Buying a Tophat MkIII - What to look out for

[ozzy_bloke]

Hello all,

I have been looking at various vessels over the past couple of months and have an interest in a tophat mkiii apparently built 1990. My general question is; Are there any known problems with this make / model of vessel that I should pay particular attention too. I say this with a view to have a good look prior to getting a survey done, save myself some time and money.

[storm petrel]

First check the fundamentals:

Is she dry (from rain water and sea water)?
What bilge pumps does she have?
Is the cockpit sole solid?
What is the auxiliary like? (ie inboard/outboard)
What condition are the sails in and how many come with the boat?
Does it have a spinnaker halyard?
If it has a furler, what condition is it in?
When was the standing and running rigging last replaced and what is its currents state?
Are the chainplates and life line staunchions secure and do they have decent backing plates?
Are the lifelines sound?
What is the radio like?
What safeties come with the boat and are the flares in date?
Is the rudder bearing running smoothly?
Does the head work?
What is the water tank like and does the pump work?
What batteries does she have and how are they charged?
Do the running lights and other lights work?
What condition are the through hulls and seacocks in?
What is the mast and boom like?
What ground tackle comes with the boat?
Any osmosis in the hull (rare in Tophats but not unheard of)?
Any evidence of heavy grounding or major repairs to the hull?
Does the cockpit drain freely?
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Then check the mast step carefully(they are subject to rust and replacements are expensive) and the bulkhead under the mast carefully. If there is any compression of this bulkhead or the cabin top - walk away.
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The only other advice I would give you is to try to get someone who knows Tophats to look over it with you. If you post where you will be looking, someone from the site might volunteer to have a look with you.

Good luck,
Mark
Storm Petrel (Mk11)

[SeaLady]

A few more things to check from a female viewpoint.

How easy is it to work in the galley?
Type of stove? How big is the sink, how easy is the water pump / tap?
Is there an ice chest? Does it have a drain?

How much and what type of storage for food and other supplies?
How comfy are the bunks? Seriously get both of you to lie in the V berth and check. Try sitting up as if reading in bed as well.


How big are the water tanks and are they in good condition.

Interior lights?

Toilet / head? Does it have a holding tank?
Condition of upholstery and ease of redoing it if needed.

Are there interior grab rails on the roof of the cabin?

A lot of things can be prettied up easily and inexpensively. I have redone the interior woodwork and painted inside my cabin on my own. Came up very well.

If you have a wife or significant female in your life, get her approval otherwise you may end up like so many men sailing solo and she will be a sailing widow.

Much more fun if you both like it.

Enjoy.

[SeaLady]

I just thought of a few more things.

Get her to check the toilet carefully and ensure she is happy. We females have different needs to you blokes.
A good loo can be the difference to having a woman on your boat twice or not.

A normal marine toilet without a holding tank is illegal. You are not allowed to put raw sewage into enclosed waters like Sydney Harbour. Also going for a swim just after someone has pumped loo paper and other floaties is complete turn off. I have a porta potty.

How easy is it to get back on board after a swim?

How long is the boarding ladder? It needs to go a long way down in the water if you do not have big muscles in your arms.

Is there a transom boarding / diving platform. (These can be retrofitted and makes life much easier)

How easy is it to get on board from a dingy or a wharf? Things can be done to make this much easier.

Are the safety lines and posts solid and can they be easily undone to transfer people / esky and bags.
If they are wobbly it is a difficult job to make them more solid.

Basically get her approval or if at the moment you do not have a significant other female and want one to come sailing in the future... get a female opinion.


Diana

[Phillip]

Hi ozzy bloke,

Mark has indicated the most important item:-

Then check the mast step carefully (they are subject to rust and replacements are expensive) and the bulkhead under the mast carefully. If there is any compression of this bulkhead or the cabin top - walk away.

And if there are any other apparent structural failures, and they will be very obvious, walk away.

But, if you think it is OK, do you feel happy and that this is the boat you want. If you don't get that feeling, keep looking as the Top Hat for you is out there somewhere!

Phillip
SEAKA

[storm petrel]

One thing I forgot: check to see if the windows are in good condition and not leaking. I had to have mine replaced on Storm Petrel and it was quite expensive.

Cheers,
Mark

[ozzy_bloke]

Hello everyone thanks for the advice and comments, I will take them onboard

There are a couple of tophats around and the range dramatically in price and age. I think the last comment of if it doesn't feel right then keep looking will be significant. I will probably get a survey done just to be certain about I am getting myself in too (or not).

Keep you all posted.

[storm petrel]

You will need a survey to insure the boat anyway. I found the survey pretty useless - they did not see anything that was not obvious and missed some surprises that I discovered later. It was also expensive for the amount of time and effort they put in. Perhaps I just did not get a very good one?
Good luck with the search,
Mark.

[karl010203]

Hi Mark,

I know one of the Mk111's you are looking at very well - ha ha. And am probably a little biased!!

Great advice here, the only additional thing I would probably chip in is regarding the range of prices of boats... I think most on this site would agree that a maintenaince costs very quickly add up and what might seem to be a cheaper boat - quite often isn't. Even a basic trip to whitworths seems to cost a couple of hundred or is that just me? - ha ha.

I would recommend inspecting as many as possible to get an idea of varied layouts, preferences and general conditions... and work out what is important to you...

Cheers

Karl

[ozzy_bloke]

No not just you whitworths seems to always drain my wallet also.