c-dory or arima? feed back? or?

[boonedogn]

How well built are the c-dory vs arima? They are very expensive, wanting a boat for puget sound to fishing out in ocean off warrenton,or. Then the ability to go crabbin ect.... i like the whole cabin thing to get out of weather and the option of a sleeper too. Whats a good overall size so you dont have to re-buy something else? Is there a cheaper and or better make out there too?

any pics would be nice too of what you got out there...

thanks for any feed back. boonedogn

[Bigmaverick]

I can only speak for the Arima, I have a 21 ft Ranger Hardtop, I love it. Safe enough to be in bigger waters, lots of room, fishes excellent, easy to tow, easy on the fuel, sleeper up front, the list goes on.
I found mine on boat trader.com with less than 20 hours on the 130 honda. The boat is a 2004 with a 9.9 honda kicker,autopilot
all the electronics. With everything the guy before me put on it, he had a little over $50K into it. I picked it up for mid 30's. I have seen some on boat trader for cheeper.check out the web site and feel free to pm me.

[5 Salt]

Both are well made but a bit small for my tastes as it relates to ocean fishing. and well made. I would look to 24ft min length and stay with fiberglass hull.

Are you thinking new or used?

[Mr. Fisherman]

When I was shopping Arima was on my short list. I had emailed an old timer who had owned both in several different models. He told me that the floatation in the Arimas was a comfort but that the gunnels would flex on the Arimas that I was interested in. He said I should check them both out to see what I thought. Now I am not bashing, just offering information as asked. I am a big guy and did notice flexing on the gunnels when boarding an Arima on the trailer. The C-dory does not flex at all. When I core drilled the 2" holes to install my outrigger mounts I found out why... there is over an inch if marine plywood encapsulated in fiberglass on the gunnel cap.
I have owned lots of boats and have never been happier than I am with my 22" C-Dory Angler. For me it is perfect. It is economical to operate... very easy to work on, customize and maintain. Another concern I had was maintaining bilge pumps. My fat fingers just would not cut it trying to replace or maintain a bilge pump in an Arima. Try it yourself. On my C-Dory it is way easy to get to and not a problem at all.
I am a very satisfied C-Dory owner, you can ask anyone who knows me or has fished with me. It is the best fishing platform in its class I have had the pleasure to operate. Sure, a bigger boat might ride a little smoother, and go faster... Every boat is a compromise. I enjoy being able to fish the rivers, navigate the shallows where a bigger boat can't go and I enjoy taking my son 60 miles out for Tuna. They will pound in a chop, but in the ruff stuff I have been one of the faster boats coming back to port. A cat would be much better, but the C-Dory in my opinion is much better in ruff water than a deep V. At low speeds you have very little control and economy is terrible in a deep V. The Arima has similar good handling characteristics from what I hear. I was never able to fish on one. Just slow down in a chop and life is good. This is all the boat I can afford and I can tow it with the motor home or with a small tow vehicle. I used to tow it with a 6 cylinder Xterra.
For me it was the right boat and for the first time I am not lusting for the "next" boat. I am content. You can find more information at C-Brats dot com. You can also click on the link below my signature to go to my boat photo album.
Enjoy...
oops, the link is gone... here it is if the mods will allow it...

http://www.c-brats.com/modules.php?s...bum.php&page=1









Next....

[Grady252]

I think they are both good boats..... based on what I have seen when looking around and boat shopping I would put C-doy a little above the Arima. The largest boat Arima makes is 22' and C-dory has a lot larger variety, and I think the C-dory is built a little tougher.

As to your question of cost: I don't think they are expensive as far as boats go. Compared to a Parker, Grady, Whaler, and many other quality boats these boats are in the less expensive range both new and used. They may be more than a Bayliner, but generally I don't think thye fit the "expensive" category.

Don't get me wrong..... all boats are expensive, I am not saying 50K is a drop in the bucket.:smile:

Have fun shopping......

