tophatyachts.com

I have a Mk 1 I need to sell. I spent a lot of time and money on it a few years ago when I first bought it, but I'm now running a charter catamaran business on Sydney Harbour and don't have the time to play with, or maintain it.

Firstly the downsides... it needs a good clean, an antifoul and the propeller coupling on the back of the inboard diesel engine has failed. The motor itself is fine and had a lot of work done to it about 3 years ago. The engine probably needs to come out to repair the coupling and the parts are about $400. A commercial repairer will charge you about $2000-2500 to do it if you can't do it yourself. Alternatively you could add a bracket to the transom and fit an outboard. An antifoul will cost you about $1200 if you can't do it yourself.

I bought new sails from Hood Sails and a Furlex furling system for it which all cost about $5000 and they have hardly been used. At has a new sail cover, sheet winches, windows and all sorts of improvements, too numerous to mention.

Even with the problems, at $5000 it's a bargain. It's located at Parsley Bay Brooklyn, starting to be neglected and needs a new home.

A few You Tube videos showing Airborne are out there. Here's one... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uX20X9ICLY

Bruce 0432 027 749

Hi Bruce,

I'm newish to sailing but looking at Tophat's for a first purchase. Ideally I was looking for something without the inboard and to go for a longshaft outboard.

Is there any reason why the engine can't come out and be on-sold?

Also, do you have a survey that can be used for insurance purpsoses?

Cheers

Nick
0450 754 673

Hi Nick,

The engine can be removed in about one hour so you could sell it if you wanted.

The last insurance survey was completed in early 2012. You're welcome to have a look at it, however, most insurance companies I dealt with, required a survey less than 2 years old.

Bruce

Absolute bargain....im tempted myself, but running a fleet (again) would not be good.
Suggest cutting a hole in cockpit floor & installing a good , strong hatch (if there isn't one already) to allow access to replace the coupling?? (& maintain stern gland).

One of the beautys of the Mk1, is the cut-out in the transom of some of them, that simply means lifting out the insert & clamping on outboard (didn't see the cut-out in the video tho'. I'd be trying to repair the inboard first anyway.
cheers

Definitely a Baker Mk 1 with an original diesel engine [which I'd also fix]

Looks like the stern liftout has been glassed in so a stern bracket would be needed for an outboard,
but why bother, there's a going diesel engine already there!

At that price, Bruce is giving her away. Great buy for the quick purchaser, reckon it won't last long.

Hi everyone,

It seems the time has arrived where you can't give away a Top Hat. At $5000 this really is a bargain but I've had very little interest.

I could be tempted to strip it for parts if necessary, but that would be an unfortunate end to a good boat. I'll probably try the commercial sales sites shortly, but unfortunately, time is running out for Airborne.

By the way, if anyone needs to hire a catamaran on Sydney Harbour, or knows someone who does, here's my website address www.topcatcruises.com.au. That's Top Cat, not Top Hat!

Bruce

Amazing! As the man said, the parts alone like sails, furler, boom bag for sail, etc would be worth thousands, so really you get the rest of the boat free.

In my opinion, if the motor is looking good, the money spent to repair the propeller coupling would be worthwhile. My Top Has has an outboard, I like it and it has benefits, but I would prefer a diesel.

Bruce, the boat looks great, hope you get a sale.

troppo

It was good talking to you today Bruce. Pity we're in different states because I would be buying your toppie. If anyone is looking I would suggest you give Bruce a call as he's straight forward about whats on offer. All the best Bruce..