Typhoon roller furling and electrics

[David Spaulding]

I am picking up a 1975 Typhoon Weekender very soon, and I've been considering what equipment the boat may need. It is a bare bones boat, accessories-wise, except for a lifting outboard bracket.

I'm thinking of a roller furling system for the jib. Any comments on the Schaeffer system offered by West Marine? Any other brands people like or would recommend against?

Also, I'm considering a simple electrical system for VHF, depth indicator, and running lights. Of course, I want to do this with as few holes as possible. Any suggestions?

I'm a newbie -- assume nothing in the way of expertise on my part : ) .



spauldingdavid@hotmail.com

[Richard Stephens]

David,

Congratulations on your Typhoon. They are great boats!

My advice is to keep it simple. A roller furling jib is not at all essential. You can raise and lower the jib from the cockpit (lowering with the aid of a light down-haul line running from the head of the sail, through some of the hanks, through the tack fitting and back to the cockpit).

Having said that I do use a CDI FF1 furler for the 110% jib. It saves a few minutes getting under way.

As for the electrical system, again: keep it simple. I use all battery powered / hand-held devices. I suggest a handheld VHF, clamp-on battery powered running lights. I think Speedtech make a handheld depth sounder that you just dip over the side.

Regards,
Richard.
(Typhoon "Blue Diamond")



richard@memory-map.com

[Mike Wainfeld]

David-My Typhoon was also very basic when I got her-no electronics, RF, etc. I use a handheld VHF, and hank-on jib with a jib downhaul. The first most important upgrades, I think, are a Compass, mainsail reefing, and a boom vang. Then just get out and sail! Its real easy to get caught up in all kinds of technical gadgets-especially when you get the West Marine catalog. The best things to watch are the sails, the Windex and the telltales!

Mike Wainfeld
CD Typhoon "Regalo"



mwainfeld@erols.com

[David Spaulding]

David,

Congratulations on your Typhoon. They are great boats!

My advice is to keep it simple. A roller furling jib is not at all essential. You can raise and lower the jib from the cockpit (lowering with the aid of a light down-haul line running from the head of the sail, through some of the hanks, through the tack fitting and back to the cockpit).

Having said that I do use a CDI FF1 furler for the 110% jib. It saves a few minutes getting under way.

As for the electrical system, again: keep it simple. I use all battery powered / hand-held devices. I suggest a handheld VHF, clamp-on battery powered running lights. I think Speedtech make a handheld depth sounder that you just dip over the side.

Regards,
Richard.
(Typhoon "Blue Diamond")

Thanks to you and to Mike W. -- these were the sorts of comments I expected and subconsciously hoped to get. I really don't want to compromise the simplicity of the boat, and the thoughts of putting holes in her is disturbing. I'm glad to hear the job is easily handled from the cockpit as is. The advice about the clamp-on lights is good. I was planning on using a hand-held VHF and GPS, hadn't seen the hand-held depth indicator, but i thought if I had to come up with something more substantial for lights, I might as well make it accommodate a radio, too. The clamp-on and hand-held solution sounds good -- portable, removable, there if we need it.

I look forward to reading and learning more here.



spauldingdavid@hotmail.com

[sloopjohnl]

David,
if you end up not liking the clamp-on running lights and want to get involved with lights, wiring, fused breaker panel and a battery, send me an e-mail and i'll send you a long here's-how.
good luck with the new boat.

I am picking up a 1975 Typhoon Weekender very soon, and I've been considering what equipment the boat may need. It is a bare bones boat, accessories-wise, except for a lifting outboard bracket.

I'm thinking of a roller furling system for the jib. Any comments on the Schaeffer system offered by West Marine? Any other brands people like or would recommend against?

Also, I'm considering a simple electrical system for VHF, depth indicator, and running lights. Of course, I want to do this with as few holes as possible. Any suggestions?

I'm a newbie -- assume nothing in the way of expertise on my part : ) .

sloopjohnl@aol.com

[Paul D.]

David,

I agree with Mike, the roller furling would be a mistake on the Typhoon. I have 155% and 105% headsails and they work very well. A downhaul line is simple and helps much for single handing. I thought about putting electrics on my boat but haven't yet. I don't think they are needed if you have a good compass and handhelp VHF. HORNET will be on Lake Superior this year, which I am very excited about, but I am trying hard to resist the urge to purge the checkbook and put on things that are just not needed. They really cramp a boat this small anyway.

If you want to know how we refitted our Typhoon or how we installed a downhaul for the jib just let me know and we'll correspond. In my humble opinion the most worthwhile upgrades for this boat are slab reefing for the main (I only furl the sail wrapped on the boom), compass, tiedowns for the cockpit hatches, jib downhaul and possibly a vang. Having said this I am trading work with my brother (who has the absolute most tricked out typhoon of all, really!) to build a cockpit enclosure complete with screens like his. I got's some stories!

