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Welcome to the Cape Dory fleet! You have joined the select group of sailors who recognize the quality construction and traditional workmanship found in every Cape Dory yacht. This manual has been prepared to assist you in getting to know your new yacht before setting sail for the first time.
CAPE DORY OWNERS ASSOCIATION I. THE CAPE DORY OWNER II. SAFETY Charts Fueling Docking and Anchoring III. LIMITED WARRANTY Warranty Notification Procedures IV. CAPE DORY 270 DESIGN V. CONSTRUCTION Hull Deck and Headliner Ballast Rudder Joiner Units and Bulkheads VI. INTERIOR VII.
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Thru Hulls and Seacocks Scupper Drains Bilge Pump XI. HEAD AND WASTE SYSTEM XII. CENTERBOARD SYSTEM XIII. SPAR, RIGGING, AND SAILS Standing Rigging Turnbuckles Running Rigging Tuning the Standing Rigging Deck Hardware and Chainplates Chainplate System Sails Quick Reefing Optional Sails XIV.
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XVII. WINTERIZING Blocking the Hull Bottom Haulout Propeller and Cutless Bearing Engine Fuel Tanks Head Electrical System Scuppers and Seacocks Ice Box Bilge Stove Covering Mast and Boom XVIII. VENDOR PARTS LIST XIX. VENDOR ADRESSES XX. TECHNICAL INFORMATION XXI. TECHNICAL REFERENCE DRAWINGS Sail Plan Arrangement Starboard Elevation...
References to people, companies and products mentioned within the Manual may now be obsolete; there is no longer a factory or Cape Dory Service Department to contact for support as the Manual states, no Dealers, no newsletter, etc.
We suggest that you place any parts orders through your Cape Dory Dealer, but will be happy to accommodate you for special orders. Whenever you place an order, please provide the dealer or Cape Dory with your hull number and an accurate description of the part.
Head Model and Serial Number _________________________________________ Stove Model Number and Serial Number _________________________________ Spar Number ________________________ Rigging Kit Number ______________ Your Cape Dory is identified by a hull identification number (HIN) on the starboard corner of the transom. This identifies the number of the hull and supplies government officials with additional information concerning the builder and the year of manufacture.
Record propeller information below: Diameter_________________inches Pitch____________________inches Rotation _______________left or right hand # of Blades________________2 or 3 (optional) On Cape Dory 25’s it is sometimes easier to install outboard motor prior to launching. Check clearances and propeller angle. ___________ ___________ *Rudder swings freely side to side. (On CD-30’s with worm drive steerers, wheel must be turned.)
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___________ ___________ *Bottom under cradle poppets or bulkheads sanded, primed and painted. (Fresh coat of bottom paint prior to launching, highly recommended.) ___________ ___________ *Bilge dry. ___________ ___________ *Bilge pump connections okay and handle on board. .__________ ___________ Check deck and hull for any chips in gel coat. POST-LAUNCH CHECKLIST: ___________ ___________...
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____________ __________ *Check shift and throttle cable connections. ___________ __________ *While coupling is disconnected, check prop shaft alignment using feeler gauges - .002” gap between flanges maximum – Note: Alignment should be checked several times during the first season after the rig has been tensioned and the flexible mounts have taken a set.
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___________ Checklist (warranty registration) ready for mailing to factory. I CERTIFY THAT I HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND THE CONDITIONS AS LISTED IN CAPE DORY YACHTS’ WRITTEN LIMITED WARRANTY. Owner ________________________________Dealer__________________________________ Date ________________________ WITHIN SEVEN DAYS OF LAUNCHING, RETURN CHECKLIST TO: Cape Dory Yachts, Inc.
INTRODUCTION The intent of this manua1 is to help the owner of a Cape Dory to understand and maintain his yacht. This manual should be used in conjunction with other publications to fully understand the demands and pleasures of sailing.
[Addendum: The Cape Dory Owners Association sponsored by Cape Dory disappeared with the demise of the company but there are several independent owners associations from which to choose: Cape Dory Sailboat Owners Association (CDSOA, Inc.): http://www.capedory.org/...
