The Cape Dory Board

Tim, I hope this helps. I had the same issues with my 27 when I got her. Here is what I have setup. 1. Large cheek block on port side I use for 1st reef. 2. For the outhaul I added a small block to the end of the boom. I use this to tension the foot of to the mainsail. I purchased a new loose footed...

Never mind the time it takes to get to the boat. How long does it take you to get underway? I bet the majority would say double the time it takes to get there.

How many times did you go back home to get something you forgot?

Yeah, it happens.

You can also try (all free): Google Chrome http://www.google.com/chrome/ Firefox http://www.firefox.com Safari for Windows http://www.apple.com/safari/ Any of these will work with our site. All website browsers including Microsoft Internet Explorer have custom security settings to keep your computer...

My first inclination would be the battery no longer holds a charge. Especially after charging for an extended amount of time and 1 bulb drains it again quickly. My car battery (ca. 2003) is just about dead. An overnight charge only lasts a few days before needing another boost. I think I got pretty ...

I have been using Graphtex Ultra (GTU) Flax Shaft Packing with W.L. Gore fibers and graphite fibers that are impregnated with Teflon PTFE. The packing is made to be thermally conductive and in my usage I have found it pretty durable. I replace the packing every other season. Yes, some people get mor...

I should have taken down the stick, but I got a good deal on hauling early this year and did not have time for my yard to take it down. I am storing at a different yard. Don't say shrink wrap because the yard must do it and the cost comes close to the storage fee. Besides I don't like the waste of p...

Warren is right. The old transducer may work, obviously if the plug is the same. There is only one way to find out. There is no harm in trying. Though as Warren mentioned transducers do go bad time to time. The boat has to be in the water to test. Was that a dim sentence?

Raymarine makes a tilted element transducer, I believe mine was the 12 degree model. I got rid of the "wood" fairing block a PO had installed. The transducer now sits flush to the hull. It works fine with my Moor digital depth sounder. The Moor depth has a low water buzzer you can install....

Don't give up it will get on there. Here is what I did. Cut an angled bevel with a sharp razor on the inside edge of the hose. I also did not use the wire reinforced hose for this section. Maybe I should have mentioned that first. I brought the cut hose inside and stepped on the end while rolling it...

I would put the engine zinc back in. It's cheap protection against corrosion, even in fresh water. The zinc itself is only around $5 or so. Should last quite a few seasons in fresh water. I bought mine from (http://www.boatzincs.com). When it comes to electricity I play it better safe than sorry. As...

30 knots all reefed down in protected waters is not 30 knots in open water. 30 knots = work + wet

Sure some people say they went out in 30 knots. I have too and it was work and I did get wet. Did not take me long to head back home. If I were in a larger boat I may have lasted longer.

The Coast Guard held a decommissioning ceremony for its Long Range Aids to Navigation (LORAN) Station in Caribou, Maine, yesterday, Wednesday, Sept. 1st. LORAN-C came online November of 1974, marking 35-years of service. LORAN Station Caribou was the last station to transmit an American Loran signal...

I wouldn't consider it a headache as much as a responsibility but maintenance is the biggest addition. Keeping a 22 ship shape is plenty easier than a 27 or larger. Yes the costs do go up, but if you can do most of the work yourself you can make it manageable. How does she sail? Wonderful, I can kee...

Very nice! I love to see new life given to an old boat.
Very good job.

If only someone could do the same for me when I get old.
Then again I guess that's what faith is for.

Enjoy.

I've read two sides to the story on descaling a raw salt water cooled engine. One it is very beneficial to keep those cooling passages clear so they can do there job. On the other hand the engine can be rotted from the inside out over time with too harsh descaling treatments. Here is what I do. I wi...