whaler. I googled Bayliner. Hmm. I googled C-Dory.
That was it. Third times the charm. I knew immediately that this was the boat I wanted (even though I'd only ever seen them in Marinas, and had never been on one). There was only one thing standing in my way. My wife is from Nairobi, and she has never understood some of the things I really enjoy, like camping or boating. She says that Africans spend their whole life dreaming of things like running water, a comfortable bed, a stove and refrigerator in the kitchen, etc. and once they get it, why on earth would they want to go camping where they are right back where they started from? Of course she is from a middle class background, where she always had running water, a bed, a kitchen (not to mention a maid, nanny and chauffer), but she has close relatives (uncles, aunts and cousins) who live in the village, and have none of those amenities. So she sees anything that smacks of camping as a step in the wrong direction.
She was certain she would hate boating, and by the way, what was I thinking about looking for a cabin site that was off of the grid, and had no running water? Well, to make a long story shorter, I gave up on the idea of the land, but now I was bitten with the C-Dory bug, and I wore her down relentlessly. Eventually, one day last March she caved. "Ok, ok, buy your stupid boat" she said. That very day, a 1 of a kind 27-foot pilothouse C-dory came on the market, and before she could change her mind, I bought it.
Last June we were in the U.S. for R&R, and we took the boat out for a week in the San Juan Islands. Prakah had been complaining bitterly about having to spend her vacation on the boat, but I later found out that she was secretly e-mailing her friends saying "don't tell Jim, but I'm having a really good time". She still isn't fully reconciled to the idea of being a boater, but I love it, our kids love it, and secretly, even she likes it.
Jim
Pat Anderson
New member
Jim - all these stories are great! And I LOVE your pilot house! It is amazing how many of us have said "I instantly knew this was the boat!" Anyway, what I really wanted to say was the NEXT time you are in the US for R&R, I'll bet that would be a GRAND occasion for CBGT and maybe a bit of cruising...any plans?
Aiviq":3pqgamuv said:
Chuckpacific
New member
While on a bicycling trip through the San Juans in 1989 our family stopped near the Friday Harbor ferry terminal to look at boats. I have always had some kind of watercraft, from the kayak I built when I was 14 to several canoes, sailboats and Zodiacs and I always enjoy touring marinas to look at all the different types and imagine their origins and their stories. My youngest son, 11 at the time, suggested we look for a boat to rent to cruise around the island.
We ended up renting the red CD-16 pictured in my photo album under the caption "Seeds of Steve". I remember being amazed that such a small craft had a hard top and was so well designed as not to seem crowded.
Unfortunately the 90s were preoccupied with paying for two college educations, a job change and a cancer scare but during the whole time I couldn't get the image of the C-Dory out of my mind. Finally in 2002, with the rationale that I wasn't getting any younger I made the plunge and am glad I did.
We ended up renting the red CD-16 pictured in my photo album under the caption "Seeds of Steve". I remember being amazed that such a small craft had a hard top and was so well designed as not to seem crowded.
Unfortunately the 90s were preoccupied with paying for two college educations, a job change and a cancer scare but during the whole time I couldn't get the image of the C-Dory out of my mind. Finally in 2002, with the rationale that I wasn't getting any younger I made the plunge and am glad I did.
A
Anonymous
Guest
Since I'm laid-up and all, (and have time on-my-butt) I'll go next: :|
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
First “Maiden Voyage” on RedFox I hit a log at night (more like twilight) But anyway; she grew on me…
I seen C-Dorys way back in the 80’s mostly when in the port of Seward. Every time I saw one, I knew I wanted one even over the Sea Sports I also was lusting over at the time. About 10-years latter, we got the RedFox!
She was in the paper for a solid nonnegotiable 13K. I was up early that morning, having only looked at one other C-Dory in the paper I was ready to jump-on. I was serious and told the fella I would gladly pay the price but I have to see it first. It was in Homer and belonged to a customs agent that used it for diving and fishing. Anyway; I needed no “sea trial” though he offered me to take her out… I looked her over and I knew this boat was plenty good enough and worth the ‘mola! ($) Latter, just getting her out of the harbor and hitting some small-waves I thought “what did I get myself into” I was used to some V on the bottom. Having come from some fiberglass runabouts and having no solid-top over you, all that was on my mind was how you could feel and hear the waves, and how harsh the ride was!
