The Cape Dory Board

One of the great things about replacing the YSM8 with the Beta 14 has been the addition of a bus heater -- it really helps dry things out, and ensures a warm cabin at the end of the day.

Be sure to check the locking ring -- on my YSM8 it eventually became cross threaded and wouldn't stay tightened.

i've just finished installing a Beta 14 in my 1980 CD27. It went pretty smoothly considering my lack of experience as a mechanic. I benefited greatly from Andy Denmark's board posts on his installation. It's sure quiet and smooth compared with the original YSM-8. Ben Thomas, a CDSOA member, is a Bet...

Sounds like one doesn't want tape on fuel line fittings because of potential for a piece coming loose. The article below describes proper sealant, although others say sealants are not needed with the Racor fittings. I'm in the process of hooking up new Racor too and plan to use 30 micron filter. How...

Although I haven't done it yet, just about every type of boat known has made the trip, from the unpowered (kayaks,canoes, rowboats), to the underpowered (like our CD 27's!), to the over-the-top-powered. A couple came up in a 15' sailboat last summer (note that they're selling her in Juneau rather th...

A little shot of wd40 into the breather tube works fine, new propellant or not, in cold weather starting my YSM 8.

On our 1980 CD27 the previous owner had modified the starboard locker, and installed a tall, narrow kerosene/diesel pot burner type heater (which faces the head). It's taken some fiddling to keep it working, but it heats the boat fine. I'm not sure any modern heaters would fit in the space though, w...

We made our traditional end of April trip -- 3 days -- south from Juneau -- mostly motoring, but some brisk wind and sailing on the way home. Lots of snow still on the mountains, and even on north facing beaches. Several humpbacks feeding along shoreline.

We've mounted ours (older Lawrence) on the stern rail. It's not in the way, works great, and was easy to run wires forward through locker. I've heard that some of these external antenna could really work fine from inside a locker and I've thought about experimenting with that.

Does anyone know the interior and exterior diameters of the stern tube, and proper length and diameter for the cutlass bearing for the CD 27 (1980)?

Boat is in the water, and I'd like to have the part ordered and on hand before hauling it and doing some work this spring.

Thanks.

I spotted the first sail of the year out on the channel in front of the house today, in a light southerly breeze. It was in high 40's here on the water. Yesterday was sunny, with up to high 50's a mile inland. There were still 4 inches of ice in the harbor a week ago when I last checked on Altariel....

I appreciate the good ideas and the very helpful photos. Andy -- what circuits do you have in the smaller (AC?) panel under the companionway? Also, what material did you use for the neat cable packaging you've got leading from the lower right of the DC panel? Thanks for pulling out the great before ...

I'm starting to think about upgrading Altariel's electric panel. It's the original (1980) DC panel, with 6 switches and circuit breakers, with odds and ends of circuits added over the years, and kind of a spaghetti mess. Things generally work OK, but I've had to replace 1 switch, and I know things a...

Most sailboats in Southeast Alaska are left in the water (partly because so few of us have any flat land to put them!), so winterizing is somewhat simplified. I change the oil, make sure the fuel tank is full, and keep the batteries charged. I try to run the engine every few weeks. Our air temperatu...

Back in January I publicly resolved to get out in Altariel each month of 2008. I'm pleased to report that as of December 2 I've been sailing (at least an hour or two!) in Southeast Alaska every month this year. Early December is pretty quiet on the water in Juneau, but I saw gulls, murrelets, scoter...