Blue water cruiser

[Bob]

I mean no injustice to your loyalities at this site...but, can the Cape Dory 31 be considered a true blue water cruiser?



speak4@aol.com

[sv Nomad]

The Carl Alberg designs, moderate beam,modified full keel, protected rudder, is supplemented by very strong construction of hull and decks, seaworthy bronze thru hulls, sea cocks, and port lights. I don't know of any other 31 footer that has 84 gal fresh water capacity. Keep in mind though, that the Cape Dory lines were production oriented. Cockpit lockers are not gasketed, drop boards are tapered and not fitted with "Fastnet" locks, locker doors do not have positive locking, battery mounting and much of below decks (tanks, etc.)are not fitted out for knockdowns or roll-overs. If I were to go offshore, I would correct these things. All things considered, though, with the flexible cutter rig sailplan, rugged construction and general sea boat characteristics, the 31 should be up to the task of cruising away from shore. There are those out there that have done blue water for thousands of miles in 31s; I hope they sign on and give you more first-hand info. I know from personal experience that the 31 is a very comfortable and easily-handled boat for 2 people, with lots of storage and a very workable belowdecks layout.
Should you choose a 31, you won't be disappointed!

PS. Does anyone have the stability curve for the CD 31?



skuhlman@sprynet.com

[Tom]

I mean no injustice to your loyalities at this site...but, can the Cape Dory 31 be considered a true blue water cruiser?

Bob, Without doubt. I've cruised mine extensively foreign and on both U.S. coasts. But wait a minute how do YOU define "true blue water" cruiser? Do you feel that the CD 33 is a "true" blue water cruiser, but the 31 at one foot and 8 inches shorter is not? Are you doubting that any Cape Dorys are true blue water cruisers? What criteria separate a true blue water cruiser from faux blue water cruisers by your definition? Feel free to write me directly with specifics or post your criteria here on the BB so we can be responsive to your inquiry. I wouldn't call any boat under 20 feet a true blue water cruiser, but then again John Guzwell sailed 18 ft. Trekka around the world and Robert Manry sailed 14 ft. Tinkerbelle across the Atlantic so there is some difference of opinion about what makes a true blue water cruiser. I'm not trying to be cute -- you've asked a serious question and there are pluses and minuses to every boat. What exactly puzzles you about the 31? Regards,

Tom
CD 31 #15 "Heiress"



TomCambria@mindspring.com

[Ben Thomas]

I mean no injustice to your loyalities at this site...but, can the Cape Dory 31 be considered a true blue water cruiser?

Bob, Info available via this board. go to cape dorys listed right next to message board and follow links for unbiased data. Ben



btlandscapers@imagina.com

[Catherine Monaghan]

Using the SailCalculator database at:
<a href="http://www.image-ination.com/sailcalc.h ... lc.html</a>
You'll find that the capsize risk for the CD31 is 1.73. (Anything less than 2 is very good.)

For anyone else interested, nearly all of the Cape Dory models are represented in their database. So you don't have to complete the form which is initially presented to you when you visit their website. Just scroll down the page until you get to the bright red area. Pick your CD model from the list in the left window then select the boat that you'd like to compare it to from the right window. If you're not interested in comparing it to another boat, just pick that same model again. You'll be provided with the capsize risk, theoretical hull speed, SA/D, displacement to LWL, LWL/Beam, and motion comfort.

catherine_monaghan@merck.com
CD32 <a href="http://www.hometown.aol.com/bcomet/real ... ization</a>, #3
Rahway, NJ
Raritan Bay

The Carl Alberg designs, moderate beam,modified full keel, protected rudder, is supplemented by very strong construction of hull and decks, seaworthy bronze thru hulls, sea cocks, and port lights. I don't know of any other 31 footer that has 84 gal fresh water capacity. Keep in mind though, that the Cape Dory lines were production oriented. Cockpit lockers are not gasketed, drop boards are tapered and not fitted with "Fastnet" locks, locker doors do not have positive locking, battery mounting and much of below decks (tanks, etc.)are not fitted out for knockdowns or roll-overs. If I were to go offshore, I would correct these things. All things considered, though, with the flexible cutter rig sailplan, rugged construction and general sea boat characteristics, the 31 should be up to the task of cruising away from shore. There are those out there that have done blue water for thousands of miles in 31s; I hope they sign on and give you more first-hand info. I know from personal experience that the 31 is a very comfortable and easily-handled boat for 2 people, with lots of storage and a very workable belowdecks layout.
Should you choose a 31, you won't be disappointed!

PS. Does anyone have the stability curve for the CD 31?

catherine_monaghan@merck.com

[Bill on Mintaka]

I owned a CD 31 for five years. While I didn't sail it in the ocean I did sail it in Lake Ontario for that time. Lake O can get pretty snotty. My wife and I sailed across from Canada in winds close to 40 knots. We made the crossing in record time for us, were very comfortable, and arrived on the US side tired (we had no autopilot) but otherwise OK. I would certainly consider the boat for offshore work subject to some upgrades. I sold mine because I had an opportunity to upgrade to a CD 40. We have sailed that one in the ocean...pure pleasure!

I mean no injustice to your loyalities at this site...but, can the Cape Dory 31 be considered a true blue water cruiser?

wmichne@dellmail.com