cape dory 28 powerboat

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Cape Dory 28

• By Lauren Anthone
• Updated: June 24, 2008

Cape Dory 28 368

I’m a longtime sailor on OPB-other people’s boats-and one crisp, Chesapeake fall day, I found myself ashore and in the process of succumbing to a quiet desperation. I did the only thing that one can do under such circumstances: I went and looked at boats.

I wandered around boatyards until I found myself gazing at a Carl Alberg-designed Cape Dory 28. Three weeks later, and despite the fact that I really hadn’t intended for it to happen, I was a boat owner.

What drew me to the Cape Dory were lines altogether typical of Alberg, including a graceful sheer that sweeps forward from a counter stern to a teak bowsprit. Teak grabrails and eyebrows accentuate the fine proportions of the long trunk cabin, and easily navigable side decks connect the generous cockpit to the fair-sized foredeck. A full keel and a keel-hung rudder complete the profile.

Details below complement the traditional exterior. Solid teak and teak veneer are abundant, and bronze, in the through-hulls and the eight opening ports, is everywhere it should be.

Above the saloon settees, narrow shelves hold books; beneath each settee lies a 30-gallon water tank. More storage spaces are located behind the seatbacks. The starboard settee serves as a single berth; the other slides out to create a slender “double.” A teak table swings down from the bulkhead and unfolds between the settees. The saloon has about 6 feet of headroom, and two opening hatches overhead help keep the air moving through it. The head is forward of the saloon and contains a hanging wet locker and a small sink, which unfortunately drains into a fiberglass trough, then into the bilge. The marine toilet is installed below the waterline, so all valves must be closed when it’s not in use. A folding door separates the head from the V-berth, which covers various compartments. A cushioned plywood insert fills the V to create a double berth, forward of which a panel opens to the anchor locker.

The companionway, its top step on the countertop next to the single stainless-steel sink, bisects the galley, between a spacious icebox to starboard and an alcohol stove to port.

Removing the companionway stairs buys just enough room for a small person to ease over the top of the engine to service the raw-water pump or to top off the transmission oil.

Under sail, my CD 28, Innisfree, was a sound, safe, and comfortable cruising boat. She was stiff, surprisingly quick in light wind, extremely capable in heavy air, and a sheer joy off the wind. Innisfree balanced well, tracked perfectly, and, with all of her momentum, just plowed right through the Chesapeake chop. The club-footed jib, though handy for windward work when I was singlehanding, was difficult to trim properly, so I eventually installed a ProFurl furling system.

Between 1974 and 1987, Cape Dory Yachts built 388 CD 28s in East Taunton, Massachusetts. Today the 28 is listed at prices from $14,500 to $35,000. The Cape Dory Sailboat Owners Association ( www.capedory.org ) is just one of several groups that offers support to CD fans.

LOA 28′ 2″ (8.59 m.) LWL 22′ 3″ (6.78 m.) Beam 8′ 11″ (2.72 m.) Draft 4′ 0″ (1.22 m.) Sail Area (100%) 404 sq. ft. (37.5 sq. m.) Ballast 3,500 lb. (1,588 kg.) Displacement 9,000 lb. (4,082 kg.) Ballast/D .39 D/L 365 SA/D 14.9 Water 60 gal. (227 l.) Fuel 32 gal. (121 l.) Engine Various Designer Carl Alberg

Lauren Anthone sailed her Cape Dory 28, Innisfree, for six years.

• More: 21 - 30 ft , before 2000 , cape dory , Coastal Cruising , keelboat , monohull , Sailboat Reviews , Sailboats , sailboats classic plastic
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1985 Cape Dory Cruiser 28

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1985 Cape Dory Cruiser 28 boat for sale

Listing broker.

Yacht Broker - Maple Bay Marina, BC

Cell: 250-818-4658

Description

This simple-yet-elegant down-East style cruiser has nearly a cult following. In the 28 years that Cape Dory Yachts was in business, they built over 2,800 sailboats and over 300 powerboats: 223 of those were of the 28’ variety. That said, it’s a treat to see one of them here in the Pacific Northwest. Many Cape Dories were designed by the renown naval architect, Carl Alberg, and you can see that influence in the simplicity and clean lines of the 28’.