Enjoy the boat, we love ours.
Paul Danicic
HORNET
#1178 MPLS



nyeme001@tc.umn.edu

[David Spaulding]

David,

I agree with Mike, the roller furling would be a mistake on the Typhoon. I have 155% and 105% headsails and they work very well. A downhaul line is simple and helps much for single handing. I thought about putting electrics on my boat but haven't yet. I don't think they are needed if you have a good compass and handhelp VHF. HORNET will be on Lake Superior this year, which I am very excited about, but I am trying hard to resist the urge to purge the checkbook and put on things that are just not needed. They really cramp a boat this small anyway.

If you want to know how we refitted our Typhoon or how we installed a downhaul for the jib just let me know and we'll correspond. In my humble opinion the most worthwhile upgrades for this boat are slab reefing for the main (I only furl the sail wrapped on the boom), compass, tiedowns for the cockpit hatches, jib downhaul and possibly a vang. Having said this I am trading work with my brother (who has the absolute most tricked out typhoon of all, really!) to build a cockpit enclosure complete with screens like his. I got's some stories!

Enjoy the boat, we love ours.
Paul Danicic
HORNET
#1178 MPLS

Thanks, Paul. There is a definite "keep it simple" theme developing here and that is fine. As I'm rapidly becoming acquainted with the hidden costs of boat ownership, the notion of NOT having to purchase some things is not unwelcome. That said, I am interested in how rigged your down haul. I will keep your email address and drop you a line soon.

Thanks, again.

David
1975 Typhoon Weekender, Hull# 962, Boat to be named later



dspauld@javanet.com

[David Spaulding]

David,

I agree with Mike, the roller furling would be a mistake on the Typhoon. I have 155% and 105% headsails and they work very well. A downhaul line is simple and helps much for single handing. I thought about putting electrics on my boat but haven't yet. I don't think they are needed if you have a good compass and handhelp VHF. HORNET will be on Lake Superior this year, which I am very excited about, but I am trying hard to resist the urge to purge the checkbook and put on things that are just not needed. They really cramp a boat this small anyway.

If you want to know how we refitted our Typhoon or how we installed a downhaul for the jib just let me know and we'll correspond. In my humble opinion the most worthwhile upgrades for this boat are slab reefing for the main (I only furl the sail wrapped on the boom), compass, tiedowns for the cockpit hatches, jib downhaul and possibly a vang. Having said this I am trading work with my brother (who has the absolute most tricked out typhoon of all, really!) to build a cockpit enclosure complete with screens like his. I got's some stories!

Enjoy the boat, we love ours.
Paul Danicic
HORNET
#1178 MPLS

Thanks, Paul. There is a definite "keep it simple" theme developing here and that is fine. As I'm rapidly becoming acquainted with the hidden costs of boat ownership, the notion of NOT having to purchase some things is not unwelcome. That said, I am interested in how rigged your down haul. I will keep your email address and drop you a line soon.

Thanks, again.

David
1975 Typhoon Weekender, Hull# 962, Boat to be named later



dspauld@javanet.com

[john hoft-march]

I, too, am a Typhoon neophyte - mine has an installed radio and running lights and a 12 v. battery. There is also a lighted knotmeter but it is not connected. The light switch is a pull-out type near the cabin floor - I don't know about any fuses. My 5hp Mercury outboard has an alternator for charging but it is not currently connected to the battery.
My local Mercury dealer says all I need to do is connect the alternator outlet to the battery but that sounds too simple to be true - do I need a voltmeter, fuses, voltage regulator, etc? Is there a danger of overcharging the battery and/or of having it explode? (it sits right behind a flat, 6 gal. gas tank under the cockpit).
I appreciate any input.
John

David,
if you end up not liking the clamp-on running lights and want to get involved with lights, wiring, fused breaker panel and a battery, send me an e-mail and i'll send you a long here's-how.
good luck with the new boat.

john.hoft-march@appleton.org

[sloopjohnl]

the regulator would be critical in the charging of your battery. the merc dealer should be able to tell you whether the alternator has a built in regulator, whether there is a separate one, or whether you need to add one - i'm not familiar with mercs. but that is the way a lot of batteries get charged on boats with outboards.

I, too, am a Typhoon neophyte - mine has an installed radio and running lights and a 12 v. battery. There is also a lighted knotmeter but it is not connected. The light switch is a pull-out type near the cabin floor - I don't know about any fuses. My 5hp Mercury outboard has an alternator for charging but it is not currently connected to the battery.
My local Mercury dealer says all I need to do is connect the alternator outlet to the battery but that sounds too simple to be true - do I need a voltmeter, fuses, voltage regulator, etc? Is there a danger of overcharging the battery and/or of having it explode? (it sits right behind a flat, 6 gal. gas tank under the cockpit).
I appreciate any input.
John

David,
if you end up not liking the clamp-on running lights and want to get involved with lights, wiring, fused breaker panel and a battery, send me an e-mail and i'll send you a long here's-how.
good luck with the new boat.

