Cape Dory 270 User manual

CAPE DORY
270
Edited by: Catherine Monaghan, 2007

LETTER OF WELCOME
Dear Skipper:
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. It also is a helpful
guide to follow for proper care and maintenance in the future.
The Cape Dory team of managers, supervisors, and quality control
personnel do their very best through every step of the construction
process and strive to build boats of exceptional quality which will
provide their owners with many years of sailing pleasure and retain a
high resale value.
Please review the material carefully. You will enjoy your new Cape Dory
more if you are familiar with the design and construction of the yacht
and with the equipment used on board.
Any questions you may have can be answered by your authorized dealer as
he is a knowledgeable professional and is familiar with your new boat.
He will continue to be your most important contact for information about
your boat and for any problems should they develop.
We appreciate your confidence in our product and assure you that with
proper care, you should have many years and miles of enjoyable sailing
in your new Cape Dory.
Again, welcome to the fleet. May the wind always be fair.
Sincerely,
Andrew C. Vavolotis
President
Cape Dory Yachts, Inc.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
FORWARD & DISCLAIMER 6
CUSTOMER SERVICE 7
OWNERS RECORD 8
DEALER'S COMMISSIONING CHECKLIST 9
INTRODUCTION 13
CAPE DORY OWNERS ASSOCIATION 14
I. THE CAPE DORY OWNER 15
II. SAFETY 15
Charts 16
Fueling 16
Docking and Anchoring 18
III. LIMITED WARRANTY 19
Warranty Notification Procedures 20
IV. CAPE DORY 270 DESIGN 20
V. CONSTRUCTION 21
Hull 21
Deck and Headliner 21
Ballast 22
Rudder 22
Joiner Units and Bulkheads 23
VI. INTERIOR 23
VII. DIESEL AUXILIARY 24
Corrosion 25
Alignment and Shaft Assembly 26
Fuel System 27
VIII. ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS 29
DC System 29
Battery Voltage 30
AC System 31
Bonding System 32
Lightning Ground System 32
Electrolysis and Corrosion 33
IX. FRESH WATER SYSTEM 33
Pressure Water 34
Water Heater and Start Up 34
X. DRAINAGE SYSTEM 35
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Thru Hulls and Seacocks 35
Scupper Drains 38
Bilge Pump 38
XI. HEAD AND WASTE SYSTEM 38
XII. CENTERBOARD SYSTEM 39
XIII. SPAR, RIGGING, AND SAILS 41
Standing Rigging 42
Turnbuckles 43
Running Rigging 44
Tuning the Standing Rigging 44
Deck Hardware and Chainplates 45
Chainplate System 45
Sails 46
Quick Reefing 48
Optional Sails 49
XIV. STEERING SYSTEM 49
Pedestal Steering 50
Edson Maintenance Guide 51
XV. EXTERIOR MAINTENANCE 52
Fiberglass 52
Surface Imperfections 52
Deep Scratches and Flaws 52
Non Skid Imperfections 53
Gel Coat Blisters 53
Bottom Paint and Boot Top Paint 53
Cove Stripe 54
Ports and Hatches 54
Deck Hardware 54
Winches and Blocks 55
Lifelines, Pulpits, and Stanchions 55
Spar 55
Standing Rigging 56
Sails 56
Centerboard 57
Teak 57
Leaks 58
XVI. INTERIOR MAINTENANCE 58
Wood Surfaces 59
Cushions 59
Ice Box 59
Ports and Hatches 60
Sinks 60
Head 60
Curtains 61
Stove 61
General 61
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XVII. WINTERIZING 61
Blocking the Hull 61
Bottom Haulout 62
Propeller and Cutless Bearing 62
Engine 62
Fuel Tanks 62
Head 63
Electrical System 63
Scuppers and Seacocks 63
Ice Box 63
Bilge 63
Stove 63
Covering 63
Mast and Boom 64
XVIII. VENDOR PARTS LIST 65
XIX. VENDOR ADRESSES 69
XX. TECHNICAL INFORMATION 70
XXI. TECHNICAL REFERENCE DRAWINGS 71
1. Sail Plan 71
2. Arrangement 72
3. Starboard Elevation 73
4. Hull Deck Joint at Upper Shroud 74
5. Hull Deck Joint at Lower Shroud 75
6. Mast Step Detail 76
7. Stemhead Detail 77
8. Deck Hardware Layout 78
9. Steering System – Tiller 79
10. Steering System – Wheel 80
11. Spar Plan 81
12. Mainsheet Rigging Detail 82
13. Centerboard - System A 83
14. Centerboard - System B 84
15. Seacock Detail 85
16A. Fresh Water System 86
16B. Waste & Discharge System 87
17A. Fuel System 88
17B. Engine Cooling & Hot Water System 89
18. DC Panel Wiring 90
19A. 12 Volt DC Wiring 91
19B. 110 Volt AC Wiring 92
20. Lightning Ground & Underwater Bonding 93
21. Lifting Strap Location 94
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FOREWORD & DISCLAIMER
This is a modified version of the 1984 Cape Dory Owner’s Manual which was included with the
vintage Cape Dory 270 sailboat built by Cape Dory Yachts, Inc., a company that ceased operations
in 1991.
It is offered here for use by those seeking a replacement for their original owners manual or for any
sailboat owner who might benefit from the useful information it contains on general sailboat
maintenance and repair. It is not suggested that it be relied upon implicitly, but that it act as a
supplement to other sources of information currently available.
