tophatyachts.com

Hi Forum Members ,

A thought that has been on mind of late , that's in regard to trailing a fishing line Behind your Top Hat while sailing , in the hope of catching a fish for an evening meal onboard at the end of a great day sailing . Is it common practice ?? Or Am I being a bit fanciful ....

Brad
DESIREMK1

It depends if you are trying to catch a fast fish or a slow fish ?:If your Top Hat is doing 3kts and the fish is doing 1 knt I guess the fish won't catch the bait ? Yet again if the fish is doing 4knts and you are doing 1 knt will the fish be going to fast and not see your bait ? yet again.......

Bear the Co-op fisherman ",the one that never gets away "

My first mate Jacko is a redoubtable fisherman and always insists on trolling a lure behind the boat from a hand line when we are sailing. He more often then not catches something especially if we sail in front of Lion island or through a gaggle of birds. I get the sh...ts when he sprays fish blood on my clean topsides, but he generally does his best to not upset me and to keep Storm Petrel clean. We have also noticed that he usually has a hit at the worst possible times, eg while I am tacking in a stiff breeze and he is taking a comfort stop over the pushpit or when we are half way through putting a reef in. He has caught some sizeable pelagic fish from the Top Hat and says 4-5 knots is a good trolling speed.

Hi Guy's ,

Thanks for the reply , and Bear you are One Funny Dude !!! .

As you may be aware , from my previous post , i am currently living in Broken Hill , NSW . Though gaining information from forum members in regard to Top Hat Ownership , I am financial though living 1200k's from the Coast . Though I assure you that BH is a beautiful place to be , where I met my beautiful wife and we have three children together.

Looking forward to catching up with Michael Reynolds ( Miker ) mid August to check out his beautiful Mk3 " Dulcamara " ( so much appreciation goes to him , for being an Ambassodor for Top Hat Owners ) , when I am in Sydney for a week catching up with family and friends.

Brad
DESIREMK1

Hi Brad,

It seems you have already selected a name and your favoured Mark of Top Hat, so here is some further encouragement to press on with your ambition to own and sail one -

"Desire 1. A conscious impulse toward an object or experience that promises enjoyment or satisfaction in its attainment.
2. Sexual attraction or appetite."

(Source: Wesbster's Dictionary)
Both definitions apply, yachts are females and the Mark I is the prettiest. Ask Bear!

Sean
AZZURA
1971 Mark l

Hi Gramps ,


I have a lifetime love of boats in general , which includes putting back together my Familys BB Chev Raceboat which was a Sanger imported from California . at the age of 22 ( 38 now ) . Recently I sent a model I built to England for twelve months which is a replica of Bob Spaldings 1980 World Championship Winning F1 Raceboat . Which can be viewed on http://www.fastonwater.co.uk on their homepage you will see a caption stating " JPS to return to Oulton Broad ?? " read story and check pictures out ( if you have time ) . Currently this model is takng part in an exhibition at Bristol's MShed ( Mshed.org ) that is in relation to how the Natural Environment allows for Sport to be carried out in the fair city of Bristol , which includes the F1 Racing that took place off the Bristol Docks .The exhibition is coinciding with the visit in Bristol of the Olympic Torch that is also being ran throughout England . While in England this model I built is being looked after by Roy Cooper , who runs the website and Organisation Fastonwater in Pakefield - Lowestoft , So I thank him here also for his kind communication .

Having stated this I really Love Classic Boat Design and History , the Type 1 has beautiful lines that appeal to my sense of taste . Though I have been checking out such sites as http://www.boatsales.com.au and drool ( lol ) over Top Hats such as " Pele " can't believe somebody hasn't snapped that up yet ?? , what a buy !! . Ideally I will be looking for a long shafted auxillery powered Top Hat ( preferably type 1 ) for a few reasons including being more practicle with servicing etc ( correct me. If I am wrong ) . Back in 1992 I stayed at the Youth Hostel in Pittwater , while attending The Scotland Island Sailing School ( Ross Barnett - True Gentleman ) , where there was a timber hershcoff of about 32-6 foot long ( I think they're called Double Ender ?? ) moored in the Bay , now that was quite a sight !! . Looking forward to Top Hat ownership , which includes cruising to the Upper Hawkesbury reaches , with young family in tow ...

It's nice to know that there is Top Hats out there that are the same vintage as me ( 1973ish ) , that have been loved by owners that appreciate there capability and design . looking forward to ownership once we move back to Sydney in a few years , though until then I will keep learning and posting on this most informative site which includes asking peculiar questions such as trailing a fishing line , make friends , and learn from those that I admire , while also giving of myself . Don't you just the love capabilities Top Hat Ownership ....

As for names I do actually have a name in mind , which is " LADY NANCY " ( Australian Female Pioneer Aviator ) . Bit of a long emotional story . Though it is the name of the Royal Flying Doctor Service Chieftan Airplane that brought our Premature son Jordan back to us in Broken Hill in June 2008 , after spending a week at the Women and Children's Hospital Neo - Natal Ward ( Adelaide ) . ( Today , Jords is well , alive and Kicking !! )

Please support :
Royal Flying Doctor Service / South - East Division.
http://Www.miraclebabies.org.au - who Aid Families of Premature and Sick Babies in their hour of need.BG

Brad Geyer
DESIREMK1

Ahhh Brad,

I had a line or two out for 2,400 nautical miles or 4,440 km to the Whitsundays and back.

How many fish did I get?

0


If anybody can tell me how its done, I'm willing to read it here!

Phillip wrote:I had a line or two out for 2,400 nautical miles or 4,440 km . . .

How many fish did I get?

0


If anybody can tell me how its done, I'm willing to read it here!

Umm, I am not sure, I think maybe an expert would know better than me, but don't u need more than a line or two out . . . I think I read somewhere that a lure or hooks or something has to be attached to the end, but I am not sure which end or even if that was just internet myth.

Hi Philip ,

Fishing didn't go well then hey , life's terrible when your heading for the Whitsundays in your own Top Hat ( lol) .

Brad
DESIREMK1

According to my fishing mate, Jacko, you have to religiously watch fishing shows on TV first and then use a sexy (read expensive) lure for trolling behind the Top Hat. It appears the Top Hat alone is not enough to attract the finned kritters. He has caught bonito, Taylor, salmon, dolphin fish and claims to have had a couple of kingfish 'on' but lost them due to the Top Hat's high speed??? The final trick is to insist the captain changes course to pass through any flock of diving birds that come into sight. His dream is to get a marlin behind the Top Hat ( I am not so sure about this).

Mark
Storm Petrel

PS Jacko has had a string of ocean going fishing boats, won a bunch of fishing contests in his youth and still fishes outside on his kayak when he cannot talk me into taking Storm Petrel out.