I am thinking of purchasing a Cape Dory 32 or 33, this will be my first sailboat. I have recently finished a few sailing courses at Annapolis Sailing School and my sailing experience is limited at best. Could you please offer some advice on these boats as well as their potential flaws or any complaints.
Dennis@Blazenet.net
Cape Dory 32,33
Moderator: Jim Walsh
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Ryan Turner
Great Boats!
My CD33 is a great boat! Sails great. Looks great. Is built strong. I looked at one CD32 and thought that it would be great too. You won't go wrong with either boat as long as nothing is wrong with it. Choose a surveyor who knows sailboats. Some things that have caused problems for CD owners include rusted chain plates and decks that have taken on water through cracks in the gel coat. If you pick one that has no substantial problems, you'll love it for sure. Be aware that Cape Dory's are heavy boats and you should get a lot of practice working around docks and such. You can really cause a lot of damage if you don't get it right. Good luck!
Ryan Turner
s/v Zenobia
CD33 hull no. 100
rdted@aol.com
Ryan Turner
s/v Zenobia
CD33 hull no. 100
Dennis Preperato wrote: I am thinking of purchasing a Cape Dory 32 or 33, this will be my first sailboat. I have recently finished a few sailing courses at Annapolis Sailing School and my sailing experience is limited at best. Could you please offer some advice on these boats as well as their potential flaws or any complaints.
rdted@aol.com
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Ed Haley
Re: Cape Dory 32,33
Congratulations on taking a few sailing courses first before deciding to buy a boat. Smart thinking. The purchase of a Cape Dory sailboat is another smart choice.
About the only advice I'd like to pass along to you is to make sure you have you answered the question "Why do I want to sail?" Do you want to cruise or race? Cape Dorys are cruisers and they take you in style and comfort. A J-Boat is a class racer and lots of fun. Find out your primary interest in sailing and then go from there.
eghaley@dreamscape.com
About the only advice I'd like to pass along to you is to make sure you have you answered the question "Why do I want to sail?" Do you want to cruise or race? Cape Dorys are cruisers and they take you in style and comfort. A J-Boat is a class racer and lots of fun. Find out your primary interest in sailing and then go from there.
eghaley@dreamscape.com
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zeida
Re: Cape Dory 32,33
Dennis: you say you just finished taking some sailing lessons.. what kind of boat did you work with? normally these schools use Solings or similar racing boats. For cruising lessons, they will use heavier cruisers, very different from the fast sleek open cockpit racers. A Cape Dory 32 or 33 for that matter is not a simple boat. They are great boats, but you need to know what you're doing, especially on the bigger ones. They do make the 25, and 27's which for a starter, would probably make more sense. They are almost idiot-proof boats, and by starting smaller, you do learn your way around sailing and Cape Dorys. Do you have a family that will sail with you or are you planning on doing everything yourself from the start? It is possible, but it takes a lot of confidence, lots of work and devotion to maintain the boat at its best, since they are no longer being made, and lots of practice. Being full keel boats, they do not steer in reverse. you must learn to use the wind and tide to move your boat. Getting in and out of the slip at the marina is a challenge. The 32/33 is a heavy boat and does not stop instantly. The diesel inboard engine needs a fair amount of attention, unlike a simple outboard. The sails are big and powerful and you need to really know how to use them, or why, or you will be overpowered very easily. Cape Dory owners become obsessed with their boats -we all are- but think it through. I love my 33, but sailed on my previous 25 for 18 years before making the switch. Would hate to think that you buy a CD-32/33 and a year later you sell it because it's too much boat to care for. Where do you intend to sail?
Lake, ocean, bay, etc. All these makes a difference. Do you prefer a traditional boat over a modern one such as Beneteau, Catalina, C & C, Tartans, etc. If yes, then of course, Cape Dory is the answer, unless you can afford the Shannons, Morris, Pacific Seacraft, etc.
Anyway, good luck!
Zeida
Bandolera II/CD-33
Key Biscayne, FL
zcecil@ibm.net
Lake, ocean, bay, etc. All these makes a difference. Do you prefer a traditional boat over a modern one such as Beneteau, Catalina, C & C, Tartans, etc. If yes, then of course, Cape Dory is the answer, unless you can afford the Shannons, Morris, Pacific Seacraft, etc.
Anyway, good luck!
Zeida
Bandolera II/CD-33
Key Biscayne, FL
zcecil@ibm.net