Enthusiasts rave about the “incomparable seakeeping abilities,” and the “simple elegance of a classic interior with spacious cockpit and wide, sure-footed decks.” This particular case is an excellent example of what they’re talking about. CAPER pleases the eye with that salty East coast look. The bow is high, and the rub rail is a rope! When you step aboard, she feels as a boat should feel underfoot: neither tender nor stiff, but hardy and ready to go. The interior is simple and clean. Very no-nonsense, yet dignified and comfortable. One can imagine pulling off the yellow slicker, the sou’wester, and the gum boots on the aft deck, then stepping inside to the smell of Cook doing up a mess of lobster. Or, in a more West Coast style, shedding the rubber boots, the Helly Hanson, and sitting down to a feast of crab and halibut. Either way, it does the heart good. You can see why this was the most popular powerboat that Cape Dory ever made.

With easily $15,000 worth of work done over the last two years, this boat is in the best shape she’s seen in 20 years. So, hum your favourite sea shanty and come take a look. It will be time well spent.

At the forepeak, a chain locker stores rode and is accessible only from the outer deck. Inside, behind the chain locker is a v-berth with insert to make the bed a full triangle. Aft of that to port is the head. Across from the head, to starboard, is the galley. Two steps up takes you to the main cabin. To port is an L-shaped settee with oval wooden table. To starboard is the helm station with an adjustable captain’s chair. The engine is located beneath the main cabin. Aft of the main cabin, through a sliding wooden door is the outer aft deck. There is a bimini over the deck. Under the deck is storage. On the deck is a fiberglass storage box. Aft of the transom is a teak swim grid that runs the full length athwartship. A fiberglass sailing dinghy is stored on the swim grid. There is 360° access outside the cabin via wide walkaround decks and teak handrails.

Specifications

• Name: CAPER
• Make: Cape Dory
• Model: Cruiser
• Builder: Cape Dory Yachts
• Location: Victoria, BC
• Price: $65,000 CAD
• LOD: 27’ 11”
• Beam: 9’ 11”
• Maximum draft: 2’ 11”
• Headroom: 6’ 3”
• Displacement: 9,000 lbs
• Fuel type: Diesel
• Brand: Westerbeke
• Model: 6 Cyl
• Cooling: Fresh water
• Drive: Direct
• Hours: 2500
• Last service: 2021 Fall
• Cruising speed: 7 kts
• Maximum speed: 12 kts
• Consumption at cruising speed: About 1 gal/hour
• Instrumentation: RPM, oil pressure, fuel, voltage, temp

The engine has glow plugs. When pre-heated, it starts immediately without any fuss and only a minimum of smoke. Sound panelling encompasses the entire engine room for the quietest possible ride.

• Transmission new in 2009
• Engine mounts new in 2015
• Upgraded Racor filter installed
• Water pump rebuilt, exhaust hose replaced, valve adjustment and injectors cleaned and reset in 2019
• Fuel lines new in 2016
• Shaft coupling replaced 2020
• Shaft seal readjusted 2021

Hull, Propeller, & Rudder

• Hull shape: Semi-displacement with moderate beam, round bilges
• Hull materials: Fiberglass. In 2021 it was stripped and recoated
• Trim: Teak, maintained regularly with Semco teak sealer
• Deck materials: FRP and cored in areas
• Cabin materials: (straight FRP or cored? If cored, with what?)
• Rudder: Prop and rudder protected by keel
• Propeller: Bronze 3-blade, right hand
• Steering: Wheel
• Emergency tiller
• Sounder/GPS/Plotter: Garmin 198C colour Chartplotter, speed, depth
• Compass: Ritchie at helm
• VHF: New 2016

