The Cape Dory Board

I sailed with Bob Dugan on his CD 25D Cricket. He had the raised boom configuration but no Bimini. The center of effort was a little higher which made it a bit more tender than my CD 25D with standard height boom. Overall it was a fair trade off for the head room. Bob may have a different opinion.

In my experience with single handing a Ty and CD 25D there are two methods to employ. You can 'heave to' or 'fore reach'. Backing the foresail with tiller to leeward will put you hove to (the state after you perform the action heave to). No forward progress, just side slipping if balanced properly. ...

I do not think there is an easy fix for the cabin sole problem. With a little work, you can drill out the bungs and remove the wooden sole. If you could remove it in one piece, I'd try drying it out and saturating the rot with epoxy. If the problem is forward of the compression post it will be easie...

On the 25D there is no keel hull connection. The lead is encapsulated within the hull. The heaviest point of the keel is resting on the forward strap. There is no lead behind the rudder. That's where the holding tank is on the 25D. Both lifting methods are ok as long as the proper precautions are ta...

I think a CD 27 is very similar to a CD 25D. My Youtube video shows how my yard lifted my CD 25D. It shows them dropping her in but the same process is used in reverse to take her out. They lifted from the stern below the transom while tilting the hull forward and keeping the load on the forward str...

Would a 2GM not fit in there? The 2GM is night and day a better engine and on our old boat we were very happy with the change. It will fit but it is a lot heavier than a 1 GM. In a 25D weight is a big factor. The 2 GM is a nice replacement for a CD 27 or a CD 28. The beta Marine is a little bit hea...

The 1GM 10 is an over-bored 1GM. All mounts line up correctly, uses the same tranny and shaft. I had my 1GM rebuilt. When they rebuilt it they rebored the cylinder for a 1GM 10 piston and replaced the cylinder head with a 1GM 10. So essentially, it became a 1GM 10. I did not change the prop. She run...

Bob, I remember a similar situation when we were off P'town. That time we used a long phillips head screwdriver. Glad you resolved the problem.

I replaced mine a few years back with an internal Groco strainer. In retrospect, I should have kept the external strainer. It was better at keeping jellyfish out of the seacock. Here's how I got my strainer off. I took a wire wheel on a drill and cleaned out most of the paint and corrosion. The the ...

I've thought about this as well. The only thing I'd be wary of is the trim when the water tanks are full. I believe the position of the batteries is off setting the weight of the fresh water tank on the starboard side. If it works for you without issue, let us 25D owners know. I know I could use the...

Forget about trying to get an open ended wrench on that nut. Use a nut driver. The long stud will lead the driver on the nut. Then you can turn it. I will tell you before you start, the rusty studs will probably break off. I ended up drilling holes in the sink lip to fit new through bolts to reinsta...

I have tried the rubber winch pads without much success. I have a pair of Lewmar ST30s on my 25D. That's way overkill for a 25D but a pair of Lewmar ST16s should fit the 25D nicely and bolt up to the existing bolt pattern of the Spartan winch stands. You might be able to find a used pair. As a singl...

There is a steel pressure line that runs just off center of the fuel filter. I had to bend mine slightly so the bowl would slide down far enough to remove it. Do not get too aggressive on the bending because you do not want to put a kink in that line.

According to the Yanmar maintenance manual, you should use oil made for diesel engines. I have used Shell Rotella T with no issues. I'm not sure what would happen if you mix types? Best practice would be to empty the oil completely and replace it with a diesel compatible blend. Keep a spare quart on...

I replaced the old thumb screw version with a Harken small boat kit. Do not get the low profile track as it interferes a bit with the teak trim. The holes lined up perfectly. Securing the nuts below was a PITA. The old version had the traveler slider permanently attached to the main block. So I did ...