tophatyachts.com

Hi guys,

I hope you are all well.

Just wanted to get a few opinions and start a discussion. I'd love to have a little dodger (not massive) similar to Felicite's dodger or even a little smaller. I am thinking about relocating the mainsheet attachment from mid-boom to the end of the boom and onto two attachments on the cockpit combing near the pushpit so that it's an A-shape main sheet arrangement.

What are your opinions to end boom sheeting on a Top Hat?

I've got so many lines on the coach house that it's not funny anymore. (Main, Jib and Spinn Halyard, topping lift for the pole, topping lift for the mast, vang and the lines for three reefs. 3x clew 2x tack, first reef goes on the horn) All up there are some 12 lines. It kind of suits me that the boat was set up that way but I am a little unsure how to manage the lines with a little dodger.

Best regards,
Daniel

How about a photo of your cabin top so we can see what you have.

There’s no cabin top anymore, Phillip, there are only lines….

Currently just wondering about end boom sheeting system vs. mid boom.

Cheers,
Daniel

Hi Daniel,

It looks like you have a nice setup on the cabin top.
I think you would regret changing to end of boom sheeting. End of boom sheeting might have been good in the old days when booms reached to the transom, but the Top Hat boom reaches only just past the jib winches so the sheet would be sweeping the middle of the cockpit every time you tack or gybe.

Steve

Have to agree with Steve.
Illingworth designed the rigging and I think he would have had more experience than all of us put together.
Stay with the normal arrangement Daniel.

I have end boom sheeting on Iluka but only because I have a furling boom. There is a traveller directly behind the tiller. I don’t mind it, but the boat was like that when I purchased her, so I know nothing else. It does make the cockpit smaller, but then again so does having the tiller in the middle of the cockpit. I find it makes a good devision to sit inexperience people behind the traveler as it keeps them out of the way of the tiller.

Cheers
Nick

Thank you guys! I appreciate it. Now I’ll need to think how to get a spray hood made that still allows access to the sheet and Traveller….

Best,
Daniel

Have a look through the Gallery, there are examples there.
I'm sure other Mk 2 & 3 owners will submit photos and details of their canopy's.

Yeah I’ve had a little look around. Felicite‘s spray hood looks great. Reasonably low, but wrapping around a little and really short. I’ll probably have to speak to a local fabricator to get that frame done and then someone who can make the fabric.
It’s probably terribly expensive but I’ll look into it.

Cheers,
Daniel

Affirmative on the price, I looked at getting one about 5 years ago and it came in at over $600.
Didn't even bother to price for the canvass.