Is a Cape Dory Typhoon a good first sailboat for 2 families?

[TomY]

I thought so, knowing the families, so I went and took a look at one at our YMCA annual auction. Sorry, I have no pics of the one they bought, yet, but here's a pristine restored Typhoon:

Ok, it wasn't as fine as this one but still in great condition, well equipped and cared for and for sale for $4500.00. High points were all rigging, very good sails, anchor and rode, docks lines, were well sorted in the boat (you could tell the PO was a caring owner). A bonus was a nearly new 4 stroke OB.

Because of Covid-19, this year is a bid auction. The Cape Dory's like many boats of the vintage have potential soft deck core issues. This one seems stiff but one area may require work in the future, but I doubt it. None the less, they put in an offer with that repair in mind and settled on 2700.

I helped them launch and rig the boat. Pretty easy even for the first time. The boat is now on a mooring and I'm watching the two families use it.

One family is a BIL and SIL with two teenage boys. The boys have been been in summer sailing school here for several years. My SIL has sailed extensively with us over the years and my BIL, a bit. But the parents didn't grow up sailing so not ready to just go.

The other family, the kids have also gone through the sailing schools, 420's, etc. But this too is their first 'big boat'. And the parents have the least amount of sailing experience. I predict their kids will lead on the actual sailing.

So now we'll see. There are a handful of Typhoons in our harbor. Here's one that is regularly sailed. These boats are good harbor sailors. I've yet to meet anyone out in the bay overnight, but you could, watching weather.

The local Boat Club also owns one for members to take out. Here's ROCKY being sailed into her mooring by friends.

I was happy to see these two families start with a Typhoon. It's agile and not likely to get them into much trouble. It's a safe small boat to be in if the weather kicks up. Plus it's a smallish investment in time and $$ for a first boat.

This Typhoon will give them the important part: Sailing. They'll find out if sailing is something they enjoy - get excited enough to learn more about it - and then maybe go to a bigger sailboat.

 

[sail sfbay]

Ditto........nice review of the Cape Dory Typhoon: Cape Dory Typhoon

 

[jon hansen]

benz 69' 220D zero to 60 in 19 minutes. they might consider buying one of these to drive down to the harbor for a sail. get them in the mood so to speak.

 

[shemandr]

I like the Typhoon. Much more than the larger CD's. I think it's a very good platform for learning sailors. The second family, with the kids who have sailed 420's, may not appreciated it that much. But it's easy to use, sails well, won't turn over, and has a large cockpit. And that's a good price point. It'll out run that Benz!

 

[FastOlson]

Like many Alberg designs, the Typhoon has what NA Bob Perry calls a "high row away" factor.
And for the younger sailors it provides something that a 'one dimensional' planning dinghy cannot match.
Speed under sail is wonderful, but when the wind is under 10 kts, most boats sail at about the same pace. The immersive experience is the main thing. Thanks for a real uplifting story!

 

[jon hansen]

i had the same consideration as your friends when buying a vessel for my kids to sail without me. i wanted strong, safe, large cockpit, strong, safe, safe, strong, safe, safe, ....
same price range as the typhoon, same safe element as the typhoon ....
went with a 69' cal 20 .

the down side of the 20' is it can catch more weeds on a weedy area.
the typhoon will be better around those lobster pots. we do not have them.
after mastering the typhoon they can move up to a westsail 32'

"for every Jack there is a Jill" they say.
i am aware that some people like sailing slow, which is fine!


NOT!

 

[capta]

I've always considered the Rhodes 19 to be a really good first boat for four people or a family.

 

[jviss]

I've always considered the Rhodes 19 to be a really good first boat for four people or a family.

I heartily agree! Have only sailed the fin keel version, I understand there's a centerboard version, too.

 

[HukilauMike]

If we're comparing the Rhodes 19 to the Typhoon, I think the Rhodes wins the sailing competition, hands down. It's just a better sailing boat. But there is no boat prettier than the Typhoon. Period.

 

[shemandr]

I think the Rhodes 19 is the better sailor and would be a great platform for learning. In fact, a friend runs a sailing school using a couple of them. Keel versions. I don't like the centerboard as much. My endorsement of the Typhoon wasn't meant to dismiss other trainers - if that's what you would call them.

 

[TomY]

I think the Rhodes 19 is the better sailor and would be a great platform for learning. In fact, a friend runs a sailing school using a couple of them. Keel versions. I don't like the centerboard as much. My endorsement of the Typhoon wasn't meant to dismiss other trainers - if that's what you would call them.

With 4, 50 something adults that have never sailed a boat alone, and 4 teenagers who have sailed a dinghy or two in intro sailing classes, speed/performance, never crossed my mind.

My first thought was safety. This Typhoon has both halyards led to the aft edge of the house for easy raising and dousing.

It also comes with a working jib which is self-tacking. In our harbor, there's plenty of wind to drive the boat and the self tending configuration is an easier step for non-sailors. Plus you sail to windward out of our harbor 90% of the time.

The only thing I wish it had was roller furling. But it comes with 2 hank on headsails so that is good.

Next was $$. This will be easy on the wallet to store, launch, etc. The Typhoon is an icon on the NE coast (like the Cal 20 in other areas). You can get rid of it for little cost if things don't work out IF you maintain it. Once neglected, they become junk in no time.

In my experience, sailing isn't an easy thing to 'get', especially for older starters.

Sailboats aren't fast. If they wanted performance, I would have pointed them to one of these:

 

[jon hansen]

a center console speedster in maine? really? that would be a very poor choice in my not so humble opinion. good for what, about 6 days a year. no no no. cold, wet, unprotected from the wind chill. those are for hot climates only. you're going to want protection from that maine weather if you want to really use a speed boat.
just my $0.02