The Cape Dory Board

Use 100' of floating waterski line. Pull in bow first. To exit, tie a mooring hitch to the aft cleat, wrap the line around a piling or smooth cleat on the dock, hold the line and play it out as you back. when clear of the dock, wrap it around the winch and continue backing. the bow will pivot out an...

I got lucky in 2014. Bought a Beta 14 with 800 hours for $1700 and a V drive transmission for $900. Another $1000 to the mechanic for checkout and assembly (flywheel swap and hardware) I installed it in my CD30. Total cost was about $6000, I made bed adapters and plenty of stainless steel parts. Eve...

Hi John,

I’ve seen your superb workmanship here. I think if you decided to cast and machine your own engine, it would hum. Likely to the tune of “to the shores of Tripoli...”

Are you intending to do the work? If not, write a cheque to the boatyard for $1500 and enjoy a cold beer. If you want to do this, some tools are required. Be emotionally ready to also replace the prop shaft if it’s worn. Have the yard pull the prop, unless you have the tools to do that. Haul the boa...

I installed a 14 HP Beta with a ZF V drive transmission, wedge bed adapters, and the whole ball of wax. Drove the boat happliy at 5 kts and 2200 rpm. A 16 HP would be ideal, a 20 is a bit big unless you want a high amp alternator or cold plate fridge. Every single component will need replacement. Mu...

Honest answer. Take this pole to the edge of the boat, and heave it in the water.

I hated this version of a broom handle and how it rubbed against the shrouds. It was intended for the yankee on my 30, and with a genoa, it never set correctly. Stow a boathook in the mount and never look back.

The white “miracle sponges” will do very well in taking off the black mildew and oxidation on bare interior teak. I was shocked at how well they addressed grime on the cabintop too.

Buy a big box at Costco and a 6 pack of Pacifico. Your day is set.

I have way too many Milwaikee 12v cordless tools, and have been very happy with them. The right angle drill does not have sufficient torque to power a loaded winch, and even with one, you will have to bear the load with your arm. Even the 3/8” rachet driver is not enough to run a winch. You may want...

Wire/rope halyards are likely very old. You can drop a size and go to all rope halyards. You don’t need a super expensive race cord, Sta-Set X is plenty good for a recreational boat. Likely not a cause of the loose halyards, but replacing them is a good overwinter project. The size needed is as much...

Regarding the inability to tension halyards- what kind of knots and fittings are on the halyards? Long bowline loops will stop in the sheeves and leave the sails loose. A swivel shackle for the jib and a long D shackle with captured pin, both spliced into the lines will hoist about as high as possib...

+1 on more main tension. Pull the headboard up another 4” or so, or add a cunningham for strong wind. Another 2”of jib halyard and mark both main and jib with sharpie. Always easier to return or adjust to an existing mark. Pick a padeye just above the winches and mark the halyards next to it. Look a...

Sorry JD, that was never a comment about the work on your boat. There is an urban legend about CDs with the flex hose glued into the stern tube. If anyone has proof they left the Taunton factory this way, I’d love to see a photo. The CD forum is one of the most polite and positive groups out there. ...

Clamps on the flex hose should not be hidden, but a sloppy owner or tech might cover a leaky fitting with sealant. Perhaps sombody with a boat like JD’s where they just buttered up the end of the boat. I believe this was a horror story from one owner that has lived on... A defect this bad will turn ...

Hi Russ, You will absolutely need to pull the shaft, which requires removing the flange that connects the shaft to the transmission output flange. The prop may need to be pulled, 3 blade ones never clear the rudder, sometimes a 2 blade can be sqweeked by. Three main items to be addressed- Replacing ...

Iroko is a great choice for new floor timbers. Good rot resistance, a bit harder than mahogany, and not $35 a bdft!

For cutting big boards to smaller dimensions, rough cut first, let it twist and curve, then finish cut. Lots of internal stresses in a large slab.