Please bare with me on this one. I'm planning to purchase a C-Dory 16'
or 19' in the near future (a used one). I don't have much boating
experience so my decision is not firm. For the money it sounds like
it's what I'm looking for but if there are other makes and models (used
under 10K) that I should be looking at please let me know. The C-Dory
has a classic trawler look above the hull line and I'm assuming
(there's that word) that it can handle rough water much better than
most boats in it's size due to the cabin and light weight. I asked a
sales rep if the 16' can take the rough water as much as the 19' model
and he told me that some people take it out the SF Golden Gate bridge
with waves crashing over the windshield with no problem. I may have
limited boating experience but that was a bit hard to swallow.

My question is, how seaworthy is the 16'? Is it really for protected
areas or are they correct in suggesting that C-Dorys really are rough
water boats including the 16' model?

I plan to use it in the SF Bay and hope to take it outside the Golden
Gate bridge, weather permitting. For those of you who are not familiar
with the SF coastal waters the wind and waves can get hairy. I'd go
out from time to time on a fishing boat and they turn back when it
get's too rough. Anyways, if I get caught with my pants down I'd like
to know that I can get back without any problem. A rough ride I can
deal with but I'd like to know that I'm not chancing it with this boat.

Has anyone had any experience in the 16' or 19' in 2,3,4,5,6+ waves???

Any feedback would be GREATLY appreciated it. If you have a suggestion
for a different make/model please let me know.