Hi,
I am looking for some info on the Cape Dory 36. Specifically, I am interested in corresponding with someone with intimate knowledge of the CD-36 and can advise on what to look for when surveying a used boat.
- What are common problem areas for the CD-36:
- Rig
- Deck/hull connection
- Engine/tranmission
- Electronics
- Plumbing problems
- Blister/hull issues
- Areas prone to delamination
- Areas prone to leaks
- Production years considered "better/worse"
- Other useful information
I have visited Robin Hood Yachts but really don't want to go with a new boat. I am set to retire from the military in 2 1/2 years. I have an extensive sailing/cruising/racing background and would like to take my family sailing for a few years. The Cape Dory 36 seems like a good candidate for a crusing boat for two adults and two children.
Thanks for any help you can provide.
Sincerely,
John Stone
stonej0302@aol.com
stonej0302@aol.com
REQUEST FOR SURVEY INFO ON CD-36
Moderator: Jim Walsh
-
Matt Cawthorne
Re: REQUEST FOR SURVEY INFO ON CD-36
John,
I suggest that you enter "CD 36" or just "36" in the search box and see what you come up with. If you are seriously interested in the design you will find out more details then you ever wanted to know. This is a very active board and just about anything that is a problem will show up there.
Here are some general comments.
Rig - About the only thing you will find on this has to do with whether or not to convert the boat to a sloop or leave it a cutter. The rig is very strong and the "chain plates" are of a design much superior to those used on most boats.
Deck hull connection - Cape Dory used a multi-part mold design which allowed the side of the boat to roll over and become a flange for the hull to deck joint. The joint is bolted together. In addition the area where the rigging attaches is backed up with a large steel beam which serves to distribute the load and act as a massive backing plate. It is a very solid construction. The beam on some years was aluminum, but I can not remember whether it was the early or late models. I can not ever remember anyone on the board complaining about problems with the hull/deck joint on a 36.
Engine - Perkins 4.108 for most, if not all, 36's. The engine has a reputation for leaking oil, but being very reliable. With the engine so much depends on how the individual unit was maintanied.
Electronics - Most installations are a matter of what was added after the original sale. No way to comment.
Plumbing - Make certain that all seacocks are in working order. All bronze through hulls and seacocks were used on all years. If they are not greased once in a while they will eventually lock up. Most of the time they can be freed up, but not always. Older models of the boat came with a Wilcox-Crittendon 'skipper' head. This is, in my humble opinion the best marine head made. I have even flushed wood chips down mine. It (knock on wood) has never given me a single problem in 6+ years. The location and size of water (and fuel) tanks varied throughout the years. Two of the four tanks on the Patricia Louise had cracks in the fittings that led into the tanks. It was not a major problem, just another task to take care of.
Blisters - Some CD 36s that are left in the water all year have developed minor blisters. Mine had some minor ones when I bought it. Barrier coating it completely cured the problem. There were a few threads a couple of years ago where the subject was discussed in detail. I can not remember hearing of any cases that needed to be peeled, but perhaps you need to do a search on 'blisters' or 'pox' to be certain of that.
Delamination/leaks - Occasionally the cockpit sole delaminates due to water intrusion in the core. Do a search on 'cawthorne' and look a few years back. I discussed a number of leaks that I fixed in my cockpit area. The tiller access plate was allowing water into the core. Sealing the fittings that pass through the cockpit sole is something that I feel should be re-done, including spoiling away the core and filling the deck within an inch of the holes with epoxy/filler. Again, not a major thing, but if not tended to it can eventually cause delaminations. Another area that can leak if not re-sealed once in a great while is around the ports. Check the teak around the ports. Discolored/varnish peeling? If so they will need to be re-sealed. The rest of the boat tends to remain dry.
Gelcoat cracks - A constant topic on this bulletin board. The original gelcoat was put on too thick. This causes the gelcoat to crack eventually. The cracks are cosmetic and do not cross into the fiberglass. My 1982 CD-36 has the worst of it's problems on the bridgedeck and by the lifeline gates. I am not certain if this was corrected on later models. I believe that some of the later 36's that I have seen are relatively free of this problem, but it may just be that the gelcoat had not aged enough. Perhaps other owners can comment on this one.
Models - There were a few changes to the boat over the years. Most notably was between 1984 and 1986 the cockpit and head arrangement changed. The cockpit was changed to a "T" style and the lockers around it were changed. I believe that a propane locker was added around this time. The head configuration was changed to enlarge it to make more of a shower. I think the WC head was dropped at this time, but am not certain.
I believe that I have said enough here to prompt lots of responses, but using the search feature on this board will be very helpful to you. Don't be chased off by the number of responses. This is a very active board.
