Cape Dory 25 Resurrection This ‘Modern’ Classic Is Good Choice for a Trailerable Project Boat
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SMALL BOAT REFIT Cape Dory 25 Resurrection This ‘modern’ classic is good choice for a trailerable project boat. egular Practical Sailor readers 25s were built. Rmay have noticed that we have a Satori is Hull No. thing for Cape Dory boats. We have 825, one of the last three in our test fleet: two 25s, Skim- few-dozen CD25s mer and Satori, and a Typhoon, Mer- ever made. lot. We’re not alone in our affection Although for the conservative, “modern classic” structurally in design of the Cape Dory. These tra- great shape for ditional sailers have one of the most her age, Satori’s loyal followings among production interior had been With a devoted following and quality construction, the Cape boats. In fact, most of the respondents gutted except for Dory 25 is a good choice for a refit project. Skimmer (above), in Practical Sailor’s last survey of Cape the rotting main Hull No. 844, is one of two CD25s in PS’s test fleet. Dory owners stated emphatically that bulkheads. In- they would buy another when the time cluded in the sale came to upgrade or that they already price were like-new sails (partially bat- Cape Dory 25s have moderately had owned multiple CDs. tened main, 150-percent genny, and heavy, solid-glass layups of mat and This faithful following and the boats’ two jibs); a still-in-the-box 5-horse- roving, but the decks and cabintop are reputation for good-quality construc- power, two-stroke Nissan outboard; a balsa-cored, a potential point for con- tion enable the boats to hold their re- non-functioning head; an array of deck cern in older boats. Satori had no soft sale value well, making them prime hardware and ground tackle; a 25-gal- spots in the deck or signs of water intru- candidates for a DIY project boat like lon plastic water tank; galley sink; and sion to the core. Satori. all the rotten wood that had been re- The gelcoat on CD25s is typically Satori is a 1981 Cape Dory 25, one moved (a bonus as it was used for pat- excellent, and Satori was no exception: of the few boats in the CD line not de- terns to cut new pieces). Even at 29 years old, she had only mini- signed by Carl Alberg. Based on George Completely rebuilding a cabin’s inte- mal surface crazing in a few spots, all Stadel’s Allied Greenwich 24, the 25 rior would seem daunting to many, but cosmetic and in the cabin overhead. was a recreation by Andrew Vavolotis. Satori owner Jon Perkins is a carpenter The biggest complaints of the Cape Vavolotis kept its design in line with by trade (whose work credits include a Dory owners that PS surveyed were the classic-looking, heavy-displace- stint at Teakdecking Systems and mak- poor ventilation in the engine well, a ment, full-keeled Alberg Cape Dorys. ing/installing all of the exterior wood lack of ice-box insulation, and leaky The CD25 is not to be confused with on PS’s Catalina 22), so he had the its sistership, the Cape Dory 25D, which tools, resources, and know-how to get is more of a cruiser than a weekender. the job done—an important consider- The only thing the two have in com- ation when determining the feasibility mon, essentially, is their overall length of a DIY project as large as overhauling of 24 feet, 10 inches. a boat. Top photo Top courtesy of Mike Collins Though everything below needed to SATORI’S STORY be repaired or replaced, Satori showed Satori was purchased in 2008 for $1,500 no signs of the major problems typi- in Sarasota, Fla. During the 1973 to cal of production boats of her era or of 1982 production run, 845 Cape Dory those associated with CD25s. Satori’s companionway blends the old and the new. The top step/ice box access and cabin sole were made from scratch during the refit. The bottom step was salvaged from the pile of teak that had been previously gutted from her interior. PRACTICAL SAILOR MARCH 2010 29 SMALL BOAT REFIT DIY REFIT BILL CAPE DORY 25 (1981, Hull No. 825) comforts, as well as building cabinets for the cabin shelving. PROJECT TASKS MAN PROJECT HOURS* COST* The benefits of a DIY refit are numer- Removed old varnish; repaired toerail; repaired coaming ous—not the least of which is getting to EXTERIOR WOOD at seam; replaced companionway pull and teak runners 50 hours $35 know your boat intimately and establish- outboard of companionway slide ing total confidence in it. Custom work Rebuilt bulkheads, settees, V-berth, companionway steps/ice