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The other day I was down at Williamstown doing my usual check of Sombrero and not far from my boat I could see a mast sticking out of the water with no boat below. Being a curious type, I went down the next day and arrived in time to see my friend and his crew on the mooring service barge endeavouring to raise what turned out to be a cold moulded Top Hat that I had previously included in my register of Top Hats at Hobsons Bay. The job took most of the afternoon, mainly because, even with three pumps running, it did not want to come to the surface. I joined them in their endeavours and the reason for its reluctance to leave the bottom soon became apparent. It would appear that it sank because the toilet seacocks were not closed, and that as it had settled, because of neglect the boat filled with water, leading it to sink. The barge crew did manage to get the stern clear of the water but, on close inspection, the stern had broken away. Another barge was brought into action to raise the bow and disconnect the mooring. the job was made difficult, because, as fast as the water was being pumped out it was re-entering through the front hatch and the dorade vents. Helped by the two barges the boat was moved to the Parks Victoria Jetty. However, It sank again as soon as the pumps were stopped. I do not know what the boat's name was because there was no transom in it. The next day I was talking to my friend from the barge and he told me that the boat was absolutely full of rot and it had started to break up as they were trying to raise it and move it to the Parks area. Pevious to this day, I would have said that while looking neglected, it looked like, with a bit of TLC, it could have been made into a pretty looking Mark 0. There are some lessons to be learned fom this when looking at cold moulded hulls with a view to making a purchase.
My personal reminder, make sure the seacocks are closed and that, if there are deck and cockpit leaks, as was the case of the one I have written about,make sure it is pumped out regularly until the faults are rectified.

SOMBRERO H1421.

Sombrero,

You may have noticed that I am trying to assemble the history of Top Hats in Australia.

I really really need the name of that Mk 0.

Can you get a mooring number or rego number?

Do you know anybody in Waterways/MSB who would know the name or even the owners name?

What about owners of nearby yachts, would they know the details?

There were only 10 of the Mk 0 built, so to loose one this way without a record would leave a hole in our history.

Hoping you can help out Sombrero.

Phillip
SEAKA

Re: one less Top Hat?
Phillip, As yet I have not been able to establish the name of the boat that sank on its mooring at Hobson's Bay. My barge friend told me on Saturday that it did not have a name on it. He did tell me that the owner had been down to the Parks Victoria area and had cut it up, salvaged some gear and put the remnants in a skip. I will try to find out the name of the owner and try to establish the name of the boat and its history. While talking to my friend I did learn that there is supposed to be another timber Top Hat in a paddock at Sorrento on the Mornington Penninsula (Port Phillip Bay, Victoria). Her name is "Solarity". I will try to find out more details about this boat also.
Also there is a Mark one Top Hat moored at Hobson's Bay near "Sombrero" that looks pretty scruffy at the moment. I imagine that it might be available for purchase at the right price. I have only had a cursory look at it, but I do know that it has an inboard engine, and I am sure it would clean up well.I have not been able to see inside. I could get the owner details. I have previously done that, but the person I gave the details to decided to stick with his "Ultimate 18" for another season, or should I say, his wife did!
Regards, Sombrero.

Phillip. For your records, the Mark one Top Hat that I have just been referring to in my last post is named "Genda".
Regards, "Sombrero"

Many thanks Sombrero,

Thanks for the boat names and any future histories you get.

Was there any chance of getting part of that hull or has that gone forever?

I'm pushing here, but can you get a photo of SOLARITY when you make your enquiries?

That Mk 1 would be good for someone who wants to get in at the cheap end and do it up.

Phillip
SEAKA