The Cape Dory Board

Joe:

Looks like electrolysis. I saw that a few times, nothing since I have started hanging a zinc "grouper" off the transom grounded to the aft stay fitting. Not a real issue to worry about, easily handled.

The only comment I can add is that fastening the whisker pole further forward may be a bit more handy. The Forespar whisker pole is rather impressive on reaches, and works surprisingly well with a symmetrical spinnaker as well, with a downhaul. No one, I repeat no one, has a CD31 more impressive tha...

Although it is not often an available alloy for sailboat hardware, 17-4PH is about the best as it gets for corrosion resistance and more importantly, resistance to chloride-induced intergranular corrosion and resultant loss of fatigue strength.

Just a word of caution about using a sawzall or hacksaw blade on the old cutless bearing. While there is unfortunately no other reasonable option other than cutting it and collapsing it on itself to remove it, some of our Cape Dories used an FRP stern tube which is very thin and susceptible to saw b...

Jim: We do this all the time for production assembly at work, using Parker o-ring cord stock and cyanoacrylate adhesive suitable for Buna-N or other o-ring material. It is the only way to get O-rings in large sizes (i.e. 24 inches and larger.) I would not, however, recommend it for the typical sub-i...

I used 45 feet of 5/16 Samson LS Yacht Braid ($0.45 per foot from Defender) and stripped out the first 15 feet of core (not cover) to fit it all onto Hood Sea Furl.

Warren:

It was a pleasure to meet you and your wife at one of the LI sail-ins several years ago. Wish you well in the future. A word of warning, however - the last two times I walked away from boat ownership it lasted all of one season or less!

I keep a heat gun on board for hose loosening. Works wonders.

Mark: I used to trailer a power boat to Hartford for day excursions on the river. Since the boat was rarely in the water for more than 8 hours I did not have anti fouling bottom paint on it. After occasional overnights in Wethersfield Cove I would notice a slime buildup on the bare bottom (after onl...

Vibration is going to be primarily an issue of engine/shaft alignment. A 3 bladed prop will provide superior thrust, forward or reverse, albeit with more prop walk in reverse with a full keel. All a matter of compromise. If I wanted better backing I would have a fin keel - or maybe a power boat with...

Private SEL, owned a 1946 Aeronca 7AC Champ for 15 years. Sold that to buy my first Cape Dory. I haven't found sailing to be cheaper, but it is more relaxing. And yes, easier on the ears than an unmuffled Continental (and also too late for my ears!)

This past weekend was our last outing of the season. Since I had not topped off my fuel tank at the end of last season, I thought it prudent to do so Sunday prior to winter haul out and storage. Total fuel burn for 2 complete seasons (most every weekend and vacation time as well) was a grandiose tot...

Guy: I went from a CD30 to 31. While I will never regret the move, let me be the first to remind you that the difference in maintenance and upkeep between a 28 (or 30, since they are so similar) and the 31 is truly daunting. The additional on-board systems and even just the bottom size is amazingly ...

Jim:

Just be glad you have a September renewal - the new charge went into effect last November. I got hit with it when I renewed in December. I try to look at it as the price to pay for not having to look at state registration numbers that I would undoubtedly have installed imperfectly.

Depends on how much is installed at the mast top (i.e. antenna, etc.) Mine is 47 feet +/-, and I play it safe by assuming 50 feet clearance is needed.