THE CAPE DORY OWNER Owning a Cape Dory 270 provides one with the means to enjoy life's myriad of experiences from offshore sailing to coastal "gunkholing" all at one's own pace. Along with the great pleasure that sailing offers are the responsibilities of life and property associated with it.
6. Up-to-date charts of the waters to be sailed. 7. Flares. Fire extinguishers are not standard equipment on your Cape Dory; they are to be provided by you, the owner. Fire aboard any boat is a real serious hazard. It is important to take adequate precautions against fire and to be well prepared to extinguish one quickly and thoroughly should it occur.
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16. Note that diesel fuel is flammable; handle it accordingly in a cautious manner. 17. Those Cape Dory owners with outboard engines should note that perhaps the safest fueling practice, when possible, is to remove the tank(s) from the boat before filling.
DOCKING AND ANCHORING When docking or anchoring, several things should be mentioned for your's and the boat's safety. Become familiar with the characteristics of your steering and engine control systems. You will notice that the boat behaves very differently in forward than in reverse and that backing down must be done slowly with great care.
(617) 823-67876 Limited Warranty 1. Cape Dory Yachts, Inc. (Cape Dory) warrants all yachts and parts manufactured by it to be free from defects in material and workmanship under normal use and service for a period of twelve (12) months from the date of delivery to the original purchaser.
Cape Dory Yachts, like most other sailboat manufacturers, offers a written limited warranty. To you as an owner, we at Cape Dory Yachts pledge to provide you with a product that is as defect-free as possible. Our goal will continue to be one of standing behind our products and one of continual improvement.
V. CONSTRUCTION HULL The Cape Dory 270 hull is molded in one piece using alternating layers of hand layed fiberglass rovings and mats bonded with lightweight polyester resin. Into the open hull mold, white gel coat is sprayed over the entire surface to an approximate thickness of 22 mi1.
roving. Unidirectional roving is again used on this part in areas subject to stress cracking. Bulkhead bosses are filled with a microsphere and resin mixture for further stiffening. The deck and headliner are pressed together in a jig with a resin and microsphere mixture used as a bonding and compression matrix in areas of high loading.
The entire casting is then faired with polyester putty and glassed into the keel. JOINER UNITS AND BULKHEADS The joiner units in the CD-270 are pre-built, as if they were cabinet units, in the wood shop. Building these parts this way allows for more precise fits, better fastening, and in general a more durable assembly.
upper frame of the door. The bifold head door is he1d in place, when open, by a friction catch mounted to the vanity unit front. Ports and hatches are provided to allow an even cross flow of air throughout the boat under many varying climatic conditions. One may keep the head port slightly ajar nearly all the time for an exchange of air from the dorade.
water to cool the exhaust gases as they leave the engine. This system produces a quieter sound and reduces temperatures in the engine room minimizing the risk of burns and reducing the fire hazard. There are several maintenance features not covered in the operators manual which should be mentioned here.
Cape Dory ships all boats with the engine and propshaft couplings disconnected and it is part of the responsibility of the dealer during the commissioning process to properly align the engine.
the shaft between the packing nut and the stuffing box and slide the nut back in place with the new packing. This procedure should only be attempted with the boat out of water. Once launched, realign the shaft, run the engine, checking the water flow again making any necessary adjustments as described before.
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sea. Every installation includes a fuel filter and a fuel filter/water separator for that extra measure of safety. In order to run, a diesel's only requirement is clean, waterfree, airfree fuel and combustion oxygen. There are no spark plugs or ignition requirements.
VIII. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 12 VOLT DC SYSTEM The Cape Dory 270 standard electrical system is powered by a 12 volt 75 amp hour battery located in a battery compartment below the quarterberth.
BATTERY VOLTAGE The level of charge of the battery or batteries may be checked with the VOLT METER located in the center of the D.C. POWER PANEL. The level of charge of the battery, alternator output, state of the voltage regulator and power draw to services can all be checked with the use of the DC voltmeter.
The DC Electrical panel incorporates a Battery Select Switch and six DC circuit breakers. The Battery Select Switch provides a means of shutting off the main DC power from the battery to the panel and engine. Or if two batteries have been installed it can be used to couple the voltage of each battery together to serve a particular task, usually engine starting.
