Monitor Windvane on a CD 33

Discussions about Cape Dory, Intrepid and Robinhood sailboats and how we use them. Got questions? Have answers? Provide them here.

Moderator: Jim Walsh

Post Reply
Derek Hillen

Monitor Windvane on a CD 33

Post by Derek Hillen »

I just ordered a Monitor Windvane for my Cape Dory 33 that I plan to install myself. As windvanes need to be factory customized for different boats, the company is using a Cape Dory 330 as a model for my CD 33 - are they the same?

Also, have any other Cape Dory owners installed windvanes on their boats, Monitor or otherwise? Would love to hear from you.

Cheers.

Derek



derek.hillen@sgw.com
Zeida Cecilia-Mendez

Re: Monitor Windvane on a CD 33

Post by Zeida Cecilia-Mendez »

I am the new owner of a 1982 CD 33. I would love to hear from you, what year is your boat, since when do you have it, etc. Any comments on performance and equipment, etc. would be helpful. Mine has a set of Datamarine instruments, Wind indicator, Depthsounder and Speed/Distance indicator. sorry I cannot help you on the Monitor ins- tallation. I am having present trouble with my engine, which cuts out in the middle of anywhere, and I cannot understand why. The reason seems to be the diesel fuel from the tank is NOT reaching the engine. It starts, but after a minute or so, it stops! It had not happened to me before. It is a universal atomic 3 cylinder diesel, 23 hp. At first, i thought I had run out of gas, and flagged down a powerboat who took me to a marina close by to buy 5 gals. of diesel fuel. Also, I don't think too much of the system of having to measure the fuel in the tank with a stick... isn't that how Christopher Columbus did it in his "Niña, Pinta and Santa Maria" ? And on mine, the lid for the diesel tank is half-hidden in the cockpit locker, and not so easy to open or close. Is this aberration the same on all 33's or just on mine? After my engine cut out as i was returning from a day sail with friends, I was lucky enough that the wind was from behind, and was able to roll out the genny and she pulled us almost all the way into the marina, but at the last minute, i had to make a right turn into the small channel prior to docking, and could not do it under genny alone. With the main up it would have been a different story, but there was a big storm comming and I did not want to risk it. I ended up anchoring about 100 yards from my dock and having to ask for a tow into my slip. Anyway, the CD 33 does not do too well under genny alone, except with wind from behind! And the main alone does not do too well either..! You really need both sails UP and working together! OR the engine! And mine is not working right now. I tried bleeding the engine after i poured in the extra 5 gallons of diesel, only to find out today that I had NOT run out of fuel, because the measuring stick goes down only to a spot in the tank, and THEN there are 8 more gallons down there that the stick does not read! So I now have in fact 13 gallons of diesel in the tank, which holds 20+... But now am waiting until Tuesday to have a mechanic come in and see if he can find what the trouble is. Has anything like this happened to you before..? Would love to hear from you. Thanks.

Zeida.

Derek Hillen wrote: I just ordered a Monitor Windvane for my Cape Dory 33 that I plan to install myself. As windvanes need to be factory customized for different boats, the company is using a Cape Dory 330 as a model for my CD 33 - are they the same?

Also, have any other Cape Dory owners installed windvanes on their boats, Monitor or otherwise? Would love to hear from you.

Cheers.

Derek


zcecil@ibm.net
Derek Hillen

Re: Monitor Windvane on a CD 33

Post by Derek Hillen »

Zeida Cecilia-Mendez wrote: Congratulations on buying a great boat!

I too just bought my CD 33. Galileo is a 1981 model, hull no. 46. I got her in Annapolis and sailed her up to her new hailing port, Stamford, CT., in early April. She is my first boat so I may be a bit starry-eyed but I have been very pleased so far. I put on a new partially battened main and with a 110 jib she will do 7-8 kts across the Sound in 15-20 kts of breeze. I just put on Schaefer 2100 roller furling and will be getting a 130 gennnie next week. I have only used the roller furling twice (with the converted 110) and it works great.
My engine, a Volvo Americana 2003, was put in new in 1992 by the previous owner and only had 89 hours when I bought it(!). I cannot tell you anything about engines as I am still learning. I plan to take a course in diesel engine repair over the winter though.

The boat has been in some stiff wind and she likes it. The stiffer the better. Once we get 15 kts or more we ride over, or through, the waves like a Cadillac; a very easy motion.

I replaced the VHF with an ICOM M59 as I already have the ICOM M15 handheld with which I am very happy. I also have a Garmin 45XL GPS unit which is absolute magic and dangerously reliable. I plan on getting a ham radio put in over the winter as well.

I will be slowly upgrading Galileo. Next week is also new lifeline week...

I sail mostly in Long Island Sound but am planning a 2 week trip up to Nantucket in August. By that time I would like to have fixed the water system (tastes terrible and there's a leak in one of the lines so the pump never shuts off automatically). I also want to fix my 3 burner pressurized alcohol stove which now is really only a 1 burner.... When it works, it works very well and I do not understand the rush to propane, which is SO unforgiving.

I have been pretty happy with my Navico 4000 autopilot and am getting the windvane as I am a singlehander.

There has been a lot of discussion on this chat line concerning heavy weather helm especially for the Cape Dory 33s. I have not found this to be a problem inherent to the boat but more a problem of me knowing how to trim the sails.

Does your boat have a boom vang? I am putting one on soon. Where do you sail and what is her name? Why a CD 33? I chose this boat after years of research as I want something that is stronger and wiser than I am as I plan for the big trip....

Fair winds.

Derek

*********************************************************

Zeida Cecilia-Mendez wrote:
Derek Hillen wrote: I just ordered a Monitor Windvane for my Cape Dory 33 that I plan to install myself. As windvanes need to be factory customized for different boats, the company is using a Cape Dory 330 as a model for my CD 33 - are they the same?

Also, have any other Cape Dory owners installed windvanes on their boats, Monitor or otherwise? Would love to hear from you.

Cheers.

Derek


derek.hillen@sgw.com
Post Reply