The Cape Dory Board

I have the Top Climber and am reasonably satisfied with it. It took me a little practice to coordinate the body motions/leg pushes with the movement of the rope ascenders. It basically requires an additional halyard to rig (but never hurts to have a spare on-board). What ever system you choose, make...

Hi Dick - I replaced my old Aqua Signal masthead light with the OGM LED light about 2 years ago, when the entire plastic lense assembly broke away and flew off the mast during a particularly fresh beat. I've been very happy with it... I don't do much night sailing, but have spent multiple nights at ...

Hi Troy - I've had the same thoughts about how to improve upon the manifold arrangement on my CD36. The only conclusion I've arrived at would be to simply replace the gate valves with standard bronze ball valves with lever type handles. This seems to be the standard solution on new boats today. Func...

I've been (very) slowing moving up the 'reverse steering' learning curve. Unless I'm deliberating trying to roate the boat clockwise in reverse, I find that short, strong bursts on the trottle work best to gain some steerage. With the prop in neutral, I then have some degree of control while backing...

As Andy and Neil commented, a small diameter sheet will work fine with any manually tailed winch. My spinnaker is 1.5 oz and lack of wind is rarely a problem on SF Bay. With my heavier spinnaker, when the wind drops to the point I have difficulty keeping the spinnaker full, I'm not sure how my light...

Hi Dean - An Asymm also came with my boat and I have been working my way up the learning curve the last couple of years. A good rule of thumb for the sheets is 2X boat length. This allows enough length for the lazy sheet to go forward around stay and back to a block as aft as possible and then forwa...

pyacht carries parts, including lenses for Aquasignal Navigation lights. I'm not sure what type of light your CD 25 has, but my CD36 uses Aquasignal Series 40 (I believe).

http://www.pyacht.com/online-store/scst ... _parts.htm

pyacht has a pretty comprehensive on-line listing of Lemar parts for the latest Lemar Series (1992 to present). http://www.pyacht.com/online-store/scstore/h-lewmar_winch_schematics.htm There is also a local San Francisco chandlery that has on-line inventory and will ship lewmar parts. http://www.sve...

Hi Doug - I have a 1987 CD36 with a number of gel coat stress cracks on deck near cabin house wall or cockpit and in cockpit floor. My understanding is that its related to thicker than necessary gelcoat and designed radius where perpendicular surfaces come together. Boats exhibit a range in amount o...

The last couple of years, a large flock (hundreds) of blackbirds have been roosting in my marina each night. They leave droppings in and under virtually anywhere they can hold on (even the backstay). I installed a two Gullsweeps that rotate about a 3' radius with the slightest of breeze. Since there...

For my CD36 (1987, Hull #147):

The structure under the staysail (intermediate) forestay is mild steel. Under the upper and lower shrouds, and intermediate back-stay is aluminum angle material (like Troy's). Not sure what's under the aft stay.

Doug

Based on my previous career as an electrical engineer, my understanding is that the purpose of the lightning grounding wires is to bond mast and other metal components on the boat to earth ground (sea water). In theory, this makes the mast of a boat no more attractive to a lightning bolt than the wa...

Rich - I will definitely check the bleeder screws to see if thats the source of the lead (wouldn't that be nice!). In the 3 years I've owned the boat, I haven't had to bleed line at this point, so no idea if they are loose. Jeff - Additive sounds prudent. I believe the boat sat dormant for quite a w...

Whoops... .thought I was updating a different posting. Please disregard.

Rich - I will definitely check the bleeder screws to see if thats the source of the lead (wouldn't that be nice!). In the 3 years I've owned the boat, I haven't had to bleed line at this point, so no idea if they are loose. Jeff - Additive sounds prudent to add. I believe the boat sat dormant for qu...