I have been the custodian of Storm Petrel for 5 Years and she is the first Tophat I have owned. I bought her as an interim boat as I had intended to buy a larger yacht before I retired but I have enjoyed the little Tophat so much that I may just keep her. (I have 6 more years before I retire so I have plenty of time to think about it.)
2 years 7 months; took a long time to get a rhythm going but had her out over the weekend - no leaks, engine good, prop good, nothing fell off down below in bumpy conditions, trimmed beautifully upwind & down, a few splashes over the deck & my girlfriend. Could go anywhere & that's a nice feeling.