Through the years; and with some modifications (trim-tabs) and being heavier (larger motor, more fuel and gear) this boat actually rides pretty damn good I noticed, especially when I got off my friends big and bad twin-engine deep-V! I came to prefer adopting a slow-cruise style in the open water, over a fast bust through the waves style (so did mom!)
Getting back to that log… it was not really that big-a-deal, but was enough to make the original 70-Johnson kick-up, and scare the hell out of us both, while on our way to “Fox Island” that evening to meet-up with family. Man was I proud of our first real boat. The pride has never ceased! And it’s always great to hear it from peeps at the harbor; how damn seaworthy they are! :cigar
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
First “Maiden Voyage” on RedFox I hit a log at night (more like twilight) But anyway; she grew on me…
I seen C-Dorys way back in the 80’s mostly when in the port of Seward. Every time I saw one, I knew I wanted one even over the Sea Sports I also was lusting over at the time. About 10-years latter, we got the RedFox!
She was in the paper for a solid nonnegotiable 13K. I was up early that morning, having only looked at one other C-Dory in the paper I was ready to jump-on. I was serious and told the fella I would gladly pay the price but I have to see it first. It was in Homer and belonged to a customs agent that used it for diving and fishing. Anyway; I needed no “sea trial” though he offered me to take her out… I looked her over and I knew this boat was plenty good enough and worth the ‘mola! ($) Latter, just getting her out of the harbor and hitting some small-waves I thought “what did I get myself into” I was used to some V on the bottom. Having come from some fiberglass runabouts and having no solid-top over you, all that was on my mind was how you could feel and hear the waves, and how harsh the ride was!
Through the years; and with some modifications (trim-tabs) and being heavier (larger motor, more fuel and gear) this boat actually rides pretty damn good I noticed, especially when I got off my friends big and bad twin-engine deep-V! I came to prefer adopting a slow-cruise style in the open water, over a fast bust through the waves style (so did mom!)
Getting back to that log… it was not really that big-a-deal, but was enough to make the original 70-Johnson kick-up, and scare the hell out of us both, while on our way to “Fox Island” that evening to meet-up with family. Man was I proud of our first real boat. The pride has never ceased! And it’s always great to hear it from peeps at the harbor; how damn seaworthy they are! :cigar
Mr. Fisherman
New member
Well I have been putting this off till I was able ro read all the other replies...
My first time on a C-Dory was at the invitation of Tyboo Mike on the original 22' Cruiser, Tyboo.
I have had many boats... when we moved to Oregon I wanted a bigger, faster, more capable boat. I settled on a Seaswirl open bow because my wife thought it was "pretty". All it took was one trip crabbing in Garibaldi bay to realize what a mistake it was... oh yea, and I had to buy a new vehicle to pull it with but that is a whole nuther show.
Anyway, the wife and I were having dinner one night and she said she had something to tell me. Now maybe it is just me but I never want to hear "I have something to tell you". Well I braced myself and she said "You were right, I was wrong... you can get what ever boat you want but we need to budget for it over the next few years". :shock: You could have knocked me over with a feather! I couldn't believe what I was hearing. That conversation sent me on a 5 year quest to find the very best boat for our needs. The list started out with big salty boats.... Shamrock, Boston Whaler, Striper, Sea Sport, Arima.... and C-Dory...
