The Cape Dory Board

I did this work in the spring of 2016, and at the time, didn't think of writing it up and putting it online. Recently, I was asked about this work, and started writing an email to describe it. When I got to the third page, I decided it would be best to put it on capedory.org. Capedory.org has been v...

Tim, The tiller hardware I installed has a hinge that lets me raise the tiller vertically and out of the way when not in use. For this reason it won't be reliably stopped by the coaming. Please confirm that your tiller is fixed. I haven't actually gone sailing, but I think I will like sitting more f...

Friends, I just removed my worm gear wheel mechanism, and installed a tiller. I did this because I am used to a tiller, found the 37 year old wheel steering to be sloppy (60 degree backlash), and because I am considering installing a windvane. At this point, I haven't made any changes that would pre...

I know this is a bit late, but I found the perfect solution to the loose spreaders. You can cut a sheet of Delrin just the size to fill the gap, and wrap it around the spreader before inserting it into the mast fitting. You will then need to drill a hole in it for the cotter pin. On my CD30, I used ...

Friends, I am at the end of a project involving the re-installation of a club boom and staysail, and the beginning of a project to replace my worm gear steering with a tiller. I have two questions: 1) What is the correct distance between the deck attachment points of the jibstay and the forestay? I ...

Also Anchors, chain, and windlass.

Doug

John, Great book! I finished it last night, now my wife is reading it. Tell us more about your boat. Motor, chainplates, brand of steering gear and how it works with the worm gear steering. Where did you mount your solar cells? What brand of stove? Where did you keep your dinghy? Storage? light wind...

I just bought a CD 30 Cutter, which I have been working on on the hard. I am currently working on the rigging, and dragged out the sails to take a second look at them. Both jibs are absolutely flat. I am not exaggerating . I lay them out, tug on the corners, and straighten the sides, and they lay th...

Thanks! I think I see what is going on here. I don't have anything I would call "little" divots, but the holes in the sole for the table legs are lined up well for this purpose. I can see wear marks on the underside of the plywood just above these holes, so it looks like a couple of round-...

I am the new owner of a CD30 cutter. Getting ready for the sailing season has proven to be largely an exercise of figuring out what parts are missing or broken, and tracking them down. We have a pull out double bunk where there is a plywood sheet that is pulled out 18 inches or so. There is no obvio...

The PO has already drilled the hole.

My CD 30 has two hatches in the lower sole, but none in the raised section just forward of the engine compartment. As a result, there is no way to see to the bottom of the bilge without using a mirror. This seems like an odd oversight. I need to install a garboard plug, and I would prefer to through...

I had exactly the same question of how to fix wiring inside the mast. Multiple excellent suggestions. Thanks

OK, I think I have all the information with two exceptions: 1) The the hole pattern dimensions (or part number) of the chainplate. I am going to pull the backing plate under the bowsprit so I can see and redrill the original holes, so I may be OK here. 2) I would like to confirm the exact length of ...

I recently took ownership of a CD 30 cutter, hull 53. When I peaked into the cockpit locker, I could see dock lines, shore power cords, and fenders leaning against the flywheel of the engine. Clearly, this is bad. I can see that there was once some kind of dividers, or panels, but all of that is gon...