Cape Dory 36
Moderator: Jim Walsh
Cape Dory 36
I am the owner of a Cape Dory 31 and look to purchase a Cape Dory 36. I am looking for information from Cape Dory 36 owners regarding their experience with their boats. Are there common problems or concerns? Are there years that are better than others? etc. Also, I would be interested to hear from anyone interested in buying a 1985 CD31 that is in excellent shape.
Tom_Pandiscio@mail.Wachusett-Rhs.WRSD.K12.Ma.US
Tom_Pandiscio@mail.Wachusett-Rhs.WRSD.K12.Ma.US
Re: Cape Dory 36
User Above wrote:I would like information on your CD31. The books I have on Cape Dorys referance CD30. Also, what part of the word is the boat in? Thank-you for the information.User Above wrote: I am the owner of a Cape Dory 31 and look to purchase a Cape Dory 36. I am looking for information from Cape Dory 36 owners regarding their experience with their boats. Are there common problems or concerns? Are there years that are better than others? etc. Also, I would be interested to hear from anyone interested in buying a 1985 CD31 that is in excellent shape.
Re: Cape Dory 36
I am a CD 36 owner sailing the Chesapeake Bay and the east coast in general from the Canadian border to the Bahamas. Ispent over 8 months aboard last winter and I am convinced that the CD 36 is one of the finest built and sailing vessels ever. As far as I know there are no bad years although there was a significant deck and interior change made in 1987. I've talked with many owners and have found them in agreement with my feelings about the boat.We are also establishing a national Cape Dory Sailboat Owners Association. It can be contacted through ;Tom Pandiscio wrote: I am the owner of a Cape Dory 31 and look to purchase a Cape Dory 36. I am looking for information from Cape Dory 36 owners regarding their experience with their boats. Are there common problems or concerns? Are there years that are better than others? etc. Also, I would be interested to hear from anyone interested in buying a 1985 CD31 that is in excellent shape.
Commodore Al Lawton
308 Strathmore Road
Lexington, KY 40505-2113
or myself at my Email address;
rhorton766@aol.com
rhorton766@aol.com
Re: Cape Dory 36
I am a CD36 owner,hull#17,sailing on galveston bay and gulf of mexico. I also think the 36 is one of the best boats ever. she loves heavy air and big chop. Although I have one problem with stiff steering. I've replaced all sheaves and adjusted steering, and replaced lower rudder gudgeon.I suspect that my autopilot motor (Sharp) which drives the rudder may have a bad bearing. Has anybody else experienced this kind of problem.Tom Pandiscio wrote: I am the owner of a Cape Dory 31 and look to purchase a Cape Dory 36. I am looking for information from Cape Dory 36 owners regarding their experience with their boats. Are there common problems or concerns? Are there years that are better than others? etc. Also, I would be interested to hear from anyone interested in buying a 1985 CD31 that is in excellent shape.
RCOUPLAN@BECHTEL.COM@MAILGATE
Re: Cape Dory 36
I'm the owner of a 1985 CD36 that was purchased new. I sail on the Chesapeake and coastal cruise to New England .She handles both heavy weather and the chop of the bay quite well. She is suprisingly tender initially,but once she shoulders in she is very stable.My problems relate to the stress cracks on deck that are common for this boat. Cosmetically unsightly, but no structural problems.Another area is the transmission linkage ,which until I rerouted it broke at least three times in the first two years of ownership.BOB COUPLAND wrote:I am a CD36 owner,hull#17,sailing on galveston bay and gulf of mexico. I also think the 36 is one of the best boats ever. she loves heavy air and big chop. Although I have one problem with stiff steering. I've replaced all sheaves and adjusted steering, and replaced lower rudder gudgeon.I suspect that my autopilot motor (Sharp) which drives the rudder may have a bad bearing. Has anybody else experienced this kind of problem.Tom Pandiscio wrote: I am the owner of a Cape Dory 31 and look to purchase a Cape Dory 36. I am looking for information from Cape Dory 36 owners regarding their experience with their boats. Are there common problems or concerns? Are there years that are better than others? etc. Also, I would be interested to hear from anyone interested in buying a 1985 CD31 that is in excellent shape.
JerryAxler@erols.com
Re: Cape Dory 36 (cracks on deck)
At our Calif. Cape Dory rendezvous last August, we had a dozen Cape Dorys, sail and power, and everyone was relieved to see this cracking on all our boats.Jerry Axler wrote: My problems relate to the stress cracks on deck that are common for this boat. Cosmetically unsightly, but no structural problems.
Apparently it's due to too thick a gelcoat layer, which makes it brittle and subject to surface cracking at stress points, but I have seen no reports of structural problems resulting from it.
Cape Dorys are just overbuilt, I guess.

bilofsky@ix.netcom.com
Re: Cape Dory 36
WE ARE JUST THINKING OF LOOKING AT A CD36 FOR OUR NEXT BOAT. HOWEVER, THE WIFE WANTS A DBL FOR OUR OCCASIONAL FRIENDS. IS THE AFT QTR SUITABLE FOR TWO FOR A WKND? I THINK WE ARE ONTO A GREAT BOAT BUT THIS INTERIOR DESIRE IS DRIVING ME NUTS. CAN I AFFORD A 35-6 THAT DOES THIS FOR HER AND STILL SAILS. HELP!: : I am the owner of a Cape Dory 31 and look to purchase a Cape Dory 36. I am looking for information from Cape Dory 36 owners regarding their experience with their boats. Are there common problems or concerns? Are there years that are better than others? etc. Also, I would be interested to hear from anyone interested in buying a 1985 CD31 that is in excellent shape.
DOSUKOENIG@AOL.COM
BOB COUPLAND wrote: I am a CD36 owner,hull#17,sailing on galveston bay and gulf of mexico. I also think the 36 is one of the best boats ever. she loves heavy air and big chop. Although I have one problem with stiff steering. I've replaced all sheaves and adjusted steering, and replaced lower rudder gudgeon.I suspect that my autopilot motor (Sharp) which drives the rudder may have a bad bearing. Has anybody else experienced this kind of problem.
DOSUKOENIG@AOL.COM
Re: Cape Dory 36
Doug:DOUG KOENIG wrote: WE ARE JUST THINKING OF LOOKING AT A CD36 FOR OUR NEXT BOAT. HOWEVER, THE WIFE WANTS A DBL FOR OUR OCCASIONAL FRIENDS. IS THE AFT QTR SUITABLE FOR TWO FOR A WKND? I THINK WE ARE ONTO A GREAT BOAT BUT THIS INTERIOR DESIRE IS DRIVING ME NUTS.
Problem solved. It turned out to be misaligned chain from auto pilot to rudder. Steers with one finger now. As for quarter berth, it's fairly comfortable for one but may be a bit tight for two unless your on the small side.
Bob
rcouplan@msn.com