The following is the "exact text" of the "Power Boat Report" article on the C-Dory Angler & Cruiser models in their October 1996 issue.

C-Dory 22':
A Rock solid Cruiser / Fisherman from Seattle

This affordable classic dory hull does blue-water duty in both its cruising and fishing configurations.

 Roy Toland of the C-Dory boat building company in Seattle talks about the strength, durability, and cruising speed of the 22-foot boat his company manufactures with a high level of authority and confidence. After all, in 1983 he tested the first of the breed by personally delivering it from Seattle to Juneau, via water, rather than on a trailer. He and one of his fishing pals completed the 900-mile trip in eight leisurely days, sandwiching in time for daily fishing sessions and exploratory trips to isolated Indian villages, then sold it after arriving.

That was 728 boats ago.

Most recently, when author William LeastHeatMoon (BlueHighways) searched for a boat suitable for a transcontinental boating adventure, he settled on the 22 because of its versatility.

"It was about the only boat I could find that could make the trip. My requirements were for a sturdy, shallow-draft boat that is easily trailerable," Least Heat Moon told us. "The hull had to be tough enough to suffer the groundings we anticipated in the Missouri River, and the pounding we anticipated on Lake Erie."

The author boasts some Indian blood in his veins so he gave it the Osage name Nikawa, which translates to River Horse. Beginning his 102-day odyssey in Elizabeth, New Jersey, he ventured into the Atlantic Ocean to access the Hudson River, then motored across Lake Erie and into a river system that moves west. Of the 5,400 miles covered, 4,600 were aboard the C-Dory.

"The worst conditions we had were on Lake Erie. We were in short seas with 6-8-foot waves so we were continually falling into the troughs, and the boat was very noisy. Took us six hours to go 50 miles. It was an incredibly shattering experience, but this is one tough boat."

With the most punishing part of the trip in his log book, he described the ease with which he negotiated 88 canal locks, poled off sand bars in the Missouri River, and ran the boat onto a beach when feeling the need for a break.

"I call her a mud snubber," he says.

The trip concluded with a slog in the gusty conditions of the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon, across the Astoria bar and into the Pacific Ocean, and an eight-mile cruise to a bell buoy that marks the shipping lanes.

Toland opened the doors of the C-Dory boat building company in 1976, after he and his sons visited the Seattle Boat Show and decided they could do better. The line of boats is still manufactured in the original facility, located in the heart of what has become a busy retail area minutes from downtown Seattle. The company has produced hundreds of 14-, 16-, and 25-foot dories, as well as 150 custom fishing boats.

The first boats were produced from renderings by naval architect Ed Monk, but Toland has since assumed responsibility for boat design. Son Mark joined the company in the mid 1970s, and oversees the daily operation, while Roy tinkers with special projects, most recently a 30-foot twin hulled fishing boat.

Article included an image of the 22’ Cruiser, and the caption:

"The C-Dory 22 is a rugged little performer that appeals to fishermen and cruisers at a cost of well under $30,000. Shown here is the cruising version that sports an extra window per side, but a shorter cockpit."

Design

By definition, a dory is a narrow, flat bottomed boat with flaring sides, and the C-Dory 22 fits the profile. Early models (pre-1987) had a flat entry and bottom with running strakes, but the current design features a rather sharp 18-degree entry that tapers quickly to a flat bottom, with a minimum deadrise of about 2 degrees at the stem.

The hull has a heavy reverse chine, which reduces spray and wake when underway, then runs flat on the aft two thirds. Sides of the hull have a molded-in lap-strake appearance, though the boat has no internal stringers. Aside from aesthetics, the lap-strakes probably add strength to the hull, but also amplify wave noise underway. The company's signature is an eyebrow around the cabin roof, painted to accent her trim.

Two models are produced: the Angler, which appeals to fishermen looking for its 6'4"-Iong cockpit; and the Cruiser, with a 4'6" cockpit. Hulls are identical, having a 7'10" beam, 8" draft, and 1 1/2" keel. The Angler displaces 1,700 pounds, compared to 1,900 for the Cruiser, just as the 22 is the mainstay of the C-Dory line, the cruising model is by far the most popular, outselling the Angler 5-1.

 Boats are typically outfitted with single 45-70 horsepower outboards, although Least Heat Moon opted for two Honda Model 45 four-stroke motors on his trip. The boat we tested was powered with the first-four stroke Honda 75 Toland installed.

