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Topper Topaz 14

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Andrew Hannah
Admiral of the Fleet
Admiral of the Fleet
Posts: 550
Joined: Mon Dec 18, 2006 9:46 pm
Location: Thorpe Bay YC.

Topper Topaz 14

Post by Andrew Hannah »

Has anyone seen the Topper Topaz 14? To me, it looks a good'un.

It's a single-hander with a generous asymmetric spinnaker. The so-called Extreme looks quite lively. And it's only £4400. That looks good value to me.

Does anybody know whether there are any fleets yet?
Fading star of the Thorpe Bay fleet
Former rugby player in the extra-B
Struggling musician
Second best cabbage in the village show...
robinl

Post by robinl »

Hi,

Michele at Gurnard has got one. Its a plastic boat.

It has the same format as the Shadow but is smaller and less powerful. I borrowed it last week (in middle of buying new Shadow) and had a great time. Really good fun when windy and led the fast handicap fleet (RS700 and 800s). Struggled when the wind dropped to a F2 on the last lap and lost out. Lacks the finesse and power to weight of the Shadow.

Good format and rig :D on plastic hulls :( . Great for beaches and schools but not for performance unless its breezy and you can use the cats beam. The Sprint 15 has more pedigree but with a less fun rig.

Not many of them about at the moment either and may never be. Thats the key.

Pray for wind as i hope to borrow it again tommow.

All the best

Robin
Andrew Hannah
Admiral of the Fleet
Admiral of the Fleet
Posts: 550
Joined: Mon Dec 18, 2006 9:46 pm
Location: Thorpe Bay YC.

Post by Andrew Hannah »

Thank you Robin. That was very informative. What PY number does Michelle sail under?
Fading star of the Thorpe Bay fleet
Former rugby player in the extra-B
Struggling musician
Second best cabbage in the village show...
capella
Petty Officer
Petty Officer
Posts: 34
Joined: Wed Feb 13, 2008 9:33 pm
Location: COWES I.O.W

Post by capella »

I can answer that one after much moaning at the monohull end of the club. It races of 900 so a sprint sport has to give it time despite it being as quick upwind and 15/20% quicker off wind. The conversion from the small cat rating suggests a more reasonable 858. Had a go on it last year,good fun but i felt a little heavy for it at over 14 stone.
Martin.
robinl

Post by robinl »

Hi Martin,

Its a bit horses for courses. I won on Sunday and also it turns out, the week before. It was breezy and I was on a cat. And the pesky little 'half boats' kept falling over. Didn't notice you out Martin?

In less than 10 knots, you would lap me.

Regards

Robin
capella
Petty Officer
Petty Officer
Posts: 34
Joined: Wed Feb 13, 2008 9:33 pm
Location: COWES I.O.W

Post by capella »

Hi Robin, the skiffs aren't very quick under 10 knots of breeze when not planing,you might surprize yourself. I like the archive photos on the home page there was one of you and boo out in a bit of a blow so i guess you used to sail when it was windy :lol:
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