Proper Outboard for CD Typhoon

[Sue Cummings]

I am purchasing a 1978 19' Cape Dory Typhoon. The previous owner is taking his outboard (a 7.5hp Merc longshaft.) and I will need to replace it. I expect to do some cruising around the Delaware and Chesapeake Bay and I want to make sure I have enough power. I have access to a 1985 8hp Johnson sailmaster ($950) that is in good shape. It has an alternator for powering a deep cycle battery for lights, and has a longshaft. I am also considering a new "four stroke" 9.9 hp (weight 97lbs) Yamaha longshaft (25") ($2,700) or a new four-stroke 8hp Johnson (1996) 25" ($2200).

Would appreciate hearing what other CD Typhoon sailors use for cruising. Thanks! Sue



sgc@cybercomm.net

[Dana]

I am purchasing a 1978 19' Cape Dory Typhoon. The previous owner is taking his outboard (a 7.5hp Merc longshaft.) and I will need to replace it. I expect to do some cruising around the Delaware and Chesapeake Bay and I want to make sure I have enough power. I have access to a 1985 8hp Johnson sailmaster ($950) that is in good shape. It has an alternator for powering a deep cycle battery for lights, and has a longshaft. I am also considering a new "four stroke" 9.9 hp (weight 97lbs) Yamaha longshaft (25") ($2,700) or a new four-stroke 8hp Johnson (1996) 25" ($2200).

___________________________________________________________

Wow.....quite a range of horsepower and thrust here.....

I used to use a 7-1/2 HP 2 stroke (Johnson) for crusing with my Seasprite 23 (3600# displacement, full keel)

Honestly I would not go much above 7.5HP in ethier 2 stroke or 4 stroke. If you are interested in tilting the engine up for sailing..you will want to think about that 25" skeg length...it may drag. I would consider the 8HP, 4 stroke (if money is not an issue) for fuel economy for cruising and thrust for heavier wave action.

I currently use a Yamaha 9.9HP 4 stroke, 25" skeg (85) on my CD26 for cruising.

Dana



darenius@aol.com

[Dick Sisson]

My experience with a Typhoon and a 2.5HP Nissen is that the boat won't go any faster nor will the engine increase speed beyond about half throttle travel. I assume the boat is at about hull speed at this point. For me at least, I would not go to more HP. Plus, when you run the big 2 cycle motors at lower throttle, your chances of plug fouling go up, right? So you can get into a situation of trying to buck big waves to get home, where spray is flying all over the boat and you would really like to throttle back, but you are afraid to for fear of fouling the plug. It has happened to me.

Of course the flip side is the little Nissen has a small integral tank and will run for about an hour per tank. I was quite nervous about refueling the first time I was out in rough conditions, but it turned out to be no problem. The boat just laid off the wind and I could proceed with the program.

I think the ideal engine for the boat is a 4 cycle of 2HP or less.

Love to hear comments.



dickee03@rivnet.net

[Dick Sisson]

...are they some kind of plywood?

There is so much I want to ask you about these boats.

Much obliged, Dickee



dickee03@rivnet.net

[Dana]

Balsa cored decks are fairly common among many boats. The end grain of the wood is faced vertically as not to encourage moisture wicking thru the grain. The purpose of the balsa is light weight thus pushing the center of gravity down on the boat. Separated by two "skins" of fiberglass on the top and bottom, it forms a sort of sandwiched beam of good strenght. If you ask some of the old timers....you just do not want to have standing water on a balsa cored deck such as during the winter where you have ice dams etc. Always cover over the deck for the winter months.

Dana



darenius@aol.com

[Kurt Lyons]

I sailed an Alberg Sea Sprite for 18 years using the same 6hp Evinrude 2 stroke and it was an excellent combination. The Sea Sprite weighs #3350 with a 16'4" water line. As I recall, the math calculations stated only 2hp was required to achieve hull speed in calm conditions. I would suggest a 4hp, 2 cylinder, 2 stroke for the typhoon. I believe OMC sells one with an alternator.
I would not suggest a single cylinder engine at all since they tend to run rougher and vibrate more than 2 cylinder engines. This is particularly true with 4 cycle engines since they have half the power strokes of a 2 cycle for any given rpm. I own a 2hp Honda, use it on a Dyer Dhow and it does vibrate quite a bit and reminds me of a lawn mower engine. I also have a 9.9Honda on my CD26 and while it is a great engine, I question whether it will have the longevity of the OMC outboards...only time will tell.



kjlgpw@aol.com

[Bob B]

I have had a CD Typhoon inland and on the Outer Banks of NC. I use a 3.5hp Japanese motor and have never had a problem with it. When in large swells, the shaft does come out of the water even with the long shaft. More horse power and weight would be more of a detriment. I keep my boat in the water and take the motor off every time I bring it into the dock. For the past two months, I have been able to take it from the dock and back without the motor at all. I agree with the statements on more is not necessarily better. Once you reach hull speed, the rest is wasted energy. The nose tends to dig in as the boat trips on the keel.

Happy sailing,

Bob B.

I am purchasing a 1978 19' Cape Dory Typhoon. The previous owner is taking his outboard (a 7.5hp Merc longshaft.) and I will need to replace it. I expect to do some cruising around the Delaware and Chesapeake Bay and I want to make sure I have enough power. I have access to a 1985 8hp Johnson sailmaster ($950) that is in good shape. It has an alternator for powering a deep cycle battery for lights, and has a longshaft. I am also considering a new "four stroke" 9.9 hp (weight 97lbs) Yamaha longshaft (25") ($2,700) or a new four-stroke 8hp Johnson (1996) 25" ($2200).

Would appreciate hearing what other CD Typhoon sailors use for cruising. Thanks! Sue

BundyR@aol.com

[Bill Bloxham]

Try searching the posts from late January this year. Use "typhoon outboard". There are about 11 posts, and most advocate less horsepower and less stern weight. My personal preference is for 4 HP long shaft (20") and a gel cel battery that recharges fast. Good luck.



mmmmmmbill@aol.com

[Mike Wainfeld]

3hp long shaft Yamaha. Light enough to take on and off the boat. I powered for 2 hrs last Sunday trying to bring the boat around to the slip. Straight into an 18-20kt wind with a 3 ft chop, and was making 3-3 1/2 kts. The motor has a .3gal tank,and I carry a 1 Gal container; as Dick noted refueling underway is not a problem. Run the outboard regularly, and winterize at the end of the season.
As for my weekend voyage, we wound up turning back as we were both completely soaked, but we had an exhilarating downwind run back. It's great to be sailing again!



ripcord1@erols.com