Cape Dory 26 Info needed

[Peter]

I'm considering making an offer on a 1986 Cape Dory 26. The boat looks to be in good shape, but I have one question that I've been wondering about. The CD26 is very similar in most ways to the Cape Dory 25D -- same beam, displacement, room inside, etc. But the one thing that I see that is different is the mast support. On the CD25D there is a compression post that extends down to the keel. This is not present in the CD26. In fact, I don't see anyway that the mast is supported on the CD26. There isn't even a full bulkhead across the boat underneath the mast step. I'm wondering if anyone has an answer to this -- how is the mast supported under the mast step, and is this a weakness in this model of Cape Dory?
Any other info on the CD26 that anyone has would be appreciated. I'm wondering if this model is an upgrade of the CD25D, which went out of production in 1986.
Thanks for your help,
Peter



pkozup@juno.com

[Dana Arenius]

Peter,

Take a closer look at the bulkhead corner on the CD26. I think you will find it very close to a 4"x4" vertical post for the mast support but partially hidden from main cabin.... It is a little less apparent than the aluminum post of the CD25D. No, the CD26 was not really designed to replace the CD25D. Just a less expensive model with most of the interior trim cut back, opening ports optional, etc.....could custom build it up to a CD25D if wanted...

Dana..CD26, Hull #2...



[img]http://hometown.aol.com/darenius/CapeDory/cd26_1.jpg[/img]
darenius@aol.com