Good Luck,
Matt
mcawthor@bellatlantic.net
I suggest that you enter "CD 36" or just "36" in the search box and see what you come up with. If you are seriously interested in the design you will find out more details then you ever wanted to know. This is a very active board and just about anything that is a problem will show up there.
Here are some general comments.
Rig - About the only thing you will find on this has to do with whether or not to convert the boat to a sloop or leave it a cutter. The rig is very strong and the "chain plates" are of a design much superior to those used on most boats.
Deck hull connection - Cape Dory used a multi-part mold design which allowed the side of the boat to roll over and become a flange for the hull to deck joint. The joint is bolted together. In addition the area where the rigging attaches is backed up with a large steel beam which serves to distribute the load and act as a massive backing plate. It is a very solid construction. The beam on some years was aluminum, but I can not remember whether it was the early or late models. I can not ever remember anyone on the board complaining about problems with the hull/deck joint on a 36.
Engine - Perkins 4.108 for most, if not all, 36's. The engine has a reputation for leaking oil, but being very reliable. With the engine so much depends on how the individual unit was maintanied.
Electronics - Most installations are a matter of what was added after the original sale. No way to comment.
Plumbing - Make certain that all seacocks are in working order. All bronze through hulls and seacocks were used on all years. If they are not greased once in a while they will eventually lock up. Most of the time they can be freed up, but not always. Older models of the boat came with a Wilcox-Crittendon 'skipper' head. This is, in my humble opinion the best marine head made. I have even flushed wood chips down mine. It (knock on wood) has never given me a single problem in 6+ years. The location and size of water (and fuel) tanks varied throughout the years. Two of the four tanks on the Patricia Louise had cracks in the fittings that led into the tanks. It was not a major problem, just another task to take care of.
Blisters - Some CD 36s that are left in the water all year have developed minor blisters. Mine had some minor ones when I bought it. Barrier coating it completely cured the problem. There were a few threads a couple of years ago where the subject was discussed in detail. I can not remember hearing of any cases that needed to be peeled, but perhaps you need to do a search on 'blisters' or 'pox' to be certain of that.
Delamination/leaks - Occasionally the cockpit sole delaminates due to water intrusion in the core. Do a search on 'cawthorne' and look a few years back. I discussed a number of leaks that I fixed in my cockpit area. The tiller access plate was allowing water into the core. Sealing the fittings that pass through the cockpit sole is something that I feel should be re-done, including spoiling away the core and filling the deck within an inch of the holes with epoxy/filler. Again, not a major thing, but if not tended to it can eventually cause delaminations. Another area that can leak if not re-sealed once in a great while is around the ports. Check the teak around the ports. Discolored/varnish peeling? If so they will need to be re-sealed. The rest of the boat tends to remain dry.
Gelcoat cracks - A constant topic on this bulletin board. The original gelcoat was put on too thick. This causes the gelcoat to crack eventually. The cracks are cosmetic and do not cross into the fiberglass. My 1982 CD-36 has the worst of it's problems on the bridgedeck and by the lifeline gates. I am not certain if this was corrected on later models. I believe that some of the later 36's that I have seen are relatively free of this problem, but it may just be that the gelcoat had not aged enough. Perhaps other owners can comment on this one.
Models - There were a few changes to the boat over the years. Most notably was between 1984 and 1986 the cockpit and head arrangement changed. The cockpit was changed to a "T" style and the lockers around it were changed. I believe that a propane locker was added around this time. The head configuration was changed to enlarge it to make more of a shower. I think the WC head was dropped at this time, but am not certain.
I believe that I have said enough here to prompt lots of responses, but using the search feature on this board will be very helpful to you. Don't be chased off by the number of responses. This is a very active board.
Good Luck,
Matt
John Stone wrote: Hi,
I am looking for some info on the Cape Dory 36. Specifically, I am interested in corresponding with someone with intimate knowledge of the CD-36 and can advise on what to look for when surveying a used boat.
- What are common problem areas for the CD-36:
- Rig
- Deck/hull connection
- Engine/tranmission
- Electronics
- Plumbing problems
- Blister/hull issues
- Areas prone to delamination
- Areas prone to leaks
- Production years considered "better/worse"
- Other useful information
I have visited Robin Hood Yachts but really don't want to go with a new boat. I am set to retire from the military in 2 1/2 years. I have an extensive sailing/cruising/racing background and would like to take my family sailing for a few years. The Cape Dory 36 seems like a good candidate for a crusing boat for two adults and two children.
Thanks for any help you can provide.
Sincerely,
John Stone
stonej0302@aol.com
mcawthor@bellatlantic.net