Publisher C. Jay Perkins
Editor Joe Skurupa
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CRUISER WITH CHARACTER

 The C-Dory 22: A safe, comfortable boat that can go the distance

By Nick Rukavina "Dec. 1994 issue of Boating World"

There are boaters whose hearts don’t beat at the thought of fire-breathing sport boats capable of approaching Mach 1, or deck style boats spacious enough for volleyball games, or the latest interiors featuring burly wood veneer or dusty teal appointments. These are the boaters who are at the launch ramp in the pre-dawn darkness and rain, who take pride in their accomplishments not in miles per hour, but in miles per day. If this is you, the C-Dory 22’ Cruiser, may be your kind of boat.

This 22’ character boat’s salty image is more than skin deep, as several adventurous boaters have taken this craft on long distance cruises where it has proven it’s mettle.

For example, Terry Barren of Minneapolis, MN has logged over 10,000 miles on his 1985 C-Dory and after exploring much of the great lakes, under took his longest cruise: from Duluth, MN to Florida and back. His outward leg took him to the Atlantic via Erie Canal, and the Hudson River. After reaching Florida, he crossed the Gulf of Mexico to Mobile, AL, and cruised the Tennessee, Tombigbee, and other inland waterways on his return to Duluth.

His boat carried a sign that garnered him many salutes from much larger craft:

"Duluth to?"

But Barden passes the kudos back to his boat. "On a boat like this," he says. "Joe average can safely realize his cruising dreams without hocking the house". "Rough weather? I always promised myself if I could’t do 10 Knots due to weather, I’d head back to port," he notes. "But it’s never happened. I’ve even maintained decent speed with 8 footers quartering off my bow".

What makes this boat so capable? A classic case of form following function, the C-Dory is built around a traditional dory hull. "The boat has a semi-V entry, relatively flat bottom, and flared sides that provide seaworthiness, good stability, and load carrying capacity – without sacrificing economy," Explains Mark Toland, the Washington-based builder of the boat.

"We might not go as fast as the deep Vs, but when it gets rough and they have to back down to our speed," he says, "their wallowing, and were still stable".

Any way you look at it, this is a functional, no-nonsense boat, if a bit spartan. Sleeping accommodations include a 6’ 4" V-berth forward, located under a large Bomar hatch and over a portable head. The roomy pilothouse area, nicely finished, measures 6’ 8" across, with 6’2" headroom. A compact galley behind the helm includes a two burner alcohol stove, a sink & ice box and plenty of storage. Across from the galley is a dinette for two that drops to form a 6’ 4" berth.

Our sea trial was held on Lake Superior on a cool, rainy June day that seemed ideal for the C-Dory. The test boat was white with green, accent stripes, and equipped with a pair of Honda 45 horsepower motors.

Testing with flow meter in protected water brought only pleasant surprises. With both engines running, I found that most comfortable cruising speed was 17 M.P.H. at 4000 R.P.M. and with fuel consumption at only 3.75 GPH. That netted 4.53 M.P.G. Factor in the optional 22 gallon tanks (pair of 18s standard) and you have a cursing range of 200 mile – long legs for a 22’ trailerable.

Running the C-Dory in Lake Superior’s 3 foot chop was a delight: The boat exhibited a solid, purposeful demeanor that made it feel like a much larger vessel. Even charging into chop at wide-open 30 MPH, the C-Dory pounded only slightly. I could still converse normally with passengers. In fact, during the test, my decibel meter couldn’t pick up engine noise, only water passing beneath the hull. Need more proof? My 90 Lb. Airedale slept soundly on the floor throughout the entire sea trial.

Handling is tight and responsive, and due to a reverse chine the C-Dory tracks as if on rails, allowing hands-off steering, something that will be appreciated by those running downriggers. When I tried a hard-over, flotsam-dodging maneuver, the boat heeled a bit, but then dug in and carved out a small radius turn without blowing out its props. Docking is a snap, especially with twin outboards that allow the boat to spin in its length.

True, the C-Dory appeals to a small segment of the boating populous, but if you are more interested in traditional substance than current style, give this boat a trial run.

Those distant shores will appear closer than ever before.