Top Hat World Sailor

[Shaun]

From: Ralph Seccombe (Original Message) Sent: 12/02/2003 2:14 PM
People have told me that a person from the Newcastle area of Australia has sailed a Top Hat around the world, or at least across the Pacific.
Can anyone give me a name and other details on this person?

Regards

Ralph Seccombe




------------------------------------
From: Antwelm Sent: 21/10/2003 4:09 AM
Iv also heard this rumour. No clue if its true or not.

-Snorre
(Mum's Taxi, formerly known as Miss Piggy and even more formerly known as Pelican Itch)

--------------------------------
Reply
Recommend Message 3 of 31 in Discussion

From: joseph12 Sent: 26/10/2004 10:17 PM
would also appreciate the address of anyone who has done blue water sailing in a top hat i am considering buying one for extensive single handed cruising but have no knowledge of suitability

-----------------------
Reply
Recommend Message 4 of 31 in Discussion

From: SailingPeter3 Sent: 27/10/2004 4:06 AM
Hi Guys,

Thought that I had better join this group, rather than just keep looking in.

I have been a Top Hat fan for the last 35 years. My ocean racing career started in a wooden Top Hat, crossing Bass Strait - Queenscliffe - Stanley Race. Later we would cruise the boat in Bass Strait and Port Phillip. Much later, I bought my own Top Hat, a Mark 1 fibreglass version. Unfortunately, I sold this boat (which is now in Hobart) as my partner became seriously ill. At the moment I am trailer sailing, but Top Hats continue to hold very fond memories.

Now to the point: Top Hats are most suitable as a small, very seaworthy offshore single hander. The fellow from Newcastle is Alan Nebauer, who sailed the Pacific for several years with his wife, but also 5000 nautical miles single handed. I understand that the boat was a Mark 2 and the only modification he made was to add an inner forestay. Alan went on to circle the globe single handed in a much bigger boat, "Newcastle Australia", a story well recounted in his book: "Against all Odds". There is a brief reference and photograph of his Pacific Top Hat trip in the book.

There have been countless other blue water voyages in Top Hats; owners talk of their seakeeping abilities such as gentle motion, heaving to, and stiffness. The only other designs around 25 feet that compare are, in my view: Folkboats and Vertues. When I go offshore again, I won't hesitate to go in a Top Hat.

All in all, Top Hats represent maximum adventure for the dollar.

Good sailing always,
Cheers,
Peter
------------------------

Reply
Recommend Message 5 of 31 in Discussion

From: GiovDayman Sent: 27/10/2004 3:30 PM
I have done extensive single handed sailing founding the Association in
Victoria 20 years ago. I then sailed a Swanson 36 with a navic self
steerer. I have now bought a Top Hat and when properly prepared, would sail
her anywhere.
Cheers
John Dayman
Melbourne

>-


-------------------------
Reply
Recommend Message 6 of 31 in Discussion

From: SailingPeter3 Sent: 28/10/2004 3:52 AM
Hi John,

I'm in Melbourne also. Which Mark (1, 2 or 3) Top Hat have you bought and where do you keep her? I'd be interested in your fit-out for
offshore. Did you find the Navik wind vane satisfactory on the Swanson?

Cheers,
Peter

---------------------
Reply
Recommend Message 7 of 31 in Discussion

From: GiovDayman Sent: 28/10/2004 4:09 PM
I am picking it up from Western Beach this Sunday and have a mooring at
Hampton Sailing Club. It is right next to Sandy Yacht Club. Keep in touch.
I will probably be on board on Tuesday if you want to come down.
Yes the navic was bloody great. We used it coming back from ocean races all
over Bass strait, Sydney Hobarts and my single handed sailing. we had the
drum attached to the wheel wich worked a treat. You can't with the old ones
put the paddle in when you are moving, but the newer models I believe you
can which would be a decided advantage.
cheers
John


------------------------

Reply
Recommend Message 8 of 31 in Discussion

From: SailingPeter3 Sent: 29/10/2004 3:47 AM
Thanks for the invite, John.

I'll be away for the next eight days (sailing on Gippsland Lakes), so I'll come and have a look when I'm back. I know the
Hampton mooring area well; I go down there fairly regularly - I live only 10 minutes away. My Top Hat days started at
Sandringham Y.C.

See you soon.

