Cape Dory Typhoon Buyer's Guide
Shopping for a used Cape Dory Typhoon means choosing among an 18-foot, 6-inch Alberg-designed keelboat built from 1967 to 1986, with the Weekender far outnumbering the daysailer and open variants. The boat's structural honesty and classic rig make it a sensible small-cruiser purchase, but the balsa-cored deck and coachroof details shape what a careful buyer should look for before committing.
Layouts on the Used Market
The Weekender is the dominant used layout, recognizable by its small coachroof with a single bronze port each side and a 3/4-fractional rig; it sleeps four with a double V-berth forward and quarterberths, and carries a bigger cabin with a smaller cockpit than the Daysailer. When inspecting a Daysailer, look for the broader teak-seated cockpit and the more compact porthole-free cuddy, and confirm that the cockpit lacks self-bailing — a real consideration if the boat will sit on a mooring in rain. Both share about 160 square feet of working sail and a long-keel hull with cutaway forefoot.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
Auxiliary power most often comes from a transom-mounted outboard bracket, with many owners settling on a six-horsepower unit and modern four-horsepower engines rated sufficient; a handful of boats left the factory with inboard diesels. Navigation and steering see the lightest upgrade tier: an autopilot and a chartplotter appear as occasional owner additions rather than standard or common factory gear, so a buyer should verify mounts and wiring rather than assume integrated systems.
What to Inspect
Deck crazing and cracking concentrate in the cockpit and around the chainplates, so press and tap the balsa-cored deck near those penetrations for softness or staining that signals water intrusion deck crazing and cracking around chainplates. Check the coachroof for mast depression; a boat that has not had a beefed-up compression post added may show gelcoat dimples or structural sag at the step. Portlight windows typically need replacement every few years, so confirm whether the bronze ports seal cleanly or weep, and inspect the teak coaming boards for rot since one owner reports they should be renewed about every 20 years. On Daysailer models, confirm the lack of self-bailing cockpit and assess drainage for your intended use.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
These boats turn up in the United States and Australia. Before you buy:
- Check the chainplate deck seals for crazing and core softness.
- Look for coachroof mast depression and a reinforced post.
- Test portlight seals and teak coaming condition.
- Confirm outboard bracket and engine size suit your needs.
- Verify Daysailer cockpit drainage if no self-bail.
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Cape Dory Typhoon. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 16 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 25 | 1 | $3,500 | — |
| Mar 25 | 1 | $9,750 | +178.6% |
| Apr 25 | 1 | $6,500 | -33.3% |
| May 25 | 1 | $2,750 | -57.7% |
| Jun 25 | 2 | $4,100 | +49.1% |
| Jul 25 | 2 | $17,125 | +317.7% |
| Aug 25 | 2 | $6,500 | -62.0% |
| Sep 25 | 1 | $1,800 | -72.3% |
| Dec 25 | 1 | $7,500 | +316.7% |
| Jan 26 | 2 | $5,025 | -33.0% |
| Mar 26 | 2 | $4,250 | -15.4% |
| Apr 26 | 3 | $5,000 | +17.6% |
| May 26 | 2 | $5,000 | 0.0% |
| Jun 26 | 6 | $8,900 | +78.0% |
| Jul 26 | 2 | $4,000 | -55.1% |
| Aug 26 | 1 | $1,000 | -75.0% |
Where they're listed
Cape Dory Typhoon listings appear across 2 countries. United States has the most listings with 21 (95.5%), followed by Australia.
Country view
22 listings · 2 countries| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $6,000 | 21 | 9 | 95.5% |
| Australia | $3,551 | 1 | 0 | 4.5% |