I, like others stumbled onto the old MSN C-Dory site and read everything I could find. I read every page on the factory web site and I must have talked Les's ear off more than once. The list had been whittled down to two boats, C-Dory and Arima. I think it was ol' Dusty that finally pushed me over the edge... He told me that he had owned and operated about every boat he had wanted and that for him it was simple.... economics and the ability to handle launching, fishing and retrieving by himself. He loved his C-Dory. It made sense to me. A bit later I heard about the flexing in an Arima hull. At the boat show I crawled over both boats (and many more) and there it was... flex in the gunnels. I tried flexing the C-Dory... get a doctor, I am gonna loose that contest. I was impressed. Then Mike an ol' Red Fox parted company from the original site and formed C-Brats. When they did Greg put up the most amazing stories and photographic footage of his trips.... I was mesmerized and still am to this day. I fell in love with the idea of joining in on the adventure... Then I read Bill and Els adventures... I read Water Horse... (I'll never get that time back) I had to have more... Then one day there was a post. The C-Brats were going to have a gathering on the Columbia River. It was close. I had vowed not to buy a boat without fishing on it first. I had been begging for a ride from anyone. Finally it was time. Mike told me to meet him at the dock. Well when I told my wife I wanted to go take a boat ride with a complete stranger she gave me one of those "looks". I knew I needed her blessing and to get that she needed to come too. In fact I drug the whole fam damily down to the dock to have a ride on a C-Dory. Mike was a very gracious host and let us poke and drool all over his beautiful boat. We saw B~C and Cheers too. I liked seeing how the boats had been customized. It looked very simple, everything was laid out very well.
Well mike put us all aboard and took us once around Sand Island. He even let me take the helm. At fist I wasn't impressed. It felt slow... but it was stable. It reminded me of my old faithful Jeep. Mike even let my son take a turn at the wheel. I wasn't able to fish from it but I saw all I needed to. I started shopping. It felt like forever before I found one in my price range. I had been too late or just missed the boat more than I wanted to count. Then I found Sea Lion. The first time I fished from Sea Lion I caught a nice Springer. The first time I took her offshore we limited on Halibut, Lings, caught Salmon, bottom fish and crabs. There is no going back. I love my boat and have made sure to give a few folks looking to fish from a C-Dory the chance.
I sure am grateful to Mike, Greg, Les, Dusty, , Lyle, Bill, Ken, Bob, Bill and El and all of the great big C-Dory family that we share here. You guys are the greatest and the boats are too.
My first time on a C-Dory was at the invitation of Tyboo Mike on the original 22' Cruiser, Tyboo.
I have had many boats... when we moved to Oregon I wanted a bigger, faster, more capable boat. I settled on a Seaswirl open bow because my wife thought it was "pretty". All it took was one trip crabbing in Garibaldi bay to realize what a mistake it was... oh yea, and I had to buy a new vehicle to pull it with but that is a whole nuther show.
Anyway, the wife and I were having dinner one night and she said she had something to tell me. Now maybe it is just me but I never want to hear "I have something to tell you". Well I braced myself and she said "You were right, I was wrong... you can get what ever boat you want but we need to budget for it over the next few years". :shock: You could have knocked me over with a feather! I couldn't believe what I was hearing. That conversation sent me on a 5 year quest to find the very best boat for our needs. The list started out with big salty boats.... Shamrock, Boston Whaler, Striper, Sea Sport, Arima.... and C-Dory...
I, like others stumbled onto the old MSN C-Dory site and read everything I could find. I read every page on the factory web site and I must have talked Les's ear off more than once. The list had been whittled down to two boats, C-Dory and Arima. I think it was ol' Dusty that finally pushed me over the edge... He told me that he had owned and operated about every boat he had wanted and that for him it was simple.... economics and the ability to handle launching, fishing and retrieving by himself. He loved his C-Dory. It made sense to me. A bit later I heard about the flexing in an Arima hull. At the boat show I crawled over both boats (and many more) and there it was... flex in the gunnels. I tried flexing the C-Dory... get a doctor, I am gonna loose that contest. I was impressed. Then Mike an ol' Red Fox parted company from the original site and formed C-Brats. When they did Greg put up the most amazing stories and photographic footage of his trips.... I was mesmerized and still am to this day. I fell in love with the idea of joining in on the adventure... Then I read Bill and Els adventures... I read Water Horse... (I'll never get that time back) I had to have more... Then one day there was a post. The C-Brats were going to have a gathering on the Columbia River. It was close. I had vowed not to buy a boat without fishing on it first. I had been begging for a ride from anyone. Finally it was time. Mike told me to meet him at the dock. Well when I told my wife I wanted to go take a boat ride with a complete stranger she gave me one of those "looks". I knew I needed her blessing and to get that she needed to come too. In fact I drug the whole fam damily down to the dock to have a ride on a C-Dory. Mike was a very gracious host and let us poke and drool all over his beautiful boat. We saw B~C and Cheers too. I liked seeing how the boats had been customized. It looked very simple, everything was laid out very well.
