The Cape Dory Board

Thanks for all of your advice.

I have an original Datamarine S-200DL LCD digital depth sounder that is acting up on my 1986 26D. The display is flashing a variety of depths with no pattern. How should I go about diagnosis the problem and fixing it? Given the age, replacing the display and transducer would seem to be a good idea b...

I typically use a 135 genny.

I have always had a weather helm problem with my CD 22D. Part of the problem is the main sail's size and the diesel weight for the size of the boat. I got a new set of sails with reef points on the main as I don't like the rolling reefer. If the wind is over 15 kts, I reef and slide the trailer to l...

Thanks for the suggestion. I will send an email to Garmin.

Does anyone know the datum format (i.e. WGS84, NAD83, or NAD27) used by a Garmin Colorado 400C?

Normal crusing speed is between 4-5 knots. I asked how far I would go on a tank of fuel and was told 'You'll never know'. At cruising speed a tank will take you as far as you want to go. The toughest test I ever put on the boat is going though the gut entering Bidderford Pool's inner harbor at full ...

Before I got my 22D I looked at similar options and with some advice from a friend I went with the 22D because I planned on a lot of solo sailing and I did not want to be concerned when the wind picked up. I made the right choice. Outboard motors are fine for some boats but there will be times when ...

I think the bent thimble is the key. It crushed appearance indicates a significant impact. Given it came off a CD 36 my first guess is a stay on the bow sprint was the first to be struck in a bow end collision. A more interesting story would be the mast hit a bridge.

After finally figuring out my cooling water problem, I have turned to the real problem and that is my 1986 1GM Yanmar 9hp burns a lot of oil. It has been diagnosed as bad rings with some expensive options. First, I can overhaul the engine at the local shipyard for $3k; second, I could have Yanmar do...

A couple of boat repair yards recommended Bayview Sails in Yarmouth to me. I had them make a set of sails for me and I couldn't have been more pleased with their performance.

A few years ago I mounted a raw water filter on the engine compartment bulkhead between the sea cock and water pump at about the height of the top of the engine. As the engine was not pulling any water from the sea and I could find no blockage including the hull grate and the new water pump and impe...

Thanks for the great ideas. First I'm going start the engine and pull the hose off the exhaust elbow to see if water is reaching the exhaust. If it is I will start searching for blockage toward the muffler. If no water is reaching the exhaust elbow I will pull off the hoses to the engine and try you...

My 1GM Yanmar is overheating. No water is coming out the exhaust. I checked all of the hoses and raw water filter and could find no blockage. I replaced the impeller (the old one was only months old and looked ok). In the Spring I had the yard replace the water pump, thermostat, exhaust elbow, and h...

I would recommend an automatic bilge pump as it's needed when you're not there. When you're there you can use anything including an inverted hat.

I found it very handy the year my stuffing box was leaking like a sieve.