Aft & Outer Decks

• Wonderfully spacious back deck
• Teak swim grid of generous proportion
• All decks painted with Kiwi Grip
• Hot/cold freshwater shower
• Main door rebuilt 2021
• Deck hatches: One above v-berth
• Portholes & windows: 1 opening in galley, 2 opening in v-berth, windows all around main cabin
• Lazarette: Generous size, access via aft deck
• Outer storage: Fiberglass box in aft deck
• Railings: Stainless steel around aft deck; stainless steel bow pulpit
• Canvas covers: Bimini over aft deck, window covers
• House batteries: 4 x Trojan 6V, 2015
• Starter battery: 1 x GRP31 12V, 2015
• Battery charger: Pronautic charger and monitor, 2015
• Battery monitor: Victron
• Inverter: 500W, 2021
• Shore power cord: Smart Plug, 2015
• Wiring and panel replaced with new in 2015
• All lights are LED 2015, 2021
• Red LED over helm for preserving night vision
• Alternator rebuilt 2020
• Fuel: 90 gal – new certified plastic in 2016
• Fresh water: 90 gal total, 2 tanks, plastic
• Hot water: 5 gal, electrical or engine heated
• Holding: 20 gal, plastic
• Holding tank config: to deck or sea
• Propane: BBQ only
• New potable water pump 2021
• Dinghy: Booth 9’ beautiful fiberglass classic sailing dinghy with sail, rudder, and oars (Minto model). Tows very well.
• Dinghy storage: Weaver davits for vertical storage on swim grid

Ground Tackle

• Windlass: Lewmar Pro 1000 12V electric, motor replaced 2021
• Anchor primary: 10kg Bruce
• Rode: 60’ of 5/8” chain; 250’ of 5/8” 3-strand nylon line
• Stainless steel anchor roller
• Bilge pump: Electrical (will be new); manual replaced 2021
• Bilge blower: Yes
• Engine overheat alarm: Yes
• Fire extinguishers: 2 x 3A 10 BC dry chem; Saloon & head
• Carbon monoxide alarm: Above galley
• Life ring: 24” located on aft deck
• Boarding ladder: Stainless steel on swim grid
• Heat: Wallace diesel stove/heater – see note under “Galley, Stove”
• Sole surface: Teak & holly; main cabin sole refinished 2021
• Bulkhead/hull finish: Main cabin upper paint and woodwork refinished 2021
• Large windows surround the upper main cabin. Clean, white curtains can be drawn for privacy.
• An L-shaped settee is to port. It makes down into a double bed. Beneath is a tremendous amount of storage.
• To starboard is the helm station with wheel steering. A fixed, oak captain’s chair is fully adjustable in height, as well as at the back. Very comfy!
• Windows surround the cabin, flooding it with light, and views of the Pacific Northwest. Clean, white curtains port and starboard can be drawn for nighttime privacy.
• Engine access is located beneath the newly stripped and refinished teak and holly sole.
• Fridge: Top loading (compressor will be new)
• Stove: Wallace diesel stove/heater; Air is drawn from inside the cabin and exhausted outside, creating a warm and dry heat that is blown throughout the boat. The same system heats the stovetop most efficiently. This system eliminates the need for propane inside, or battery-draining electrical-powered cooking.
• BBQ: Propane outside on aft deck
• Sink: Deep stainless steel
• Taps: High stainless steel for filling large pots (with a lotta crabs in them)
• Toilet: Manual Jabsco with new flush pump and seals, 2021
• Tap: Single-lever, hot/cold, stainless steel
• Basin: Deep stainless steel
• Ventilation: Opening porthole
• Lighting: Covered bulb, and a large translucent overhead. Almost like a skylight.
• Attractive blue cushions form the sleeping area. An insert can be placed to allow the bunk to be the full triangle.
• Upholstery is in excellent condition.
• Storage shelves run port and starboard above the bunk. They are accessible through large openings that, while giving good access, keep anything stored in there from falling out.
• Storage under forward end accessible under foam.
• Storage under port and starboard sides accessible via cupboard doors.
• Hanging locker aft of bunk.
• 2 reading lamps.
• Teak lined along the hull.

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• Sailboat Guide

Cape Dory 28

Cape Dory 28 is a 28 ′ 1 ″ / 8.6 m monohull sailboat designed by Carl Alberg and built by Cape Dory Yachts between 1974 and 1988.

Rig and Sails

Auxilary power, accomodations, calculations.

The theoretical maximum speed that a displacement hull can move efficiently through the water is determined by it's waterline length and displacement. It may be unable to reach this speed if the boat is underpowered or heavily loaded, though it may exceed this speed given enough power. Read more.

