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Author Topic:   C-Dory

ryland posted 09-19-2007 08:50 PM ET (US)
I own a 150 Sport 2005. I am outgrowing it and have been looking into the 170 or 190 MONTAUK or the 19-foot C-dory. It seems that the 19 C-dory and 190 MONTAUK are similarly priced, around $36,000 once you add in some of the options.
I think I have ruled out getting the 17-footer as it isn't enough of an upgrade to make it worth the hassle. How does the C-Dory compare in stability and quality of craftsmanship? I already know I love the Whaler, but if for the same price I could end up with a pilot house, why not? I realize this maybe apples and oranges, but if anyone has any experience with a C-Dory, let me know.
Thanks.
Sal A posted 09-20-2007 05:52 AM ET (US)
For $35,000 you could afford a whole mess of boats, including slightly used 21 foot Parker 2120's and Steigercrafts, so look into them as well. Those boats are more fishing oriented than the Cdory, and have a much deeper deadrise, and should ride much more comfortably. There is something appealing to the flat, low horsepower economical C-dorys though.
I love Parkers and Whalers, and own both, but also be aware that if unsinkability is at the top of your list, Whaler is your option. Perhaps the 205 Conquest or 205 Eastport used (they are out there) should be on your list. I just read an account of a Parker colleague whose 2120 turtled after being hit with a few rogue waves, and quickly the situation resulted in the most horrendous tragedy for the Captain. Whalers can turtle too, but I do not believe as much as these other "tall center of gravity" pilothouse designs.
Buckda posted 09-20-2007 09:21 AM ET (US)
I hear high praise for the C-Dory all the time. The biggest complaint is the rough ride as they are rather light. These are more of a pocket cruiser than a fishing skiff though - totally different purpose/design from a Whaler 190 (Montauk or Outrage). How do you want to use the boat?
ScottS posted 09-20-2007 09:54 AM ET (US)
If you don't need a cabin, then the 190 Montauk would be a great choice. Lots more room for diving and fishing than your current 150 Sport and a much softer ride in the ocean.
The C-Dory would allow you to do some overnight cruising. Our friends had a C-22 they loved, but eventually upgraded to a Parker pilothouse. We used to have a Holby Bristol Skiff, which has a very similar hull. C-Dorys are neat boats, are simple, and don't use much fuel. Not a lot of storage in the Angler model, so you have to put your stuff on the berth, then move it elsewhere when you want to sleep. There is no bilge to worry about, just a thick bottom under your feet.
The flat bottom allows use of a smaller outboard. They pound if you try to go fast in a chop, but you just need to slow down. What's great about the dory style hull is you can go whatever speed you want without having a big transition between planing and displacement. It's actually hard to tell when the boat changes to/from plane. A dory hull will take some heavy seas. The stair steps of the lapstrake look combined with the hull flair help soften the ride by increasing resistance as you come off a wave. The key is to slow down so you're presenting more of the front of the boat to the waves and less of the flat part aft. I'm not sure I could get used to looking out those small windows when the boat was rocking.
There is lots of owner information on the C-Brats owners site. Its the only other boat owners site I've seen that's of the same quality as Continuouswave.
ScottS
150 Sport
jimmy c posted 09-20-2007 01:11 PM ET (US)
C-Dorys are wonderfull boats...excellant quality.
Go to www.c-brats.com loads of info from owners.
ryland posted 09-20-2007 04:14 PM ET (US)
I have seen the C-Brats website. I use my boat for approx 60 pleasure cruising and 40% fishing. My friend has a Parker 2320 and it seems to have a hard time planing and I generally do not like the handling although the layout and utility of the boat is great. I do want a pilot house so I actually was thinking a used 205 Conquest or Eastport would do the job. I still have to consider the MONTAUK only because short of a cabin I would be 100% satisfied with that boat. Thanks for your replies.
