Toppers

 

TOPPER

“IT’S REALLY EASY, YOU CAN PUT IT ON THE ROOF OF YOUR CAR OR PUT IT ON A TRAILER. IT TAKES TEN MINUTES, IF THAT, TO RIG… GREAT BOATS TO SAIL. SO MUCH FUN.”

TOPPER SAILOR

ICONIC SINGLEHANDER

Pedigree single-hander for junior, youth and adults.

  • Award Winning One-Design
  • Three Rig Options (4.2, 5.3 and 6.4)
  • Fast, Light & Safe Hull (easily righted even by smaller crew)
  • Simple to Rig & Maintain
  • Virtually indestructible construction. 
  • Truly INTERNATIONAL Class – nearly 50,000 boats Worldwide
  • Superb Race Circuit
  • BRITISH Youth Sailing RYA Recognised Pathway Class
  • Olympic Pathway class (with many sailors going on to achieve Gold & Silver medals in Olympic classes)
  • WORLD SAILING (ISAF) Recognised Full International Racing

“BRITAIN’S BEST SELLING AND FAVOURITE SAILING DINGHY”

TOPPER SAILOR

THE FRIENDLY RACING CLASS

The Topper offers a phenomenal race and training scene. The Topper Class is fun and friendly but competitive, and is responsible for developing some of the best young sailors in the world! But, the Class not only produce exceptional sailing talent, they also help sailors acquire key life skills to help them fulfil their true potential including independence, confidence, team work and physical fitness. 

The RYA’s British Youth Sailing programme is the envy of the world! And the Topper is an integral part of the programme that gives young dinghy sailors the best possible opportunity to develop their racing talent towards Olympic Class sailing. The Topper 4.2 is the ideal introduction to racing for smaller lightweight sailors from age 9 (35kgs) up. The Topper 4.2 offers the perfect pathway into the Topper 5.3 and then beyond into Classes such as the Laser 4.7, Laser Radial, Laser or 29er. Rio Olympic Gold medallist Giles Scott is yet another excellent example of young sailors following the Topper pathway with great success.

PERFECT FOR BEGINNERS AND FAMILIES

While the Topper is predominantly a racing class now she offers so much more than just that. She is so simple, safe and stable that she inspires confidence in young or novice sailors. She offers pedigree handling and racy performance levels as competence levels grow – which other ‘beach-boats’ can only dream of. Above all, the Topper is still a boat to have great fun sailing.

RUGGED AND DURABLE CONSTRUCTION

The boat is stronger and lighter than any other comparable boat. So she is easier to handle on the water and ashore. The Topper is virtually maintenance free. AND a proven track record of reliability means that resale values are sky high.

CARTOPPABLE

The Topper hull weighs in at just 43kgs and is the perfect design for cartopping. In fact, this fantastic feature is where the name ‘Topper’ originates from. You can just pop the Topper on to the roof of your car and transport your sailboat cheaply and effortlessly wherever you decide.

“THE UNIQUE CONSTRUCTION MAKES IT ALMOST INDESTRUCTIBLE. IT IS THE ONLY INJECTION MOULDED RACING BOAT.”

MARTIN FRY, MANUFACTURER

TRUE ONE DESIGN 

Because the Topper is injection moulded, every boat is identical. The ‘one-design’ nature of the boat makes for a uniquely fair competition.

FUN

With a 5.3sqm sail it has good upwind and downwind performance, making it a thrilling, accessible and exciting sail.

FAST

The lightweight hull and the large sail area make the Topper a fast boat for its size, and being so close to the water just makes it feel so much more exciting.

VALUE

A race rigged Topper is the cheapest single handed racing dinghy in its category.

7e-Topper-Worlds-2018-RS

DURABILITY

Its unique polypropylene construction makes the boat virtually indestructible.

LOW MAINTENANCE 

It requires little maintenance, is easily rigged in a matter of minutes, is rugged and safe for beginners and an exciting race boat too as your skills develop AND it is car-toppable. It truly is the most versatile of sailboats.

BUILD QUALITY 

After almost 40 years of continuous production (approaching 50,000 boats!) it is the outstanding build quality, durability and innovative design features that have made the Topper one of the most popular boats in Britain.

LIGHTWEIGHT 

At just 43kg (compared to similar boats that weigh upwards of 60kg) the cartoppable Topper is the lightest boat of its size and configuration in the world. It is easily righted after a capsize and ideal for sailors from 40kg to 60kg.

AWARD WINNING 

It has won many awards for innovative design and construction, including the world renowned Design Council Award.

INTERNATIONAL

Nearly 50,000 boats worldwide, a well-established international class structure across Europe, the Middle East, Far East, America and Australasia, Topper sailing is truly international. The Topper is an ISAF Full International Class.

COMPETITIVE

With over 300 boats competing at this year’s National Championships and 173 boats competing for this year’s World Championship – the Topper is one of the most competitive classes for young sailors.

PATHWAY

The success of the Topper as a high-performance race-training pathway class has been proven in the UK. An incredibly high proportion of sailors selected for the RYA Transitional Youth Squads were Topper sailors.

DEVELOPMENT

The Topper has always been a great boat. A number of changes that will ensure that it continues to be a great boat into the foreseeable future. These include:

CENTRE MAIN SHEET 

Moving the mainsheet lead to the centre of the boat and fitting a longer tiller extension permits the sailor to position themselves correctly in the boat without unnecessary twisting whilst hiking means the sailor can get more from the boat and hike harder for longer.

6:1 DOWNHAUL

Without doubt the second most important update is the change from a maximum purchase of a 3:1 to one of 6:1. It will allow much lighter and less experienced sailors to sail in strong winds. The extra force available means we can bend the mast to flatten the sail whilst keeping the fullness in the sail well forward. The effect will be to stop the boat heading into the wind on a beat and getting stuck in irons when tacking.

4.2M2 SAIL

The introduction of the 4.2m2 sail allows eight and nine year old Topper sailors and the smaller older ones to compete alongside the bigger sailors. The small sail is really inexpensive and it’s pretty quick in the hands of a 30-40kg sailor. It also doesn’t require a new mast or a change of controls. Whether just messing about in boats, having fun off a beach, learning to sail, flat out blasting or competitive racing, there are so many reasons for choosing the fantastic Topper.

7a-Topper-Worlds-2018-RS

SPECIFICATIONS

TOPPER 4.2 TOPPER 5.3 TOPPER 6.4TOPPER 6.4

LENGTH

3.40m
3.40m
3.40m

BEAM

1.20m
1.20m
1.20m

CREW

1-2
1-2
1-2

HULL WEIGHT

43kg
43kg
43kg

CONSTRUCTION

Injection Moulded Polypropylene
Injection Moulded Polypropylene
Injection Moulded Polypropylene

SAIL AREA

4.2m2

5.3m2

6.4m2

MAST & BOOM

Coated Aluminium

Coated Aluminium

Coated Aluminium

BLOCKS

Stainless Nylon

Stainless Nylon

Stainless Nylon

PY

1400
1357
1314

LEVEL

Beginner - Intermediate
Intermediate - Expert
Intermediate - Expert

“THESE SAILORS JUST JUMP IN, GET STUCK IN AT MARKS WHERE THE ACTION IS. IT IS SIMPLE, INEXPENSIVE AND FUN TO SAIL.”

RYA NATIONAL COACH