1967 Mark 1

[Georgie Girl]

Hello Top Hatters, I've had my Georgie Girl for a bit over a year now and I've got a few questions for you experts. First she claims to be a Baker Built 1967 Mark 1 but is this possible? I read on this site that the Mark 1 only began being built in 1969. She comes from Queensland. We sailed her from Mooloolaba to her current home here at Batemans Bay. Also there's a hole in the middle of the cockpit that seems to serve no purpose apart from shipping water. It's about 3 inches in diameter and looks like something like a table or something would have fitted there. Any ideas?
Thanks
Greg

[Miker]

Hey Greg, welcome to the Top Hat Forum.

Phil (Seaka) is the guru on history, so hopefully he'll chime in shortly.

If you have any photos of the hole in the cockpit, it may help shed some light. It may be a table fitting, though it shouldn't ship water. If it's aft of the rudder it may be a cockpit drain. If it is, then "They all have that feature sir!" Well, at least the Mark 1 does.

[Phillip]

To start, please do not take any notice of the history posted on this site. It is so wrong [my fault!] being written over 10 years ago.

I have re-written the history of our Top Hats and at this moment going thru a review by a selected group of Top Hatters. {those with a long history with Top Hats}

Your 1967 Top Hat was built by Baker [Yacht Sales P/L] who produced 57 Mk 1's between 1965/6 until about 1970.
Formit took over in 1972 and built 6 Mk1's before introducing the Mk 2 in November of that year.
We have 2 of those 6 here on the Mid North Coast of NSW and the easiest way to determine if you have a Formit Mk 1 is that it will have a outboard motor well.

Is your rudder mounted on the Stern? I seem to remember that there is a TH out there so configured.

If so, the hole maybe the original rudder shaft tube.

[Georgie Girl]

Thanks Phil and Michael, the hole is forward of the rudder and the rudder is not mounted on the stern. I'll take a shot of it and hopefully it will make more sense.
Greg

[dism]

Phillip - PC Jay's rudder is transom mounted

[Phillip]

That's your TH dism, knew I'd seen a photo somewhere

[dism]

No not mine Phillip but was neighbouring boat in the Clarence

[bearmcnally]

Hi Phil
hope all is well ? Egret ll is a formit hull
cheers Bear

[Phillip]

Hi Phil
hope all is well ? Egret ll is a formit hull
cheers Bear

Ok, that means I have identified three of the six Mk 1s built by Formit.

I'll post a couple of photos later this week that will enable the other three to be found.