tophatyachts.com

Phillip,

I know you were interested in finding out how many Top Hats are still around and were starting to collect pictures of Top Hats on their moorings. I was wondering if you had thought about a FOI inquiry to Waterways. Surely they would have all the registered Top hats in NSW on their database. The equivalent in Victoria and Queensland would also have the data for their states. Might be an easier way to go and could potentially give you very accurate data on the number of Top Hats still in use/registration.

Others on the sight might be able to confirm the feasibility or otherwise of this approach.

Cheers,
Mark

Hi Mark,

Last time I looked at FOI's the cost was prohibitive and MSB [as it was then] said they could not extract that information from their system as it was not set up to do that type of search! Don't know about Qld, Vic and Tas.

We do have some numbers now: 10 Mark 0 [3? gone]; 57 [-1 wrecked] Mark 1's, and about 150 Mark 2 & 3's and four 27footers.
There is also 1 fibreglass and about 10 timber amatuer built Top Hats in Australia.

The photos I have been taking consist of a stern photo and a side photo. I also record the name, registration number and location where moored.

I am working full time now on the history of Top Hats, so any information about your Top Hats that you wish to be included in the history please e-mail [right panel] any info you have, please include photos.

Phillip.