Article included an image of the 22’ Angler, and the caption:

"The Angler has an identical hull, but a 6' 4 " cockpit, compared to 4' 6 " on the cruising version. The tradeoff is a smaller cabin (no galley) and somewhat decreased visibility from the helm."

Construction

Hull, deck, and cabin are laid up by hand in meticulously maintained molds, which are replaced whenever the slightest degradation in the nonskid begins to show. The hull bottom is cored with 1 1/2" balsa, around which are hand-laid eight layers of fiberglass mat in weights varying from 1.5 to 24 ounces, until a bottom thickness of two inches is achieved. One layer of chop applied where fiberglass material bonds to the core. A 1" brass half-round strip is bonded to the hull from the bow eye to the curve of the hull for impact resistance.

Deck surfaces are cored with 1/2 " balsa, the transom with 1" high-density balsa, under a similar lay-up schedule. The cabin walls are solid fiberglass.

The hull-deck joint is achieved, essentially, by placing one mold on top of the other and glassing the edges together. The seam is bonded with an 8"-wide tape of 2.5-ounce mat and 24ounce roving. Polyester resins are employed throughout. A rubrail results in an invisible seam on the exterior, and virtually undetectable seam on the interior.

Interior surfaces are painted with light colored gelcoat. The standard hull has a white exterior, with trim of green, blue, red, or gray. C-Dory warrants its hull structure for five years (the Honda carries a 2-year warranty, the standard Johnson 1 year). Osmotic blistering is not covered, but Toland said blistering has never been a problem with the thick C-Dory hulls.

Hardware is through-bolted. We examined a 25-footer that reflected 15 years of abuse as a gill-netter in Alaska and could find no evidence of hardware pulling out of its bedding or of gelcoat cracking.

Specs: C-Dory 22’

LOA 22’0"
LWL 19’6"
Beam 7’10"
Draft 8"
Deadrise (min) 2 deg.
Displacement (dry)
Angler 1,700 lbs.
Cruiser 1,900 lbs.
Fuel Capacity 36 gal
Water Capacity 20 gal
Power As Tested Honda 75 hp

Wiring for gauges and instruments in the navigation center is concealed behind a removable fiberglass cover in the fore-peak, so all is easily accessible. Least Heat Moon reported that the cover came loose during the pounding he endured on Lake Erie, though we doubt that would happen during normal operation. Since the boat has no liner, other wires are exposed but are well bundled and securely tabbed to the hull with stainless fasteners.

Toland estimates that 260 hours are required to completely lay up a boat. Exterior surfaces are smooth, comers and radiuses are nicely finished, and interior surfaces reflect the work of experienced craftsmen and close attention to detail. Flat surfaces on deck are covered with a diamond shaped nonskid pattern one of the grippiest we've encountered. The cockpit is dry, and at 32" deep and secure for fishing or just moving about.

Our overall impression of construction method and the final appearance are positive.

Layout

The boat is a rather uncomplicated affair best described as spartan.

A fiberglass step built into the cockpit sole and stainless steel handrails on the aft edge of the cabin ease access to the cockpit. Lazarettes on each stern corner provide space for an engine battery, oil tank, bilge pump, and a modest amount of gear. Two Tucuo (or similar make) closed link polyester fuel tanks, with a total capacity of 36 gallons, are located below the engine well, easily accessed from the cockpit, with space for an additional six-gallon auxiliary tank. Or, for even more fuel storage, you can get an optional single aluminum tank. On deck storage is in two 5"-wide, 12"high storage cubbies that run 54"along the side of the cockpit.

That the Angler model is best suited for fishing and crabbing, was confirmed by an owner who owns a commercial salmon and halibut-fishing lodge in Southeast Alaska. He purchased hull numbers 2 and 3 in 1982 and has purchased a number since, including five replacements last summer.

"We fish the boats with two fishermen and a guide," he told us, "and like them because they are so stable that one person hanging overboard to retrieve a fish has no affect on trim." "They do pound in a heavy sea, so we slow down and stay comfortable." In addition to increasing room for passengers, the larger cockpit also provides space for a bait or fish storage box. This owner has sold off some of his older boats and says they command good value in the resale market.

