Cabin layout & wheel steering

[Shaun]

From: Tophat25 (Original Message) Sent: 22/01/2005 7:52 AM
Hi all,

I have just purchased a TH25 Mk1 with enclosed head with twin bunks in saloon, ie no dinette. Has inbuilt 10hp Bukh. Just wondering if anyone has plans &/or advice they can share on converting this current layout to include a dinette.

Has anyone ever fitted wheel steering to a TH25? Would love to know if its a possible, but also if any negatives to it.

Thanks in advance,
Kevin.





---------------------------------

Reply
Recommend Message 2 of 5 in Discussion

From: windybusiness Sent: 22/01/2005 10:57 PM
Hello!

There is a wheel steer top hat 25 in Bayview, Pittwater, Nr Sydney. I spoke
to the chap who had it done. He said that due to the relatively small space
under cockpit floor at that point in the boat, there was some buggering
around. I recall him saying it cost something in the region of $3000 (this
was a professional job, not DIY).

I would think twice, and then twice more before using up all that space in
what is a smallish cockpit. If you are going to do much social sailing, and
picnics etc, it is going to get in the way. I doubt also if you'd get your
dough back when you sold the boat.


I am currently selling my Top Hat Mark 1, and it has the same layout as
yours. I'd counsel against putting in the dinnette, they are quite small
and take up a lot of space. We actually made boards and pillows to convert
to the two singles into a saloon double. This allowed us to park our kids in
the v-berth and have a comfortable bed between them and the companionway.

Congratulations on your choice of a Mark 1 Top Hat, I loved our boat. Pity
you didn't buy mine!

Cheers

Jim



--------------------------
Reply
Recommend Message 3 of 5 in Discussion

From: Tophat25 Sent: 23/01/2005 9:24 AM
Hi Jim,<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

Thanks very much for your reply… I’ve only really found out how good a purchase I made AFTER I made it! And this msn group resource is fantastic! I think I probably will skip the wheel steering idea, but I would still like to investigate the dinette arrangement a little more. I think my kids will be small enough for the next few years I have it for it to be a workable convenience.



I've seen the plan in wikipedia, but its too small to read dimensions - Do you or anyone else know of a Mk 1 owner in Melbourne or Geelong that has the dinette and enclosed head configuration that I might be able to contact with a view to having a look-see?



Really appreciate the feedback, thanks again,



Kevin.


-------------------------------
Reply
Recommend Message 4 of 5 in Discussion

From: yarrum177 Sent: 26/01/2005 1:38 PM
On page 4 of pictures, there a photo of a Mk 3 with wheel steering. In my opinion would too much weight in the wrong place. Richard

--------------------------------------------
Reply
Recommend Message 5 of 5 in Discussion

From: Rattlenhum3 Sent: 22/02/2005 4:42 PM
I have a Mark 2a TopHat. Factory FG fit out.
These boats don't have enclosed head. The head is in the V birth to starboard,A wet hanging locker approx 400mm wide opposite the galley ,then a settee then a quarter birth all runing down starboard . Port is same as all others.
I find the settee large enough to double as a chart table and more usefull when coasting.
I would think twice about a wheel , I have a extended tiller which allowes me to helm close up to the cabin , keeps me dry and safe.The tiller then lifts of course to allow full cockpit space

Regards
RATTLE N HUM.