On each Cape Dory that has been fitted out with a factory installed 110 volt AC system we have included or added a #8 green coated copper wire as a ground.
Maintain a close check of underwater fittings to correct any problems early should they occur. IX. FRESH WATER SYSTEM The Cape Dory 270 has a 46 gallon polypropylene tank located on the port side under the settee. The water fill plate is located outboard along the port side deck adjacent to the head.
berth. If removal of the tank is necessary, the extension top and permanent top of the settee can be removed. There are two plates in the tank top for inspection or clean out which may be necessary should water be allowed to sit for a long time. If water is left standing in tanks for an extended period of time, it may adopt an unappetizing odor and appearance.
then on to the two sinks with no intervening fitting between the faucets and "T". Start-up varies depending when your boat was shipped from the factory. Boats shipped between April 15 and September 15 do not have antifreeze in them while the boats shipped September 15 through April 15 do. On boats which have antifreeze in them, the valve leading into the hot water side of the system was kept closed an&...
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Two drain fasteners are located to either side of the seacock housing and can be used to drain the valve during its lay up period. Before launching, and regularly throughout the season, you should check to see that all hose clamps are tight and in good condition. Seacocks are designed to provide a positive means of stopping a flow of water into the hull, should a connection fail or hose rupture.
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any surface gouges. These can be smoothed with Seacock Maintenance fine emery cloth. Lapping compound is available With proper maintenance, your solid bronze Spartan from Spartan Marine Products, Inc. to aid with Seacock, will provide years of adequate service. severe surface problems. Generously apply a new skin of water pump Winterizing grease on the plug 14 surface.
XI. HEAD AND WASTE SYSTEM The CD-270 has a 24 gallon waste tank installed under the V-berth. Refer to the head manufacturer's instructions on use of the marine toilet.
Do not flush paper towels, rags, sanitary napkins, etc. into the system as clogging overflow and damage will occur. XII. CENTERBOARD SYSTEM One of the most unique features of the CD-270 is that it is a centerboarder. Unlike the other Cape Dory yachts which feature deep...
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Factory tests have induced loads on the centerboard far above even extreme conditions without failure of the laminate or the internal bonding. The centerboard and trunk are primed and bottom painted prior to installation. Then, the centerboard is secured in place within the trunk with a 1"...
Contact your dealer or Cape Dory Yachts for any additional information. XIII. SPARS, RIGGING, AND SAILS The mast on the Cape Dory 270 is deck stepped on a compression post member extending from the underside of the deck to the ballast.
fitting for tightness, and for corrosion which may have begun in the screw holes. Make certain that no bronze, brass, or iron fastenings are used on the aluminum as the two metals are incompatible and galvanic corrosion will start at once. Check the tang fittings of the lower shrouds and the base mounts of the spreaders as you proceed up the mast.
Turnbuckle boots are also quite popular, but are not recommended by Cape Dory as they cover turnbuckles which should be inspected frequently. We DO NOT recommend oiling or greasing the swage fittings as a means of preventing water from running inside them.
Swapping the sheet end for end will extend useful life if it has started to chafe where it passes a sheave or engages a cam cleat. All running rigging on Cape Dory yachts is Dacron Braid. It requires only protection from chafe and the ultraviolet rays of the sun.
Always prevent the upper threaded turnbuckle stud from turning. Headstays and backstays should never be taken up so tightly that they will not "give" an inch or so if you pull on them with moderate force. Upper shrouds should also be tightened equally and have about an inch of "give"...
4. Please refer to the drawing for further details. The Cape Dory 270 differs from other boats in the Cape Dory line in that the shrouds are inboard on the side deck rather than outboard along the sheer.
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Schaefer Marine Products of New Bedford, Massachusetts. It is reprinted here with their permission. The jib you receive with your Cape Dory 270 has hanks for attaching the luff to the head stay. These are very handy in dropping sail with the security that you won't loose the sail overboard in rough conditions.
Cape Dory has available. Due to a very low demand for spinnaker gear Cape Dory cannot supply any system other than the fittings attached to the mast. A popular sail which acts like a spinnaker and a reaching genoa is a flasher.
