The Cape Dory Board

The ABI ones have a hard plastic screw that is supposed to prevent rattling. They seem to wedge in the folded position pretty tightly. In fact, they need a good pop with the heel of my hand to go into the open position.

I'm installing ABI mast steps - the 2-piece kind that stay attached and fold up flat (sort of) against the mast. I still have to install the last 2. I like them. I've installed them solo, with the mast up, climbing as I go. I used the halyard as a safety line, connecting my bosun chair to it with a ...

and I don't sail anywhere if I don't have a paper chart of it. I'm planning to get a chartplotter eventually, but I'll always carry the paper charts.

My throwable PFD seat cushion that I keep in the cockpit has several loose layers of 1/2" thick closed cell foam, the advantage of which is that it is completely non-absorbent (to water or odors). I'm thinking of replacing the foam in my interior cushions with something similar. It is not as so...

In forward, the whole assembly is pushed forward. In reverse, it's being pulled aft. Does that cause slight movement? Is something rubbing in reverse that shouldn't?

The bronze stem casting on my 1978 CD27 has three holes. Right now, the roller furler attaches to the forward hold, and the middle and aft ones are not used. If I used hanked on sails, I'd tack the sail to one of them, but I don't. Here is my question. Can I move the roller furler/forestay back, so ...

I have an older Forespar telescoping whisker pole, that uses a push-button to hold it extended. I think the newer ones use a different system. If I have crew on board, its great. Pretty hard to rig when single-handing. For best performance, I use a topping lift, and fore- and after-guys, and run the...

R: I had the same problem and it was part of why I repowered with a Beta. Except there was no wind when it happened to me, only serious chop from a lot of powerboats. So I was adrift after I managed to stop the engine. Fortunately, the wind picked up. (Read about Will Wheatley's almost knockdown fro...

I won't be able to help with a specific loft recommendation, but I have a new main for my CD27 coming on Oct. 1. I'll report then. I ordered it from UK Annapolis, with cruising Dacron, 4 full battens, 2 reef points, a fully attached bolt-rope foot, and the Dutchman system, which I've heard makes the...

I just read the whole opinion, and it only applies to fishing and hunting on private property that is periodically flooded by the Mississippi River. Also, it only applies in the Western District of Louisiana. The one thing I found troubling is that it seems to give the landowner exclusive rights BEL...

My major fear is that I'll teach her enough that she'll start taking the boat out without me.

Actually, until she does that, you won't know if she's in love with you only, or you AND sailing.

This week, I used "Mr. Clean Magic Erasers" on various spots on the boat, all with good effect: - yellow stains on headliner (partial success); - oil stains around engine access; - black rub marks on the topsides from old fenders; - bird dropping stains on deck; and - old glue that had bee...

Put the pump hose into the deck fuel filler, with something to make it airtight. You also need to temporarily close off the tank vent.

I used the halyard, run through a turning block directly above the engine. The turning block was tied to the aft end of the boom. That way, the boom was only being loaded in end compression, with no downward forces at all. I attached a 4-1 block and tackle to the engine and the end of the halyard, a...

Here is a description of sailing from Chesapeake Bay to Cape May, NJ.

http://www.cblights.com/cruising/Delmar ... gation.pdf