Cape Dory bond wires

Bob Lascelles · Post by **Bob Lascelles** » May 19th, '13, 11:35

Hi,
This is my first post to the message board and I wanted to say thank you for such great information. I'm a new Cape Dory owner and just bought a 1983 CD25D near Duluth, MN and trailered her back here to Maine. I just started getting her ready for her first season in salt water. While I was removing an old Loran I found a #8 or #6 solid copper wire attached to the Loran unit's ground. I've heard Cape Dory's have extensive lightening grounding systems but none of my previous boats had similar wiring. Was this a normal connection for a Loran. Is it something I should be thinking about for new accessories?

Thanks for any ideas

Happy sailing

Brian2 · Post by **Brian2** » May 19th, '13, 12:42

It was probably just a ground for static discharge from the Loran. My old Loran had one, and my current radar has one.

Sea Hunt Video · Post by **Sea Hunt Video** » May 19th, '13, 14:45

Bob:

Congratulations on your recent purchase of a Cape Dory 25D. Hopefully, if not already, you will soon join the CDSOA.

You have selected a Cape Dory 25D, a naval design regarded by almost all knowledgeable Cape Dory owners and aficionados as the very finest sailboat design of all the great designs of naval architect Carl Alberg. As always, I speak as a truly objective and unbiased observer.

Unfortunately, I am unable to offer any information about grounding on a Loran unit. As ALL on this board will attest I know less than nothing about electronics on a sailboat.

Again, Bob, congratulations on your Cape Dory 25D and welcome to the Cape Dory community.

Maine_Buzzard · Post by **Maine_Buzzard** » May 19th, '13, 15:15

Hi Bob,

Very few electrical things will need to be grounded to the bronze ground plate in the bilge. All of the lights, navagational devices and radios will go to the negative return buss and then to the battery.

CDs usually have the standing rigging, the engine, and bronze seacocks bonded to the ground plate.

The challenge is when you have shore power and need to provide an AC ground. Look for some interesting threads here for discussion.

Add the wire to your scrap copper collection.

Check in if you head to Portland.

Cheers!

Brian2 · Post by **Brian2** » May 19th, '13, 15:35

My old Loran (no longer in use) and my radar (in use) were 12v grounded to the negative bus and back to the battery. My radar has another and separate ground attachement point, specified from the installation manual to be used with 10ga or better wire, grounded directly to the dynaplate. I think my old Loran was the same way.

frank3 · Post by **frank3** » May 19th, '13, 19:15

Hi Bob,
Congratulations on your new boat. I know you'll really enjoy it. As already posted the only things that are bonded are the mast, the rigging, and the bronze seacocks. I also have a 25D and am moored at Pepperrell Cove in Kittery. Maybe we'll see each other this summer.
Frank

Bob Lascelles · Post by **Bob Lascelles** » May 19th, '13, 23:00

Thanks for all the info, except for battery/alternator cables, I've never seen such heavy wire on any of my previous boats. I pulled out the old Loran bond wire this afternoon while I was relocating the VHF and generally tidying up the electrical system. It's a good chunk of copper. Starting out I'm trying to get rid of as much obvious clutter as possible. This year I'm only going to do the basics to get her ready to sail. Next year I have some serious teak and nonskid projects ahead.

Now that I've started working on her, I can really see why CDs have such a loyal following. The bronze fittings alone are so much better than anything I'm used to in my previous boats. I have a 63' Pearson Electra that really got me hooked on Alberg's designs, so I'm really looking forward to sailing the CD25D. Hope to see you on the water this summer.

Happy sailing!

Dick Kobayashi · Post by **Dick Kobayashi** » May 20th, '13, 20:46

Welcome to the Board and to CD ownership. Lots of threads on the 25D on this board. Enjoy the boat as I have since purchase in 2001. And keep us posted.

Joe Myerson · Post by **Joe Myerson** » May 23rd, '13, 13:08

Welcome to the board, and to CD ownership. You've got a great boat there.

My 25D had a Loran setup, and a grounding wire, though not as heavy as the one you found.

Oh, yes, please keep us posted on your boat--and join the CDSOA if you're so inclined. It's a great group.

Best,
--Joe

Russell · Post by **Russell** » May 23rd, '13, 18:52

Brian2 wrote:It was probably just a ground for static discharge from the Loran. My old Loran had one, and my current radar has one.

I actually used the old loran ground wire when I ripped it out as a ground wire for the radar.

I would leave the wire there, even if not useful now, if you ad radar later it would be conveniently located.

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