Deck Hull joint integrity ?

[Topi]

Perhaps I have an oddity ?

Looks like a Mark 1 in cabin shape.

I did notice similar toe rails on Mark 2's.

Photo attached.

[Phillip]

Mark and All,

This is how it happened:

Illingworth & Primrose designed the Top Hat and the racing version, the Cloth Cap in 1962.

About 6 Mark 0's were built in England from 1962 to 1965. It is not known if any Cloth Hats were built.

From 1963 to 1965 about 16 Mark 0's were built in Melbourne by Mouldcraft.
An unknown number [my numbers say about 4] of amateur Mk 0's were built around Australia.
At least 2 Mouldcraft Mk 0's have sunk, one wrecked in Indonesia, 1 sunk at its mooring in Port Phillip that I know of.

In 1965 Baker brought the male mould from Mouldcraft and 'flopped' it off to a female mould.
From 1965 to 1971 Baker [Fiberglass Yacht (Sales)] built 57 Mk 1's.
1 was wrecked near Long Reef Sydney.

Only one amateur built fiberglass Top Hat was built in 1973. [ By Bear's father!]

In 1972 Formit brought the moulds from Geoff Baker.
During 1972 Formit produced about 6 Mk 1's. [I think Topi has one.]

From late 1972 to 1976 Formit built the Mk 2.

From 1976 to 1985 Formit built the Mk 3. [The last Top Hat built in 1985, the only one left, was finally sold in 1990]

About 150 Top Hats were produced by Formit. This number has yet to be confirmed.
It was possible to have different windows [Mk 2 type] in the Mk 3.

In 1989 Formit built four 27 foot Top Hats.

The 30' and 32' so called Top Hats built by Format are NOT Top Hats and are from different designers.

Ok, so now you all have to go back and check your launch dates which cannot be before the earlier date
or much later than the end date that I have quoted for each Mark.
So I hope I do not see silly dates claimed for any of the Marks in the future!!!

I have re-posted this under the General Forum as 'What top Hat do I have?'

[Topi]

Thats a good run down on the history. I had found other info on history around the site, but yours put all the relevant info in one place.

So a 1972 edition it is, unless someone comes up with additional information at a latter date.

[bearmcnally]

Topi

Seeing she's a Manly boat, Are there any L J Mitchels or Shilland sails ,if so there is your answer to a year .

Cheers Bear

[Topi]

I only have one sail with me. It is a North Sail, it has stamped on top "National Olympic Trials 1976"

The other sails are on the boat.

[bearmcnally]

Topi next time your on board have a look as Brain made all the Mk 1 sails what is her name ?
Bear

[Topi]

Actually it has two names, neither are marked on the vessel, just on the paperwork.
"The Silver Jeff"
"Silver Lady"

[storm petrel]

I apologize for my sloppy recall Phil and have corrected the date in my earlier post.

Cheers,
Mark

[Topi]

Phillip - I had a look inside the forward cabin and there are no lontitudinal ribs or reinforcing of any sort. What does that tell you ?

[Phillip]

Mick,

Most likely you have one of the Formit Mark 1's !