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Cape Dory 33 Flybridge

Built 1988–1994 by Cape Dory Yachts

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About the Cape Dory 33 Flybridge

Researched from public sources for this model. Any individual boat may have been modified or repowered — confirm before relying on any figure.

Illustration of a Cape Dory 33 Flybridge
Illustration, not a photo of this model. AI-generated illustration of a typical express cruiser.
Built
1988–1994
Builder
Cape Dory Yachts
Length
32.83 ft
Beam
12.17 ft
Draft
2.92 ft
Displacement
15,500 lb
Hull
fiberglass
Hull / keel
planing
Propulsion
inboard
Fuel
260 gal
Water
100 gal
Holding
40 gal
Number built
23
Tank capacities — where the figures come from
  • Fuel 260 gal
    No original builder document could be checked. A listing for a 1990 twin-diesel boat gives 265 gal. Cape Dory Cruisers, which owns the brand today, lists the related 33 Express at 250 gal with one engine and 300 with two, so fuel may depend on engine layout; that's a different model, so it isn't used here.
  • Water 100 gal
    A 1990 listing says 100 gal, matching. Cape Dory Cruisers' page for the 33 Express, a different variant, says 70 gal.
  • Holding 40 gal
    A 1990 listing says 40 gal, matching; there's no builder source.

Tanks are often replaced or added on older boats — check the tank labels or a survey for yours.

Thrusters and steering — where this comes from
  • Bow thruster unknown
    “The bow thruster was installed in 2019.” — broker listing (1991), smithyacht.com
    No builder equipment list was found. One 1991 boat (twin engines) had an aftermarket bow thruster added in 2019, but one boat isn't enough to call it a common retrofit.
  • Stern thruster unknown
    No source mentions a stern thruster.
  • Steering unknown
    No builder, review or association source states the steering system. A 1990 listing describes SeaStar hydraulic steering (possibly replaced), but a listing alone isn't enough to go on.

Thrusters and steering are often replaced — check the units on your boat before ordering parts.

Downeast flybridge cruiser on a solid fiberglass modified-V hull (12 degrees deadrise) with full-length keel; 23 built. Single-stateroom galley-down layout. Most have twin Volvo diesels cruising 16-17 knots.

Engines fitted

Boats of the same model can differ — check which engines yours actually has before ordering parts.

Known problems for this model

No well-sourced problem reports found yet.

Engines & parts

Volvo Penta TAMD41 (A/B/D/H/P) parts: limited

Factory standard engine — you entered “Volvo Penta TAMD41 (6-cyl turbo diesel)”

Owner experience is mixed: some say legacy Volvo parts are slow to arrive and expensive, others find them with some searching and cite third-party replacements for coolers and other parts. Small turbo repair kits exist, but some turbo shafts are not offered by Volvo.

Parts sources: Power Products Systems (genuine Volvo Penta parts), US Boatworks (NLA Volvo parts)