[pijon]

Okay, I will bite.
I own a 22 arima soft top. The gunnels are very tall, and (they do not flex)!. Much easier to fish when leaning against them and not falling out of the boat.
There is a big difference between a 22 dory and a 21 or 19 arima. On the 21 they put the fuel tank in the transom so the pumps are difficult to reach. The 22 Arima has the fuel tank, 106 gallons, in the floor between two very large fish boxes. The 22 Arima has a self draining cockpit. Drains overboard instead of the bilge. Water washdown is a blessing.
Both boats are well built. The arima is foamed everywhere so it will still float if you fill it full of water. The arima has a very high transom. The 21 Arima that snagged his anchor on his prop a few weeks ago stayed afloat because of that high transom. Any other boat in that size range probly would have sunk, but that is my own opinion.
Both are good boats, I bought the 22 because of the 106 gallon tank and because of the self bailing deck. And its got 3 bilge pumps! We can fish 4 very comfortably. Look these boats over carefully and compare at the same length. They have thier pros and cons. My 22 trailer and motor are about 5000 lbs behind my rv.

Both boats are a tradeoff between ride and weight and economy. They weigh less and are economical but the ride is not a deep v or a cat. They will pound and throw a lot of water if you try to run too fast.

I hope this helps. Try to get to a boat show and see the boats side by side. Climb all over them and look in every hidden away nook and cranny.
Then if you can afford it, go buy a Cabo 47 flying bridge.

[Nalu]

Originally Posted by Mr. Fisherman

A cat would be much better, but the C-Dory in my opinion is much better in ruff water than a deep V. At low speeds you have very little control and economy is terrible in a deep V.

Will try not to get off track here, but some of us would disagree with the above. Control has more to do with the design of the hull and the overall vessel design. Economy is relative to the boat design.

You probably won't go wrong with either one. Good value and good resale if you should ever decide to move up.

[flapbreaker]

There is no right answer. Just what's right for you. Both boats are quality built. I grew up fishing out of my Dad's 17' arima. I now own a 22' C-dory cruiser. Different boats.

I could easily recommend one over the other with more info regarding it's intended use.

1) How many people do you want to fish comfortably?
2) Is there a wife and kids involved? How many?
3) Will the primary use be serious fishing?
4) How much of a tow rig are you willing to own?


I feel that the 22' C-dory cruiser model is a great boat that does a lot of things well. You would be hard pressed to find a 22' cabin cruiser that can easily be towed behind a mid sized pickup, only requires a 90hp engine, sleeps 3 comfortably, and is incredibly seaworthy . The fuel economy is incredible for a boat with a cabin. I have two 25 gallon tanks and when fully loaded in ocean conditions have a range of approximately 140 miles. Having said all that, the boat is not for everyone. Every boat is a compromise of features that must be weighed for your intended use. I wanted a boat that was seaworthy/fishable but was also family friendly, could be towed with a mid sized vehicle and would hold it's value should I ever need to sell. For me the 22' C-dory cruiser fit the bill. I do feel though that if a guy was just going for an all out fishing boat and wanted to fish 4 guys comfortably that the 22' Arima might be a better fit or possibly the 22' Angler model like Mr. Fisherman has (kind of hard to come by though).

The cockpit in the 22' C-dory cruiser model is on the small side so you have to be inventive to save space. I feel that it fishes 2-3 guys very comfortably when bottom fishing but realistically no more than that. You could easily put out 4 poles when trolling but someone's gonna have to hang out inside the cabin. Just not enough room out back to hang out. No in floor fish box like the arima so I use kill bags. Anyways boat boats have a supportive user base. Check out both user groups website.

http://groups.msn.com/ArimaBoatOwnersGroup
http://www.c-brats.com

Right off the lot.





Gratuitous fish picture. Got my Brother into this one.

[Coastalfisherman]