Well mike put us all aboard and took us once around Sand Island. He even let me take the helm. At fist I wasn't impressed. It felt slow... but it was stable. It reminded me of my old faithful Jeep. Mike even let my son take a turn at the wheel. I wasn't able to fish from it but I saw all I needed to. I started shopping. It felt like forever before I found one in my price range. I had been too late or just missed the boat more than I wanted to count. Then I found Sea Lion. The first time I fished from Sea Lion I caught a nice Springer. The first time I took her offshore we limited on Halibut, Lings, caught Salmon, bottom fish and crabs. There is no going back. I love my boat and have made sure to give a few folks looking to fish from a C-Dory the chance.
I sure am grateful to Mike, Greg, Les, Dusty, , Lyle, Bill, Ken, Bob, Bill and El and all of the great big C-Dory family that we share here. You guys are the greatest and the boats are too.
Ray, don't be pointing no blame finger at me for catching the C-D virus. Some folks don't realize that they're C-Brats untill they see a C-D, not all folks appreciate those Jeep like qualities. You did good in finding the "Sea Lion", that thing is rigged up pretty good for your application. Now all you need is the Furuno trailer 
A
Anonymous
Guest
I see B~C is at-it-again :cigar :wink: LOL "C-D Virus" :lol:
Thnx for the story everyone :!:
:cigar 
And Happy Easter :!: :rose
Thnx for the story everyone :!:
:cigar And Happy Easter :!: :rose El and Bill
New member
Heal fast Greg, and a Happy Easter to you and all the others in the pub!
I first saw a C-Dory back in the mid 80's at the dock in Everett, they had 3 or 4 16' boats for rent. I remember thinking that I would like to have a boat like that someday.
Fast foreward to 2001, Central Coast California--- Pat and I went looking for a boat and wound up trading my class C motorhome for a class A--- oops- oh well, my buddy has a new 25' Parker.
Later that year we decided that we needed our own boat- 19' to 23' hhmmm maybe an Arima. We went to the dealer in Ventura to look at the Arimas, but Pat wanted a fully enclosed cabin. Well- ok, I'll have them put the alaska back on it.---------------- then she saw a boat in the service yard and said "Thats it!! Thats the boat for us"
I asked the dealer about it and he said-- Oh, thats a C-Dory, we don't sell those. It's just in for service."
A light came on and I remembered the ones I saw in Everett.
I asked if I could look and he said "sure, let me get the keys." That was the first time I was on a 22' CD---- thanks Peter, it was your boat.
We found the C-Dog group and made contact with Mike (Sealife). He gave us a ride from Channel Islands Harbor to Ventura Harbor, where we bought him coffee.
The rest is history-------
Fast foreward to 2001, Central Coast California--- Pat and I went looking for a boat and wound up trading my class C motorhome for a class A--- oops- oh well, my buddy has a new 25' Parker.
Later that year we decided that we needed our own boat- 19' to 23' hhmmm maybe an Arima. We went to the dealer in Ventura to look at the Arimas, but Pat wanted a fully enclosed cabin. Well- ok, I'll have them put the alaska back on it.---------------- then she saw a boat in the service yard and said "Thats it!! Thats the boat for us"
I asked the dealer about it and he said-- Oh, thats a C-Dory, we don't sell those. It's just in for service."
A light came on and I remembered the ones I saw in Everett.
I asked if I could look and he said "sure, let me get the keys." That was the first time I was on a 22' CD---- thanks Peter, it was your boat.
We found the C-Dog group and made contact with Mike (Sealife). He gave us a ride from Channel Islands Harbor to Ventura Harbor, where we bought him coffee.
The rest is history-------