tophatyachts.com

Hi everyone. I have recently sold my deltacraft islander and am in the market for a top hat. my question to you all is in dealing with the diesel engine version, particularly the Mk 3 I was wondering about access to the stern gland fitting for checking and or adjusting. I am of two minds. I think I would prefer an outboard version ( 9hp 4 stroke or similar ). The reason being I dont want any holes in the hull below the waterline if at all possible. I would take the head out of the compartment and replace it with a porta pottie as I did with the Deltacraft. The outboard well does not come into this category as it is essentially a self drainer for the cockpit. While I am on my soapbox is the toilet compartment a drainable type? In other words can you set it up with an onboard shower or do we shower in the cockpit? Hoping someone will have the time to reply to my crazy questions. Thanks in advance. GYPSEA.

Hi Gypsea,

You will find a lot of argument here about the merits of inboard and outboards for Top Hats, but you should decide how you want to use the boat. Basically, if you are only going to motor on and off a mooring and then sail, an outboard is adequate. Diesels don't like short runs, they need to get up to temperature and work hard. If you are going to sea you will need a diesel for those days when you are becalmed and you have long periods of motoring because the diesel is more fuel efficient. As for the shower, if you have a diesel, the outboard well is an ideal drain for that, otherwise you will have to instal a drainage system - probably aft to the bildge. You can pump it out from there, but with an engine installed cleaning out the gunk that accumulates from showers will be quite a challenge.
Good luck with your search, even if it is a Mark 3, the Top Hat is the best pocket cruising yacht ever designed.
Sean
Mark 1 Devotee
Azzura

Out board is the go! cheers John

Hi Gypsea,
I agree with you on trying to have no thru-hull openings under the waterline, the less there are= less worrying about them.
I glassed up all the redundant thru-hulls on my last top hat (just left the galley sink waste), when I slip the top hat I have now, I shall be doing the same, out with the toilet (never used it yet, in 18 mths), out with the old speed log, im also thinking of glassing up galley waste & just using a 5lt container to catch water & empty OB each night.
I have an inboard (for now!), it is a nuisance trying to clean the bilge, & I spend 10x more time working on engine than sailing, on the other hand I feel better having 40lt of diesel onboard than 40lt of petrol, it is better motoring under diesel...., quieter, little or no fumes, & boat looks better from the outside with no outboard.
The main problem I found with having outboard was (if you dont leave it in-situ), is storing it below, & lifting it in place. If your mainly motoring on & off mooring surely a 5hp would be fine.
I suppose I would prefer an inboard if i had a choice, but only just!
cheers
Shaun

Oh Dear!

Well I have PM'ed Gordon of Gypsea about a very good Top Hat with an inboard,


I reckon he may get it for around 8K, if he buys it!


Not one of the beautiful ones though as it's a Mark 3


Phillip.

G'Day, Gypsea,
You could if you had a spare day and a Jig Saw cut an access hatch in the deck of the cockpit. Makes access to the engine REALLY easy.

And finally the best part, Its a diesel !

Thanks one and all for effort. Some points I would like to make. Once again stopping water getting below is paramount. cutting a big hole in the cockpit floor doesn't appear to me to be wise if in heavy seas and get any form of excessive water in cockpit as I worry about how watertight hatch is. In general terms can anyone answer how often you need to check/maintain/replace seal and or bearing or whatever system is used for the rudder where it enters the bottom of the hull and through the cockpit and is access easy or difficult. Cheers and happy sailing. Gordon.

Afternoon All,

Well during my Queensland voyage I only took a sea into the cockpit on one occasion. Mind you I was sailing parrallel to the waves which were 2m+ high and about 4m apart and the wind at 25+knots, so I suppose that does not really count. Mind you it gave me a hell of a fright as I had never experienced that before in a Top Hat. Oh, and it was not much water anyway!

More water enters my cockpit through the top rudder bearing which will be replaced when I haul out in the next two months.

Phillip.

Gypsea, I am in agreement with you, the fewer through hull points the better. Night Cap has only one, as a few months ago we glassed over a redundant toilet through hull point and now have only the sink outlet and the seacock on it was replaced with a new brass one, mainly because the plywood backing block was looking tired. It has since occurred to me that the hole in the hull could have been above the waterline. Would be keen to hear the views of those with experience. Is it below water line for visual reasons, possibly to prevent stain marks along the side. Most of what leaves the sink is relatively clean water.
We are happy with the 8hp 2-stroke motor. At 27 kgs it is not too difficult to manouvre from the cabin to the well in the cockpit. I like the idea that there is virtually no maintainence......Have done gearbox oil change etc onboard and have flushed it out once while boat was on the dry. The well in the cockpit is great. I have been told that all/almost all Top Hats were made with the well, including those with inboard motors. Anyone ahve more info? Our boat at one time had an inboard and the well appears to be 'factory made'. I do imagine once offshore a diesel will propel a boat a lot better than even a long shaft outboard in the well. Almost think an extra long shaft o'board would be better than long shaft o'board (prop of inboard sits a lot lower than long shaft's prop). One day I am gonna try the standard shaft dinghy 2 stroke 3.5 hp Tohatsu in the cockpit. Keen to know if it would be any good as a back-up. I am happy with the 2 stroke. Prefer the simplicity and will be lighter than 4 stroke for equal hp. Weight is a factor as we move the outboard into the cabin after each outing. My research has revealed that 2 strokes of same hp as 4 strokes will be capable of doing more. Don't mind having to mix in oil (outboard for dinghy uses same ratio ). I don't think it is too noisy nor too smokey, but wife disagrees. Don't know how 4 stoke will take to being placed on its side most of its life. Agree with Shaun if one has to motor some distance will have to carry lots of petrol if using an outboard...fire danger. Don't think 4 strokes offer much of a consumption advantage over 2 strokes.