Originally Posted by Mr. Fisherman

When I was shopping Arima was on my short list. I had emailed an old timer who had owned both in several different models. He told me that the floatation in the Arimas was a comfort but that the gunnels would flex on the Arimas that I was interested in. He said I should check them both out to see what I thought. Now I am not bashing, just offering information as asked. I am a big guy and did notice flexing on the gunnels when boarding an Arima on the trailer. The C-dory does not flex at all. When I core drilled the 2" holes to install my outrigger mounts I found out why... there is over an inch if marine plywood encapsulated in fiberglass on the gunnel cap.
I have owned lots of boats and have never been happier than I am with my 22" C-Dory Angler. For me it is perfect. It is economical to operate... very easy to work on, customize and maintain. Another concern I had was maintaining bilge pumps. My fat fingers just would not cut it trying to replace or maintain a bilge pump in an Arima. Try it yourself. On my C-Dory it is way easy to get to and not a problem at all.
I am a very satisfied C-Dory owner, you can ask anyone who knows me or has fished with me. It is the best fishing platform in its class I have had the pleasure to operate. Sure, a bigger boat might ride a little smoother, and go faster... Every boat is a compromise. I enjoy being able to fish the rivers, navigate the shallows where a bigger boat can't go and I enjoy taking my son 60 miles out for Tuna. They will pound in a chop, but in the ruff stuff I have been one of the faster boats coming back to port. A cat would be much better, but the C-Dory in my opinion is much better in ruff water than a deep V. At low speeds you have very little control and economy is terrible in a deep V. The Arima has similar good handling characteristics from what I hear. I was never able to fish on one. Just slow down in a chop and life is good. This is all the boat I can afford and I can tow it with the motor home or with a small tow vehicle. I used to tow it with a 6 cylinder Xterra.
For me it was the right boat and for the first time I am not lusting for the "next" boat. I am content. You can find more information at C-Brats dot com.

Ray's C-Dory can handle alot rougher water than most people on board the boat want to be out in. I remember being out with him when it was 8-10 foot swells with no back and the C-Dory handled everything like a champ. I have also been out in way better conditions in an Arima and had my teeth rattled loose. There is downsides to both boats, but I like the C-dory much better.

[Waytogo]

I have the 22 ARIMA sea legend with T-top And would have to agree with everything pijon wrote. I have weathered some pretty bad conditions and yes I have to slow her down. but she has always brought me home. A very stable fishing platform I think the best in her class. Just my 2 cents.
---WAYTOGO---

[boonedogn]

thank you much i appreciate the pictures and all the feed back,it helps out a lot .
boonedogn

[boonedogn]

PS very nice boats by the way gentleman, and pijon i'm all over the cabo 47 to bad i'm not living in mexico permimatly or down south america.

[Bigmaverick]

Wow!!! If I was you I would be totally confused, my thought would be to demo both of them if possible. The boat show would be another great idea. I never looked into the c-dory and have only seen them on the water, to me they looked a little on the narrow side. Just my opionion.Good luck!!!

[O Tshawytcha]

I love our arima! Both have a great reputation and all of the qualities you could want in a boat to do costal fishing. Seemed when I was looking the arima is better made and heavier with a deeper V. To me that means a smoother ride...

The fuel economy in our boat with a Honda 135hp is great. Fished the ranch last year and did a lap around the rock pile... 18 Gallons!!!!

Either way you can't go wrong. I like arimas better but then again I own one! :grin:

GRIFF

PS Flapbreaker, great post!!!

[pijon]

It is confusing. Very difficult buying a new boat until you are really fixed on what you will use it for and how and where you plan to fish. I spent a few years looking while waiting for the finances to work out. Lets be real honest here, we all want a bigger boat. If I could justify the expense, I would be towing a 27ft Triton with a ford v-10. But we have to buy what is within our range financially to pay for and tow and what fits in our garages.
My 22 arima is a good boat. We are very happy with it and it is so far above and beyond my previous boat in range, capabilities and safety! With 106 gallons my range is 200-350 miles depending on how I drive and the conditions. That was issue number one. The boat will fish 4 very comfortably, 5 if we are anchored for sturgeon. On previous boat 3 was max. That was issue number 2. The Arima 22 has 3 bilge pumps and room for more. That was a very big issue number 3 as myself and housemouse found ourselves many miles out in the blue with a split hull due to metal fatigue and the bilge pump picked that day to fail. I was pushing the limits of my previous boats capabilities and almost paid dearly for it. Ignorance on my part not having a spare bilge pump connected and wired. What is amazing is how many expensive production boats only have a single 500gph bilge pump. They are cheap compared to the rest of the boat! The triton carries 2 , 1750 gph each. There have been threads on how much pump you need. Very, very few new boats even come close to what is needed. If the boat was built with only a 500gph, you will need larger hoses and hull fittings to install really high capacity pumps.
I had arima factory install larger pumps than standard. I am real big on keeping water out of the people tank. The Arima will float after filling it full of water. Very few boats can make that claim.

