CD31 & Hull Numbers

[Ryan T]

I'm shopping for a CD31 and have found two that seem to fill the bill for me. One is a 1983 model with a very low hull number (less than 10). The other is a 1984 model with a much higher hull number. It occurs to me that it may be better to go with the higher hull number because people usually get better at something as they go along. Might it be true that Cape Dory got better at building the 31 as they went along? Does anybody know of problems with early models that were fixed later on? I heard that there was a weather helm problem that was fixed by adding additional ballast in the bilge. Anybody know about this? The 1983 model is better equipped and appears to be a better value for the money. I'm just wondering about this hull number thing. Anybody got any thoughts?



rdtec@aol.com

[Tom Pandiscio]

I owned a CD31 for a few years and it was a great boat. Unfortunately, I know nothing about earlier hull numbers--mine was 87. However, I do know that they did need more ballast and to my knowledge it was not added. I was in contact with Robinhood Marine and they confirmed the need. In fact, I was going to add ballast when I sold the boat. In the absence of the lead, I found the boat sailed very well upwind when I reefed the yankee and sailed with a full staysail. I found the boat sailed poorly to windward without the staysail and in significant wind, it did have excessive weather helm if I did not reef the yankee. These comments aside, I loved the boat!



Tom_Pandiscio@mail.wachusett-rhs.wrsd.k12.ma.us

[Jonathan H. Erb]

I do not know if this is directly pertinent, but it is informational. I purchased my Cape Dory 31 manufactured in 1985 #74(?), ("Clouded Moon" which I keep in Kappas Marina in Sausalito), in 1986 as the second owner. Of course, I love her. I have made a lot of modifications over the years for SF Bay sailing with occaisional ocean forays (Farallones, Drakes Bay). I have a few criticisms of the construction: (1) The mast partner on my boat is not centered (it is located too far to starboard). This prevents perfect tuning of the rig. (2) The cockpit coaming connection at the aft end is weak. My 110lb wife split the teak with her foot when she slowly slid down on it as we heeled. I put bolts through from the underside and wood support blocks at the aft ends.(3)I have had the average recurring blistering problem. Otherwise, the construction is excellent with no structural problems or leaks after a lot of years of hard sailing.

Come for an inspection or sail. I can tell you what worked or didn't in my modifications.




jhe@slip.net