Have you ever noticed this?

[Capt Hook]

My CD-31 is still new to me.

Down here on the Gulf Coast we tend to put biminis on our boats rather than dodgers.

I had my boat measured for a bimini. The technician tried to maximize the coverage by placing the base of the frame as far forward as he could and still have it clear the winch handle when using the winch.

They built the frame and went out to install the bimini this morning and had a problem.

Apparently one of my winches is an inch and a half or two inches farther forward than the other. I just assumed they were symmetrical.

Must have come from the factory that way. I don't see any evidence that either one was ever moved.

[David van den Burgh]

I haven't noticed the winch issue specifically, but I'm not at all surprised. If you looked closely at a lot of the details aboard your boat, I'm sure you'd soon realize that few things are truly symmetrical. If you have a bowsprit, notice where the toerails join it. Is it symmetrical? It isn't aboard Ariel. I doubt that the chainplates are symmetrical from side to side. I wouldn't be surprised in the least if they're 1/4" or 1/2" different. I'm in the midst of rebuilding a '64 Alberg 30. There certainly isn't a lot of symmetry there either - or even square or level surfaces (there are now, since I've installed new bulkheads, etc).

[Jim Walsh]

Now I'm curious and I'll have to check my winch placement, not that it'll effect me one way or another. It is funny that you had your boat "measured" for a Bimini and they only found the discrepancy during installation. Perhaps when they measure for anchor points in the future they'll ensure they "measure" as opposed to assume. We all know what happens when we assume.

[bottomscraper]

Not that specifically but I can tell you that on Mahalo (CD36) the cockpit seats port and starboard are not symmetrical.

[jen1722terry]

We're making cockpit cushions this winter and we noticed a slight discrepancy between port and starboard. I'll check the winches tomorrow. Interesting.

And do enjoy your 31, in our humble opinion, one of Alberg's best designs.

Jenn and Terry

[Neil Gordon]

I measured the v-berth for an insert; not quite exactly 100% symmetrical; perhaps a 1" difference where the berths meet the after bulkhead.

[Jim Walsh]

I measured the distance from the cabin bulkhead to the center of my primary winches and there was a 3/8" difference between port and starboard.

[Neil Gordon]

I measured the distance from the cabin bulkhead to the center of my primary winches and there was a 3/8" difference between port and starboard.

Perhaps all those years of sailing on a starboard tack?

[jbenagh]

They say a carpenter builds to the closest eighth inch. A cabinet maker to the nearest 32nd. And a boat builder to the nearest boat.

Also the Bud Macintosh quote: "if she is a little uneven and the owner asks you why she is faster on port, mumble something about the coreolis effect in the northern hemisphere and hope he accepts that answer"

Jeff

[rjnale]

Years past I was restoring (a perpetual task!) our prior house built in 1842 with an old carpenter. He would always say "Level, plumb or square.... Pick 2 and live with it!".

[John Stone]

I nearly went Bat Sh*t crazy trying to get my boat level for installing the interior. Nothing matched--mast, keel-step, partners, scribed waterline, bulkheads, deck, cabin sole, bridge-deck, hull. Even the bulkheads are staggered for reasons I don't understand. I finally picked a reference point and based everything else from there. At least everything matches now. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

[jen1722terry]

This post brings back some pleasant memories.

I grew up in a house built in 1708. My folks bought it in 1939 because, historically, everything was there. My family (a niece, now) still owns it. Over the years, many contractors worked on it and all hated it. Nothing plumb, square or level, bricks in the walls, huge oak timbers as hard as rock. Working to code was a dream at best. We ended up doing most of the work ourselves (I was one of 7seven, five boys = cheap slave labor). My love/hate relationship with that house favored the hate.

Also, as a boy in the '50s (that's 1950's, not 1850's for all you wise acres). We had many small wooden boats at our summer cottage (too many), most in constant need of some repair or another. As all were geometrically amiss to some extent, repairs were always "custom." Tape measures and squares were of little use. You found a chunk of wood about the right size and just messed with it with the planes and rasp until it fit.

Ah the old days, which have likely made me older than I would otherwise be. Our "new" Cape Dory, in comparison, is a miracle of symmetrical perfection.

Cheers!

Terry