Hello -
I'm going to be looking at an '81 CD 28 and would be interested in what sorts of things I should be looking for or asking about in the way of problem areas. The description I have seen is pretty complete regarding rigging (most of standing rigging replaced within past 3 years), engine hours (about 800) and associated equipment that I know to be concerned about.
Should I be interested in this boat I will, of course, be hiring a surveyor to examine it in more detail. But I'm hoping that owners and those more familar with this model can tell me what areas I should be focusing on. I know that sometimes a particular year boat is particularly prone to blistering, etc. These are the sort of hints I'm looking for.
The asking price is $26K. Is this pretty much in line with what to expect in the Chesapeake region?
My wife, 11 year-old son and I would be using this boat in the Bay and associated rivers. They are new to sailing and I'll be returning to it after some years absence. Would you endorse this boat as a good one for novices?
Thanks in advance for any advice or opinions you wish to offer.
Patrick
pgolden@mail.wrl.org
What to look for in an 81 Cape Dory 28?
Moderator: Jim Walsh
-
Ron Musk
Re: What to look for in an 81 Cape Dory 28?
Patrick,Patrick Golden wrote: Hello -
I'm going to be looking at an '81 CD 28 and would be interested in what sorts of things I should be looking for or asking about in the way of problem areas. The description I have seen is pretty complete regarding rigging (most of standing rigging replaced within past 3 years), engine hours (about 800) and associated equipment that I know to be concerned about.
Should I be interested in this boat I will, of course, be hiring a surveyor to examine it in more detail. But I'm hoping that owners and those more familar with this model can tell me what areas I should be focusing on. I know that sometimes a particular year boat is particularly prone to blistering, etc. These are the sort of hints I'm looking for.
The asking price is $26K. Is this pretty much in line with what to expect in the Chesapeake region?
My wife, 11 year-old son and I would be using this boat in the Bay and associated rivers. They are new to sailing and I'll be returning to it after some years absence. Would you endorse this boat as a good one for novices?
Thanks in advance for any advice or opinions you wish to offer.
Patrick
you will want to check out entire deck and cabin top top for cracks in the gel coat and /or voids,anything that may allow water to penetrate to the core.Your surveyor will give you a good idea if there is a prob lem with a moisture meter.Also any place the cockpit sole has been cut or drilled-for steering installations-be it pedestal or tiller.Check the steel bow fitting in the anchor locker,these are prone to severe rust as sea water can find it's way down the chain pipe.Run the engine for a good hour and take an oil sample to be sent out for analysis.Probably a great choice for family boat as they are quite kindly and forgiving.Check the hull for signs of osmosis. Good luck.
Ron Musk
s/v"R&R"
CD30
ccerre@massed.net
-
Bill
Re: What to look for in an 81 Cape Dory 28?
Hi Patrick,
I purchased my first sail boat this Fall - A 1978 CD 28. The following are problems I encountered after purchasing but which I should have found/discovered. First off, the survey went without a hitch and the sail trial was fine. Upon buying and sailing 180 miles to my destination I discovered (along the way) that the head was broken (surveyor listed a broken handle which was fixed but still did not function), the alternator was not charging batteries (batteries replaced anyway because they would not hold a charge), the auto-tiller pilot did not work and stanchions leaked on starboard side. The electrical system also had a mind of its own with mast-head light and cabin lights sometimes working - sometimes not. In addition, during trial I did not notice that stuffing box had severe drip, more like a stream. I wish I had noticed this before setting off for a long sail. Granted these are somewhat minor and I am probably at fault for not noticing - but I would have adjusted my offer price had I known in advance. Anyway, just some thoughts. Despite the initial surprises, she's a beautiful boat that my wife and I look forward to sailing for a long time!
bkerkam@yahoo.com
I purchased my first sail boat this Fall - A 1978 CD 28. The following are problems I encountered after purchasing but which I should have found/discovered. First off, the survey went without a hitch and the sail trial was fine. Upon buying and sailing 180 miles to my destination I discovered (along the way) that the head was broken (surveyor listed a broken handle which was fixed but still did not function), the alternator was not charging batteries (batteries replaced anyway because they would not hold a charge), the auto-tiller pilot did not work and stanchions leaked on starboard side. The electrical system also had a mind of its own with mast-head light and cabin lights sometimes working - sometimes not. In addition, during trial I did not notice that stuffing box had severe drip, more like a stream. I wish I had noticed this before setting off for a long sail. Granted these are somewhat minor and I am probably at fault for not noticing - but I would have adjusted my offer price had I known in advance. Anyway, just some thoughts. Despite the initial surprises, she's a beautiful boat that my wife and I look forward to sailing for a long time!