Cheers,
Peter

---------------------
Reply
Recommend Message 9 of 31 in Discussion

From: GiovDayman Sent: 29/10/2004 3:45 PM
You should join Hampton and come and sail with us. We can start a Top Hat
fleet. I did that with the Swanson's years ago. Ran a yearly race series
as a class. It's good fun and I think we could muster a reasonable fleet on
the bay. Give me a yell when you get back. You can call me at work on
96023119
Cheers
John

>

---------------------

Reply
Recommend Message 10 of 31 in Discussion

From: TalesS435 Sent: 21/09/2005 8:34 PM
Back to the original query, is this the bloke?


http://www.muswellbrook.org.au/halloffa ... cture=none
---------------------------

Reply
Recommend Message 11 of 31 in Discussion

From: BigLofty4 Sent: 4/10/2005 2:21 AM
May I put my two bob's worth in here? My Sailing Club is RANSA in Rushcutters Bay, Sydney, and one of our members, who is a very nice lady, knows the Top Hat circumnavigator very well. His surname is Mitchell, and he comes from the Newcastle area. Apparently, when they reached South Africa, his wife gave birth to a son - I think he is called Jamie. When Jamie came of age, he sailed from Australia to South Africa and thus can now claim a circumnavigation. This, of course, raises the interesting question of whether or not Jamie really needed to make the Oz-SA trip! At what point in one's journey from conception to the grave are we to be considered as crew? I shall remind my friend at RANSA that she promised to squeeze some information out of the Mitchells about their trip, and with their permission of course, I'll keep you posted. It would be great to hear first hand how a Top Hat handled the testing conditions of a circumnavigation and what modifications they made or would recommend.
Cheers
Cyril

------------------------------
Reply
Recommend Message 12 of 31 in Discussion

From: SailingPeter3 Sent: 4/10/2005 5:04 AM
Tales,

I can't tell. When I type in the address you gave, it comes up with an error message. The fellow I am thinking of is definately Alan Nebauer - I have his book.

Cheers,
Peter

------------------------------------
Reply
Recommend Message 13 of 31 in Discussion

From: TalesS435 Sent: 10/10/2005 12:06 AM
SailingPeter3,
I tried the link again and it worked but if others have trouble, have coppied the following from the page.
Cheers,
Tom


Alan Ronald Nebauer was born in Muswellbrook on April 6, 1962, one of six children to Ron & Shirley Nebauer. He attended St. James Primary School in Muswellbrook and St. Joseph’s High School in Aberdeen.
His first interest in sailing came when aged twelve, he asked permission of his parents to purchase a 8 ft Sabot sailing boat from a friend at school. His whole family joined a sailing club and Alan began sailing on Lake Liddell. He progressed to an NS 14 ft yacht and other craft. He often used his brothers and sister as crew.
When Alan decided to build his own yacht, a space was allocated at home and “Deus Regit I” was born. He soon realised that he needed a bigger boat to go to sea, so he fitted out a 26 ft Top Hat yacht “Deus Regit II” at Marmong Cove, Lake Macquarie, Newcastle.
Together with his wife Cindy, Alan sailed “Deus Regit II on a working holiday to Canada, America and Mexico, which occupied about 4 ½ years. They returned to Australia for the birth of their second child and to organise Alan’s campaign to participate in the BOC Challenge.

-------------------------

Reply
Recommend Message 14 of 31 in Discussion

From: TalesS435 Sent: 10/10/2005 12:18 AM
Cyril,
Please see 'Top Hat MkI story' in this section (General).
The Mitchells did indeed circumnavigate and their son Jamie has done some great trips in Top Hats.
I have photocopies of the Seaspay articles which cover the trip and have scanned them but they are not a full set.
Can anyone help get the rest and how do I put them on this site for the rest of you to read?
Cheers,
Tom
-------------------------

Reply
Recommend Message 15 of 31 in Discussion

From: BigLofty4 Sent: 12/10/2005 10:55 PM
Tom,
That is great news about the Seaspray articles. What format have you scanned them to? If they are .jpg, I guess you could upload them as pictures using the "Pictures" link on the left of the site page. The .pdf format is the best for text an pics, but I am not sure if this site can handle .pdf. If you are having trouble uploading them, perhaps you can send them as attachments to my email address, and I can work something out. Other members may have advice on the matter. I could put them on my own site and then have a link from this site. Just so long as they are available for people to read.

I am still trying to get an introduction to the Mitchells, who may have copies of the articles that are missing. Anyway, great to hear that you have copies.
Cheers
Cyril

------------------------
Reply
Recommend Message 16 of 31 in Discussion

From: nswsailor Sent: 4/01/2006 2:58 PM
If members look in the January 2006 issue of Cruising Helmsman you will see that Jan and Ian Mitchell of Sydney circumnavigated in CAPRICE a MK 1 Tophat during 1974-77. Pages 24-29.

