Looking for Cape Dory 30 Cutter Owners

[Peter Zwiefelhofer]

I recently bought a 30' cutter and am looking for info regarding same. I own hull #205, made in 1981 ('Altair'). One problem I'm looking for a solution to: There is a hole in the bow sprit allow for storage of anchor rode below deck (what is this called?). There is a metal disk to cover the hole, that leaks every badly (poor design). The v-birth drawers actually collect water! I took to covering the who;e with a plastic bag and securing it with the anchor chain. I'm looking for a more elegant solution!



pzwief@execpc.com

[Bob Coupland]

I recently bought a 30' cutter and am looking for info regarding same. I own hull #205, made in 1981 ('Altair'). One problem I'm looking for a solution to: There is a hole in the bow sprit allow for storage of anchor rode below deck (what is this called?). There is a metal disk to cover the hole, that leaks every badly (poor design). The v-birth drawers actually collect water! I took to covering the who;e with a plastic bag and securing it with the anchor chain. I'm looking for a more elegant solution!

One fix that I saw recently in a mag ( Cruising World I think ) was to get a wood plug, the type used to plug sea cocks, install a eye or hook type bolt in the bottom. Remove shackle from anchor. Install on eye bolt. Plug hole. The weight from the chain will help hold the plug in. Seems like a good idea to me. You might want to use a stainless shackle. Makes it easier to disconnect from anchor.



rcouplan@bechtel.com@mailgate

[Walt Bilofsky]

<snip> There is a hole in the bow sprit allow for storage of anchor rode below deck (what is this called?). There is a metal disk to cover the hole, that leaks every badly (poor design). The v-birth drawers actually collect water!

The West Marine catalog has several styles of deck pipes, which can be screwed down flat over that hole and can accommodate anchor chain. They have either removable or hinged covers, and might be an improvement over what you have. Still, the best design is a watertight chain locker with a drain at the low point.



bilofsky@ix.netcom.com

[Larry DeMers]

I recently bought a 30' cutter and am looking for info regarding same. I own hull #205, made in 1981 ('Altair'). One problem I'm looking for a solution to: There is a hole in the bow sprit allow for storage of anchor rode below deck (what is this called?). There is a metal disk to cover the hole, that leaks every badly (poor design). The v-birth drawers actually collect water! I took to covering the who;e with a plastic bag and securing it with the anchor chain. I'm looking for a more elegant solution!

One fix that I saw recently in a mag ( Cruising World I think ) was to get a wood plug, the type used to plug sea cocks, install a eye or hook type bolt in the bottom. Remove shackle from anchor. Install on eye bolt. Plug hole. The weight from the chain will help hold the plug in. Seems like a good idea to me. You might want to use a stainless shackle. Makes it easier to disconnect from anchor.

I have hull #483, and the cover for my hawse pipe
is shaped to fit over the pipe, with about a 2 in.
overlap. We have no problem with water getting in unless
we are ploughing into green water..then there may be a bit, but
it goes into the bilge, not the drawers in the v-berth.

The part is available from Spartan Marine..

Regards,

Larry DeMers
S/V DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30 Lake Superior



demers@cray.com

[Jon F. Larson]

I recently bought a 30' cutter and am looking for info regarding same. I own hull #205, made in 1981 ('Altair'). One problem I'm looking for a solution to: There is a hole in the bow sprit allow for storage of anchor rode below deck (what is this called?). There is a metal disk to cover the hole, that leaks every badly (poor design). The v-birth drawers actually collect water! I took to covering the who;e with a plastic bag and securing it with the anchor chain. I'm looking for a more elegant solution!

Peter, I have a 1981 CD 30 Cutter, hull No. 183,
a pretty close sister ship to yours. I have the
same arrangement and have no problem with water
flowing into the v berth area. I'd suggest
clearing out the anchor rode/chain locker and
seeing if there's a drain hole that might be
plugged. No matter what, you want that locker to
drain properly as a LOT of water will still come
in when you haul the anchor and store the rode.
I personally don't mind some rain water flowing
through the locker as it can clear out some of
the accumulated salt.

I might also see if there's some other source
of water, like a dripping stanchion or some
other overhead drip...that cabin should be
really dry.

Jon Larson
Cape Dory 30 PERI
San Francisco Bay



jon9@ix.netcom.com