Patrick Golden wrote: Hello -
I'm going to be looking at an '81 CD 28 and would be interested in what sorts of things I should be looking for or asking about in the way of problem areas. The description I have seen is pretty complete regarding rigging (most of standing rigging replaced within past 3 years), engine hours (about 800) and associated equipment that I know to be concerned about.
Should I be interested in this boat I will, of course, be hiring a surveyor to examine it in more detail. But I'm hoping that owners and those more familar with this model can tell me what areas I should be focusing on. I know that sometimes a particular year boat is particularly prone to blistering, etc. These are the sort of hints I'm looking for.
The asking price is $26K. Is this pretty much in line with what to expect in the Chesapeake region?
My wife, 11 year-old son and I would be using this boat in the Bay and associated rivers. They are new to sailing and I'll be returning to it after some years absence. Would you endorse this boat as a good one for novices?
Thanks in advance for any advice or opinions you wish to offer.
Patrick
bkerkam@yahoo.com
-
Anthony P. Jeske
Re: What to look for in an 81 Cape Dory 28?
Patrick:
Check for rusted chain plates. There's a lot of information about this in the archives. If the surveyor is not familiar with problems peculiar to Cape Dorys, he may miss something important. I recently looked at a CD-27 that had rusty chain plates that were missed by the surveyor.
Cape Dorys tend to have a lot of gel coat cracks, it would not be unusual for this boat to have then, too. Once again, check the archives regarding cracks.
Good Luck,
Tony Jeske
ajeske@ixpres.com
Check for rusted chain plates. There's a lot of information about this in the archives. If the surveyor is not familiar with problems peculiar to Cape Dorys, he may miss something important. I recently looked at a CD-27 that had rusty chain plates that were missed by the surveyor.
Cape Dorys tend to have a lot of gel coat cracks, it would not be unusual for this boat to have then, too. Once again, check the archives regarding cracks.
Good Luck,
Tony Jeske
ajeske@ixpres.com
-
Bob Lund
Re: What to look for in an 81 Cape Dory 28?
Check the deck for soft spots. Walk all over it and pay attention to how it feels. Pay close attention in the cockpit foot well around the steering gear. If you find any suspicious spots, tap around them with a plactic hammer or the handel of a screwdriver. Also, use a moisture meter if you can borrow one. Soft spots (delamination) can form without deck cracks and may or may not be wet.
My CD28 had improperly installed bow cleats. There is supposed to be solid glass where the bolts pass through the deck. That's the case for all high stress thru deck hardware. The left one had the solid glass installed when the deck was assembled, the right one did not. As a result, over the years the compression collapsed the deck, water leaked in, all the core material rotted and the cleats were only being held in place by the upper and lower deck skins.
Otherwise a solid, comfortable, reliable boat of the alberg type. Manufactured to higher standards than most.
rml4707@aol.com
My CD28 had improperly installed bow cleats. There is supposed to be solid glass where the bolts pass through the deck. That's the case for all high stress thru deck hardware. The left one had the solid glass installed when the deck was assembled, the right one did not. As a result, over the years the compression collapsed the deck, water leaked in, all the core material rotted and the cleats were only being held in place by the upper and lower deck skins.
Otherwise a solid, comfortable, reliable boat of the alberg type. Manufactured to higher standards than most.
rml4707@aol.com
-
Lyn Heiges
Re: What to look for in an 81 Cape Dory 28?
Patrick,
I have a 1981 CD28 (#307) which is my second Cape Dory. The first one was a CD27 which I sail on regularly, still. The CD27 was delivered at Havre de Grace, Maryland and routinely sailed the Chesapeake. By the way, it is one of the greatest places to sail and relax. She is now down here in Florida as is my CD28.
Ron really pointed out a major item in the steel plate under the bowsprit where rust is a real problem. You have to keep after it from the salt water. If she was kept in the upper part of the Bay, you probably won't find the problem due to the Susquehanna River water feeding down from the North and the Bay water is brackish. Down around the Annapolis area or further South the salinity is greater and the likelyhood of a rusty plate is higher.