PEDESTAL STEERING The optional pedestal steering system on your Cape Dory has been carefully designed, installed, and aligned here at the factory to give you excellent service with minimal maintenance. The system is composed of a pedestal steerer with a 22 inch stainless steel wheel.
xv. EXTERIOR MAINTENANCE The exterior of a yacht should be maintained with great pride for it displays the value you place in it. With regular attention and proper use, the outside appearance of your yacht will remain like new. FIBERGLASS Fiberglass is one of the most maintenance-free materials utilized today in boat construction.
The continued use of any epoxy based bottom paint, which is in standard at CDY, is recommended. BOTTOM PAINT, BOOT TOP PAINT Your Cape Dory was painted with anti-fouling paint before it left the factory. The area under the cradle poppets and keel supports may require additional painting prior to launching.
In certain geographical areas some bottom paints work much better than others. If you intend to repaint the bottom of your Cape Dory, seek the advise of your dealer or knowledgeable local boat owners on what brand of bottom paint works well in your area.
After the metal has been brought to a bright luster, it will need a coat of some sealer to retain its new appearance. Several items may be used, however, nothing is permanent and this process will need to be repeated again when oxidation begins.
Sai1s that are left furled on booms, jib club booms, and forestays without suitable covers are most susceptible to this problem. Suitable sail covers are available from Cape Dory through your dealer. Mildew is no longer the major concern that it was in the days of natural fiber sails.
3. Check the block and tackle system inside the main cabin table base for wear and corrosion. TEAK Teak above deck on Cape Dory yachts has been sanded and oiled to a full golden hue before it leaves the assembly area. As it gets exposed to...
LEAKS The fact of the matter about leaks is that they can occur and will occur due to the incredible strains transmitted into the hull, deck, and fittings while sailing. Although most leaks seem small at first, they should be addressed immediately to prevent larger problems occurring. Unless the source of the leak is obvious, trace its origin by applying liberal amounts of water to isolated areas or individual pieces of hardware and then inspecting for a leak to appear.
Any liquid cleaner will embed the stain into the fabric further. ICE BOX The ice box on your Cape Dory is designed to drain water from melted ice through scuppers into the bilge. Because small food particles, juices from meats, etc. may also drain into the bilge, it is wise to use a strong bilge cleaner in the bilge as needed or every three to four weeks (depending on how frequently you are using the ice box).
Another alternative is to fit a plastic gallon jug on the end of the ice box hose. Periodically dump the melted ice out into the sink. Food items should not be left for long periods of time in a closed ice box without ice.
CURTAINS Generally the curtains supplied have a content of 77% cotton and 23% acetate and, therefore, should be dry cleaned. STOVES The manufacturer of the stove includes an owner's manual with the appliance. Read it carefully and make sure that everyone who uses the stove understands its operation.
and poppets are to balance the boat in an upright position, not to bear the weight of the boat. Before hoisting out, show the boat yard the profile of the hull so that they will know how to position the crane or straddle the hoist straps. The proper locations for the straps of a typical marine lift are just forward of the rudder heel bearing and forward of the keel on the hull as illustrated in the back of this owners manual.
HEAD Follow manufacturer's directions closely. Remove any water to prevent from freezing. The holding tank should be empty when the yacht is laid up for the winter. If possible, flush the tank with a mixture of non- toxic antifreeze and water prior to hauling. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Remove batteries from boat and store in a warm dry location off a cement or stone floor.
MAST AND BOOM Tie off all shrouds and halyards preferably marking each for easy identification when the mast is re-stepped. Check for abrasion and wear. Lubricate sheaves after a thorough wash down with fresh water. www.capedory.org - 64 -...
In the interest of faster and more efficient service, Cape Dory has developed a list of the more important equipment and manufacturers. produced this list so that the Cape Dory owner will be able to go directly to the original vendor for replacement parts, but we still want you to feel free to call us here at the factory for any additional information.
VENDOR ADDRESSES Ahlemann & Schlatter/ P.O. Box 806 Browning Marine St. Charles, IL 60174 Bass Products P.O. Box 901 Marblehead, MA 01945 Bay State Battery 70 Shawmut Road Canton, MA 02021 S.E. Beckman 11-35 Commercial Street New Bedford, MA 02740 Bomar Box 314, South West Street Charlestown, MA 03603...
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