Cape Dory 27 circumnavigation

[mikebikeboy]

wow, that guy Sean is something else!!!! I thought I was skallywag...

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by mikebikeboy

wow, that guy Sean is something else!!!! I thought I was skallywag...

The interesting thing about this is what the boat has and what it does not.

It has no lifelines but does have a shortwave radio receiver.

No head but does have autopilot.

No galley but does have OpenCPN displayed on a Monitor for navigation

He uses a wood fire to cook with

An old propane tank has been converted into a stove that he used to stay warm when the boat was stuck in ice in the ICW near here with temps in the single digits by burning pine combs

No generator but does have 600 watts of solar and a controller

He has internet access when in range

The boat has dyneema rigging but no motor

His autopilot uses the Pypilot autopilot software which he developed and it now comes free with Openplotter when you download it

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=au9oZ_-Qces

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbezaHPm_MU

[barnakiel]

Sean?


Well.


Sean is a legend.


b.

[thomm225]

Well, he certainly did a good job getting his $1,000 sailboat across three oceans.

I guess it's all about what you want out of cruising.

Do you want to sail across oceans or anchor over in the Bahamas after spending $50,000 to $350,000 on boat

These old 27' full keel Water boats">blue water boats are such a bargain........

[barnakiel]

Yep.


To me it is like a Dory or similar boat is good for an adventurous solo or an intimate couple.


Sometimes people are driven by age or family, etc. - then bigger boats make plenty of sense.


I think ++ is how pretty a Dory is, and how well designed.


I think a small -- is that it is only 20' on the waterline.


Our boat is shorter by foot on the deck but longer on the water by four. So we may sometimes move a fraction of a knot faster.


b.

[mitiempo]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

Our boat is shorter by foot on the deck but longer on the water by four. So we may sometimes move a fraction of a knot faster.


b.

What design is your boat?

[barnakiel]

Originally Posted by mitiempo

What design is your boat?

We are Europeans and so we elected a EU-marked design:


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_submarine_U-995


;-)


PM sent, look into your PM box.
barnakiel

[Flagfish]

Originally Posted by benorado

You fabricated a wind vane for $50?? Can I (please) get the bill of materials list and schematics?

Sure. It's a Walt Murray design, and here's a photo. It's all apart right now being painted for a better aesthetic. Works like a charm.

I've made a number of improvements by adding UHMW inserts in high-wear areas where rotating pins bear against plywood. But I've also used it for 10,000 miles or so at this point...

windvane.jpg Views: 77 Size: 384.2 KB ID: 242053" style="margin: 2px" />

[Flagfish]

Originally Posted by Sailor_Grant

I just bought a Cape Dory 27 as well, and am preparing it for ocean passages.

I did the calculations for wire size using rigger's apprentice and found that the boat need 3/16 on the upper and 5/32 for lowers. However, Alberg called for 7/32 on uppers, so already beefier than needed. Still thinking about upgrading chainplates to stainless steel or titanium deck mounted chainplates with 1/4 wire all around.

If nothing else, you can replace all the original manganese bronze chainplates from spartan for less than 500 dollars so probably worth it. https://www.spartanmarine.com/chainplates-stemheads

In addition, a bit of a small boat for this but would like to put a temporary inner forestay. Be good for mounting storm sail

I was also considering adding a compression post. The boat right now has a steel plate that spreads the load out to the wood bulkheads, but I have been considering just adding it for extra protection.

Would love to talk more about projects, PM me if you want to talk.

An extra forestay is fantastic for sailing wing on wing in the tradewinds. I added one and highly recommend it- on mine, I carried the load from the deck center to the hull with an under-deck aluminum/plywood beam frame.

[Badenn]

Lots of cool recommendations, thanks

With&Respect
employee tracking

[gonzosierra]

Originally Posted by Flagfish

The Cape Dory itself shouldn't need any mods. Just bring it back to full structural integrity as already mentioned here and it will be capable.

I singlehanded my Vega 27 to/from Hawaii a few years back and had no issues. I'd comfortably take it on a circumnav.

Now, additions: I added a babystay for double headsail downwind and built a windvane out of plywood and aluminum for $50 that has worked flawlessly for over 10,000 miles and 6 years.

Go simple. Complex is unnecessary and eventually breaks anyway.

I own a cape Dory 27 and I plan to shake her down in the NY Sound and go Bluewater in the fall. How did you make your own wind vane steering???

PS I’ve been to Nanaimo and I have a good friend there named Ian Mc Pierson. Do you know him?

[misfits]

There's a CD group on FB.
I see many of their posts as group suggestions.
Seems to be a very active group.

[Flagfish]

Originally Posted by gonzosierra

I own a cape Dory 27 and I plan to shake her down in the NY Sound and go Bluewater in the fall. How did you make your own wind vane steering???

PS I’ve been to Nanaimo and I have a good friend there named Ian Mc Pierson. Do you know him?

Ian M that runs Nanaimo Yacht Charters? Yes, I know him.

My wind vane is a Walt Murray design- plans are available for download in a few places. I posted a photo above in the string, but here's another after a little refitting and repainting.

[Celestialsailor]

Originally Posted by gonzosierra

I own a cape Dory 27 and I plan to shake her down in the NY Sound and go Bluewater in the fall. How did you make your own wind vane steering???

PS I’ve been to Nanaimo and I have a good friend there named Ian Mc Pierson. Do you know him?

Welcome to the forum. Good luck with your plans

[OldManMirage]

Yes, definitely keep us updated, there is a bunch of us who are in your category. That is to say smaller cruisers on limited budgets !