The Cape Dory Board

Just a note of thanks to everyone for providing their thoughts. Ended up buying a CD30 in Massachusetts and shipping to the midwest. As expected, that wasn't cheap or free from logistical hurdles, but the boat is now stepped and rigged and we should be sailing soon. I asked the rigger to put everyth...

I certainly won't let others dictate what I ultimately buy (too stubborn for that), but I do appreciate the input from those that have sailed different models. By the time I make a decision, I will at least have been aboard a 25, 27, 28 and 30, so I should have a better sense at the end of that. Rea...

Personally, I think you would regret upgrading from an 18-foot daysailer to a much larger boat on a 4-mile lake. Short-tacking a larger boat is not always convenient or fun. When you are are ready to cruise Lake Michigan, the larger boats will still be there. Maybe as an intermediate step, consider...

I've got a 27, and if part of your mission is to learn systems and what not, I don't think the boat has much to teach in that regard. You could learn a bunch by refurbishing and replacing stuff - wiring is old, that type of stuff. But it's just not a complicated boat. That's a plus for me. If you a...

Beautiful boat. I'm a few hours straight east of you. That pic helps a lot with thinking through cockpit space. Thanks.

TJ, So many questions: Where in the Midwest? Where will you be sailing? Will you be sailing alone, or with others? How many others? Daysailing or cruising? Doing your own work or paying a shop? We had a 27 and it is a wonderful boat, no doubt the prettiest of the bunch, however three was a crowd in...

Hello All, I'm on the hunt for my first Cape Dory (I've owned and refurbished some smaller sailboats in the past--Hobie 16, Dyer Dink, etc.--but this will be my first "real" sailboat). I've looked at a CD28 and I'll be looking at a CD27 soon, but I was hoping to take advantage of the colle...