When you go to the boat shows and compare boats one thing stands out.
What am I paying for? If the motor is the same and the trailers are similar cost than why the difference of 40 thousand between boats of similar length but different manufacturers? Some of it is whistles and bells, some of it is bulletproof hull construstion and some of it is namebrand. You get a reputation for quality and it sticks. So does a reputation for problems.

People compare arimas and sea dory's because they are both quality built but lower end of market boats and they are both corks! These boats do not cut thru anything, they cork on top. The dory design has been around as long as boats have been built. The arimas are dory in the bow and more sled in the stern, not flat bottom but a gentle curve with no v whatsoever.

The hull design is extremely stable. All four of us can stand on one side to ooh and ahh at first mates big lingcod and give instructions to the guy with the net with no concern for weight distribution.

Look at what the other dogs are fishing from. And when you get a chance ride in as many boats as possible. Every boat is a tradeoff and every dog could find use for at least 3 different boats.
The seasports have the biggest fishboxes, and they are built like tanks! The inboard boats can come with a heater! (that can be important). Catamarans have the best ride and stability.
And probly the most popular boat I see on the estuary is the aluminum boats with offshore brackets and hardtops.
Grab a lawn chair and cup of coffee and sit at the hammond or ilwaco launch ramp and see what people are fishing out of.

My original plan was for my 22 arima to be my interim boat till I retire and than sell it and buy something in the 26-28 ft range. These boats keep thier value very well.

[Reelentless]

Originally Posted by boonedogn

How well built are the c-dory vs arima? They are very expensive, wanting a boat for puget sound to fishing out in ocean off warrenton,or. Then the ability to go crabbin ect.... i like the whole cabin thing to get out of weather and the option of a sleeper too. Whats a good overall size so you dont have to re-buy something else? Is there a cheaper and or better make out there too?

any pics would be nice too of what you got out there...

thanks for any feed back. boonedogn

In general a boat with a deep v hull design will give you a better ride compared to the 2 you are looking at. The trade off is the roll while drifting and the lower fuel economy. In this case you cant have your cake and eat it too unless you go with a cat. They also have drawbacks.

Id highly recommend you sea trial both boats and do a comparison to a deep v hull like a Sea Sport or similar. Do the sea trials on a windy day so the water is rough. Then you can decide which hull design you prefer. There are lots of boats out there. Ride in as many as you can.

Good luck and have fun shopping.

[Mr. Fisherman]

I really liked the 22' Sea Ledgend but the cabin roof was too low for me and I am on the short side.
What ever decision you make I hope you are as satasfied with your new boat as I am with mine.

Nalu, as far as the statement about cats, that was meant in reference to ruff water. I doubt anything will outrun a cat in the chop.

[boutdoorhunter]

I own a 21'SRHT. I have always adored the C-Dory. While fishing out of Newport a couple of weeks ago I walked the docks and checked out a couple of C-Dory's. I still like the looks of them and can't compare the strength between the two but the thing that caught my eye was that my 21' Arima seems to have quite a bit taller sides than the C-Dory. I'm a tall guy so that really matters when the water is sloppy. If you can get a ride on both in a 6' slop that may help your decision. Good Luck!

[Tinman]

Have you considered a Pacific City dory? They are an Oregon classic, locally made of old-growth fir and marine plywood, 22 feet long, 8 foot beam, flat bottom. You might have seen them launching from the beach at Pacific City. Most of the dory fleet down there is 25 to 35 years old, so the boats have a proven history of longevity.

Basically you buy a bare hull from a local builder (PM for help on this) for about $8000-$9000. Another local guy fiberglasses the hull ($2500) with heavy chopper-gun glass in any colors you want. Then you add (or hire out) the steering, wiring, electronics, hardware, rod holders, etc. The fuel system is very simple, consisting of plastic above-deck tanks. Figure $23,000 with a used outboard, and $29,000 with a new 4-stroke outboard.

Dories are built 'ell for stout since many of them end up as commercial salmon trollers.

A dory is very seaworthy, but generally quite slow on the open ocean due to the flat bottom. Figure 12 to 18 knots for normal cruise speed. Power requirements are low, and a 70 to 90 hp outboard is sufficient.

[tomictime]

you should ride both and visit both factories, about 50 yards apart...
you also got GREAT advice on clearly thinking thru and being realistic about how you will use it and where and what your priorities are.

