What do you NOT like about your Cape Dory ??

[Thinking of 31 or 33]

Yes, Cape Dories are great boats. But every boat, has its flaws. Tell me what you do NOT like about your Cape Dory, or about someone else's Cape Dory ..

(While this seems a negative question, it has a benign purpose. It always helps to exchange ideas about how to deal with problems. Also, knowing a boat's flaws and potential problems helps buyers look at prospective boats.)

[Neil Gordon]

>>But every boat, has its flaws.<<

In fact, quality boats have few flaws. What they have are compromises in design. Lighter is faster, heavier is stable. Full keels track well and they don't catch lobster traps, but they don't steer in reverse. Bronze ports are smaller than big panels of plastic; they let in less light but they all open. (They also don't buckle if a wave hits you, which helps to keep the water on the outside.) Etc.


Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167



neil@nrgordon.com

[Catherine Monaghan]

It would be nice if there was more room around the engine. You have to be a contortionist to work on it.

The cutouts (galley rails? fiddles?) for access to the storage area in the galley (above the cabinets) on our boat were too small to get your hand in nevermind a cup or a glass. We had to use a router to make them wide enough to be usable.

The support for the pullout double berth (the starboard settee on our boat) was inadequate. As a result we had to redesign it and replace it in order to use it.

Other than that, we love our Cape Dory 32.

catherine_monaghan@merck.com
CD32 Realization
Raritan Bay

Yes, Cape Dories are great boats. But every boat, has its flaws. Tell me what you do NOT like about your Cape Dory, or about someone else's Cape Dory ..

(While this seems a negative question, it has a benign purpose. It always helps to exchange ideas about how to deal with problems. Also, knowing a boat's flaws and potential problems helps buyers look at prospective boats.)

catherine_monaghan@merck.com

[Tom Young]

There was something I didn't like about our CD 28 when we first bought it, but I can't remember what it was. Oh yeah, the backing thing, I just don't do it anymore, there are too many things that will embaress you at the dock without trying that. I push the boat out.
Seriously though, the boats are a good value. It has allowed me to concentrate on my passion, spending time on the water with my family. Ours is is approaching 25 years. Most of the parts are still in use including the engine(!)It's showing it's age but mostly cosmeticly. I can't believe we still have it and haven't gone onto something else. We are on our third house, gained two children, several cars, moved to Maine(the boat did that, come to think of it, it's done alot).
I'm still not looking at any major repairs, time for a second dodger, could use a main, gotta get roller furling when the 120 won't trim, that volvos gotta go soon, third spinnaker in a year or so, upper toe rails need repalcing(I'm a home builder, too easy, put it off)I HAVE A BAD SEACOCK, thats right, I forgot, the handle snaped off from lack of use. Theres my complaint.



fish@mint.net

[John]

Yes, Cape Dories are great boats. But every boat, has its flaws. Tell me what you do NOT like about your Cape Dory, or about someone else's Cape Dory ..

(While this seems a negative question, it has a benign purpose. It always helps to exchange ideas about how to deal with problems. Also, knowing a boat's flaws and potential problems helps buyers look at prospective boats.)

I can think of quite a few things but overall I'd say there is about 95% of the boat that I have no complaints about, I think they are (were) one of the better production boats made. Ours is a '83 CD30 cutter and here are a few of my complaints:

1) The way the seam at the fit of the bulkheads to the cabin top are finished with a fairing of silicone. As a proper yacht they should be trimmed out with wood instead, or fitted so well nothing is needed.

2) The location of the electrical panels just inside the companionway on starboard. They are very susceptible to spray and rain water and should at least of had a splash panel hinged to close over them. I am in the process of making that conversion. They also do not have enough room behind them for proper wiring junction blocks and harnesses.

3) The galley sliding cabinet doors should have been designed to be removable and lockable. I've made unique locking modifications for those and other cabinet doors in the boat. It should have been built with positive locking mechanisms rather than friction catches.

4) The companionway sliding hatch should be a much, much better fit when closed at the junction of the drop boards, all across the after edge of the hatch. The underside of the hatch should be finished better as well.

5) A opening hatch in the forward end of the cockpit sole should have been installed by the factory to facilitate engine access. I have already made that conversion and it makes a world of difference for access to the Volvo V-drive engines.

6) I think the quarter round trim joinerwork in the upper main and forward cabin could have been produced to a higher degree, mitre work is not to good but probably good enough for most people.Also the screws should have been bunged for a proper finished look.

7) Better bilge access, especially right at the base of the companionway steps, which is right above the deepest sump part of the bilge, none exists. The only access is a small 10 x 12 opening in the salon and another up in the head compartment for the shower sump pan.
All bilge access panels should of had securing latches. I have made that modification.

8)Engine compartment should have been insulated from the factory. I have made the modification and reduced heat transfer from the engine and makes engine compartment cleaning easier.

9) Far better porthole screen assemblies, originals are poor to marginal at best.

10) A securing hawse hole cap on the after end of the bow platform.

11) A heavier reinforced babystay tack fitting for use with a storm jib.

12) Better quality wood drawer runners.

13) Needs a bigger hanging locker.

14) A flush fitting lid without raised trim on the storage bin in the starboard galley counter and the icebox lid frame. Would make for easier cleaning.

15) Halyard winches from the factory would have been nice. I've added them.

16) If the liner had been moulded to fit closer to the hull it would have afforded quite a bit more storage space. I've discovered this since running a/c flex ducting behind the liner.

17) The engine should be about 20hp rather than 13hp.

18) The original stern tube on the V-drive Volvo engine equipped boat is to short, severly limiting access to the stuffing box. I lengthened ours and added a shaft seal for painless and very easy inspection and maintenance.

Thats about it except for some other very minor things mostly inside the cabin. I have no complaints on deck except the cockpit hatches should have weather tight seals on them. I think the foredeck is to crowded for a clubfooted staysail. I removed the clubfoot. All and all its a very fine boat and anyone should be very proud to own one, and I am. Would I buy another one? Absolutely, in a second !!! A very fine boat indeed.

[D. Stump, Hanalei]

I absolutely hate it when she's out of the water, laid up on the hard for the winter! Other than that, I can't think of a thing I would change or can complain about. CD's in general are just great vessels!

Dave Stump
Captain Commanding
s/v Hanalei CD-30

[Neil Gordon]

>>I absolutely hate it when she's out of the water, ...<<

This weekend, in my annual March ritual, I took the winter cover off, opened up the hatch and ports and had lunch on board. It's not sailing, but it's the closest I've been since October or so. <G>


Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167



neil@nrgordon.com