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.
Also, it should be kept in mind that the information in this Manual may be not only dated, but may
contain inaccuracies or omissions and that neither I nor anyone connected with the original Manual
shall be held liable for any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its use.
It was written and modified as a guide for owners of Cape Dorys specifically and its application
and suitability for use with other types of boats is not expressed or implied. Further, it is meant to
be distributed freely and not to be used for profit. All trademarks, logos, products and businesses
appearing in the Manual are the sole property of their respective owners and they retain all rights. I
have no association with and do not represent any of the products, businesses, or persons named in
the Manual.
Cathy Monaghan, February 2007.
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CUSTOMER SERVICE
The Cape Dory Yachts Customer Service Department has been established to
provide technical information and ·a replacement parts ordering service
for Cape Dory Owners.
Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or comments on
your boat. We appreciate any suggestions that you might have to improve
the product.
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.
Situations may arise when we will be referring you to local marine
stores or marine hardware manufacturers. Our intent in these cases is
to provide you with the fastest and least expensive service.
Through our Customer Service Department, we strive to maintain our
reputation for product quality and excellent service.
Sincerely,
Eric J. Brehm
Karla J. Zagrodny
Customer Service Department
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CAPE DORY OWNER'S RECORD
Complete and save this form for your records and future
reference.
Yacht Name __________________________ Home Port ______________________
Hull Identification Number *_________________________________________
Dealer Name _________________________ Address ________________________
Salesman. ___________________________ Delivery Date __________________
Date Commissioning Checklist/Warranty returned to CDY ________________
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Owner's Name ________________________ Address ________________________
State Registration/Documentation _____________________________________
Engine Model and Serial Number _______________________________________
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. There is also a
builder's plate with the hull number. In addition, there are serial
numbers on your boat's engine (see the engine manufacturer's owner's
manual) and on some of the accessory equipment which you may elect to
have installed.
We recommend that you record these important numbers carefully and keep
copies of them both at home and aboard (see "Owner's Record” form).
These numbers and an accurate description of your property, in the event
of theft, could be essential to their recovery.
Marking an inconspicuous place such as the inside of a locker, underside
of a door or drawer, or the base of the mast with your initials, social
security number or other unique "brand" may also aid in the prompt
identification of your property, should the need to do so ever arise.
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DEALER’S COMMISSIONING CHECKLIST
Model_____________________________Hull Number_________________________________
Owner’s Name and Address _______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Dealer_________________________________________________________________________
Date Sold__________________________ Date Launched_______________________________
* Indicates further information and/or drawings elsewhere in manual
1.1 Date Initials Receiving Record
1. __________ ___________ * All items on receiving checklist received in good order.
Dealer should notify factory within ten (10) days of
receipt, of any shortages or damaged goods.
PRE-LAUNCH CHECKLIST
2. ___________ ___________ Visually check underwater hull surface for any damage
sustained during trucking or handling.
3. ___________ ___________ Thru hulls all tight and clear of any foreign objects.
4. ___________ ___________ * Seacocks and valves all closed. Hose clamps tight.
5. ___________ ___________ * Check two propeller retaining nuts for tightness. Cotter
pin in place and bent over (applies to 27, 28 and 30 only).
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.
6. ___________ ___________ *Rudder swings freely side to side. (On CD-30’s with
worm drive steerers, wheel must be turned.)
7. ___________ ___________ *Stuffing box packing adjusted (applies to 27, 28 and 30
only).
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8. ___________ ___________ *Bottom under cradle poppets or bulkheads sanded,
primed and painted. (Fresh coat of bottom paint prior to
launching, highly recommended.)
9. ___________ ___________ *Bilge dry.
10. ___________ ___________ *Bilge pump connections okay and handle on board.
11 .__________ ___________ Check deck and hull for any chips in gel coat.
POST-LAUNCH CHECKLIST:
12. ___________ ___________ Immediately after launching, check bilge for water. If
water is present, check all thru hulls and stuffing box.
13. ___________ ___________ Open seacocks or valves one at a time and check for
leaks.
14. ___________ ___________ *Check stuffing box. The propeller stuffing box should
drip water slowly, approximately one drop every ten
seconds while shaft is turning to insure that the bearing
and packing gland are lubricated by water. The rudder
shaft stuffing box may not weep at all except in rough
conditions.
15. ___________ ___________ *Check battery switch and electrical system operation.
16. ___________ ___________ Check battery electrolyte and charge level.
17. ___________ ___________ *Check head operation.
18. ___________ ___________ *Check bilge pump operation.
ENGINE START-UP CHECKLIST: (applies to 27, 28, & 30 only)
The following checklist is not intended to replace the engine manufacturer’s manual. Refer to that
manual before starting engine.
19. ___________ __________ Check engine and transmission oil level and condition.
20 ___________ __________ Check belt tension on all belt driven components.
21 ___________ ___________ *Check that cooling water intake seacock is open.
22. ___________ ___________ Check to see that all clamps on exhaust hose are tight (on
Yanmar engines make sure that exhaust hose enters water
lock at location marked “in”)
23. ___________ ___________ On fresh water cooled engine check water level and
antifreeze in the expansion tank.
24. __________ __________ Check engine mount nuts for tightness.
25. ____________ __________ *Check transmission bolts for tightness.
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