www.toppersailboats.com Topaz Sailing System Topaz Uno Race X Topaz Taz Topaz Magno Independent Test Reports Yachts and Yachting Dinghy Sailing magazine Waterkampioen Current prices and specifications are available by calling the Topper sales Office on 01233 629186 Plus + Versatile WATERKAMPIOEN TOPPER TOPAZ + Build Quality magazine 2003 + Indestructible CHAMELEON + Value for money Translated by Friesland Watersports Test Report 1 IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A NICE LITTLE BOAT FOR YOUR Reprinted from CHILDREN AND FOR YOURSELF. NOT TOO EXPENSIVE AND Waterkampioen “EXPANDABLE” SO YOU CAN STILL ENJOY IT IN THE LONG TERM. PREFERABLY NOT TOO HEAVY SO IT CAN BE ROOF TOPPED ON HOLIDAYS. THE TOPPER TOPAZ SEEMS TO FULFILL THIS IDEAL. Text Gijs Loning / Photo’s Bertel Kolthof Most people are familiar with the Laser, Optimist, Splash. One-man boats for fun and racing. But the Topper Topaz is a newcomer in this segment. More versatile than it’s rivals. The Topaz comes in six varieties. Like a chameleon it changes its appearance. From a simple one-person sailing dinghy with just one sail to a sporty boat with a large main, jib and gennaker on a propelling bowsprit. At Topper they call this chameleon-like property the “Topaz Sailing System”. Topper we know in The Netherlands from the Topper dinghy, in production over 25 years at their plant in Ashford, England. The hull from the Topaz is entirely different. It has a nose with a small fore- deck and a cockpit with an open transom. The thinking behind this is clear when you step in the boat: to create a dry, spacious and comfortable cockpit. POWDER Like the “old” Topper the Topaz is also made in a mould. The material used is Metalicine, a very high grade polyethylene which goes in to the mould in powderform. This mould looks like a big waffle-iron clamped together with a few openings to insert the ingredients. The mould is then heat- ed and rotated so the powder gets to all corners and melts to create an even layer throughout. Then a second layer is applied. This is a foam which provides stiffness to the boat and also gives buoyancy. Because of the closed cell struc- ture of this material no water can penetrate it. The mast is no longer stepped in the moulded number 12. It does not look very nice, recess in the hull, but is placed backwards on but is still very good fun. They also a special aluminium bridge. A more sophisti- own a Sharpie. Most cated boom is connected to the mast by a of my sailing experience comes from gooseneck. The even bigger mainsail (7.52 the Falcon. I’m also a square metres) is no longer sleeved, but with member of the Seascouts. My a bolt rope in a track as you would expect of little brother sails an Optimist, but this this type of rig. The sail is hoisted with a hal- doesn’t go fast enough for me, it’s no yard and can be reefed. There are more con- fun at all. I liked my uncles Laser with trols, such as a cunningham. The mainsheet TESTER a 4.7 sail much more. I saved for my runs on a bridle at the back. This version also LAURA own Splash boat, number 158. It is suits the upgraded rudder. The DUO also fea- also rather old, but hand built. My par- tures a bigger, high aspect jib (2.43 square Age 14 years ents contributed of course. I now sail metres). Length 1.65 m club regattas. Weight 58 kg I don’t think I want to become a pro- TRES fessional sailor. I’d rather keep it as The ultimate challenge for two. Like the Duo, “I cannot imagine a life without boats. my hobby.” but now equipped with a gennaker (8.60 My parents own an old Falcon class square metres) on a retractable bowsprit. keelboat, sail TEST TEAM TESTER Age 14 years DAPHNE For the purpose of this test importer Friesland Length 1.70 m Watersport brought two hulls and all the rig Weight 55 kg varieties so the Waterkampioen test team could indulge themselves. The team consists “In started sailing an Optimist aged of young but experienced sailors. Most of seven at my local club. Before that my them sail in comparable dinghies like the father had taken me in his Sixteen Laser and Splash. We were very curious what square metre class. We also own a this group would make of the motor launch, two inflatables and I concept and capabilities of the Topper Topaz. sail a Splash nowadays. I do compete, Polyethylene is not a new