The following are based on my plant visits over the years and a bit of experience in both boats, lots of hours in 22 C-D and 17' Arimas. (yes I know, apples to Oranges)
The good news that both are regional "cult" (I mean this in a GOOD way guys!!!!), so both have logevity, hi demand and refinement of a solid design going for them. I would rate the C-Dory as a higher tech boat in the layup and use of materials department. I happen to think that balsa coring (if done right) is a great use of one of natures greatest structures. The Arima carries more beam, so you get more usable space in 22' boats.
The Arima, while not exactly a power-hog, will require more power. The Arima will also be faster at WOT. The Arima also uses a shoebox hull deck joint, that during one visit required a LOT of help making work. (read large mallet and three people)..bottom line both good boats.

[tunachaser]

I've been going out of garibaldi since 1999 in my 22foot cdory cabin cruiser for tuna ,salmon ,halibut etc. and I get 4miles to the gallon average. I tow it with a 6 cyl. 3.9 liter ford ranger. On most days I fish I have to travel about 5mph slower than deep v hulls. It has been the perfect boat for the old Trail'r Sail'r. If cost of operation is more important than speed and soft ride then the cdory is probably your best bet. If you want to ride out on mine for tuna pm me.

[Bigmaverick]

I would have to agree about going 5mph slower than deep v hulls with the Arima also. I have a 130 honda on my 21ft arima and on flat days I get her up to the mid 30's with out getting beat to death. That to me is fast enough. Remember we are fishing boats not cigarrette boats.

[Grady252]

Originally Posted by Bigmaverick

I would have to agree about going 5mph slower than deep v hulls with the Arima also. I have a 130 honda on my 21ft arima and on flat days I get her up to the mid 30's with out getting beat to death. That to me is fast enough. Remember we are fishing boats not cigarrette boats.

I wish I could cruise in the mid 30's.... I cruise mid to upper 20's 4000-4500 rpms. sounds like you'll be going 5 mph faster than me...... I guess if I want to watch the fuel poor out I could crank it up a little....

hey.....wait-up.....

[Bigmaverick]

Cruising in the 30's is maxed out, the hammer can't go down any further. Now about the gas situation that's a different story, she get's really thirsty at that speed. I definately back it down to save on gas. My cruising speed on flat days is in low 20's, still fast enough for me. saving fuel is my top priority.

[pijon]

I have the Honda fuel management system. It may be the most valuable tool on my boat. My most efficient speed is 25-30 mph depending on conditions. Right around 3800-4000 rpm the mpg is around 3.8, on flat water. If I get above that or below because of rough seas the mpg drop pretty quickly. Run and gun sturgeon fishin I avg about 2.5 mpg or less. Until I had the management system I was unaware just just how much we can vary the efficiency by the way we drive. Highly reccommend fuel flow system for any boat. It really will pay for itself.

[djchaser]

I like both the C-dory and Arima .Right now I own a 17' Arima Seachaser. One of my friends put it best a couple weeks ago as we were coming back into Newport with our halibut on a not so nice day "This little boat sure act's a Lot bigger then it is" A trip to the rock pile and trolling back, 40 miles on the gps,7 gallons to refill at the gas station $30 . Getting home safe and dry, priceless.

[Bigmaverick]

A MAN to that!!!!

[O Tshawytcha]

When it is flat going about 25MPH I can get over 5 MPG! 19 foot Searanger soft top with honda 135.

GRIFF

[Bigmaverick]

You have to like that.

[boutdoorhunter]

Originally Posted by pijon

I have the Honda fuel management system. It may be the most valuable tool on my boat. My most efficient speed is 25-30 mph depending on conditions. Right around 3800-4000 rpm the mpg is around 3.8, on flat water. If I get above that or below because of rough seas the mpg drop pretty quickly. Run and gun sturgeon fishin I avg about 2.5 mpg or less. Until I had the management system I was unaware just just how much we can vary the efficiency by the way we drive. Highly reccommend fuel flow system for any boat. It really will pay for itself.

Care to PM the Honda fuel system data to me? I'd me interested in this.

[pijon]

It was an option to get the digital gages for my 200 honda. The gage has a push button and gives me battery in volts, total miles traveled, mpg, gph, total gallons of fuel used. It was about 600 extra for digital gages but definately worth it. There have been threads on fuel management systems on the salty dogs. Doesn't have to be made by honda, but since I bought the boat new I had to have it.