CD 25 Wish List of Improvements

[Astronomertoo]

As some of you know I am in process of making my old 1975 CD25 into a nicer boat for my purposes, as a long wished for retirement project. I had always wanted a larger Alberg CD design, and at this time of life with many other interests, and living in a skinny water area, and not planning extended cruising, the old 25 fits my requirements better than a deeper draft vessel. I am willing to do the hard work to get the results others have found with the smaller 25s. I have done this previously with other boats so am not new at it.
I am interested in what other owners might have done to make their 25 into a nicer, more comfortable, and maybe safer weekender.
I have a list of my own including making a useful boom gallows above the cockpit forward of the main sheet system which will also allow a removable suncover to be connected to the dodger. I had fabricated a nice one using heavy wall SS, well designed and braced on a previous 27 that was not only very strong and had 3 drop down locations for the boom to nest in, but also allowed a convenient safe grab location when going forward for sail work. But that boat had mid boom sheeting on the taller cabin top, and it was perfect.
This boat with its longer, lower boom is not as easy to deal with, but like the other boat, there is nothing to grab onto while moving in a seaway. I intend to improve that.
Likewise I would like other ideas about a strong, light weight large solar panel mounting aft that can be left in place while sailing.
Has anyone relocated the permanent stern ladder to drop down, inboard, at one side aft of the cabin? The stern is not very sensible on this boat.
Has anyone found a better way to utilize a simple one burner stove for coffee or soup, other than a wall mounted gimbol cooker?
Any/All other good ideas would be welcome.
Thanks
BobC

[Paul Clayton]

I put my ladder amidships so that I can grab onto the shrouds for balance coming aboard. It's a little trouble with the jib sheet, but not much.

I rigged up a jib downhaul, which is just a light line that passes through a block at the bow and runs up the forestay with the jib. It has a loop at the end which shackles onto the jib halyard. The other end runs down the port deck to the cockpit so I can lower the jib from the cockpit. I can just reach the jib cleat on the mast leaning over the companionway with the hatch open, so I don't have to go forward to drop the jib.

I put in a boom preventer to reduce the chance of an accidental jibe, mainly used when running wing and wing. The line runs from the cockpit all the way to the bow up the port deck, through a block and all the way back. There is a shackle at the end to attach to the tang on the end of the boom. I attach the shackle to the boom, wing out the main and then cleat the other end of the line down.

A two-burner propane camp stove serves for cooking. The small, camping-sized disposable propane tanks live in the well-ventilated lazarette when I'm not cooking.

I sling a small awning over the main boom at anchor so the companionway boards can be left out for ventilation, even in light rain.

A CD25 may be small, but it's a lot more comfortable than a mountain tent.

[Astronomertoo]

I put my ladder amidships so that I can grab onto the shrouds for balance coming aboard. It's a little trouble with the jib sheet, but not much.

I rigged up a jib downhaul, which is just a light line that passes through a block at the bow and runs up the forestay with the jib. It has a loop at the end which shackles onto the jib halyard. The other end runs down the port deck to the cockpit so I can lower the jib from the cockpit. I can just reach the jib cleat on the mast leaning over the companionway with the hatch open, so I don't have to go forward to drop the jib.

I put in a boom preventer to reduce the chance of an accidental jibe, mainly used when running wing and wing. The line runs from the cockpit all the way to the bow up the port deck, through a block and all the way back. There is a shackle at the end to attach to the tang on the end of the boom. I attach the shackle to the boom, wing out the main and then cleat the other end of the line down.

A two-burner propane camp stove serves for cooking. The small, camping-sized disposable propane tanks live in the well-ventilated lazarette when I'm not cooking.

I sling a small awning over the main boom at anchor so the companionway boards can be left out for ventilation, even in light rain.

A CD25 may be small, but it's a lot more comfortable than a mountain tent.

---
Thanks Paul,
I also used a downhaul for both the main and jib on both my previous boats for the same reason, especially since I did more solo sailing at the time. Regardless, it was simply convenient to have full control even when I had company on board. For this boat I have a small Furlex system I will be updating, but I will be adding my usual downhaul on the main which is super simple also.

I would be interested in how you moved a ladder to amidships, and how you fold it up. My 4 step is hinged about the middle of th stern, which is not the best place. But the 25 does not have a lot of room on the sides, and I want it to be set up with a snap shackle so I can drop it frolm the water in an emergency, like a previous one.

I also plan to have a snap schackle on the lower end of my boom vang and extra line, so I can take it to the toerail, etc.
Keep in mind, the screw-on propane cylinders can leak when removed, and may be empty the next time you install it.
Best wishes
BobC

[Steve Laume]

I put in a boom preventer to reduce the chance of an accidental jibe, mainly used when running wing and wing. The line runs from the cockpit all the way to the bow up the port deck, through a block and all the way back. There is a shackle at the end to attach to the tang on the end of the boom. I attach the shackle to the boom, wing out the main and then cleat the other end of the line down.
.

I did do pretty much the same thing except I never clip the shackle to the end of the boom anymore. It can be a huge pain or dangerous to bring the boom in close enough to reach the end. I now keep a line attached to the bail at the end of the boom and lead it forward to the mast. When I want to rig a preventer I can leave the boom wherever it is and just tie an eye in this line to attach the preventer. I usually fasten to a stanchion base Near the shrouds. When you are done with it, it just gets tied back up near the boom again, Steve.