Need Advice

[lustyslogger]

I have always been a big fan of the Carl Alberg designed Cape Dory Typhoon. In the slip across from me there is a forlorn looking, never used Typhoon. I have seen the owner once in the 18 or so months I have been in my slip. He took it out, never raised the sail and brought it back in in about 15 minutes saying it was too rough and windy. The wind speed, as indicated on my wind speed indicator, was between 10 and 12 kts, certainly not a hard blow for a boat like the Typhoon. I am considering offering to buy the boat from him. It appears to be seaworthy, it's riding on its lines, which indicates to me its not filled with water. However, its very shabby looking, the teak is dirty gray in color, the lines need a good washing or replaced. The brass is all green and the hull is quite dirty.

Having bought a 1972 Helsen 22 that sat in an open field for 8 years I know this boat can be restored to its natural beauty. It took me about a year to bring the Helsen up to par and will probably take at least that long before it looks halfway like one of Mr. Haberlands works of art. I would look forward to undertaking the restoration of this fine old boat.

Now, the big question is what would be a fair price to offer for this boat? I know you can't tell without actually seeing the boat but keep my description in mind when considering a bid. I have looked on "Sailing Texas" and selling prices are all over the chart, going from $1600.00 to $16,000.00. The one selling for $1600.00 is in better shape then the one at my dock. Most seem to go in the $4,000.00 to $6,000.00 range but those are in good condition and represent what I want this one to look like when I am done.

What would you think would be a fair offer under the circumstances. I could probably go as high as $3000.00 but don't want to!

Thanks

https://www.sailingtexas.com/cboats99ca ... phoon.html

[Art Haberland]

I can't tell you a fair price, but I can tell you the issue the captain had. Alberg boats all lean and sail best with the rail just touching the water. They rarely go further than that, but for the uninitiated, it can be disquieting.

[lustyslogger]

That's what I thought when he said it was too rough at 10kts of wind. Even I would sail in 10kts of wind!!

Well. I never see him except the once. I've been told he lives up North and only comes down in the winter. But I didn't see him last winter either so who knows. I am going to leave a note on his boat telling him I am interested in buying the boat. Can't understand why anyone would buy a $10,000.00 boat and leave it to rot at the dock all the while paying several thousand dollars a year for dock fees.

[lustyslogger]

I just read "Restoration" by Robbie Stone in the latest issue of Small Craft Advisor. After reading this I may very well change my mind about getting this boat at any price!

[Michel]

We have to be very careful about that restoration business!... It can often replace sailing for very long times! What do we want to do with a boat?

[wdscobie]

Old tank of a boat. Solid glass layup so not likely to be any problems with the hull. If the deck hardware isn't leaking only aesthetic issues to spruce back up. Would worry about the sails being left out in bags in heat/humidity/rain.

Yes, as stated, this is a craft of the old school that sails rail down. She leans in and just stays there.

Howard Rice sailed one offshore down the East coast. He has written about it a few times.

I'm assuming the boat's trailer is available and in good condition?

How much the boat's moorage? Thinking this will give you an ideas of how much the boat is worth; meaning offering him the something near the annual moorage cost for the boat.

Yeah someone that thinks 12kts is 'a bit rough' ...

Typhoon with its weight and hull shape is most happy in those conditions. The other thing that is clear is he didn't know how to reef - another example showing that reefing needs to be quick and easy. IMO if it takes more than a minute for a boat under 20' the setup is wrong. 30 seconds is doable (this is how long it takes me on a Montgomery/Sage 15/17/SageCat). I can reef my 29' on-spar sailboat/home in about a minute to 90 seconds.

Let us know what you decide/do!

[lustyslogger]

I had a Bayliner Buccaneer 22 once that was quite tender. I put the lee rail in the water more than once. First time its like trying to get a knee down on a very fast motorcycle. After you see what its all about its loads of fun. Mr. Scobie he is paying around $2000.00 per year, which is actually very cheap for around here. I don't know about the trailer.

It all hinges on whether or not he actually wants to part with the boat. I drool over it every time I go to the marina and I don't see any major issues other than making it look pretty. He does keep the sails covered. Ill keep everyone posted as to what happens.

Michel. Why do we want a boat? Because as an old Viking saying goes "Bound is Boatless Man"

[Art Haberland]

The only issue with old Albergs, Most of them are quite solidly laid up with an overly thick gelcoat. This can lead to plenty of 'spider cracks' across the gelcoat. It was one of the reasons I gave up on my Seasprite, I would have to take the entire boat down to bare glass, recoat it, and then try to get her smooth. I could have done it, but I wanted to go sailing sometime before I am too old to do so.

[JacquesR]

I'm a cheap bastard, so I would offer no more than 2000$. If he goes for it fine. If not, he may change his mind down the road.

[Charlie P. (NY)]

Have always like the lines of the Typhoon. But as I sail on freshwater and trailer boats that size have never been tempted to actually own one. In our last marina a member had a Weekender and kept it pristine. He adored that boat and it showed. (If it has port lights on either side its the Weekender version. The Cuddy version has a longer cockpit and no port lights).

I can't think of any other 18' sailboat that I would consider having as a half-model on my wall. If I lived "on the water" at a cottage or home where I had a sailboat at the mooring or dock for daysailing it would be a real possibility.