Article included an image of the 22’ Cruisers galley, and the caption:

"This simple but functional galley on the cruising version is equipped with a two burner un-pressurized Origo alcohol stove and sink. An optional diesel stove also doubles as a heater. An ice box fits under the driver’s seat, immediately forward."

 Stainless steel handrails mounted on the roof provide a handhold when moving forward on the narrow walkways. The bow houses a 20-inch Bomar hatch and pulpit constructed of 1 1/2" heavy-duty stainless steel. A Sea Dog bow roller houses an 8-pound anchor snubbed to a 12-inch cleat.

In either configuration, the cabin is a modestly appointed area that provides basic creature comforts. Access is through a somewhat tight 25" wide swinging door that can be latched shut in inclement weather, or held open by stainless steel hooks. Headroom in the cabin is 6"3", pretty reasonable for a boat this size.

The Cruiser model offers the larger interior, reflecting the two or so feet gained by having a shorter cockpit. A 6'3" dinette located to port doubles as a berth (the berth is shorter in the fishing version). Cushioned seating is on 15"-high, 18"-deep seats at a 30" x 2’ 5" table. A 20-gallon freshwater tank is located beneath the aft seat, and storage is located beneath the floor and forward seat.

The galley, located to starboard, is 45" long and 25" deep, allowing space for an Origo two-burner non-pressurized alcohol stove and stainless steel sink. The Angler has no galley, just some storage aft of the helm station. A diesel stove that doubles, as a heater is an option that would have been appreciated on the day we tested the boat. The entire area beneath is available for storage, accented by a teak utensil rack mounted on a door.

The steering station is forward to starboard, where the driver sits on a 28" wide cushioned seat that, unfortunately, is not adjustable. That poses more of a problem for a shorter skipper (it was one of Least Heat Moon's complaints), but you can steer comfortably from a standing position. An icebox is located beneath the driver's seat, and a small storage compartment is below the footrest.

Views are virtually unobstructed through three windshields and eight aluminum-framed Diamond SeaGlaze windows that surround the cabin. Two-screened side windows slide open to provide ventilation, though we noticed, that interior window surfaces steamed during our sea trial. The Angler model has two fewer side windows, and thus has blind spots on the stem corners of the cabin. The company credo, "keep it simple and use things that work," is demonstrated by the use of manually operated windshield wipers, though electric wipers are an option (one we'd take).

A compass is mounted directly in front of the driver, and there is adequate space for a fishfinder, GPS, or other electronics. The basic gauge package includes Morse engine controls, tachometer, and hour meter. A shallow shelf located over the navigation station is available for VHF radio, AM-FM radio, and smaller electronic units. The electric panel is mounted on the nav station bulkhead, with switches for lights, depth sounder, VHR, bilge pump, battery selectors, fuel tank selector, and two spares.

The V-berth is accessed through a narrow companionway and is enclosed by zipping naughahyde covers mounted on the bulkhead. At 6' 4" in length, the V-berth will meet the needs of most; it is 6'6" wide amidships, and has 28" of clearance from the top of the berth. Readers must sleep in the port berth since only one reading light is installed. A Porta-potty is located amidships, directly below the V-berth. In our opinion, since the area has no storage, except for an anchor rode in the bow, the space functions as a sleeping area and little else.

Bottom line: A spartan but workable cabin that provides a minimum of creature comforts, enough for the average fisherman or short-term cruising couple.

Article included an image of the 22’ Cruisers helm, and the caption:

"The helmsman on the cruising version has a virtually unobstructed view through three windshields and eight windows that surround the cabin. The helm seat is comfortable, but unfortunately does not adjust, making steering uncomfortable for shorter skippers."

Performance

Our sea trial confirmed the opinions of owners we interviewed. We tested hull #728 on a winter afternoon on Puget Sound, using a four-stroke, Honda 75 with a 13 3/4 x 15 propeller that Mark Toland felt was one size too large. We carried 42 gallons of fuel, an eight-pound anchor on the bow, and 160 pounds of lead weights located in the bow, cabin and cockpit, to duplicate a typical cruising configuration.

During the early stages of the test we were in flat water, where the boat moved from 2.5 knots to a plane at 10 knots in less than ten seconds, the flowmeter registering fuel consumption at 1.25 gph at 2,5000 rpm. At 4,500 rpm we hit speeds of 21.5 knots, fuel consumption was 4.7 gph, and the boat tracked as if on rails. The new Honda engine was quiet, registering 86 decibels on a sound level meter held within 8 inches of the unit; most of the engine noise seemed to be a whine from the lower unit.

