Jon,

I know what you mean about the TheMightyHobie18--my dad had #135 and we sailed it all the time in the ocean and surf. I was actually quite pleased with how well the Taipan handled the conditions, and the problems I had were due to my inexperienced with the boat and handling--solo--the combination of the lightweight platform yet powerful rig. A more experienced Taipan sailor may have ripped through the swells with ease.

I have the AHPC mid-pole snuffer and Goodall spinnaker. I have it set at the "factory" settings, ie just as they were shipped to me. Next time I rig it I can measure, but the end of the pole does not look as high as your does in the photos I've seen of your boat.

Once I got the spinnaker snuffed, I had no trouble righting the boat (that time or any of the other times I've capsized) with the AHPC set up the boat came with. I'm 180lbs, 6'1" and with gear on (wetsuit, harness, PFD, etc) probably 10 lbs more. The righting line runs through fairleads mounted on each end of the underside of the front beam and have stopper balls on the end. The slack is held up by a thin bungee that holds the line via a plastic O ring and runs back to the rear beam, through a shackle and back up to the dolphin striker. When I capsize, I just pull the rope through the fairlead on the high side and have plenty of line as the bungee is stretched. Note that I have not even passed the line over the hull, which would offer a little more leverage--just pulled from where it attaches. I always position the boat so the wind is aimed at the mast step, with the mast and hulls pointing off the wind 45 degrees. Once the boat comes up, I keep a death grip on the dolphin striker and then pull myself on.

I'm having a great time with the Taipan, I just need to learn how to harness its awesome power/weight ratio.