Common problems (2)
  • Aftercooler, oil cooler and raw water pump work cooling
    Owners report rebuilding aftercoolers, replacing a holed oil cooler and replacing raw water pumps; overheating is often traced to raw water supply problems such as a poorly sealing strainer.
    trawlerforum.com · forums.ybw.com
  • Turbo repairs exhaust
    Turbo seals are cheap to kit, but once shaft parts are needed Volvo does not supply them and costs rise.
    marineengine.com
Maker’s service schedule (25)
Engine oil & filter change
TMD41A / TAMD41A / AQAD41A (operator's manual 7749437)
100 hrs or 1 yr
“SERVICE EVERY 100 HOURS OF OPERATION OR AT LEAST ONCE PER SEASON” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se
Oil filter change
TMD41A / TAMD41A / AQAD41A (operator's manual 7749437)
200 hrs or 1 yr
“The oil filter is to be changed the first time after 20 hours of operation and then after every 200 hours of operation.” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se
Transmission fluid change
TMD41A / TAMD41A / AQAD41A (operator's manual 7749437)
200 hrs or 1 yr
“SERVICE EVERY 200 HOURS OF OPERATION OR AT LEAST ONCE PER SEASON” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se
Air filter / intake silencer
TMD41A / TAMD41A / AQAD41A (operator's manual 7749437)
200 hrs or 1 yr
“The airfilter must be replaced every 200 hours of operation or once each season.” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se
Replace crankcase-ventilation filter
TMD41A / TAMD41A / AQAD41A (operator's manual 7749437)
200 hrs or 1 yr
“The airfilter for the crankcase-ventilation (1) must be changed every 200 hours of operation or once per season” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se
Valve clearance check / adjust
TMD41A / TAMD41A / AQAD41A (operator's manual 7749437)
200 hrs or 1 yr
“Checking and adjusting the valve clearance should be carried out by an authorized Volvo Penta Dealer.” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se
Raw-water pump impeller
TMD41A / TAMD41A / AQAD41A (operator's manual 7749437)
200 hrs or 1 yr
“Inspect the impeller. If the impeller is damaged, it must be replaced.” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se
Turbocharger inspection
TMD41A / TAMD41A / AQAD41A (operator's manual 7749437)
200 hrs or 1 yr
“TURBOCHARGER, Check airtube and connections for leakage” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se
Drive belts inspect / replace
TMD41A / TAMD41A / AQAD41A (operator's manual 7749437)
1 yr
“Replace belts once per year using only genuine Volvo Penta belts.” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se
Coolant replacement & freeze-point test
TMD41A / TAMD41A / AQAD41A (operator's manual 7749437)
1 yr
“Fresh water system should be drained and flushed once per year.” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se
Clean sea-water filter (AQAD41 drive installations)
TMD41A / TAMD41A / AQAD41A (operator's manual 7749437)
50 hrs
“SERVICE EVERY 50 HOURS OF OPERATION” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se
Grease drive primary shaft and steering-shaft journal (AQAD drive)
TMD41A / TAMD41A / AQAD41A (operator's manual 7749437)
50 hrs
“Grease the fitting with a grease-gun until grease is forced out at the journals.” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se
Engine oil & filter change
TAMD41H / TAMD41M / TAMD41P (1999 instruction book 7740088, 31-43 series)
100 hrs or 1 yr
“Every 100 operating hours/At least once a year:” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se
Fuel filters & water separator
TAMD41H / TAMD41M / TAMD41P (1999 instruction book 7740088, 31-43 series)
200 hrs or 1 yr
“Every 200 operating hours or at least once a year:” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se
Air filter / intake silencer
TAMD41H / TAMD41M / TAMD41P (1999 instruction book 7740088, 31-43 series)
200 hrs or 1 yr
“Every 200 operating hours or at least once a year:” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se
Replace crankcase-ventilation filter
TAMD41H / TAMD41M / TAMD41P (1999 instruction book 7740088, 31-43 series)
200 hrs or 1 yr
“Every 200 operating hours or at least once a year:” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se
Raw-water pump impeller
TAMD41H / TAMD41M / TAMD41P (1999 instruction book 7740088, 31-43 series)
200 hrs or 1 yr
“Every 200 operating hours or at least once a year:” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se
Drive belts inspect / replace
TAMD41H / TAMD41M / TAMD41P (1999 instruction book 7740088, 31-43 series)
200 hrs or 1 yr
“Every 200 operating hours or at least once a year:” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se
Check exhaust system
TAMD41H / TAMD41M / TAMD41P (1999 instruction book 7740088, 31-43 series)
200 hrs or 1 yr
“Every 200 operating hours or at least once a year:” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se
Coolant replacement & freeze-point test
TAMD41H / TAMD41M / TAMD41P (1999 instruction book 7740088, 31-43 series) - anti-corrosion-agent coolant
200 hrs or 1 yr
“If the freshwater system is filled with an anti-corrosion agent mixture it must be changed every year.” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se
Coolant replacement & freeze-point test
TAMD41H / TAMD41M / TAMD41P (1999 instruction book 7740088, 31-43 series) - glycol antifreeze coolant
2 yrs
“If the freshwater system is filled with an antifreeze (glycol) mixture it must be changed every other year.” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se
Valve clearance check / adjust
TAMD41H / TAMD41M / TAMD41P (1999 instruction book 7740088, 31-43 series)
200 hrs
“Every 200 operating hours:” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se
Turbocharger inspection
TAMD41H / TAMD41M / TAMD41P (1999 instruction book 7740088, 31-43 series)
200 hrs
“Every 200 operating hours:” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se
Transmission fluid change
TAMD41H / TAMD41M / TAMD41P (1999 instruction book 7740088, 31-43 series) - reverse gear
200 hrs or 1 yr
“Every 200 operating hours or at least once a year:” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se
Replace propeller-shaft seal (reverse-gear installations, workshop)
TAMD41H / TAMD41M / TAMD41P (1999 instruction book 7740088, 31-43 series)
500 hrs or 5 yrs
“Every 500 operating hours or at least every fifth year:” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se
Service part numbers (6)
Oil filter Volvo Penta 471034
“p.91 "TMD41, TAMD41, AQD41, AQAD41" block: Oil filter — 471034” — manufacturer, volvopenta.com · “Volvo Penta part number: 471034 … TAMD41A / TAMD41B / TAMD41P-A / TMD41A” — dealer, marisolmarine.com
Raw-water impeller Volvo Penta 21951356
Replaces 3841697, 877061
“p.91 "TMD41, TAMD41, AQD41, AQAD41" block: Impeller kit — 21951356” — manufacturer, volvopenta.com · “Volvo Penta 21951356, 3841697, 877061 … AD41A, AQAD41A, AQD41A, D41A, TAMD41A, TMD41A” — dealer, repowermarine.com
Zinc / anode
early models
 Volvo Penta 838929
“p.91 "TMD41, TAMD41, AQD41, AQAD41" block: Engine zinc anode (early models) — 838929” — manufacturer, volvopenta.com · “# Volvo Penta TAMD41B … [ANODE] Part Number: 838929” — dealer, marinepartsexpress.com
Air filter
metal filter housing
 Volvo Penta 858488
“p.91 "TMD41, TAMD41, AQD41, AQAD41" block: Air filter (metal filter housing) — 858488” — manufacturer, volvopenta.com · “# Volvo Penta TAMD41B … [AIR FILTER INSERT] Part Number: 858488” — dealer, marinepartsexpress.com
Thermostat Volvo Penta 3831424
“# Volvo Penta TAMD41B … [THERMOSTAT KIT] Part Number: 3831424” — dealer, marinepartsexpress.com · “Volvo Penta Thermostat kit 31 41 42 43 44 Series - 3831424 … TAMD41H-A … TAMD41P-A, TMD41L-A” — dealer, marinedustrie.com
Crankcase ventilation filter
up to SN 2204141572
 Volvo Penta 876069
“p.91 "TMD41, TAMD41, AQD41, AQAD41" block: Crankcase filter (SN - 2204141572) — 876069” — manufacturer, volvopenta.com · “# Volvo Penta TAMD41B … [FILTER] Part Number: 876069” — dealer, marinepartsexpress.com

From the engine maker’s parts lists, or two independent parts dealers. Numbers change with serial number and get superseded — check yours before ordering.

Model sources (4)

hmy.com · downeastboatforum.com · northstaryachtsales.com · smithyacht.com

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Other Cape Dory models

Researched from public sources. Spotted an error? The sources are listed above — tell us what they got wrong.