Cape Dory 28 Likes & Dislikes

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

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Brian King

Cape Dory 28 Likes & Dislikes

Post by Brian King »

I'm interested in buying a Cape Dory 28 and would like owners to tell me what they like and don't like about their boats.



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Neil Gordon

Re: Cape Dory 28 Likes & Dislikes

Post by Neil Gordon »

>>I'm interested in buying a Cape Dory 28 and would like owners to tell me what they like and don't like about their boats.<<

I love my CD28 for lots of reasons. But it would help if you gave us some idea of what sort of sailing you expect to do, with how many people, to/from where, etc., etc.

My wife and I (+ 1 choc lab) sail from Marina Bay on Boston Harbor and
find the CD28 a great 2-person cruiser.


Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167



neil@nrgordon.com
Anthony P. Jeske

Re: Cape Dory 28 Likes & Dislikes

Post by Anthony P. Jeske »

Brian:
Most everyone here will agree that they bought their Cape Dorys for their rugged construction, traditional good looks and intelligent Carl Alberg design. You will constantly receive compliments on your Cape Dory.
There are negatives. The gelcoat tends to get a lot of cracking, due to the sharp bends in it. By now, some boats are experiencing foredeck delamination. A very few have encountered chainplate corrosion.
Some of the very things that attract us to the boats can be seen as a negative. You had better like teak, because you'll be spending a lot of time keeping it up! The interiors are considered small by current design standards. Remember, however, this "smallness" is a function of the designed in stability of the hull. Also, it's a lot safer inside in rough seas. (You won't be thrown as far.)
The thing I liked least about my CD-28 was that the cockpit was uncomfortable. The teak coamings are not as nice a backrest as sloped molded fiberglass ones can be.
Good Luck,

Tony Jeske



ajeske@ixpres.com
Dave Bednarz

Re: Cape Dory 28 Likes & Dislikes

Post by Dave Bednarz »

Brian King wrote: I'm interested in buying a Cape Dory 28 and would like owners to tell me what they like and don't like about their boats.
I bought a 1977 CD28 (#138) December 1998. The boat had been uncovered on land for 3-4 years. Outside of removing green growth and sprucing up the teak we (and the marine surveyor) found the boat to be in excellent condition with very little cracking of gelcoat or topsides. Yes there is a great deal of teak, but this is part of what makes the boat pretty. We sanded all of it down and used Armada (like Cetol) and went the whole season w/o touch up. This year just one coat on top (no sanding) will make it beautiful again. If you find a CD28 in good shape Buy It!

Dave
Aurelia #138



dave_lhs_bio@hotmail.com
Ken Cave

Re: Cape Dory 28 Likes & Dislikes

Post by Ken Cave »

I just purchased mine (227) and have been working on it for the past month to make it "ours" The only thing that I have found on the "dislike" side was the lack of space for our stuff. I fixed that by taking out one of the 30 gallon water tanks (on the side of the fuel tank) and added two doors for access. Where we live, we have access to water most everywhere-no need of sixty gallons of water.

First time we sailed her-and hit Bayliner wakes full force-we now know why these boats are so seaworthy!!

Ken Cave



bcave@whidbey.net
BSinskie

Re: Cape Dory 28 Likes & Dislikes

Post by BSinskie »

Dear Brian,

My wife and I have owned a CD 28 for 4 years now. We started with and Zuma (like a laser), then a Pearson Ensign, then a CD 25 and now the 28. We like it a lot. Ours was the last one built and had some custom features added for the original owner. (Propane stove, heater, pressure hot and cold water) We sail in Maine and like the full keel and stability of the boat. We have never gotten a lobster pot wrapped around our prop even though we have bumped into several. (anyone who has sailed in Casco Bay in Maine knows what I am talking about.) We find the boat very forgiving and easy to sail. There is a lot of teak to maintain but it makes the boat look like a boat. We have roller furling on the headsail and a full battened main. This is our first boat with roller furling and it makes getting under way and reefing very convienent. The mainsheet is mounted on the transom and my wife would prefer to have it in front of her, but I have gotten used to it. All our other boats had stern mounted travelers as well, but on a boat this size with this much mainsheet, sometimes you have to haul the line hand over hand.
I am a small person (5'8") and am able to acess the engine ok. Our engine is self bleeding which is a great feature. It also has a hose attached to the oil drain plug which makes changing the oil a snap.
The boat is narrower than todays beamy boats but there is a lot of storage. There is plenty of freshwater storage for our needs. It is comfortable to sleep on. we usually sleep in the main cabin. The ice box is very large.
I have heard some say that the 28 sails like a dog compared to the 27 but we have been happy. I think that it is a great size boat for two people. We do a lot of day sailing on it because we can be under way in 15 minutes. We also overnight but have not spent any extended time on the boat. Overall we give it two thumbs up. Good luck,
Brian and Terry
neil gordon

Re: Cape Dory 28 Likes & Dislikes

Post by neil gordon »

>>The only thing that I have found on the "dislike" side was the lack of space for our stuff.<<

The earlier model had a single water tank under the v-berth. That leaves lots of storage space both port and stbd.

