I'm thinking of buying a 28 foot Cape Dory 1981 and am looking for any positive or negative comments on this vessel. She's powered by a volvo 13 hp. Is this enough to move a 9000 pound boat? The owner is asking 26,000. Any info would be appreciated
Jim
fishmon@theaquarist.com
Thinking of buying a 1981 28 footer
Moderator: Jim Walsh
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Ed Haley
Re: Thinking of buying a 1981 28 footer
I recently sold my CD28 and I'm looking for a CD33 or 36. The CD28 is a great sailing vessel. A new set of sails made her lively and quick. The engine you refer to was quite happy to cruise along at 6 knots around 2000 rpm. It depends upon which prop you have on the one you're considering as to how many rpms you'll need. The CD28 is absolutely NOT underpowered with this engine, although backing up in a straight line has a steep learning curve because of her long keel.
If this vessel is in good condition, you'll have a lot of fun with her. She is definitely not a dog to sail. And besides, you have to look around for a long time to find one as pretty. "Life is too short to sail around in an ugly boat." It's a wise decision to go with a Cape Dory - at any size. And when you start with something pretty you don't mind the work so much that must be done to keep her that way.
eghaley@twcny.rr.com
If this vessel is in good condition, you'll have a lot of fun with her. She is definitely not a dog to sail. And besides, you have to look around for a long time to find one as pretty. "Life is too short to sail around in an ugly boat." It's a wise decision to go with a Cape Dory - at any size. And when you start with something pretty you don't mind the work so much that must be done to keep her that way.
eghaley@twcny.rr.com
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Neil Gordon
Re: Thinking of buying a 1981 28 footer
>>She's powered by a volvo 13 hp. Is this enough to move a 9000 pound boat?<<
It's plenty.
You've heard about the difficulty backing up... but that's a function of the design more than power. The wind will catch the bow (particularly if you have a roller furled genoa) and the boat will turn so that you're backing upwind whether you like it or not. There are ways to deal with that. It's one of the compromises you make, and besides, how much time are you planning on spending backing the boat?
>>The owner is asking 26,000.<<
Depends on condition and equipment. Have a survey done and if anything significant shows up, you can negotiate a lower price. But it's a great boat... if your choice is pay the price or not have a Cape Dory, ... I know what I'd do.
Where's the boat and where will you be sailing?
Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167
neil@nrgordon.com
It's plenty.
You've heard about the difficulty backing up... but that's a function of the design more than power. The wind will catch the bow (particularly if you have a roller furled genoa) and the boat will turn so that you're backing upwind whether you like it or not. There are ways to deal with that. It's one of the compromises you make, and besides, how much time are you planning on spending backing the boat?
>>The owner is asking 26,000.<<
Depends on condition and equipment. Have a survey done and if anything significant shows up, you can negotiate a lower price. But it's a great boat... if your choice is pay the price or not have a Cape Dory, ... I know what I'd do.
Where's the boat and where will you be sailing?
Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167
neil@nrgordon.com
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Jay Hubbard
Re: Thinking of buying a 1981 28 footer
Definitely not under-powered. Depending on wind and sea conditions it will get to hull speed between 1900 & 2000 RPMs with a 2 blade 13 x 13 prop. If it has a 3 blade it will have a little more thrust.Jim Lant wrote: I'm thinking of buying a 28 foot Cape Dory 1981 and am looking for any positive or negative comments on this vessel. She's powered by a volvo 13 hp. Is this enough to move a 9000 pound boat? The owner is asking 26,000. Any info would be appreciated
Jim
Backing down: Like all long keel boats has a learning curve but once you get the hang of it it isn't a problem.
It s extremly safe offshore cruiser. As a result it s not quite as roomy as some of the newer boats but it's far more comfortable in a real breeze than most boats it's size.
The price may be a "OK" depending on the location, condition. and "extras". Get a good Surveyor and use the Bucnet list to learn more about prices in your area. The boats here in the Great Lakes seam draw higher prices than the salt water boats, but yoiu really have to look at all the factors.
mailbox1@worldnet.att.net
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Jay Hubbard
Re: Thinking of buying a 1981 28 footer
Definitely not under-powered. Depending on wind and sea conditions it will get to hull speed between 1900 & 2000 RPMs with a 2 blade 13 x 13 prop. If it has a 3 blade it will have a little more thrust.Jim Lant wrote: I'm thinking of buying a 28 foot Cape Dory 1981 and am looking for any positive or negative comments on this vessel. She's powered by a volvo 13 hp. Is this enough to move a 9000 pound boat? The owner is asking 26,000. Any info would be appreciated
Jim
Backing down: Like all long keel boats has a learning curve but once you get the hang of it it isn't a problem.
