Katrina Damaged Cape Dory 22
The Perfect Boat Found on 
We'd been looking for the perfect sailboatboat for what seemed like FOREVER !!! We had a 25' power boat in winter storage (our first experiment with stink pots, a big mistake) and a 28' Pearson Triton project boat in the back yard (an abandoned boat that was given to us - - and that will soon be finding it's way into a 30 yard dumpster enroute to the landfill). In the process of looking we had been offered 3 other FREE boats, which we decided not to take, none of them were quite right (And none of them were Cape Dorys).
We're Cape Dory lovers through and through. Our first boat back in 1982 was a Cape Dory Typhoon, and we had been oohing and ahhing over Cape Dory ads in the sailing magazines for years before that. If we are ever in a position to "sail off into the sunset", the Cape Dory 36 will be our boat of choice. We dock-walk in marinas and drive through boatyards just to see how many Cape Dorys we can find, and we have to stop and admire every one we pass, whether it's a Typhoon or a CD36 or anything in between doesn't matter. We visit the Cape Dory message board regularly and enjoy so much all the Cape Dory chatter. And back in January 2006, for one of the few brief times in our lives, we just happened to be without a sailboat.
I had been checking all the boat salvage auction sites (www.yachtsalvage.com, www.certifiedsales.com, www.usauctions.com ), and eBay motors, regularly for months looking for a project we could get for a reasonable price and rebuild. We were looking in particular for a trailerable boat. We have a good sized piece of property and would be able to rebuild the boat here in the back yard and bring her home every year for winter storage. Plus being able to trailer would open up occassional opportunities to cruise in areas that we couldn't reach on our own keel in the amount of vacation time we have available every year. So the cost of getting a trailer built also had to figure into the equation. Imagine my excitement when I made my regular check of eBay motors one evening and spotted a Hurricane Katrina damaged Cape Dory 22 that was up to only a couple of hundred dollars (and NO RESERVE). We had rebuilt 3 boats previously and we enjoyed the process. The pride that comes from the accomplishment of taking a beat up sailboat and restoring it to beautiful condition just adds to the enjoyment of sailing it. This boat didn't look too terrible, so a hurricane damaged boat seemed right up our alley.
I checked that boat every single day during the auction, usually many times a day. I fully expected the price to go high, probably higher than what we could pay when the cost of shipping from Louisiana to Maryland were considered. The auction was ending at 00:33 Pacific time on Sunday night January 9th. This would be 3:33 AM for me here in Maryland, and I had to go to work on Monday morning, but by bedtime Sunday evening the bidding was still well under $1000. I stayed up and watched, glued to the computer, checking the progress every few minutes. I had placed an initial bid a few days earlier, but I didn't want to get over enthusiastic and drive the bidding up so I had let myself be outbid and had decided to just be patient and wait until the end of the auction to see where the price was before I decided whether or not to place any more bids. By the time the auction was ending the bidding was only at around $800 so I threw my hat back into the ring and at 3:33 AM I let out a whoop that probably woke the whole neighborhood (it certainly woke up my husband!!) because we were the winners of the auction for the bargain price of $859.99.
These are the pictures that appeared in the eBay listing:
Next step.......get her home
Lance and Becky,
Congrats on the Cape Dory - a fine boat and its good to see that some of these many damaged classics will sail again. I'm looking forward to checking out the blog this summer and seeing her in the water.
- Jason King
New Orleans, LA
Thanks Jason! We couldn't be more pleased about the boat. We are busy gathering gear and waiting for the trailer. As soon as the weather warms up we will be fiberglassing away. Do you belong to the Chesapeake Bay Fleet? If so, will you be at the Groundhog Day Extravaganza? We will be there and are looking forward to meeting other Bay sailors.
Becky
Do you want to sell the motor mount on the CD 22'? I noted in comments that you were going to get rid of it. If so, how much? Thanks
Loved reading about your new CD22. I enjoy reading about owners restoring these older classics that so deserve it. FYI, my wife and I bought a hurricane damaged Nor'sea 27 and we are about halfway finished with its rebuild. I feel your pain and share in your joy! Good luck and fair winds from Boise, Idaho.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read and comment on our blog site. Restoring an old and/or salvaged boat can be a huge undertaking, but it certainly has its rewards when completed. There is nothing like the feeling of pride and satisfaction you get when sailing a boat that you know you restored and did a nice job on. And, sometimes it gives us the opportunity to own a class of boat that might be unattainable otherwise.
We are also admirers of the Nor'Sea and back in the day when they were still being built new, we looked at them as a possible cruising boat for our retirement. We' ve gone through many "cycles" since then. We still don't know what that final cruising boat will be, but I have no doubt that when we finally find it, it will need to be rebuilt!!
Good luck and fair winds.
Becky
Thank you so much for sharing the information about your work on the B-24. I purchased a 1974 24 that is completely original. The P O did nothing but sail her a couple of weeks per year. I'm starting by replacing the standing rigging, then on to the deck fittings and then the interior. I will move the shrouds outboard; my last boat had them there and it was easier to walk forward; at 70 years of age, walking forward is best done with as few impediments as possible.
Again, thank you for sharing. I will be sure to follow your lead and share any changes I make with fellow Bristoleers.
Fair Winds,
Carleton ScullyThank you so much for sharing the information about your work on the B-24. I purchased a 1974 24 that is completely original. The P O did nothing but sail her a couple of weeks per year. I'm starting by replacing the standing rigging, then on to the deck fittings and then the interior. I will move the shrouds outboard; my last boat had them there and it was easier to walk forward; at 70 years of age, walking forward is best done with as few impediments as possible.
Again, thank you for sharing. I will be sure to follow your lead and share any changes I make with fellow Bristoleers.
Fair Winds,
Carleton Scully
Hi:
I just found your blog. I had a Typhoon when I lived in Maine many years ago and love Carl Alberg designed boats. What I have read of your story of the 22 is great. Congratulation.
I am on the internet at the library in so will not be able to keep your site locked in; but will keep up with it.
I am determined to get a Typhoon again or after reading your information a 22 sounds fine. Someone at the Saratoga Lake Sailing Club is selling an Ensign, but my situation does not permit that right now. I do have an O'Day 22 (forgive me, long boring story)but at least it gets me on the water.
Best wishes, Carroll