tophatyachts.com

Hi all,

Does anyone know what the self righting characteristics of the Top Hat are like? Anyone been knocked down? How did the boat respond?

I'm guessing as the ballast ratio is nearing 50% (I think that's right), it should right reasonably well. Hopefully....

Scott.

Nick Creech sailing in the 1978 Solo Trans Tasman in White Tie (MkII Top Hat) was knocked down 12 (perhaps 14 times) in the aftermath of Cylone Hal.
Winds 70 knots for nearly 24 hours out near Lord Howe Island.
I have sent it to Site Admin to put on the web for us but believe there is some complication.
If you want to read about it I can send you a PDF file. Also his 500 nautical mile qualifier story.
Cheers,
Tom

I really hope you can upload the file or post a link as it sounds both terrifying and comforting.

tom

Hi Tom,

Could you please send me the file to anzacforce @ yahoo dot com

cheers
shaun

Sorry guys

My bad, totally forgot about this

Below are the two file links, will set them up on the docs page shortly

Regards

http://users.tpg.com.au/kateh1/tophat/files/transtasmanqualify.pdf

http://users.tpg.com.au/kateh1/tophat/files/transtasman.pdf

Thanks Admin!
Nick is still about although at present he has some health issues but has been incredibly helpful to me in working out how to set up Tales for offshore work.
White Tie likewise is still around and was for sale with Lamore recently. She looks a bit sad and has had a few changes since Nick sailed her. A pity really. I bet there is not another Top Hat (or Top Hat Skipper) come through as much rough weather.
Cheers,
Tom

Thanks Tom / Admin,

These are great articles, though after reading them and the book Heavy Weather Sailing, I'm reluctant to take even a bath, let alone a sail!

Thanks again,
Scott.

Lapse of Reason
Jervis Bay

It is only a rough indicator, but using the formula: Capsize Ratio = Beam / (Displacement / 64)0.333 and the top hat data from this site, you get a figure of 1.7

"In extreme conditions, all sailboats, even those with heavy deep keels can capsize. The question is how easily. The Capsize Ratio, a very crude estimate, was developed by John Rousmaniere, on the assumption that heavier narrower boats are harder to capsize. Numbers range around 2. Low is good"

I got this formula (and quoted the above text) from http://cruisingresources.com/crs_specsfaq and worked it out so I could compare the figure to the other boats in their 'boat finder' database

I'm not sure if this exactly relates to the question regarding self righting characteristics, but it at least gives a rough reference with which to compare to other sailing boats.