tophatyachts.com

hi all
I've seen a few photos of props on top hat website
mine looks difference to them,
I've a 10hp sole diesel.
I like to know has anyone got one like this?
"SYLPH"
8philip8

I am guessing this has been retro-fitted as the rudder has not been cut out... others on the site will be more knowledgeable on this one than me...

Out of curiousity how does it motor and turn? Prop walk?

hi Karl
I don't have much experiences on other top hats.
so can not tell the difference!
she turns sharply, when rev. she pulls to port.
that's all I can tell at the monent.
8philip8

The set up shown (offcentre shaft with a cutless bearing ) was available as an option when purchasing a Tophat new. It has two advantages over the trational set up: you can remove the shaft without taking the rudder off; and the set up provides more thrust as the prop is clear of the rudder. Storm Petrel (Mk11) has the same set up, with a two blade prop. It does have a little prop walk (especially in reverse) but it is not a problem now I am used to it. Looks like your prop also has a coat of 'Propspeed'. I have tried Propspeed over the past three years and found it be great for the first 6 months after application but I have found that it needs a monthly clean after that.

What speed does your Sole push the boat along at? Tophats are a heavy boat for their size, and you propably would only expect to achieve 5 knots (6 max) on smooth water with a clean hull. Perhaps it is just a matter of getting used to the set up. "If it aint broke.......?"

Cheers,
Mark
Storm Petrel

Mark
the motor is out action at the moment,
can't tell what the top speed is! I got her up to 5 knots before.
hope she might be put back together by sometime this week.
how do you clean your prop? dive down? how slow does she go otherwise?
good sailing
8philip8

Growth on the prop (or the hull) slows my boat down a lot. It does not take too much growth on the prop to reduce the boat speed to 3-4 knots. I dive over with a scaper and take the banacles off every 4-6 weeks, because I have to get past Half Tide Rocks in Brisbane Waters to get outside. If the tide is against you, a dirty prop can make this dangerous. Cleaning the prop only takes a few minutes but it is a pain (I also worry about Bull sharks, so I generally clean the prop around the middle of the day on a nice sunny day with clear water).

Cheers,
Mark

hi Mark

is there more skarks in Sydney Harbour?
dive to clean prop every 6 weeks!

"Sylph"
8philip8

I do not think there are many sharks but I have seen sharks twice in the past 3 months when sailing outside Broken Bay and this has made me cautious in the Bay. That attack on the navy diver in Sydney Harbour was a bit of a worry. Funny, I surf almost every day and never think about sharks. It would probably be overkill to clean the prop so regularly in Syney Harbour and I only clean the prop a few times in the last 4-5 months before my annual antifoul.

On another matter, I came accross a neat (cheap,safe and efficient) way to fix the mainsail to the boom that I have been using at: http://www.cncphotoalbum.com/doityourse ... ilties.htm

I can recommend this method for those who are sick of mucking about with sail ties.

Cheers,
Mark

Phillip

Having watched a decent size bull (?) shark wander past my boat whilst moored sometime back, id somewhat recommend not swimming in parramatta river other than when absolutely necessary (ie sinking!)

cheers
dan

G'Day all,
If you blokes are worried about "Noah's Arks' then you should look at the Shark shield. It sets up an electric field in the water that interrups the sharks sensitive electric field sensors and drives them away. It is about $650 and has come down from about $750. A neighbour over the road showed me one he has.
It attaches to your leg and a long cable, about 500mm, hangs behind the fins.
They're supposed to be very effective.
http://www.diveandfish.com.au/index.php ... pAodECFqUQ
Greg.