1989 Cape Dory 30 MK ll #24

[Steve O]

Hello
We just purchased a 1989 Cape Dory 30 MK II. Our previous boat was a 1985 Nonsuch 26. The MKII has original sails and we need to get at least a new Genoa and the main I am told, by the sail loft, has a couple years left on it. If anyone has any experiences with a sailmaker, and what size Genoa you found best, you could share would be great. Also the exterior teak has been let go …so the good news is not much old varnish to remove, but what have other found to be best way to bring back the color before varnishing. I am sure I will have lots of questions as we progress in getting her ready for next year. Thanks



Steve O’Malley
1989 Cape Dory MK II #24
Marblehead Harbor

[tjr818]

How do you like moving to a smaller boat?
That interior teak should be oiled, not varnished unless the PO did the varnishing.

[Frenchy]

Congratulations on your new boat, Steve. I'm sure you'll have lots of fun and adventures. On the teak,
I would suggest a two part cleaner if it's bad. If not so much, you could try oxalic acid.
The two part cleaners have an acid and a neutralizer and are best used with the teak off the boat.
However, if you tape off the gelcoat areas adjacent and are careful applying the acid (to wet teak) the
gelcoat should survive. Naturally, it's important to follow the instructions. If any acid gets on the gelcoat, you
should neutralize right away.
The one-part oxalic teak cleaners also work but not as fast or as well. If your teak is not too bad, you could
try that first. It's safer for your boat. With both cleaners, it's important to rinse and scrub really well afterward.
Here's an example of a two part cleaner: - Jean




https://www.totalboat.com/product/2-part-teak-cleaner/

[Steve O]

Tim, thank you, the MK ll has same beam as the Nonsuch 26. The interior teak is in pretty good shape. Rebecca Whitman’s Brightwork The Art Of Refinishing has a great chapter on oiling interior method I am going to give. Try

Jean, thank you for your thoughts and for the link to Total Boat. Your comments were a big help, Brightwork was published in 1990 and I appreciate learning about the updated products on the market since then.

Steve

[gonesail]

if the interior teak is not too dark .. i would consider varnish or polyurethane. satin would be nice. if you do use oil .. check out the orange or lemon oil products. they look and smell great.

[Paul D.]

In many years of dealing with teak, I like using Te-Ka 2part teak cleaner. It has not hurt my decks if used correctly with lots of water around. I've finished our brightwork with Cetol, ten coats of varnish, Signature Finish Honey Teak (out of business) teak oil and for our interior wood, Lemon oil. I highly recommend lemon oil (pure, no silicones) for interior if not finished with a varnish. It makes the wood look lovely, keeps the mold away and keeps the cabin smelling great. Exterior, well I would say it depends on how much time and energy you have. An acrylic like Bristol Finish may need the least maintenance in FLA sun but Cetol and varnish will need annual coats or more. Good luck and enjoy your new to you CD!

[Steve O]

Paul and gonesail thank you for your reply. Pure Lemon oil sound great. Looks like there are many brands out there. Are there any ones in particular you have had good results with.

Thanks again

Steve

[gonesail]

yes I got this from Amazon. Howard Orange Oil Wood Polish. they have lemon too. I use this on my interior even though it is varnished.

[John Stone]

Well, I’ll be the contrarian here. Interior wood varnished is the most lovely finish there is. It’s work, but pays off handsomely and requires very little upkeep since it is out of the sun.

If you don’t have the determination for the prep work and vanishing then sure, the other options are available.

Enjoy your boat. Welcome to the CD family.

[Steve O]

John
Thanks for the reply

Steve O

[Paul D.]

Steve,

I looked up the ingredients list once and just got something like a Parker & Bailey or Guardsman Lemon Oil from Amazon or my local hardware. I've had the boat 20 years, and the interior looked tired when we got her. I considered varnish but went with lemon oil probably on recommendation from Don Casey's This old Boat, which I've found to be extremely helpful and rather good book knowledge or as my old German survey guy said, "Only 70% bullshit." as opposed to everyone else he thought was 95%.

Two applications of lemon oil really brought the interior back and once every season or every other season makes it really glow, keeps the boat smelling fresh and keeps the mold away. So I'm a fan. Be sure to pick a warm, dry day, ideally with some breeze and open all the port lights as "Lemon oil" does usually contain some petroleum distillates. Crank some tunes, gives yourself an hour and a half and have at it. I like doing it as it also gets my eyes and hands on nearly every part of the interior of the boat - which is a good preventative practice.

I think I've bought three bottles in all this time so it goes a long way.