The Cape Dory Board

Keeping the diesel tank topped off (“pressed up”) during the off-season will reduce the risk and or amount of condensation forming on the internal tank walls, which in turn reduces the risk and or amount of of algae growing in the boundary layer that forms between the diesel oil and the resulting wa...

I have operated diesels including in the marine industry for decades. I would say your mechanic is neither brilliant (a little imprecise in his or her use of language) nor a fool (what the mechanic has told you is essentially correct). Also, to me it sounds like the mechanic is not trying to game yo...

Unless the engine is running hot, there is something to be said for not changing the heat exchanger to a larger unit. I suspect most overheating issues with that engine are due to lack of heat exchanger maintenance (resulting in reduced water flow from debris and or corrosion) and or lack of exhaust...

I second the use of Velox. Pricey but effective, especially if the surface prep is exactly as recommended in the package. I also second trying to split the cost with someone else about to haul out, since the shelf life of the product once opened is not certain. In our harbor there is lots of growth,...

Deal closed and CD 36 Hull Number 153 now home, safe and sound. Very pleased with how she sailed down from Port Angeles, WA to Port Madison, WA. Beginning the process of adding solar panels, charge controller, etc. in preparation for cruising long term. She is the ETHEL THOMAS, ex EGRET, formerly ho...

Update on this post: I now have a 1987 (although from the hull identification number it seems like it should be a 1988) CD 36 under contract, likely to close in the next two weeks. Very excited. The boat is equipped with a watermaker, Monitor windvane, trysail on its own dedicated track, storm jib, ...

Looks like you have gotten some very good advice on this already. I would add only that it is highly likely the issue is an intermittently bad connection in the starting circuit. Two ways to go at that: Clean and re-tighten each connection in that circuit, or use a multimeter and check voltage at ea...

The suggestions above are spot on. Either approach works. I prefer the upwind or up current drop, then fall back or sail back (pushing boom forward to back-wind the main) as I pay out chain or rode. I think this is an essential skill to practice and to master as part of basic seamanship. Eventually,...

If “cut back” means removing sail area at the leach, that would not only limit performance by reducing sail area but would move the center of work forward in relation to the center of lateral resistance, which would tend to reduce or remove weather helm. Maybe pass on that sail?

Congratulations on sailing nine seasons without needing to start your engine! That is remarkable. I agree with the comments above as regards not removing the starting battery, for the same reasons stated. I would only add that even a small diesel requires a pretty hefty amount of cranking power to s...

A photo of what exactly is leaking might inform a response. Are you sure it is the pump itself?

Good work, Ben. Thank you for sharing. Nice to have such expertise on the forum.

Since not all vessels that have radar also have AIS, it would be safer to keep the radar reflector even though you have AIS. If you are dissatisfied with the look of the standard style of assembled plates reflector, you might consider the more conical style refector that is not comprised of plates a...

I would expect the boatyard to just remove the deck fitting and replace it with a new one. Ideally, the fitting would be moved to somewhere other than the cockpit sole, where it is less likely to corrode, and would be replaced with bronze. It is probably easier to loosen the hose clamps and unscrew ...

I recommend you not remove the inner tracks. Those tracks will be useful for smaller headsails and tighter/closer sheeting angles, for pointing higher without having to barber-haul. If it leaks, seal up the fasteners as suggested above. At the very least, upon re-sale, the buyer will expect that boa...