Is a Cape Dory right for me?

[Joe CD MS 300]

Jeff,

This site has page where you can compare the specs and various ratings of different boats.

http://www.image-ination.com/sailcalc.html

Probably one of the largest differences will be the motion comfort rating of a Cape Dory vs a similar sized Catalina (41 for the CD 28 vs. 19 for the Catalina 270). Going from a lake to costal sailing should probably make that factor more important to you. Even though you mention that you won't be going offshore up on the Maine coast you are often exposed to the waves and rollers from the open ocean. Its easy to tell when you are in the lee of an island.

I think that this factor (motion kindness) is also more important on smaller boats, say under 32 feet. In a larger boat if you are primarily coastal cruising the motionn comfort won't be as much as an issue. I have chartered about 20 different boats in Maine, from traditional designs like a CD 40 to a modern Benneateau 44. The smallest were probably a Hunter 34 and a Sabre 34. Although the larger boats may pound a little when the waves kick up, their bulk seems to make their motions slower. The smaller more modern hulls will bounce around more and while not unsafe just aren't as comfortable. If you have any thoughts about venturing out from protected bays and going up and down the coast of Maine in something less than 30 feet I would definitely go with the Cape Dory ore something similar like a Sea Sprite, Alberg, older Pearson.

[Bob Luby]

I haven't noticed "tremendous" deck crazing in the Cape Dories I've seen.

But YMMV
________
Honda RA107 history

[hmeyrick]

One of my best sailing buddies has a Catalina 27- I've probably sailed more times on his boat than any boat except my own (a CD 30). The Catalina is not by any means a bad boat- in light to moderate winds, it is certainly faster and possibly more fun to sail than mine. My friend Steve absolutely loves his boat, and I can't fault him.

But I love my boat too. Steve knows nothing of communing with his boat over the heady cocktail of turpentine and varnish. Steve has never had a powerboater (a powerboater) pull up next to him underway and say "damn, that's a pretty boat... what kinda boat is that?" In fact I'm pretty sure that Steve has never had anyone pull up to him underway and compliment his boat.

Does this mean that mine is a better boat? I will say that the woodwork on a Cape Dory- especially below- is unmatched on production boats of its era. The construction is solid. She sails well- unlike a previous poster, I've never found my CD to be wet underway, or prone to hobby-horsing. CDs are rather tender at first, but they stiffen up quick.

In the end though, when my friends and I hang out at the dock having a drink, after a sail, it doesn't so much matter who has what boat. The main idea is to have some fun sailing, and to spend time with people you enjoy.

[John Vigor]

Hmeyrick, I just love the name of your boat, "Old alt," which used to be "Old Salt" until the "S" fell off.

In Small Boat to Freedom I tell the tale of my boyhood hero, Henry Wakelam, a great scofflaw at the yacht club where I was a junior. Henry built his own seagoing yacht in the bush with hand tools only, and used for sails tarpaulins that "fell off" a railroad car.

One dark night Henry grabbed a couple of pots of paint and rowed out along the line of yachts moored in front of the club. His destination was an old motor cruiser called URDA, after some esoteric god or mythological character. URDA was truly a blight on the neighborhood, all straight lines and big glass windows lined with Victorian curtains. She looked like a floating hearse.

So Henry painted out the last letter in the boat's name, and painted a big T in front of it. We junior members of the club, self-appointed aribiters of sailboat fashion, were delighted.

John Vigor

[Neil Gordon]

So Henry painted out the last letter in the boat's name, and painted a big T in front of it.

Gee, I hope he used the official renaming ceremony. I'd hate to see a yacht of that quality sunk by the sea demons.

[s-dupuis]

I race open class on weekends with my CD 22. The Catalina 22' class always starts 5 min. before the open class boats leave the start line. By the end of the race I often beat half of the Catalina class boats by an entire leg of the course and have caught up with the other half. This happens in all wind conditions - even light and variable winds (no spinnakers).
When the wind gets above 20 knts. most of the Catalinas stay at their moorings while I'm out cruising around.
I'm often approached by folks with Catalinas and other boats who are not only impressed by the CD's aesthetics but also her speed. Apparently they've also heard that they were slow and don't point well but have a different opinion now.
My dodger keeps the cockpit dry from spray. I can't comment on green water in the cockpit until I get her in heavier seas.

Steve

[Dean Abramson]

If you know a little German, you know that hmeyrick's boat is now called Old old.

The best boat name I have ever seen was one owned by a man featured in a Boat US magazine article. The boat's name: Last Boat IV. (As in "the fourth.")

Dean

[hmeyrick]

Quite right, s-dupuis, I fully concede that I am not the speediest sailor around. Still and all, where I sail we generally seem to have winds either in neighbourhood of five knots or in the neighbourhood of twenty-five; occasionally higher but rarely much in between. When we have twenty-five, I seem to outrun most comparably sized boats. But on those days when we only have five, I have difficulty outrunning the flies. I have no idea what those flies think they're doing, out there in the middle of the lake and all, but evidently the plan seems to involve biting me all over the ankles and lower shins.

I find that this detracts from my full enjoyment of the sailing experience.

No doubt a more competent skipper than myself would be able to find a way to outpace the flying fiends, but I am reduced to haphazard swatting and begging my guests not to remove the spiderwebs from the bow pulpit! So on those days, I often sail with my friend Steve: not only can he sail his Catalina faster in light air than I can my CD, but he is also an apparently irresistable target for flies. My ankles be saved!

[hmeyrick]

I'm happy that you like my boat's name, John. Perhaps you may also be interested to learn that, should another half inch of plastic lettering give way, my hailing port shall henceforth be "leveland", definitely an improvement over the current (and incomprehensible) "_leveland". And Dean, in my marina we have a "Truly Unique II", that always gives me a chuckle.

[Sea Owl]

Jeff;

I am a relatively new boat owner, but I looked at a LOT of boats before I bought, and talked to a lot of seasoned (as opposed to OLD!) boat owners. The best description of sailboat types I have heard is that most modern boats are cabins with a boat built around them (spacious, sailing considerations almost secondary). Cape Dorys are sailboats with a cabin added (seaworthy first, creature comforts second).

Differences then are obvious!

I too, like I believe most CD owners, get waves and cries of "beautiful (or pretty or gorgeous) boat!" from total strangers.

I like the security of the CD design, and how it handles higher winds. Again, you have to know what kind of sailing you want to do, and get a boat that 'fits' and 'sings' to you.

I saw my CD25 and knew I had the right boat, and I haven't been disapointed.....

Good luck, and good sailing!

[Oswego John]

Quite right, s-dupuis, I fully concede that I am not the speediest sailor around.

That seems to be the case of many of the sailors around Oswego Harbour, including myself.

We're not fast sailors, but then again, we're not slow sailors.

I guess it's safe to say that we're a bunch of half fast sailors.


O J