means owners can add their personal INTERIOR box access, nav table, galley, and shelves, using 6 sheets teak 200 hours $1,000 touch to a production boat. Some unique MAKEOVER veneer and marine ply from Teakdecking Systems, re-used old trim; added insulation to ice box; built and installed cabin sole features on Satori include maple-rimmed finger-pulls on the teak cabin lockers, a DECK RECAULKING/ Stripped out old adhesive with an awl and re-sealed all 25 hours $100 deck-style cabin sole, and—our favor- SEALING metal-teak and teak-deck connections ite—the teak toilet seat in the head. Replacing wiring with marine grade; adding mast light; 35 hours WIRING added bow and stern lights with welded-on pulpit brackets; $400+ CONCLUSION added shorepower hookup in lazarette (est.) When it can be had for a good price and Installed new Jabsco head pump, Whale gusher pump, 8-gal. the buyer is up to the project, the Cape fiberglass holding tank, deck washdown pump, deck fills & PLUMBING pumpout; replumbed head, adding Y valve and vented loop; 60 hours $400 Dory 25 is an ideal fixer-upper. replaced lines; added freshwater line As a project boat for those who plan to fix it-and-sell it, a refurbished CD25 Removed old bottom paint; filled holes and faired keel; put on BOTTOM JOB 3 coats of antifouling with extra coats at waterline 35 hours $500 in a similar shape to Satori can fetch $3,000-$8,000. That would cover all of 405 hours $2,435 TOTALS this project’s expenses, though not the * Estimates. Costs include safety equipment (gloves, goggles, respirators) and solvents. labor (i.e. “fun”). For those looking for a fix it-and-sail- ports. To address these issues, Perkins market. Satori’s were in great shape with it boat that will hold value, the CD25 is added 2 inches of insulation to the ice good access. The Cape Dory 25’s mast is also a good bet. There are plenty around, box and resealed all of the ports. deck-stepped, with most of the compres- that, with a little love, would make a good Satori’s engine well/lazarette was up- sion carried by the main cabin bulkheads, weekender for a small family or a coastal dated with two cowl vents to increase which were replaced on Satori during the cruiser for a couple. As any owner will air flow when the lid was closed. The refit. AsPS mentioned in its review of the tell you, the 25 is built to withstand more original well had no cowl and had to be Cape Dory 25 in the book “Practical Boat than the crew can. propped open as long as the outboard Buying,” Cape Dory’s “support systems With a base PHRF rating of 261 (New was running. for deck-stepped masts are among the England), the Cape Dory 25 is not built Other potential problems in the CD25 best we’ve seen.” for speed but she’s no dog under sail were the original bronze gate valves that Satori saw numerous other upgrades either, compared to other full-keeled were used instead of proper seacocks. and repairs during the 18-month refit, pocket-cruisers. The 25 serves well as a Replacing those is still on Satori’s To- including a re-plumbed head that is cruising-class contender with the right Do List, as is replacing all of the original compliant with California’s stringent sail inventory (including the requisite wiring with marine-grade wiring, an marine wastewater laws (installed an 8- 150-percent genny), so long as the crew update we recommend any buyer of an gallon holding tank, a lockable Y-valve, isn’t aiming to set any speed records. older boat consider. a deck pumpout port, and a vented loop) If you’re considering a Cape Dory Weakened chainplates or poor ac- and a new deck washdown pump and project yourself, you can order our full cess to them are also things boat-buyers shorepower inlet. Only a few small items review of the Cape Dory 25 and 25D at should look for in shopping the used-boat remain before the project is complete, in- www.practical-sailor.com. cluding outfitting her with electronics and creature YOUR STORY Do you have a refit tale that you’d like to share with other PS readers? Send your This pile of water-damaged story (and pictures) to us at practical- teak was key to the refit. [email protected]. Formerly Satori’s cabin innards, the wood was used as patterns for cutting RESOURCES the new settees, nav table, CAPE DORY OWNERS ASSOCIATION V-berth, shelves, galley sink www.capedory.org shelf, etc. 30 MARCH 2010 www.PRACTICAL-SAILOR.COM 2 1 5 3 4 6 8 7 9 1. The forward view BEFORE; note the water-damaged bulkheads. 2. The forward view AFTER.