I have been looking for weekender / daysailer to pocket cruise around the San Juan Islands in Northwest Washington and I have narrowed my choices to two boats. Well actually four boats. My choices are the Cape Dory Typhoon, the Bluenose Sloop, the Alberg 22 and the Pearson Ensign. My thoughts are the Alberg and the Pearson are a little more than I need (or can spend).
I would really like to get some insight from sailors who own or who might have sailed on these boats. The logical side of me is leaning towards the Typhoon but I just love the lines on the Bluenose Sloop.
I would like to be able to sail amongst the Islands with one or two people and have enough room below to store a portable stove, a cooler and some food. And of course, curl up in a sleeping bag.
The real difficult part is that I have chosen boats that are not readily available in the Pacific Northwest so checking these boats out in person has not been an option so far. So I really appreciate any help that the list can offer.
Thanks,
Bill Evans
Lopez Island, WA 98261
wrevans@rockisland.com
wrevans@rockisland.com
Cape Dory Typhoon or Bluenose Sloop?
Moderator: Jim Walsh
-
Ed Armstrong
Re: Cape Dory Typhoon or Bluenose Sloop?
Bill,
Good luck in your search. I bought my Typhoon back in September, and it's been a great little boat in the half-dozen times I've had her out, even though I have yet to have a decent wind. I expect to get many more great sails in her. She sails very well, though slowly in light air. I'm sure others can speak to her heavy air characteristics.
When I bought my Typhoon Weekender I had made an offer on a Pearson Electra, the cabin model of the Ensign. Not having sailed one, I can't speak to their sailing characteristics, though they are probably similar, both being Alberg designs. I would say from seeing both that the Ensign (being a 22' boat) is much more comfortable for overnighting and weekending than the Ty, but the Ty is much more trailerable. Having trailer launched my Typhoon each time I take her out, I would say that I wouldn't want to do that with a boat with a draft much more than her 2'7". My trailer has about an 8' tongue extension, and I haven't had any troubles on 12 and 15% ramps, but I wouldn't want to deal with much more.
I haven't overnighted on my Ty yet, but the interior is pretty cramped. You'd have to be pretty comfortable in small spaces to feel good about it. That said, there's plenty of room to store gear for a daysail.
So, to summarize, I'd say the Ty would make a better daysailor and trailersailor, and the Electra would make a better weekender. Of course, if you're considering the Ensign, then you're not thinking about weekending anyways. The Ensign is obviously much faster, with a PHRF in the 280s. The Ty comes in at aroudn 315, if I remember right.
When I was looking at Electras back in August, there was one for sale in Seattle. I found it by doing a keyword search on "Alberg" or "Electra" or something like that in www.boattrader.com. (it must have sold, since it wasn't listed any longer, but I think you'll find what you're looking for if you're patient.)
Other boats you might consider that are similar: Alberg Seasprite (beautiful but seem to be all East Coast), Southcoast 23, Com-pac 19 (this one was at the top of my list for a long time, but I couldn't find one for sale on the West Coast that was in my price range. It's got a PHRF in the 280s, feels very roomy inside for a 19', and the workmanship of Hutchins Corp seems high quality. There were a couple for sale in Oregon last year.).
Hope that helps.
Ed
ed.armstrong@innercite.com
Good luck in your search. I bought my Typhoon back in September, and it's been a great little boat in the half-dozen times I've had her out, even though I have yet to have a decent wind. I expect to get many more great sails in her. She sails very well, though slowly in light air. I'm sure others can speak to her heavy air characteristics.
When I bought my Typhoon Weekender I had made an offer on a Pearson Electra, the cabin model of the Ensign. Not having sailed one, I can't speak to their sailing characteristics, though they are probably similar, both being Alberg designs. I would say from seeing both that the Ensign (being a 22' boat) is much more comfortable for overnighting and weekending than the Ty, but the Ty is much more trailerable. Having trailer launched my Typhoon each time I take her out, I would say that I wouldn't want to do that with a boat with a draft much more than her 2'7". My trailer has about an 8' tongue extension, and I haven't had any troubles on 12 and 15% ramps, but I wouldn't want to deal with much more.
I haven't overnighted on my Ty yet, but the interior is pretty cramped. You'd have to be pretty comfortable in small spaces to feel good about it. That said, there's plenty of room to store gear for a daysail.
So, to summarize, I'd say the Ty would make a better daysailor and trailersailor, and the Electra would make a better weekender. Of course, if you're considering the Ensign, then you're not thinking about weekending anyways. The Ensign is obviously much faster, with a PHRF in the 280s. The Ty comes in at aroudn 315, if I remember right.
When I was looking at Electras back in August, there was one for sale in Seattle. I found it by doing a keyword search on "Alberg" or "Electra" or something like that in www.boattrader.com. (it must have sold, since it wasn't listed any longer, but I think you'll find what you're looking for if you're patient.)
Other boats you might consider that are similar: Alberg Seasprite (beautiful but seem to be all East Coast), Southcoast 23, Com-pac 19 (this one was at the top of my list for a long time, but I couldn't find one for sale on the West Coast that was in my price range. It's got a PHRF in the 280s, feels very roomy inside for a 19', and the workmanship of Hutchins Corp seems high quality. There were a couple for sale in Oregon last year.).
Hope that helps.
Ed
Bill Evans wrote: I have been looking for weekender / daysailer to pocket cruise around the San Juan Islands in Northwest Washington and I have narrowed my choices to two boats. Well actually four boats. My choices are the Cape Dory Typhoon, the Bluenose Sloop, the Alberg 22 and the Pearson Ensign. My thoughts are the Alberg and the Pearson are a little more than I need (or can spend).
I would really like to get some insight from sailors who own or who might have sailed on these boats. The logical side of me is leaning towards the Typhoon but I just love the lines on the Bluenose Sloop.
I would like to be able to sail amongst the Islands with one or two people and have enough room below to store a portable stove, a cooler and some food. And of course, curl up in a sleeping bag.
The real difficult part is that I have chosen boats that are not readily available in the Pacific Northwest so checking these boats out in person has not been an option so far. So I really appreciate any help that the list can offer.
Thanks,
Bill Evans
Lopez Island, WA 98261
wrevans@rockisland.com
ed.armstrong@innercite.com