IF NOT A TOP HAT ??

[Ianb]

Can I be a realist? If you buy an old boat on a mooring, you really need to be able to get to it on a regular basis. Otherwise you might get some nasty surprises when you finally go to sail your pride and joy.

On the other side of the coin, right now it is a serious buyers market. Might even get better if you keep your cash, and wait till the mining boom ends, and/or the Euro comes crashing down.

[DESIREMK1]

Hi Greg ,

I have arranged an inspection of a Type 1 Top Hat for Saturday 4th of August , that David Bray Yacht Sales has currently in stock. Her name is " abitje " ( spelling ?? ) , with diesel auxillery , she seems to be in good condition for age and currently being offered for 10k . If I fall in love with her ( just have to keep my second love away from my wife - lol ) , I will consider buying . As I'm currently enjoying the Mining Boom living in Broken Hill so enjoying sailing at the moment is off limits , though I have an older brother who deserves to be introduced to the joys of Sailing as he is the second hardest working person i know ( 60 hours a week as a Self Employed Carpenter ) , with his young family so if a Survey Report checks out , then great !!

Does anybody know of this listing with David Bray and her history ??

Brad
DESIREMK1

[Jeremy]

Hatters


Hey Mr Greg those PR 25's are horrible things you can put them in the same marina as the Manitou 32


Bear

New TH owner here, but I'll put in my 2 cents...

Its all about what you want in a boat, some people like seaworthy boats, some caravans on the water, some like skates, 29ers and 16 footers. If you don't want to compromise - get either a Melges or a party pontoon

I own a PR 25 and to be fair to the boat, if you want something to take the family or friends out on the bay or harbour then the PR 25 is really good. Its comfy as can be inside and on deck, the saloon area is huge since the boat is so beamy, the dinette folds into a double berth and it has a huge ice box. Did I mention the self tacking jib?

That said, take it out in in 30 kts.... (I raced on botany bay in a black nor'easter) and the boat holds its own remarkably well into the breeze, off the breeze it's rubbish though. The chop hits the beam and makes it want to round up or down, hideous job on the helm to keep the boat from gybing or rounding up (even sailing an angle and gybing downwind). That said, the previous owner sailed her to Jervis Bay and up to the Qld boarder, so he clearly had more faith than I.

But the Endeavour 24 I sold to buy the TH sailed about 100 times better than the PR25. But it all depends on what you want in a boat? The PR races quite well in the twilights and is easy to handle due to the 2 reefing points in the main and all lines coming back to the cockpit.

[DESIREMK1]

Hi Jeremy ,

I'm seeking safety for my young family , and ability to sail between The Hawkesbury and Sydney Harbor on occasions with dependability . So cruising will be my main interest ..

Brad
DESIREMK1

[Jeremy]

Well dont get a PR 25

Dont forget the humble folk boat though they hobby horse a bit.

Just a thought, instead of sailing off shore from Sydney Harbour to Pittwater, have you thought about a trailer sailor? You could keep it in broken hill until you make your way down the coast.

My parents did the Whitsundays in a Timpenny 670 and instead of sailing up the coast over 2 weeks they drove for a day and a half and had reached their cruising grounds.

[DESIREMK1]

On Trailer Sailors ,

There is an Austral 20 a couple of streets away , that I swear has not moved from its spot in over 3 years . Though I am set on a Top Hat , as I have been a keen observer of the breed and others such as the Compass 28 for over 20 years and did notice this forum group on Yahoo back in early days of the Internet ....

Brad
DESIREMK1

[bearmcnally]

Bear's thoughts ?
Re ;the Swanson 28 ,had a ride on the actual plug Swansons they took the mould off many years ago . Their cockpit is actually larger than the Top Hats plus the horseshoe shape is great too .They do sail quite nicely if set up properly. You must remember they where designed as a cruising yacht for a mature couple not as a JOG yacht .A Top Hat should be faster up to 15 knts but after that the Swanson 28 comes in to the picture .Like most Swansons ,the 28 ,38 and the 42 love 15 kts plus of breeze as they are strong powerful designs.Again you can't really compare a 25 footer to a 28 footer .

I don't know that Swanson 32 and a good 32 will still pull $45,000 plus .What I do know a modified Swanson won't bring a good resale ,as buyers of the Swansons go for their design such as the coachouse whether it be the bubble or the 32 or 36 coachouse . That is something that I will never understand why some people need to touch a "classic looking design"and make it look like crap by altering it .The Swanson 32 like her bigger sister and her smaller sister have a very nice lines . One of the problems with most finish it off yourself yachts is most have know idea what the hell they are doing,and overbuild or underbuild them both structurally and in fitout. Some off the early Swanson 32 's had plywood decks and if they won't constructed properly lead to major problems done the track . And I think that is why they built the deck mould later on.
Brad there is a reason why trailer sailers sit on the side of the road ? because they are a pain to get ready for a sail .

Cheers Bear

[storm petrel]

Bear,
Thanks for the replay about the Swanson's. I thought a 32' Swanson for 30K would be too good to be true.


Brad,
Trailer sailors are also a pain to pack up. The last thing you want to do after a day in the ocean is to spend an hour putting the boat to bed and getting it on the trailer. It is much better to end a sail with an afternoon drink on the mooring with your crew and a leisurely row to shore in your dinghy.

Cheers,
Mark
Storm Petrel

[bearmcnally]

Mark ,if you like it ? And beauty is in the eye of the beholder remember! Then it most probably is worth $30 k . Just keep this in mind , we all own our Top Hats because we like the look of the yacht and the design .Now I'm only speaking for myself ,but if I saw a Top Hat with a modified deck and looked nothing like a Top Hat I wouldn't buy it and that is how I see that Swanson 32 .
Now there is a Swanson 28 on Boatpoint for $19,000 yes it needs a lot of work ,but if it drops down below say $9000 I might be tempted .

Cheers Bear

[DESIREMK1]

Hi Mark ,

As I put my Fathers BB Chev Raceboat back on the water in 1993 , and skied and drove it at Wisemans Ferry NSW until I bought my first house in 1998 , I am aware of a typical boating day . Where at the end of the day you have to go through all the rigmarole of washing then towing your boat back home , while becoming drawn out . So therefore having a moored sailboat makes More sense to me , when you also factor in the added wear and tear on your towing vehicle , a mooring on the Hawkesbury is what I will be seeking through NSW Waterways ....


Brad
DESIREMK1