tophatyachts.com

It has happened - despite still loving my little top hat, I have bought a bigger boat. Sea Monkey has been a great boat to cut my teeth as a boat owner. Having crewed for many years I decided to buy a boat and wanted something safe that I could sail solo and go almost anywhere. I chose the right boat.

Sea Monkey has carried me through a force 9 gale and has recently had two first place results in twilight racing on the harbour. She is very well set up, just slightly different to the standard Mark 3, with the cabin fully wood lined for extra offshore strength. I have ordered a new No.1 genoa for the furler, although it hasn't arrived yet. Sea Monkey is fully set up for single handed sailing, with all lines back to the cockpit, and also has a tiller pilot. She even has 2 extra water tanks for those long offshore cruises.

The top sides could do with a bit of tarting up, but she is in a pretty good condition.

I am going to put her on the market, and if anyone is interested in making me an offer, drop me an email ian_maggs@hotmail.com

What Yacht did you buy out of curiousity!?

I bought a Carter 33.

Wanted something a bit quicker but with some comfort. Seems like one of the best all round options for the money, and looks nearly as nice as a top hat as well.

A picture of Sea Monkey II

Beautiful boat, a good seafaring vessel, AND its got a FURLER !!

Greg.

Maggsy - I did the same jump about 8 months ago - from a Mk III to a carter passage 33 centre cockpit (same as yours I think).

They are a great boat, with a nice turn of speed and an easily driven hull. YOu'll find the space a welcome treat! Mine moves pretty quickly through the water too, by comparison and is great fun to race.

Well done - I think you'll be very happy!

Brendan.

Hi Brendan,

My new boat is the Carter 33 racer which is an aft cockpit and I think a slightly bigger rig. I am very pleased with her and have been for a few overnight trips. She is the same as the Sydney Hobart boats, Firetel and Wheelbarrow. Got caught in some heavy squalls before christmas and she handled fairly well, although definitely need to reduce sail area a bit quicker than I had to in the Top Hat!

I am still sailing my Top Hat (Sea Monkey) as she is so much fun and moored outside my apartment. I will have to get round to putting her up for sale on boat point at some point but I just don't seem to have gotten round to it yet!!! It seems a pity to sell her half way through the season with some very good recent results!

Regards

Hi Guys


I sailed on wheelbarrow back in the 80,s.She was a Carter 30 orginally owned by Dicky Carter , The crew wore T shirts with a wheelbarrow on it carrying a dick .I'm not sure but I think Wheelbarrow was the plug for the 30 and then the mould was lengthend etc to the 33


Regards Bear

Wow the rig on the racer must be massive because I only just fit under Captain Cook Bridge at high tide! I know what you mean about dropping sail quickly - we got hit by a southerly one day and it handled it well - but was more comfortable after we shortened the main and roller reefed a bit of the no.1 away!

I bought the aft cockpit because it's a bit more comfortable for going away, but we've only overnighted on it about 3 times and race every saturday so maybe a silly choice but it sails beautifully and is great fun. The shower also makes a HUGE difference to the admiral - and the extra leg room in the head makes a big difference to me!

Hope your loving yours as much as I am - and getting lots of use!

Brendan.

Oh - and I still fly the Tophat burgee - is that allowed Phillip?

I hope so because it looks good!