It s extremly safe offshore cruiser. As a result it s not quite as roomy as some of the newer boats but it's far more comfortable in a real breeze than most boats it's size.
The price may be a "OK" depending on the location, condition. and "extras". Get a good Surveyor and use the Bucnet list to learn more about prices in your area. The boats here in the Great Lakes seam draw higher prices than the salt water boats, but yoiu really have to look at all the factors.
mailbox1@worldnet.att.net
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Stan
Re: Thinking of buying a 1981 28 footer
I am in the process of buying a '79 CD 28. There are two main things to watch out for. First, the chain plates are anchored to iron (or maybe carbon steel) brackets inside the hull. These must be checked for rust. Second, the gelcoat on the deck cracks. These cracks must be checked to make sure water has not damaged the balsa core. Other problems vary from boat to boat, but tend to be obvious and the types of things one would expect from a boat that is 20 plus years old. Unfortunately, I can't say much yet about sailing or motoring properties. As to price, I am paying much less than $26,000, but the boat does not have roller furling, needs new sails, does not come with GPS and needs much of its teak refinished. Also, in addition to being two years newer, an '81 has some minor but worthwhile refinements in the cabin layout. I would say that $26,000 is a reasonable place for a seller to start the bidding on an '81 if the boat has roller furling, GPS, recent sails and is basically in sail away condition.
smwheatley@capecod.net
smwheatley@capecod.net
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Lyn Heiges
Re: Thinking of buying a 1981 28 footer
Jim,
We have a 1981 CD 28 (#307) and love her. It is repowered with a Yanmar 2GM20F engine and 3-bladed prop. What the others said about backing is true for any long keeled boat. Our previous CD27 was as bad except the engine was counterclockwise and the boat backed to port.
I paid a lot less and got a lot of "goodies" here in Florida, but the last couple of years have had me really bringing her back into shape. The original owner "babied" her, but the subsequent owners were lovers and not sailors or maintenance persons. I have really enjoyed bringing her back to "snuff", so it has been a labor (and expense) of love. The reason I bought her was because she was so cheap and the cost of moving the CD27, the decommissioning, recommissioning, etc. was far more expensive. I happened that a friend here in Florida knew of the CD27 and bought her from me and shipped her and paid all those expenses, so we both are happy now and I frequently sail on the CD27 with him.
The CD27 was the "biggest of the CD small boats" and the CD28 is the "smallest of the CD big boats", several sources have told me. I love them both, but the difference in weight is the big factor in slowing, docking and general handling. Switching between the two is VERY interesting and YOU HAVE TO THINK!
Hope you buy the CD28, she is a great vessel!
Lyn Heiges
CD28 MOON CHILD #307
St. Pete Beach, Florida
LynHeiges@cs.com
We have a 1981 CD 28 (#307) and love her. It is repowered with a Yanmar 2GM20F engine and 3-bladed prop. What the others said about backing is true for any long keeled boat. Our previous CD27 was as bad except the engine was counterclockwise and the boat backed to port.
I paid a lot less and got a lot of "goodies" here in Florida, but the last couple of years have had me really bringing her back into shape. The original owner "babied" her, but the subsequent owners were lovers and not sailors or maintenance persons. I have really enjoyed bringing her back to "snuff", so it has been a labor (and expense) of love. The reason I bought her was because she was so cheap and the cost of moving the CD27, the decommissioning, recommissioning, etc. was far more expensive. I happened that a friend here in Florida knew of the CD27 and bought her from me and shipped her and paid all those expenses, so we both are happy now and I frequently sail on the CD27 with him.
The CD27 was the "biggest of the CD small boats" and the CD28 is the "smallest of the CD big boats", several sources have told me. I love them both, but the difference in weight is the big factor in slowing, docking and general handling. Switching between the two is VERY interesting and YOU HAVE TO THINK!
Hope you buy the CD28, she is a great vessel!
Lyn Heiges
CD28 MOON CHILD #307
St. Pete Beach, Florida
Jim Lant wrote: I'm thinking of buying a 28 foot Cape Dory 1981 and am looking for any positive or negative comments on this vessel. She's powered by a volvo 13 hp. Is this enough to move a 9000 pound boat? The owner is asking 26,000. Any info would be appreciated
Jim
LynHeiges@cs.com