Top Hat MK3 "Tyrolean Storm"

[Phillip]

Hi Guys,

Here is another Mark 2 Top Hat on Ebay. 3 bidders so far.

Go to item number: 150814625368

Top Hat 25ft full keel fiberglass production yacht (pittwater ) No Reserve !!!

Finish time is: 7d 20h (22 May, 201218:30:01 AEST)

Note the bow and mast bridge problems.

Phillip.

PS I have no connection with this seller.

[southerly]

Hi I'm new to this group and have just joined (after reading many posts about top hats). I'm looking for a boat but have a small budget, hence my interest in the top hat on ebay "Tyrolean Storm". I'm thinking about bidding and am wondering if anyone is familiar with this boat or has any thoughts on the mast step and damage at the bow. I live in Tasmania, so can't take a look at the boat. Any thoughts, anyone? Thanks.

[PittwaterPirate]

Here is the link :

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Top-Hat-25ft ... 989wt_1413

Cheers Ray

[Miker]

Southerly, I'm not familiar with this boat, but if I knew where it was could perhaps have a look.

It's difficult to tell what's wrong with the mast step and mast base by those pics. It may pay to ask the seller what he thinks the problem is.

The bow however could be an expensive problem, as from what I understand there is some timber in the deck right at the point where the deck steps up about two inches and joins into the pointy bit under the forestay chain plate. It looks by the photo that there has been some seperation there, which could mean that the timber is now exposed and rotting. This would require either good timber and glassing skills, or a purse to have a shipwright repair it.

There is a decent amount of growth on the hull, which if it's been properly antifouled, may pose no problem, but if the antifoul has been breached it may be a more expensive clean up, and no survey will tell you the condition of the hull, unless they clean it, at your expense.

When in pristine condition, this boat may fetch $15k, as it's lined and has an enclosed head. So it's a matter of working out whether you spend $5 - $10k on a reasonable boat that is ready to sail, and in need of some routine upgrading, or $2k on a boat that may need $10k or more before you can hoist the main....

Check the other for sales, there were a couple of Mark 1s that may be a better option.
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=946 Mark I
http://www.boatpoint.com.au/boats-for-s ... R=12628100 a Mark III
http://boatpoint.com.au/boats-for-sale/ ... R=11393228 Mark III with a diesel
http://boatpoint.com.au/boats-for-sale/ ... R=12475985 in Dalrymple Yacht Club Tasmania

Lots of choices, depending on whether you want work, or play.....

[storm petrel]

Looks like someone has sealed up the mast step with sikaflex or some other filler. This is a real no no, because masts always leak and some water will find it's way to the inside of the mast and down to the mast step. If you seal it the water just sits at the bottom of the mast rusting the mast step and making an electrolytic connection between the mast and the mast step. I suspect you would need to get the mast out, replace the mast step and standing rigging. Rigger would probably charge $5k for this but you could do it yourself if you have the skills for about half this. As to the bow, I agree with Michael that this is also a problem and I would not sail the boat with the bow in this condition. Again the fix could be expensive if you have to get it done by a shipwright.

My father in law says that, "a free elephant is expensive if you have to buy the peanuts". This could be a case of a free elephant unless you have shipwright skills or a mate with them.

[bearmcnally]

Southerly

Looks like it's done the old head butt the jetty trick ? and lifted the deck from the hull looking at the bow fitting .Yes ! fixable if you know how ? The mast and the bridge look very sad ?

I personally believe there are better ones on the market at this present moment that require less or no work .

Bear

[southerly]

Wow - thanks so much guys for your opinions and info. I'm going to let it go - too many unknowns for a small budget. This is a great forum, especially for a newbie like me looking for a sailing community. I don't know much about top hats, but the more I read, the more impressed I am. I've been looking online for some time now at small bluewater boats with a dream of some day sailing with my young son in the south pacific, beginning with years of short trips around Hobart and Tasmania. About 20 years ago I sailed on a sailmaster 845 (like a compass, around 28ft) from Hobart to PNG and Solomons and back to Cairns, over a year or so. At the time I didn't really appreciate what I was doing, but now I look back and think what an amazing experience and adventure and I want to have another go and watch my son running wild on those beaches and climbing coconut trees with local kids etc. So in the meantime I've been looking and learning online about the pros and cons of various boats, like contessa 26, albin vega and top hats. Looking at the top hats advertised online, you can get a lot of boat for your money at the moment and it seems a much better bet to buy something already sorted than try and fix up what someone else has given up on. So thanks again for all your advice and time and I'll keep lookin' and dreamin'!
Cheers, Sharon

[Troppo]

All the best with ya searching, Sharon. The trip you did on the Sailmaster 845 as a young 'un would have been amazing. Probably be helpful background for you now with looking around at boats. You might not be able to remember much that you think is useful but it would certainly shape the way you see and think about boats and cruising.

[storm petrel]

Those Herreshoff Shailmasters were good solid cruising boats. I was thinking about one before I got my Top Hat. I would be intereted to hear how you think the Top Hat compares with the Sailmaster if you can remember enough about the Sailmaster.

Cheers,
Mark

[Phillip]

Evening All,

She sold for $2,425 to the eighth bidder who placed a bid in the last 30 sec's.

Welcome to the new Top Hat owner who ever they are!

Phillip.