They now own a Brolga 33 called OSPREY A, if anybody knowns of these people I am sure we would all be interested in how they did it and how they had CAPRICE set up etc.

Phil.
SEAKA.




Reply
Recommend Message 17 of 31 in Discussion

From: BigLofty4 Sent: 5/01/2006 2:18 PM
Phil,
I saw the article in Cruising Helmsman before Christmas and emailed the Editor asking if she could inform the Mitchells that members of the TopHatYacht Group would be very interested in hearing about their circumnavigation. I doubt if she would be allowed to provide their contact details, but she could perhaps tell them of our interest. I've given her my email address should they wish to make contact. I have not heard back from the CH Editor - maybe I'll try her assistant.

If we could get copies of their articles published in Seaspray, we could easily scan them and put them up on the site. That would at least be a start. I'll keep you posted.
Cheers
Cyril
----------------------------

Reply
Recommend Message 18 of 31 in Discussion

From: BigLofty4 Sent: 12/01/2006 3:10 PM
Phil (and everyone),
The Editor of Cruising Helmsman sent my enquiry to Jan and Ian Mitchell and they have made contact with me. They did a circumnavigation in a Mark 1 Top Hat, "Caprice" 1974- 1977. The route was from Sydney, around the bottom to Fremantle, Cape of Good Hope, Panama. Their first son, Jamie, was born in Durban and he sailed on Caprice from Capetown. (In Cruising Helmsman January 2004 there is a My Boat piece by Jamie who is doing a much more liesurely sail in his own Top Hat and is currently in Panama, having departed Sydney in 1999). I have tried to get a copy of this piece, but CH does not have any back copies. Ian had another Top Hat pointed out to him and told that it had done a circumnavigation, but he has no more information on it. Jan wrote a series of articles in Sea Spray in early 1978, and they have copies in storage. They promised to look for these copies during the next couple of weeks. They are currently working on their Brolga 33 "Osprey A" and plan to moe back on board in a month.

Incidently, Jan's article in the January CH is well worth a read - the Brolga is also a long keeler.

I'll keep you posted on developments.
Cheers
Cyril
------------------------------


Reply
Recommend Message 19 of 31 in Discussion

From: BigLofty4 Sent: 16/01/2006 2:35 PM
Dear All,

In my posting on the Mitchells' Top Hat Circumnavigation, I mentioned that the Brolga 33 is a "long-keeler". Ian tells me that this is not so, and I stand corrected! I am sure he will not mind if I quote from his email. "The underwater profile is fairy typical of a 1960s IOR boat, quite similar to an S&S 34. It has a moderate fin keel, intergrally moulded with the hull, and a skeg hung rudder. See www.berrimilla.com , Stuff: Photos, Preparations etc; Preparations for Trip; Preparations. In this site, descriptions of violent knockdowns off NZ and south of Africa illustrate how much punishment a well prepared Brolga can take."

Cheers
Cyril

-------------------------
Reply
Recommend Message 20 of 31 in Discussion

From: BigLofty4 Sent: 1/02/2006 3:26 PM
Dear All,
Ian and Jan Mitchell are willing to make available articles on their circumnavigation and other voyages. There is a series of 12 articles in Sea Spray (March10 – August11, 1978), by Jan, relating their world circumnavigation. She also has one article in Australian Sailing (“A Cruising Awakening” Feb 1978). Ian has one in Australian Sailing (“Lost!” May 1978) re our first sail out to Lord Howe. There are in all 56 magazine pages.

Before I start scanning all this stuff, may I please have a show of hands of those interested in having this informaton archived on the site?

I have tried to upload files to the site before, but without success. I can do .jpgs alright. Could the Moderator or someone provide some advice on file uploading please?

There is probably a limit to the amount of file storage on the site.. Could the Moderator or someone provide advice on this too please?

Cheers
Cyril

------------------------------

Reply
Recommend Message 21 of 31 in Discussion

From: nswsailor Sent: 2/02/2006 7:40 PM
Cyril,

I am interested in those articles.

Phil Bowman
SEAKA

-------------------------
Reply
Recommend Message 22 of 31 in Discussion

From: longdeepthinker Sent: 3/02/2006 5:17 PM
Hi Cyril,
Most interested to view the articles on site or direct.
Regards,
John. "Aeolian".