Classic hull speed formula:

Hull Speed = 1.34 x √LWL

Max Speed/Length ratio = 8.26 ÷ Displacement/Length ratio .311 Hull Speed = Max Speed/Length ratio x √LWL

Sail Area / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the power of the sails relative to the weight of the boat. The higher the number, the higher the performance, but the harder the boat will be to handle. This ratio is a "non-dimensional" value that facilitates comparisons between boats of different types and sizes. Read more.

SA/D = SA ÷ (D ÷ 64) 2/3

• SA : Sail area in square feet, derived by adding the mainsail area to 100% of the foretriangle area (the lateral area above the deck between the mast and the forestay).
• D : Displacement in pounds.

Ballast / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the stability of a boat's hull that suggests how well a monohull will stand up to its sails. The ballast displacement ratio indicates how much of the weight of a boat is placed for maximum stability against capsizing and is an indicator of stiffness and resistance to capsize.

Ballast / Displacement * 100

Displacement / Length Ratio

A measure of the weight of the boat relative to it's length at the waterline. The higher a boat’s D/L ratio, the more easily it will carry a load and the more comfortable its motion will be. The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more.

D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds.
• LWL: Waterline length in feet

Comfort Ratio

This ratio assess how quickly and abruptly a boat’s hull reacts to waves in a significant seaway, these being the elements of a boat’s motion most likely to cause seasickness. Read more.

Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam 1.33 )

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds
• LOA: Length overall in feet
• Beam: Width of boat at the widest point in feet

Capsize Screening Formula

This formula attempts to indicate whether a given boat might be too wide and light to readily right itself after being overturned in extreme conditions. Read more.

CSV = Beam ÷ ³√(D / 64)

The Cape Dory 28 is a rugged little cruiser often quoted as having a feel of a larger boat. She combines traditional looks, quality construction and well-mannered sailing characteristics into a package that is offshore capable. As testimony to her seaworthiness, we’ve seen at least one circumnavigation – in 2009 Fred Bickum completed his three year voyage singlehanded in his 1978 Cape Dory, FêNIX .

At her launch in 1974 the Cape Dory 28 marked the beginning of a fruitful twelve year partnership between Cape Dory Yachts and well respected designer Carl Alberg . Between 1974 and 1987, Cape Dory built 388 in their yard in East Taunton, New England, helping the company forge a grand reputation for producing sailboats that are well constructed with excellent sailing characteristics.

Taking a closer look at her hull shape a trained eye can see much of the classic Alberg form. A Swede himself, he was heavily influenced by the sleek Scandinavian folkboats of the early 20th century, and in that regard the 28’s hull is narrow, making for less accomodation volume belowdecks, but the long overhangs seen in earlier Alberg designs are only hinted at, instead they have been toned down in favour of a longer waterline and gaining back some space. The sheerline is graceful with traditionally low freeboard. Beneath the waterline is a full keel with a forefoot cutaway and ending in a keel-hung rudder which completes her classical profile.

Hulls are of solid fiberglass in polyester resin while decks are balsa or plywood cored fiberglass. The build quality is excellent throughout and the quality of her fittings are good. Bronze is used for the through hull fittings and the eight opening ports, though early boats before 1978 had lower quality plastic ports.

Under sail, they are sea kindly, stiff and capable in heavy seas, yet surprisingly quick in light winds. Nine thousand pounds of displacement, a modified full keel and a well-distributed sail plan results in a well balanced boat that tracks easily, is nimble through the tacks yet has enough momentum to push through choppy water.

In summary, if you’re looking for a small cruiser with classic looks and proven offshore potential, but don’t mind foregoing the interior room seen in more modern 28-footers, the Cape Dory 28 may be a good choice.

Buyers Notes

• Decks are fiberglass with a plywood or in some models balsa core. Check for stress cracking which if neglected can allow moisture into the core. Particularly critical areas include the chainplates and mounting points for deck hardware
• Check the fuel tanks. Most models have aluminum tanks mounted on wooden cleats that caused pitting in the aluminum, eventually leading to failure. Some models have steel tanks which can be prone to rusting. Note the tanks can be easily accessed via the port seat locker without difficulty.

Links, References and Further Reading

» Cape Dory Owners Association’s Cape Dory 28 page . Info, brochures and photos. » Cruising World Magazine’s review of the Cape Dory 28 by Lauren Anthone, 2007. » Jack Horner’s review of the Cape Dory 28 , BoatUS

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