Check the decks and cockpit for the water leaks as that is another problem area. I have not had problems there, though others have.
I have a Yanmar 2GM20F for the engine now and it is great! I had the shaft repacked last summer because of more water coming in than I preferred. The man who bought the CD27 put in one of the "dripless" fittings and I haven't been THAT excited about it. It is OK, but the normal stuffing box was fine for years and works fine again now. I haven't heard praises for the Volvo MD7A like those for the numerous Yanmar engines. Yanmar also has great service support.
In many ways the CD28 is easier to sail than other CD models, if the club-footed jib (Yankee) is still functional as it is "self-tending" (to an extent). The big difference between the CD28 and the CD27 is the extra weight of the boat, so it "keeps on going" longer. Not a problem, but when sailing the two boats now, I have to think and plan differently. I started out when the kids were about 7, 9 and 10 and they never had any problems even with a German Shepherd on board. All three, now in their 30s are still interested in "going out" when they visit and my 2-1/2 year old granddaughter loves to help "Papi" on MOON CHILD. She has her special PFD and delights in wearing it and I often wear one of the inflatable PFDs so she doesn't feel strange. Not a bad safety item either.
Hope you get a good CD28 as they are great boats!
Lyn Heiges
CD28 MOON CHILD
St. Pete Beach, Florida
Where its cool, but not snowing!
LynHeiges@cs.com
I have a 1981 CD28 (#307) which is my second Cape Dory. The first one was a CD27 which I sail on regularly, still. The CD27 was delivered at Havre de Grace, Maryland and routinely sailed the Chesapeake. By the way, it is one of the greatest places to sail and relax. She is now down here in Florida as is my CD28.
Ron really pointed out a major item in the steel plate under the bowsprit where rust is a real problem. You have to keep after it from the salt water. If she was kept in the upper part of the Bay, you probably won't find the problem due to the Susquehanna River water feeding down from the North and the Bay water is brackish. Down around the Annapolis area or further South the salinity is greater and the likelyhood of a rusty plate is higher.
Check the decks and cockpit for the water leaks as that is another problem area. I have not had problems there, though others have.
I have a Yanmar 2GM20F for the engine now and it is great! I had the shaft repacked last summer because of more water coming in than I preferred. The man who bought the CD27 put in one of the "dripless" fittings and I haven't been THAT excited about it. It is OK, but the normal stuffing box was fine for years and works fine again now. I haven't heard praises for the Volvo MD7A like those for the numerous Yanmar engines. Yanmar also has great service support.
In many ways the CD28 is easier to sail than other CD models, if the club-footed jib (Yankee) is still functional as it is "self-tending" (to an extent). The big difference between the CD28 and the CD27 is the extra weight of the boat, so it "keeps on going" longer. Not a problem, but when sailing the two boats now, I have to think and plan differently. I started out when the kids were about 7, 9 and 10 and they never had any problems even with a German Shepherd on board. All three, now in their 30s are still interested in "going out" when they visit and my 2-1/2 year old granddaughter loves to help "Papi" on MOON CHILD. She has her special PFD and delights in wearing it and I often wear one of the inflatable PFDs so she doesn't feel strange. Not a bad safety item either.
Hope you get a good CD28 as they are great boats!
Lyn Heiges
CD28 MOON CHILD
St. Pete Beach, Florida
Where its cool, but not snowing!
Patrick Golden wrote: Hello -
I'm going to be looking at an '81 CD 28 and would be interested in what sorts of things I should be looking for or asking about in the way of problem areas. The description I have seen is pretty complete regarding rigging (most of standing rigging replaced within past 3 years), engine hours (about 800) and associated equipment that I know to be concerned about.
Should I be interested in this boat I will, of course, be hiring a surveyor to examine it in more detail. But I'm hoping that owners and those more familar with this model can tell me what areas I should be focusing on. I know that sometimes a particular year boat is particularly prone to blistering, etc. These are the sort of hints I'm looking for.
The asking price is $26K. Is this pretty much in line with what to expect in the Chesapeake region?
My wife, 11 year-old son and I would be using this boat in the Bay and associated rivers. They are new to sailing and I'll be returning to it after some years absence. Would you endorse this boat as a good one for novices?
Thanks in advance for any advice or opinions you wish to offer.
Patrick
LynHeiges@cs.com