Each spring for nearly 10 years a ritual occurs where Cape Dory Typhoon owners prepare their 19-foot sailboats for the coming racing season. Not only must the boat bottoms be as smooth as possible, there is a certain pride taken in the way the boat looks. Some owners use local boatyards to perform these tasks, and many enjoy doing the work themselves. This year the goal is to have the boats in the water ready to race by Wednesday, April 27, as that is the first race in the busy racing schedule.
The Typhoon sailors are an interesting group. Many are “older,” retired from their professional lives, and have vast racing experience in larger boats. There are very competent two-person male and female racing teams that include father/son, father/daughter, brothers, and close friends.
The Cape Dory Typhoon has never been considered a racing sailboat. When it comes to the fun of sailboat racing, it doesn’t matter how fast a boat is if all of the boats are alike. Designed by Carl Alberg, the Typhoon is, by most measures, a slow and safe boat suitable for short cruises and sailing instruction. With 900 pounds of lead in the full keel, and a well-balanced sail plan, the Typhoon is safe and fun to sail.
Typhoon racing events are numerous and include Wednesday Series racing in the spring and fall. The bi-annual Typhoon Nationals to be held June 3 - 5 is a fun-filled weekend of racing and fellowship. Typhoons comprise the largest fleet of racing sailboats in the October Hospice Turkey Shoot held on the Rappahannock River (September 30 – October 2) which includes nearly 100 sailboats of varying designs.
The Rappahannock River YC (RRYC) in Irvington, VA, sponsors the Typhoon fleet racing program along with the Typhoon Nationals and the Hospice Turkey Shoot. RRYC has been a “social hub” in Irvington for many years offering exciting and fun sailing and social activities for many family members young and old. Over the years sailboat ownership has been a requirement for full membership. However, that requirement has recently been dropped in an attempt to provide sailing and social opportunities to those who do not own a sailboat but are interested in sailing.
To learn more about RRYC and Typhoon racing, visit the RRYC website at rryc.org. Check out the drop-down under “Sailing” and other club related sites. Reach Tom Watkins, Typhoon fleet commander, by email at [email protected].