The boat is responsive to the wheel, although performance in turns is enhanced by judicious use of the motor trim. She is clearly happiest when the bow is up.

Winds picked up and squalls blew through later in the day, creating 2-4 foot seas, and we learned that those conditions are handled most comfortably at 15-18 knots. Running before the seas we felt the hull squirt forward when pushed; the boat resists broaching when turned sideways in a trough.

The cockpit accumulated two inches of rainwater during the trip, confirming the importance of the Flowjet bilge pump, which, unfortunately, is not standard equipment. A copper tube mounted on the sole acted as a pickup, draining the area within minutes.

"The pump mentioned was never used in production, it was being tested for reliability as a planed addition to the standard equipment list, it did not pass the test" "A Rule platinum 1100 GPH pump is now standard equipment"

Conclusions

We give the boat high marks: Close attention is paid to the construction process, and the hull has proven itself capable of withstanding bumps from floating trees and other submerged objects that are so common in the Pacific Northwest. The Angler model meets the needs of hard-core fishermen, and the Cruiser model is becoming increasingly popular among boaters seeking an inexpensive way to own an overnighter. Owners who use the boat in rigorous conditions comment favorably. She performed well in our sea trial, planes effortlessly, and will chew up miles quickly. The creature comforts are of high quality, and are functional-there just aren't many of them; the builders have packed a lot into a 22-footer, however.

Because there is no hull liner, maintenance below is a simple matter of removing cushions and hosing or sponging off areas requiring cleaning. The down side of that equation, though, is noise when pounding into heavy seas.

Finally, the boat is well priced and has reasonably high resale value. A 1988 version, for example, whether Angler or cruiser, has lost an average of 39 percent of its original value, according to N.A.D.A.-not bad for an eight-year period. The current (1996) base price of $20,900 for the Angler, $21,900 for the Cruiser, makes a new boat affordable for many. The Johnson 70-horse two-stroke is an additional $5,900, the Honda four-stroke, the engine for the future, says Mark Toland, sells for $7,600. While the new four-stroke engine increases speed and reduces fuel consumption, budget minded shoppers might be satisfied with an old-fashioned 50-horsepower motor. Another option is an EZ Loader trailer, for $2,200.

With its dory shape, C-Dory really doesn't have direct competition among the Pacific Northwest builders noted for their rugged small craft. Other builders have similar-styled cabins, but placed on a deep-V hull. The company has begun to branch out from Puget Sound, establishing dealerships elsewhere on the West Coast, as well as in the Midwest (Wisconsin) and the East (Florida and Maryland). If you're in the market for a shallow-draft, stable boat that can handle a sea and provide shelter from the weather, we think the C-Dory especially the cruising version deserves a second look.

Table 1. Johnson 70 hp. Two stroke
Radar Gun Used*

800 lbs. Persons, Fuel, & Gear
*Radar figures supplied by factory.
Note: Premium grade fuel used as recommended by motor manufacturer.

R.P.M.      GPH      NMPG         NMPH

3000           2.75         3.39               9.33
3500           3.12         3.91             12.21
4000           3.87         3.95             15.28
4500           4.40         4.16             18.31
5000           5.35         4.21             22.55
5500           7.75         3.31             25.62

 Table 2. Honda 75 hp. Four stroke

Measured Mile

800 lbs. Persons, Fuel, & Gear

Regular grade fuel used as recommended by motor manufacturer.

               Time/min. sec.
R.P.M.    Run 1       Run 2         Average          GPH          NMPG      NMPH

2500          0:07:47     0:08:06         0:08:06              1.50             4.94           7.41
3000          0:05:23     0:05:39         0:05:31              2.40             4.53         10.87
3500          0:04:10     0:04:20         0:04:20              3.10             4.55         14.12
4000          0:03:06     0:03:42         0:03:24              3.85             4.58         17.65
4500          0:02:40     0:02:54         0:02:47              4.70             4.58         21.51
5000          0:02:24     0:02:36         0:02:30              5.60             4.29         24.00
5500          0:02:13     0:02:20         0:02:16              6.80             3.89         26.43