I upgraded my water capabilities in November of 2022… with a C-Dory Cruiser 22! I’ve been day dreaming of this exact boat for years. They’re quite difficult to find but I was lucky to find one from a real nice guy down in Apollo Beach. He just completed the “Great Loop” on this boat- a 6,000 mile/ 6 month journey through America. He has a YouTube channel of that adventure, you can find it here.

C-Dory’s are quite the versatile little craft, drafting less than a foot but capable of open ocean cruising. They’ve been used on many loop trips and other adventures, including a very remote polar bear photo expedition in the Arctic (read the book Arctic Solitaire)..

I was looking for a boat capable of cruising the rivers around me as well as something that could support 2-3 divers on a trip to the Bahamas and more. The C-Dory is a perfect fit, basically a van on the water!

Mine was a 1990 with a 2009 Evinrude 90 for a main, and a 15hp Johnson for a bailout motor.

Stats:
Length 22′, beam 7’8″, headroom 6’2″
Weight (hull only): 1925lbs
Capacities: 36 gallon fuel, 20 gallon fresh water
Range: 180 miles

In August of 2024 I stumbled upon a deal that I couldn’t pass up, on a 2008 C-Dory Venture 23′. These boats are very similar but do have some key differences that made me decide on swapping. Some of the differences include:
-Greater overall length and beam, making the Venture 23′ handle a lot better in rough seas
-More open cockpit with more space to move around
-Trim tabs, radar, integrated stove already on the boat
-Larger fuel capacity, larger engine
-“finished” pilothouse with insulation and vinyl walls/ceiling.

Just about the only downside is the weight, I was at about 4500lbs towing weight with the Cruiser 22′ vs about 6500lbs with the Venture 23′.

I found a wonderful home for my Cruiser 22′ on Lake Weir. The couple who purchased her are upgrading from a 16′ C-Dory and will give her a great home.