Top Hat price history

[Ianb]

Diana
You have shown that you cannot put a price on an emotional connection with a boat. It is more than just a hunk of metal and plastics. It is a focal point for a life beyond work, an inspiration, a source of pleasure and escape. But now you have the perfect boat, she must be used and enjoyed

[SeaLady]

Quite right.

I have only been out on SeaLady twice in the last 8 days.
Nowhere near sufficient.

Yes I adore her and as she is currently 35 years old with luck she will last me another 35 years.

- There are advantages to being single.... no wife nor husband to freak over how much you spend on your boat.

[di_namic42]

Hi Diana

My name is Dianne & I am a single lady as well, and a hopefully soon to be Top hat owner .
Just as soon as i find one in good condition with a good diesel inboard motor.

I may be driving down Lake Macquarie/Sydney way to inspect a Top hat or two, in the new 2-3 weeks.

Totally agree with what you say about the advantages of being single!
I'd love to get some tips/do's/don'ts from a sailing female.
Any hints?

[storm petrel]

There is a lot of polyester resin/glass in a Top Hat (I would guess at today's prices somewhere in the $5000-$10000 range). I would be surprised if one could be built today for less them $100,000. Given that many Top Hats have been well maintained and/or improved by their owners (See Diana's post above)they are certainly selling at bargain prices today.

I think one of the reasons they are so cheap is the trend for going to sea in ever larger yachts. When the Top Hat was built lots of boats this size (23-28ft)were being used for coastal cruising and for making ocean passages. Today, boats under 40ft are considered small even for a couple for ocean cruising. I don't know if people are getting soft or more sensible but a lot my yachting mates are surprised when I tell them about some of the long distance voyages that Top Hats have undertaken. My refrain is that small boats can be surprisingly seaworthy and a bottle with a cork in it can cross an ocean. I also note that the vast majority of the hundreds of yachts in Broken Bay seldom venture East of Barrenjoey Headland.

[bearmcnally]

Hi Hatters

This is some of the research that was done prior to building Jilpanger , The Triton 26 in hull and deck and the materials from Bruce Roberts for building his 25 footer ,and that doc is what he believe was needed to build a Top Hat back in 1970 as a "one off "


cheers Bear

I think it would cost close to $60.000 to build a Top Hat today ,built to the same standards as back then meaning the Mk1 .

[storm petrel]

Bear does your estimate of $60000 for a one off Top Hat built to original specs today include full fit out, rigging, sails, diesel inboard, labour, profit for builder, etc.? Seems pretty cheap given that a basic new folkboat sells for about 75-80k in Australia and they have a displacement under 2000kg and use iron in the keel.

[Phillip]

We are getting close, anybody have a price for these items?

Spinnaker $ ?
2 storm sails $ ?
Jib pole $ ?
Spinnaker Pole $ ?

So far for a basic Mk 3 sailaway with all safety and required gear we have a total of:

$112,700

[storm petrel]

Spinnaker $1000-1200, Spin Pole $250, storm sail $350, Jib Pole?

[Phillip]

Ok we have an answer!


Basic sail away price for a Mark 3 NEW Top Hat.

I've been told that it takes 2 men 4 weeks to construct a basic [hull, rigging, internal furniture] Top Hat, so that's $32,000 for labour.
Hull Materials [fibreglass] $10,000
Lead keel $2800
Mainsail $1200,
Genoa $1000,
Furling gear $2,000
Spinnaker $ 1,200
2 storm sails $700
Halyards and sheets $250
Mast and boom $ 15,000
Jib pole $150
Spinnaker Pole $250
Rigging $2,500
Winches x 4 $2000
Deck gear $2000
Jack stays and boom bag $500
10hp diesel engine $10,000 fitted?
Propeller and shaft $1600
Batteries $500
Stove $520
Toilet $300
Compass $150
V sheet/torch $20
Foot-pump freshwater $100
VHF radio $300
EPIRB $280
Cushions $800
Chartplotter/sounder $950
Electrical wiring $500
Lights nav. $650
Lights internal $200
Wiring $ 300
2 lifejackets with harness $240
Safety lines $100
Pushpit and pulpit $1500
Bilge pumps $200
Horseshoe float $90
Antifouling $750
Solar panel and frame $750
Fire extinguishers/blanket $100
Anchor chain 8mm $280
Anchor rope 12mm DB $60
Anchor $350
Mooring springer $35
Mooring ropes x4 $150
Fenders x2 $100
Boat/mooring hook $50
Inflatable Tender $700
Small outboard 2.5hp $2,500
Tender anchor +safety gear $100
Flares $60
Sundries $165
Extra Labour to fit basic sailaway items 2 men for 2 weeks $16,000

$115,000.oo

[bearmcnally]

Hi Hatters
That's what I believe I could do it for ?, Just buying the hull and deck and doing the rest myself .

. no furler 3x sails
. small diesel
. teak fit out in timber

Cheers Bear