material to attached on the cockpit floor. The pur- sailed by one or two crew and offers I started racing in my Optimist. I was make boats. In the past some said that chase is 4:1. The centreboard and rud- similarly outstanding value to the Uno First of all the rigging. The first step is to lift brought up with sailing. My dad races champion but enjoying my sailing is boats would age under ultraviolet rays der blade are made of moulded plastic. Plus (but for those who want a bit more the hulls from the trailer. The 60kg hull is eas- an O-dinghy. Holidays are usually all more important. in sunlight. This has proved not to be power!) ily lifted by two. The boat has rubber handles about sailing. We go to O-dinghy What’s so special about the Splash? so. This was the case with ABS, a differ- UNO PLUS with a nice grip and also the gunwhale has events around the world. The Splash Nothing really. It sails.” ent kind of plastic. Another problem The same as the Uno, with the addition DUO grips that make for easy carrying. When we comes too of have to carry the boats further to the lawn a with polyethylene was said to be the of a small jib, (1.09 square metre). This This boat has a different rig as its four course. I’d like to be the national fact that you could not repair it. Also can also be bought separately at a later brothers. The mast has been replaced trolley becomes a more attractive option. untrue. Repair kits are available making stage. Where the UNO was still a one by a one piece, tapered aluminium one When I was little I took it out a lot. We Rigging the UNO is easy, a matter of putting repairs very simple. For further confi- person affair, the PLUS offers fun for with adjustable spreaders. Spreaders? also used to have a sailing yacht. We the mastpieces together and sliding the sail dence the Topaz comes complete with a two. This is the most popular version Yes, the mast now has shrouds; flying sold that and now we have a lakeside over. Righting the mast can be done easily by reassuring three year warranty on the of the Topaz. Probably because it offers the trapeze is therefore a new chal- cottage, so I am always on the water. hull. such remarkable value for money. lenge. one person. The mast fits in a hole in the hull I’ve sailed on my own from the age of and is fixed by an aluminium gate. Therefore, six or seven. And I’ve been known to The unique feature on the Topper Topaz UNO RACE Importantly the new rig sits in a differ- no fumbling around with stays. The boom win the occasional regatta. This year is – as mentioned earlier- that it comes Similar to the UNO with a larger and ent position on the deck. So no compro- clicks onto the mast and the sail nine out of ten races. I plan to sail the in six varieties. In every case the hull more powerful mainsail: 6.93 square mise is made on the boats performance attaches to the outhaul at the clew. The leach qualification regattas for the Dutch remains the same, with a different rig metres. Made from mostly Mylar; a - despite the two very different mast is tensioned by the cunningham. After that it’s TESTER nationals. Every now and again I sail each time. clear laminate reinforced with carbonfi- set ups. a matter of threading in the mainsheet, YVETTE the Splash. The year you reach 15 you bre strands. The sail has three battens. attaching the kicking strap, putting the centre- can’t race the Optimist any more. So board in its slot and attaching the rudder. It is UNO In order to handle the higher speeds a Age 14 years next year I’ll probably have to sail the a lifting rudder, that kicks up automatically The basic model with a sleeved sail of different rudder blade is recommended. Length 1.67 m Splash. But I’m not sure I want to. when you hit the ground. 5.64 square metres. Available in white It is longer and shaped more aero- Weight 49 kg Maybe a Laser? Certainly not a Cadet. or in the red, white and blue of the dynamically in order to create less drag I’d fight with the crew. I also plan to Dutch national flag. The two piece mast and made out of epoxy with glass “We have quite a few boats. An start my own team next year training is made from aluminium, which makes fibres. Optimist (my boat), an inflatable, a young children in the Optimist.” it easy to transport. Simple, yet effec- rescue, a workboat, a motorlaunch tive.