The Cape Dory Board

Lee helm is caused by the mast position - adjust your turnbuckles so that there is a slight aft rake to the mast and the lee helm should disappear.

I replaced most of the rub rails on my Ty and also bought a teak board 7 feet long, ripped out 1" wide strips and then scarfed the pieces together - use a scarf joint about 6" long and I wiped the scarf with acetone then used West Epoxy to attach together. finish cand before installing. I ...

You should have the sailmaker install slab reefing cringles - clew and tack. Perhaps you still have the old roller furling system - don't use it but get the slab or jiffy reefing system installed.

Perhaps you aren't raising the main high enough - or the main is too big on the hoist. You should be able to sit in the cockpit and have the boom clear your heads. You are right - she does sail well!

I replaced my old frozen and plugged gate valves on my '76 Ty. Since I sail in fresh water I used gate valves. However I strongly recommend using standard seacocks or bronze ball valves for salt water. There have been a few postings a year or so ago on this very topic with some great advice. Do #2 e...

After you inspect the wiring - spray it with a waterproofing silicone spray. I use Cyclo heavy duty Silicone Spray (from your local autoparts store). It is really good and will prevent corrosion from causing wiring problems. This is a really good material and I have used it on rusting sink drains as...

Can you raise the motor out of the water while the motor is not in use? If you can raise the motor out of the water for 3-4 days between uses you should prevent the critters from getting a toehold. Also use an outboard motor paint high in copper, zinc or tin if possible. You need to get every crevic...

The best way I know of to reduce the rust on stainless is to keep your boat in fresh water. After 32 years on Lake Champlain I have never had to remove rust from any stainless steel fittings!!! I still like my 55 Chevy ragtop with the chrome tailpipe extenders and burning oil faster than gas!

I strongly recommend roller furling - makes it very easy to sail up to a moring in a tight mooring area. I have the CDI #1 and like it a lot. One thing to remember - check out the location of the genoa track blocks - you might need to extend the track forward about 6-8 inches. Yhat is a project for ...

Before moving the mast make sure that all standing rigging is secured every 4 or 5 feet - especially the turnbuckles since it is difficult to avoid dragging them on the ground where they will certinly become attached to a snag on the ground - especially when you are trying to turn the mast around a ...

I installed a CDI FF1 on my Typhoon last year - follow the directions exactly and all will be fine. The FF1 works fine and is a smaller diameter than the FF2 (and 1/2 the price) but works flawlessly. I just used a smaller diameter furling line so it would all fit on the reel.

I used a similar paint on my older ODay 27 and it looked fine while I owned it another 6 years. It has lasted through 2 other owners over the past 13 years but is looking a bit tired now. I never had any problem with just washing it but one time I waxed with a cleaner wax however the cleaner wax did...

What size boat will a 12 pound fisherman's anchor be good for? Also how is the cross piece fixed in place? I have never used this type of anchor but recently became the owner of one and would like to use it for my Typhoon - if it is appropriate.

What an excellent series on your rebuild of Miranda. It reminds me of what I and a few friends recently completed with Victoria - 1976 Ty weekender. Fortunately I didn't have to recore the deck but am considering a compression post before launching this year. I am thinking of installing a wood trans...

John - you are probably right - I just haven't rtied it but at the end of the season I jusat removed the sail without noting if it would go back up. After your comments I am sure it will be OK. Nevertheless, the CDI is so easy to use and I never had a twist up top like I had with other furlers.