tophatyachts.com

Aluminium and at 27 foot, that seems a very unusual Top Hat. It's not my boat and I don't know the owner, just noticed the advert and it piqued my interest. Any one know its history?

See http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/margate/sail-boats/aluminium-top-hat/1080627147

Troppo

It is NOT a Top Hat.

Need I say more.

Phillip wrote:It is NOT a Top Hat.

Need I say more.

C'mon Phil, just because it's not fibreglass and not made in either of the two original factories (Bake or Formit) doesn't mean it's NOT a Top Hat. The builder may have bought the plans, or used original drawings (widely available) to make his own Top Hat out of Aluminium. The lines, especially on the keel and the transom look damned close to me. People have done it many times with Van de Stadt boats, you see them in steel, glass and wood!

the keel does t look quite right, unless it's shallow. That being said the hull looks good. Something to tackle Antarctica with, I'm up for it.

rob.lovelace wrote:Something to tackle Antarctica with, I'm up for it.

Good grief Rob, sounds a bit like the pain of childbirth!

Cheers, Graeme

I have been in contact with someone who wanted more info and contacted the owner.

ITS NOT A TOP HAT.

Yes, the builder did start with the plans of a Top Hat, but he dramatically altered the design
making her longer and changing the underwater profile to accommodate the increased length.
He also changed the profile of the stern. The deck profile has also been changed.

So, I say again its not a Top Hat.

Of course its not a Top Hat... Its a Modified Top Hat!

Phillip wrote:I have been in contact with someone who wanted more info and contacted the owner.

ITS NOT A TOP HAT.

Yes, the builder did start with the plans of a Top Hat .......... Snip

So, I say again its not a Top Hat.

No need to YELL PHIL! As that is what capital letters in forums denotes,

Just because it wasn't made by factories who made Top Hats doesn't mean it can't be one.......

As i said, some bloke got plans from a Top Hat and made it out of aluminium. You then got a bit more information and found out he then altered the plans to suit the extra length, a bit like making the Top Hat 27, or bit like starting with a VW Caravelle and turning it into a home made camper with a subaru engine. Based on a Caravelle, but one of a kind and in advertising it, would still call it a Caravelle.

Essentially, what it looks like is a Top Hat, because thats what the original planning was. So in selling such a vessel, on a boating sales website, what else are you going to call it? Sure, he could have been more explicit in his description, but witht limited space, I'd have done the same.

Top Hat modified is a good description Rod.

Still not a Top Hat, what ever you say.

If it's beamier, call it To Phat instead.
Too Fat if you want correct spelling........but it isn't the same.