andygere posted 09-21-2007 11:11 AM ET (US)
C-Dory boats are well made, and have a loyal following, but are very different than Boston Whalers. They are really a flat bottom skiff, and will ride rough if run at higher speeds in choppy water. They are light, and because of the flat bottom, will stay on plane at fairly low speeds. They are also easily driven with relatively small outboards, but are not speed demons by any stretch of the imagination. There are a few at my dock, and their owners like these boats, but tend to run them slower than I run my comparably sized Outrage. They do not have the unsinkable Unibond construction of the Whaler, a significant difference in my opinion. They also do not self bail (at least the smaller models). I would suggest running a pilot house boat like the C-Dory before buying one. Many folks find they don't like running a boat from inside the cabin, and it can lead to sea sickness for some folks who are otherwise not prone to it. Also note that the cabin takes up quite a bit of space, leaving a fairly small cockpit for fishing. An option to consider is a 170 or 190 Montauk with a full Mills canvas set. This gives you the option of having weather protection when you want it, and an open deck boat on warmer days.
http://www.millscanvas.com/170-montaulk-2003.jpg
kglinz posted 09-21-2007 12:25 PM ET (US)
I run across many C Dorys and C Dory groups. (they call the cruising groups, Pods). They go everyplace. No group of boaters has more fun or are nicer people than C Dory owners.
ryland posted 09-23-2007 12:26 AM ET (US)
contrary to my original post i have decided on upgrading simply to the 170 montauk. i appreciate all of the replies, it is nice to have a place to bounce these ideas around. i think i am too much of a whaler fan and would probably be disappointed if i bought anything other. now i just have to figure out a way to afford it. i might be posting my boat in the marketplace. thanks again.
highanddry posted 09-23-2007 02:15 AM ET (US)
In a small boat I think a pilot house is a waste of space--a personal opinion of course. In a larger boat where there could be a head, changing area, bunk and still have deck space and a second pilot station--sure. Unless you boat in cold and inclement weather most of the time I would stay with the center console.
Parkers just don't do anything for me either, they seem even heavier than Whalers and don't seem to plane well, maybe I am being unfair in that.
lakeman posted 09-24-2007 06:38 AM ET (US)
There are some great books published on C-Dory adventures, sorry cannot remember the names but just go to Amazon and maybe any search engine and they will find them.
andygere posted 09-24-2007 06:11 PM ET (US)
Riverhorse by William Least Heat Moon is a good read for anyone who enjoys small outboard powered boats. A C-Dory is the boat chosen by the author for the voyage in the story.

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Author	Topic: C-Dory
ryland	posted 09-19-2007 08:50 PM ET (US) I own a 150 Sport 2005. I am outgrowing it and have been looking into the 170 or 190 MONTAUK or the 19-foot C-dory. It seems that the 19 C-dory and 190 MONTAUK are similarly priced, around $36,000 once you add in some of the options. I think I have ruled out getting the 17-footer as it isn't enough of an upgrade to make it worth the hassle. How does the C-Dory compare in stability and quality of craftsmanship? I already know I love the Whaler, but if for the same price I could end up with a pilot house, why not? I realize this maybe apples and oranges, but if anyone has any experience with a C-Dory, let me know. Thanks.
Sal A	posted 09-20-2007 05:52 AM ET (US) For $35,000 you could afford a whole mess of boats, including slightly used 21 foot Parker 2120's and Steigercrafts, so look into them as well. Those boats are more fishing oriented than the Cdory, and have a much deeper deadrise, and should ride much more comfortably. There is something appealing to the flat, low horsepower economical C-dorys though. I love Parkers and Whalers, and own both, but also be aware that if unsinkability is at the top of your list, Whaler is your option. Perhaps the 205 Conquest or 205 Eastport used (they are out there) should be on your list. I just read an account of a Parker colleague whose 2120 turtled after being hit with a few rogue waves, and quickly the situation resulted in the most horrendous tragedy for the Captain. Whalers can turtle too, but I do not believe as much as these other "tall center of gravity" pilothouse designs.
Buckda	posted 09-20-2007 09:21 AM ET (US) I hear high praise for the C-Dory all the time. The biggest complaint is the rough ride as they are rather light. These are more of a pocket cruiser than a fishing skiff though - totally different purpose/design from a Whaler 190 (Montauk or Outrage). How do you want to use the boat?