----------------------------
Reply
Recommend Message 23 of 31 in Discussion

From: TalesS435 Sent: 5/02/2006 2:30 PM
Hi Cyril,
Count me in! I have about 2/3 of the Sea Spray articles but would love to read the rest.
All the best,
Tom
-----------------------

Reply
Recommend Message 24 of 31 in Discussion

From: GiovDayman Sent: 6/02/2006 2:29 PM

Same with me I have only the bits that vereyone else has and am missing the
balance. It would be great to have the entire story.

Anyone who is interrested we sailed the Gleelong Scandia race the other day,
25 kt Northely going down and then came back in the 50kt (92kph) squall.
Two reefs and we were still doing 7kts. The week before in a Wed night race
with a 40kt southerly we hit 9.2kts onthe GPS running downwind and were
regularly stiing on over 8kts. So Top Hats can still get up and booggy!
Cheers
Johnno
Sombrero
R142



--------------


Reply
Recommend Message 25 of 31 in Discussion

From: slowcol Sent: 6/02/2006 6:56 PM
Hi Cyril,
I'm also interested in the information you have.
Regards
Col

------------------------
Reply
Recommend Message 26 of 31 in Discussion

From: BigLofty4 Sent: 11/02/2006 3:26 AM
Good Evening All,

This morning I spent a very pleasant hour chatting with Ian and Jan Mitchell - they really are a very charming couple. They gave me the complete set of their articles for scanning and I have scanned the first article on their circumnavigation and put it in .jpg format for downloading on my own website. Over the next few weeks, I'll add more articles to this page. I have put it on my own site because I cannot for the life of me see how I can add substantial files to this site. Go to http://homepage.mac.com/clatimer/TopHat ... ing11.html and you should be able to download it. I have put this URL as a link on the Links page of this site, but it will not show up as a clickable link no matter what I try. The MSN Help Files are no help. Any suggestions? Please let me know if you have any problems in downloading. More downloadable articles to follow.
Cheers
Cyril

--------------------
Reply
Recommend Message 27 of 31 in Discussion

From: BigLofty4 Sent: 14/02/2006 1:24 AM
Good Evening All,
Finally managed to get the link to the Mitchells/Caprice Circumnavigation articles site working - see Links Page. I have uploaded more articles in the last couple of days. If you are having trouble downloading them, please let me know. I have tested them on Windows XP (Explorer) and Mac OSX (Safari) and they work for me.
Cheers
Cyril

--------------------

Reply
Recommend Message 28 of 31 in Discussion

From: longdeepthinker Sent: 15/02/2006 4:25 PM
Hello Cyril,
Interesting articles, well done,
Thanks also to the Mitchells.

Regards,
John Maloney.
"Aeolian"

-------------------------
Reply
Recommend Message 29 of 31 in Discussion

From: BigLofty4 Sent: 16/02/2006 2:34 AM
Me again!
Thanks for the feedback John. Glad you are enjoying the articles. I certainly am! Three people have had trouble with the downloads, which is unfortunate, although one is now resolved. There have been over 140 hits on the site, so I am hoping that not everyone is having trouble. One solution may be that when I finish scanning and uploading all the files, I could compile a list of contents and then burn the lot on a CD. I could then send copies of the CD to people who have been unable to download. However, Jan and Ian gave us permission to publish on the website. I would need to get their clearance for multiple copies on CD. I'll keep you posted.
Cheers
Cyril

----------------------
Reply
Recommend Message 30 of 31 in Discussion

From: coldmoulded Sent: 6/04/2006 3:28 AM
gday cyrill, i have a coldmoulded top hat which aftyer a hefty rejuvination process will hopefully take me to the kimberley and beyond in time, i would really aprciate thos articles

cheers mate.
Mark

-----------------------
Reply
Recommend Message 31 of 31 in Discussion

From: BigLofty4 Sent: 7/04/2006 2:14 AM
G'day Mark,
Off to the Kimberley are we? That's the spirit! I'm assuming that you are referring to the articles by Jan & Ian Mitchell. Just click on "Links" on the left hand side of our main site menu and you will be taken to our links page. Find the link to the Mitchell articles and click on this. You will be taken to a page where you can download any or all of the articles on their circumnavigation. There is another link which will allow you to download an article by Jamie Mitchell on how he has set up his Top Hat for ocean cruising. If you have trouble downloading the articles, email me. Jan & Ian have given permission for the articles to be burnt on CD, and I can do that for you and send it for a small fee if necessary.

Shaun has recently put on a link to the Berrimilla site - required reading for any extended cruising in a small yacht I would think.

Let me encourage you to use this site to keep us informed of your preparations and voyages. I'm sure we will all find it most interesting.

Best wishes
Cyril