[Jim Ehrenfried]

I am picking up a 1975 Typhoon Weekender very soon, and I've been considering what equipment the boat may need. It is a bare bones boat, accessories-wise, except for a lifting outboard bracket.

I'm thinking of a roller furling system for the jib. Any comments on the Schaeffer system offered by West Marine? Any other brands people like or would recommend against?

Also, I'm considering a simple electrical system for VHF, depth indicator, and running lights. Of course, I want to do this with as few holes as possible. Any suggestions?

I'm a newbie -- assume nothing in the way of expertise on my part : ) .

With due respect to the folks emphasizing pure, romantic simplicity...I would agree that you can enjoy your basic sailboat as is, but would gain significant sailing ease/enjoyment/safety/performance enhancement by adding certain features. You will find it more enjoyable, spend more time sailing, make life easier for inexperienced crew/singlehanding, and enhance safety.

1. Add single point mainsail reefing-should cost less than $50 for all materials.
2. Roller furling Jib-particularly helpful if you have more than the stock working jib. I would not own a boat without it! Saves time getting off and on the mooring, allows quick adaptations to changing weather conditions, makes single-handing easy, and most of all, I don't have to ask my wife and children to go up on deck in 4ft seas and squalls (which greatly adds to family bliss)
3. Boom vang a <$100 aid to boat stability and downwind performance.
4. Traveler-a little more expensive ($400 or so), but real nice to have to get another knot when reaching, and to smooth out the boat upwind.
5. Hand-held electronics are an excellent suggestion. Be careful about battery charge life on the VHF. They can run low after being on for 4-5 hours. Over time, it might make sense to acquire a 2nd vhf as a safety net.
6. The clamp-on lights are good in smoother seas for short periods of time (in case your late coming home once in a while). If you plan on more frequent or longer night ops, I would recommend fixed lights/battery. The clamp-ons come loose with prolonged wave action, and dim significantly after 2-3 hours-requiring alot of expensive battery changes or reduced functionality.

As some of the others suggest, get the boat in basic working order, and start sailing. Once you get some experience with the boat, you can prioritize upgrades based on the type of sailing you do. You can make upgrades over several seasons, which softens the blow on your budget. We were fortunate enough to find a Ty for a good price that had some of the above features already installed, and have added the others since.

Jim Ehrenfried
Ty "Slipknot"



jfreeds@msn.com

[David Spaulding]

I am picking up a 1975 Typhoon Weekender very soon, and I've been considering what equipment the boat may need. It is a bare bones boat, accessories-wise, except for a lifting outboard bracket.

I'm thinking of a roller furling system for the jib. Any comments on the Schaeffer system offered by West Marine? Any other brands people like or would recommend against?

Also, I'm considering a simple electrical system for VHF, depth indicator, and running lights. Of course, I want to do this with as few holes as possible. Any suggestions?

I'm a newbie -- assume nothing in the way of expertise on my part : ) .

With due respect to the folks emphasizing pure, romantic simplicity...I would agree that you can enjoy your basic sailboat as is, but would gain significant sailing ease/enjoyment/safety/performance enhancement by adding certain features. You will find it more enjoyable, spend more time sailing, make life easier for inexperienced crew/singlehanding, and enhance safety.

1. Add single point mainsail reefing-should cost less than $50 for all materials.
2. Roller furling Jib-particularly helpful if you have more than the stock working jib. I would not own a boat without it! Saves time getting off and on the mooring, allows quick adaptations to changing weather conditions, makes single-handing easy, and most of all, I don't have to ask my wife and children to go up on deck in 4ft seas and squalls (which greatly adds to family bliss)
3. Boom vang a <$100 aid to boat stability and downwind performance.
4. Traveler-a little more expensive ($400 or so), but real nice to have to get another knot when reaching, and to smooth out the boat upwind.
5. Hand-held electronics are an excellent suggestion. Be careful about battery charge life on the VHF. They can run low after being on for 4-5 hours. Over time, it might make sense to acquire a 2nd vhf as a safety net.
6. The clamp-on lights are good in smoother seas for short periods of time (in case your late coming home once in a while). If you plan on more frequent or longer night ops, I would recommend fixed lights/battery. The clamp-ons come loose with prolonged wave action, and dim significantly after 2-3 hours-requiring alot of expensive battery changes or reduced functionality.

As some of the others suggest, get the boat in basic working order, and start sailing. Once you get some experience with the boat, you can prioritize upgrades based on the type of sailing you do. You can make upgrades over several seasons, which softens the blow on your budget. We were fortunate enough to find a Ty for a good price that had some of the above features already installed, and have added the others since.

Jim Ehrenfried
Ty "Slipknot"

Thanks -- good advice, and the course we'll be taking, I think.



dspauld@javanet.com