ScottS	posted 09-20-2007 09:54 AM ET (US) If you don't need a cabin, then the 190 Montauk would be a great choice. Lots more room for diving and fishing than your current 150 Sport and a much softer ride in the ocean. The C-Dory would allow you to do some overnight cruising. Our friends had a C-22 they loved, but eventually upgraded to a Parker pilothouse. We used to have a Holby Bristol Skiff, which has a very similar hull. C-Dorys are neat boats, are simple, and don't use much fuel. Not a lot of storage in the Angler model, so you have to put your stuff on the berth, then move it elsewhere when you want to sleep. There is no bilge to worry about, just a thick bottom under your feet. The flat bottom allows use of a smaller outboard. They pound if you try to go fast in a chop, but you just need to slow down. What's great about the dory style hull is you can go whatever speed you want without having a big transition between planing and displacement. It's actually hard to tell when the boat changes to/from plane. A dory hull will take some heavy seas. The stair steps of the lapstrake look combined with the hull flair help soften the ride by increasing resistance as you come off a wave. The key is to slow down so you're presenting more of the front of the boat to the waves and less of the flat part aft. I'm not sure I could get used to looking out those small windows when the boat was rocking. There is lots of owner information on the C-Brats owners site. Its the only other boat owners site I've seen that's of the same quality as Continuouswave. ScottS 150 Sport
jimmy c	posted 09-20-2007 01:11 PM ET (US) C-Dorys are wonderfull boats...excellant quality. Go to www.c-brats.com loads of info from owners.
ryland	posted 09-20-2007 04:14 PM ET (US) I have seen the C-Brats website. I use my boat for approx 60 pleasure cruising and 40% fishing. My friend has a Parker 2320 and it seems to have a hard time planing and I generally do not like the handling although the layout and utility of the boat is great. I do want a pilot house so I actually was thinking a used 205 Conquest or Eastport would do the job. I still have to consider the MONTAUK only because short of a cabin I would be 100% satisfied with that boat. Thanks for your replies.
andygere	posted 09-21-2007 11:11 AM ET (US) C-Dory boats are well made, and have a loyal following, but are very different than Boston Whalers. They are really a flat bottom skiff, and will ride rough if run at higher speeds in choppy water. They are light, and because of the flat bottom, will stay on plane at fairly low speeds. They are also easily driven with relatively small outboards, but are not speed demons by any stretch of the imagination. There are a few at my dock, and their owners like these boats, but tend to run them slower than I run my comparably sized Outrage. They do not have the unsinkable Unibond construction of the Whaler, a significant difference in my opinion. They also do not self bail (at least the smaller models). I would suggest running a pilot house boat like the C-Dory before buying one. Many folks find they don't like running a boat from inside the cabin, and it can lead to sea sickness for some folks who are otherwise not prone to it. Also note that the cabin takes up quite a bit of space, leaving a fairly small cockpit for fishing. An option to consider is a 170 or 190 Montauk with a full Mills canvas set. This gives you the option of having weather protection when you want it, and an open deck boat on warmer days. http://www.millscanvas.com/170-montaulk-2003.jpg
kglinz	posted 09-21-2007 12:25 PM ET (US) I run across many C Dorys and C Dory groups. (they call the cruising groups, Pods). They go everyplace. No group of boaters has more fun or are nicer people than C Dory owners.
ryland	posted 09-23-2007 12:26 AM ET (US) contrary to my original post i have decided on upgrading simply to the 170 montauk. i appreciate all of the replies, it is nice to have a place to bounce these ideas around. i think i am too much of a whaler fan and would probably be disappointed if i bought anything other. now i just have to figure out a way to afford it. i might be posting my boat in the marketplace. thanks again.
highanddry	posted 09-23-2007 02:15 AM ET (US) In a small boat I think a pilot house is a waste of space--a personal opinion of course. In a larger boat where there could be a head, changing area, bunk and still have deck space and a second pilot station--sure. Unless you boat in cold and inclement weather most of the time I would stay with the center console. Parkers just don't do anything for me either, they seem even heavier than Whalers and don't seem to plane well, maybe I am being unfair in that.
lakeman	posted 09-24-2007 06:38 AM ET (US) There are some great books published on C-Dory adventures, sorry cannot remember the names but just go to Amazon and maybe any search engine and they will find them.
andygere	posted 09-24-2007 06:11 PM ET (US) Riverhorse by William Least Heat Moon is a good read for anyone who enjoys small outboard powered boats. A C-Dory is the boat chosen by the author for the voyage in the story.