What I noticed lots of at the boat show are designs where there's an aft cabin instead of cockpit lockers, open space instead of hanging locker, etc. The boats are nice and open and airy looking inside, but where do you keep novelties like life jackets, etc.?


Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167



neil@nrgordon.com
Neil Gordon

Re: Cape Dory 28 Likes & Dislikes

Post by Neil Gordon »

>>I have heard some say that the 28 sails like a dog compared to the 27 but we have been happy.<<

Can't comment on the 27's sailing, but I looked at both a 27 and 28 and opted for the more substantial interior on the 28. As for speed, last year, sailing from Scituate to Onset with 4 CD's, the two 28's were way out in front... with a 30 and a 33 well in our wakes.


Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167



neil@nrgordon.com
Ed Haley

The CD28 is definitely not a dog

Post by Ed Haley »

The CD sails very spiritedly and you can feel her romp quite easily. I define "romp" as that forward surge that the boat takes when her bow comes off a wave and accelerates. With 20 year old sails I came in first place in our class last summer in the Level Regatta in Youngstown, NY. And I had an all-chain anchor rode in the anchor locker and 150 pounds of sand under the V-berth to compensate for my large derrierre at the helm (honest). For a cruising boat that I usually singlehand, I couldn't be more happy with my CD28.



eghaley@twcny.rr.com
BSinskie

Here is the whole "dog" story

Post by BSinskie »

Over several summers I sometimes ran the launch for a resort in Maine. One day when I was taking a fellow out to his boat, we passed my CD28. He saw it (he did not know it was mine) and remarked that he used to have a 27 and that it was a much better boat. He then remarked that the 28 sailed like a dog, and the boats to have were the CD 27 and the CD 30, not the 28 or the 31. I told him that I heard that 27 was much smaller inside than the 28, and the 30 was about the same as the 28 interior and that the 31 was a much different boat than the 30, so why get a 27 or 30? I then told him that the 28 was my boat and he make some rather awkward conversation after that. I took no offense to his personal opinion. I prefer objective to subjective. I love my 28 and have been very happy with the way it sails. (That is a subjective opinion, so of course I am right.)
Ken Cave

Re: Cape Dory 28 Likes & Dislikes

Post by Ken Cave »

In our l979 model (number 227) there is a hanging locker of sorts behind the head-enough to stuff four large life jackets. For the foul weather gear, I installed a pole above the head so I can hang the wet stuff. May get the head a little wet, but it is easy access, and dries quickly.

For the tank set-up, Cape Dory stuffed a l4 gallon waste tank in the V berth area, and two 30 gallon tanks with a rube-goldberg design valve system under the cabin seats. Upon removing one of the tanks, I installed seven Tupperware boxes and two extra doors under the seat, giving me plenty of room for the needed junk that make cruising worthwile-like cup of soups, popcorn, wine, beer, etc.!

Ken Cave
Cape Dory 28 #227



bcave@whidbey.net
Neil Gordon

Re: Cape Dory 28 Likes & Dislikes

Post by Neil Gordon »

>>In our l979 model (number 227) there is a hanging locker of sorts behind the head-enough to stuff four large life jackets.<<

We have a full length hanging locker on the stbd side across from the head. Is deep enough for any hanging clothes, with space left over on the floor for whatever... usually a case of spring water when we are criusing. The cabin table also stores there.

Water is under the v-berth. Waste is under the v-berth on the port side... we have a recirculating head that doesn't take much space.

>>For the foul weather gear, I installed a pole above the head so I can hang the wet stuff.<<

I like to hang the wet stuff outside until it's dry. Keeps the extra humidity out of the boat.


Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167



neil@nrgordon.com
Bill Goldsmith

CD28 versus CD27 Issue Finally Settled

Post by Bill Goldsmith »

The perpetual debate over CD 28 v. CD27 has finally been settled. CD28--Tastes Great!!! CD27--Less Filling!!

BSinskie wrote: Over several summers I sometimes ran the launch for a resort in Maine. One day when I was taking a fellow out to his boat, we passed my CD28. He saw it (he did not know it was mine) and remarked that he used to have a 27 and that it was a much better boat. He then remarked that the 28 sailed like a dog, and the boats to have were the CD 27 and the CD 30, not the 28 or the 31. I told him that I heard that 27 was much smaller inside than the 28, and the 30 was about the same as the 28 interior and that the 31 was a much different boat than the 30, so why get a 27 or 30? I then told him that the 28 was my boat and he make some rather awkward conversation after that. I took no offense to his personal opinion. I prefer objective to subjective. I love my 28 and have been very happy with the way it sails. (That is a subjective opinion, so of course I am right.)


goldy@bestweb.net
Brian King

Re: Cape Dory 28 Likes & Dislikes

Post by Brian King »

Many thanks to everyone who responded to my enquiry on the CD 28.
I have bought one in Vermilion Ohio and am looking forward to retirement on it in the Bahamas and Caribbean.



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