I am considering buying a 1980 Cape Dory 30'
Moderator: Jim Walsh
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tom grant
I am considering buying a 1980 Cape Dory 30'
I am considering buying a 1980 Cape Dory 30 foot Cutter for 28,500 is this a good price? Is there any know defects with the model that I should look for? Also are spare parts available?
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Will Parker
Re: I am considering buying a 1980 Cape Dory 30'
The BUC (at www.bucvalu.com) lists a 1980 CD30c in "average" condition in a range of $28,500 to $31,600. My understanding is that "average" really means pretty good shape, but short of "bristol".
Will
"Jambalaya"
CD30c
whildenp@flinet.com
Will
"Jambalaya"
CD30c
tom grant wrote: I am considering buying a 1980 Cape Dory 30 foot Cutter for 28,500 is this a good price? Is there any know defects with the model that I should look for? Also are spare parts available?
whildenp@flinet.com
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Chris Schnell
Re: I am considering buying a 1980 Cape Dory 30'
Tom,
I recently bought a 1982 CD 30 Cutter and the surveyor appraised it in at $31,500. I got it for considerably less than that but that was a deal. After cleanup and some new instrumentation, etc. she's in the water and sails fantastic! A few tips: 1. Get a marine survey from a reputable surveyor (word of mouth recommendation I've found best). 2. Check out your engine thoroughly and make sure you're not facing an overhaul. 3. Check all thru-hulls/valves in the water for leakage and smoothness of operation. 4. When you haul it for inspection (after in-water inspection and sea-trial) of the bottom, etc., plan on keeping it on the hill for a little while to clean and paint your bottom, change zinc, prop, cutlass bearing, etc. as needed. Most importantly (1st hand knowledge here that required a haul-out a week after launching) service all your valves and seacocks so that if you have to change one and the thru-hull you're there. This is preventative medicine. 5. The final thing you need to look at closely is the deck and cockpit for cracking. You will most likely find some small cracking in high stress areas....make sure your surveyor looks those over carefully and uses a moisture meter if he's concerned. A mushy deck is indicative of delamination and core saturation and can be very expensive to repair. I personally have had no problem obtaining spare parts, although they're not cheap if you stick with original equipment (e.g. Spartan, Rigrite, etc.), but you know exactly what you're getting when you do. Having said all this, and having owned a Beneteau Oceanis 321 and CD 25, I believe you will be very happy with a CD30 Cutter. I know my girlfriend and I intend on cruising her by ourselves and our rigging her out to do so. Good Luck!
Chris Schnell
s/v MADNESS III CD30 #235
Southport, NC
swabbie@compaq.net
I recently bought a 1982 CD 30 Cutter and the surveyor appraised it in at $31,500. I got it for considerably less than that but that was a deal. After cleanup and some new instrumentation, etc. she's in the water and sails fantastic! A few tips: 1. Get a marine survey from a reputable surveyor (word of mouth recommendation I've found best). 2. Check out your engine thoroughly and make sure you're not facing an overhaul. 3. Check all thru-hulls/valves in the water for leakage and smoothness of operation. 4. When you haul it for inspection (after in-water inspection and sea-trial) of the bottom, etc., plan on keeping it on the hill for a little while to clean and paint your bottom, change zinc, prop, cutlass bearing, etc. as needed. Most importantly (1st hand knowledge here that required a haul-out a week after launching) service all your valves and seacocks so that if you have to change one and the thru-hull you're there. This is preventative medicine. 5. The final thing you need to look at closely is the deck and cockpit for cracking. You will most likely find some small cracking in high stress areas....make sure your surveyor looks those over carefully and uses a moisture meter if he's concerned. A mushy deck is indicative of delamination and core saturation and can be very expensive to repair. I personally have had no problem obtaining spare parts, although they're not cheap if you stick with original equipment (e.g. Spartan, Rigrite, etc.), but you know exactly what you're getting when you do. Having said all this, and having owned a Beneteau Oceanis 321 and CD 25, I believe you will be very happy with a CD30 Cutter. I know my girlfriend and I intend on cruising her by ourselves and our rigging her out to do so. Good Luck!
Chris Schnell
s/v MADNESS III CD30 #235
Southport, NC
swabbie@compaq.net
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david low
Re: I am considering buying a 1980 Cape Dory 30'
Prior responses are great but would add more.
Cape Dory used mild steel angles as backing plates for connecting the shrouds to the hull. (Later models 1984 +/- used aluminum). The steel is susceptible to corrosion especially if the shroud bases are not kept well sealed. The surveyor can not see all of the backing plates without some disassembly but portions can be "felt" or viewed. Have them look above the settees, near the head and near the forward sink.
Regarding "market value", I would not put much credibility in what the surveyor states. My experience is that they will say its worth about what you are paying - unless of course the price is way out of line or if the boat is in poor condition. Look on the web for others similarly equipped and in similar condition.
I am on my first year with a CD 30 (Hull #166). They are great boats and sail extremely well. Good luck
davidlow@erols.com
Cape Dory used mild steel angles as backing plates for connecting the shrouds to the hull. (Later models 1984 +/- used aluminum). The steel is susceptible to corrosion especially if the shroud bases are not kept well sealed. The surveyor can not see all of the backing plates without some disassembly but portions can be "felt" or viewed. Have them look above the settees, near the head and near the forward sink.
Regarding "market value", I would not put much credibility in what the surveyor states. My experience is that they will say its worth about what you are paying - unless of course the price is way out of line or if the boat is in poor condition. Look on the web for others similarly equipped and in similar condition.
I am on my first year with a CD 30 (Hull #166). They are great boats and sail extremely well. Good luck
davidlow@erols.com
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fred
warning! cape dory defect
you should be aware, that if you buy this boat, people seem to pop up out of the wood-work coming down the dock to admire your boat. it's always "oh such classic lines" or "oh what beautiful teak" or something. i declare, sometimes its hard to enjoy a cocktail in peace!tom grant wrote: I am considering buying a 1980 Cape Dory 30 foot Cutter for 28,500 is this a good price? Is there any know defects with the model that I should look for? Also are spare parts available?
#152
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will parker
Re: I am considering buying a 1980 Cape Dory 30'
I'm sorry. I gave you some inaccurate information. The BUC value on an "average" 1980 CD 30 is from $25,200 to $28,00. The numbers I cited before were for an "above average" CD 30. Hope this helps. Get your surveyor to state whether this boat is average or above.
Will
I am considering buying a 1980 Cape Dory 30 foot Cutter for 28,500 is this a good price? Is there any know defects with the model that I should look for? Also are spare parts available?
whildenp@flinet.com
Will
I am considering buying a 1980 Cape Dory 30 foot Cutter for 28,500 is this a good price? Is there any know defects with the model that I should look for? Also are spare parts available?
whildenp@flinet.com
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dave low
Re: warning! cape dory defect
Good Point Fred!! The local Cape Dory fan club has become so persistant that I am considering going on the wagon. If you can't enjoy a cocktail - best to avoid one. (And my teak doesn't look that good)
Dave
Hull #166
davidlow@erols.com
Dave
Hull #166
davidlow@erols.com