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Topper (dinghy)

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Topper
A stylised silhouette of a top hat
Class symbol
Toppers at Stewartby Open 2005
Development
DesignerIan Proctor
Year1977
DesignOne-Design
NameTopper
Boat
Crew1
Hull
TypeMonohull
ConstructionPolypropylene/Polyethylene
Hull weight94 lb (43 kg)
LOA11 ft 1 in (3.38 m)
Beam3 ft 11 in (1.19 m)
Hull appendages
Keel/board typeDaggerboard
Rig
Rig typeCat rig
Sails
Mainsail area6.4 m2 (69 sq ft)

5.3 m2 (57 sq ft)

4.2 m2 (45 sq ft)
Racing
D-PN110.4[1]
RYA PN1301[2]

The Topper is an 11 foot 43 kg (95 lb) sailing dinghy designed by Ian Proctor. The Topper was a one-design boat until 2023 when a new version was produced, and is sailed mostly around the British Isles. It was recognised as a World Sailing Class. The boat previously constructed from polypropylene, and now roto moulded, is popular as a racing boat or for sail training. The class association (ITCA) organise racing events, which range from small travellers to major championships. The RYA run squads alongside the events; in these squads young sailors who are given specialist race coaching.

Class history and design

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The Topper was designed by Ian Proctor in 1977 as a One-Design racing boat.[3] The Topper was initially manufactured and developed by John Dunhill of J V Dunhill Boats Ltd and has been in continuous production for over four decades and over 49,000 examples have now been sold.[4][5] The Topper dinghy is built in the UK by Topper International Ltd. owned by Martin Fry who purchased the company from Guinness Leisure in 1983. In 1977 the boat won the Design Council Award and the Horner Award for achievements in plastics. The Topper featured in the BBC show Tomorrow’s World with its innovative construction in polypropylene.

The Topper dinghy is widely used for racing, but it has also gained popularity as a boat in which to learn how to sail.[4] The Topper was originally designed with a glass reinforced plastic (GRP) hull making it a relatively light but durable boat, however, it was later decided that the Topper should be constructed with injection moulding, using polypropylene,[5] which is less expensive but heavier and less rigid.[5][6][7]

In 2021, the injection mould was damaged beyond repair and would have required replacement. As this was not financially viable, the boat was redesigned to be rotomoulded in polyethylene. The new version was introduced in 2023.[8]

Toppers at the 2006 National Championships, WPNSA

Although the Topper was originally rigged with an aft mainsheet, since 2004 the option to use a centre main has been allowed. The motivation for such a change being that most other dinghies, including the ones Topper sailors are likely to advance to, are rigged with centre mainsheets.[5]

In 2005 a smaller 4.2 m2 sail was approved,[9] which can optionally be used in favour of the standard 5.3 m2 sail.[10] The smaller sail is more efficient than a larger sail that is reefed. The first 4.2m² national championships were held in 2010.[7]

In 2020, after two years of development, a new 6.4m² rig for the Topper was introduced.[11]

At 11' the Topper is named for the ability to transport it on the roof of a car, and the mast splits into two sections, allowing the spars to be stored and transported.[7]

Despite the age of the design, the Topper Class remains one of the fastest growing classes in the UK, with a very active national association. The Topper class is a recognised World Sailing International Class since 2005. The GBR Nationals and the World Championships often have over 200 boats.

The largest fleet is in Great Britain where the class is part of the RYA "pathway" class program with turnouts at the RYA regional Championships and the highest percentage of RYA Transitional Youth Squad members. Most 'GB Young Sailor of the Year' nominations in recent years have come from within the Topper Class.

Event

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World Championships

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Gold Silver Bronze
1992
Dummersee (GER)
 Tim Willis (GBR)  Stephen Cleland (GBR)  Mikael Norberg (SWE)
1994
Helenburgh (GBR)
 Gordon Miller (GBR)  Austin Bailey (GBR)  Graham Priestley (GBR)
1996
Dubai (UAE)
 Niel Marston (GBR)  Renee Smith (AUS)  Cameron Miller (UAE)
1998
Carnac (FRA)
 Robert Carver (UAE)  Tim Hulse (GBR)  James Grant (GBR)
2000
Cushendall (GBR)
 Mark Heather (GBR)  Richard Peacock (GBR)  Andy Brooks (GBR)
2002
Workum (NED)
 Campbell Davidsion (GBR)  Chris Catt (GBR)  Steven Jackson (GBR)
2004
Carnac (FRA)
 Eifon Mon (GBR)  Craig Paul (GBR)  Thomas Dawbar (GBR)
2006
Malcesine (ITA)
 Andrew Brown (GBR)  Bleddyn Mon (GBR)  Michael Wood (GBR)
2007
Malcesine (ITA)
 Michael Wood (GBR)  Andrew Brown (GBR)  Freddie Connor (GBR)
2008
IRL
 Elliot Hanson (GBR)  Richard Cumpsty (GBR)  Jonathan Hewat (GBR)
2009
AUT
 Andrew Bridgman (GBR)  Finn Lynch (ITA)  Felicity Foulds (GBR)
2010
ITA
 Michele Benamati (ITA)  Giovanni Benamati (ITA)  Edward Jones (GBR)
2011
Dun Laoghaire (IRL)
 Matt Venables (GBR)  Robbie Robinson (GBR)  Patrick Crosbie (IRL)
2012
Workum (NL)
 Giles Kuzyk (GBR)  Edward Higson (GBR)  Felix Crowther (GBR)
2013
Loctudy (FRA)
 Liam Glynn (IRL)  Thomas Wallwork (GBR)  Georgie MCKENZIe (GBR)
2014
Pwllheli (GBR)
 Calum Rosie (GBR)  Adam D'Arcy (IRL)  Tom Walker (GBR)
2015
Garda (ITA)
 Vittorio Gallinaro (ITA)  Patrick Zeni (ITA)  Niamh Harper (GBR)
2016
Ballyholme (GBR)
 Elliott Kuzyk (GBR)  Tim Hartnell (GBR)  Sam Cooper (GBR)
2017
Loctudy (FRA)
 Scott Wilkinson (GBR)  Samuel Cooper (GBR)  Dan McGaughey (IRL)
2018
Shenzhen (CHN)
insufficient races to produce a World Champion
2019 5.3m²
Medemblik (NED)
152 Boats[12]
 Leo Wilkinson (GBR)  Kate Robertson (GBR)  Yikang Su (CHN)
2019 4.2m²
Medemblik (NED)
47 Boats[12]
 Yushuo Liao (CHN)  Bjorn Handley (GBR)  Jiahan Chen (CHN)
2022 5.3m²
Riva Del Garda (ITA)
144 Boats[13]
 Joe Rowe (GBR)  Bobby Driscoll (IRL)  Jake Rawes (GBR)
2022 4.2m²
Riva Del Garda (ITA)
26 Boats[14]
 Calum Pollard (IRL)  Amelia Smith (GBR)  Ethan Rhodes (GBR)
2023 5.3m²
Cork (IRL)
196 Boats[15]
 Alex Jones (GBR)  Ruoque Su (CHN)  Rory Clow (GBR)
2023 4.2m²
Cork (IRL)
60 Boats[16]
 Rory Whyte (IRL)  Andrew O'Neill (IRL)  Che Liu (CHN)

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Centerboard Classes-Inactive". US Sailing. Archived from the original on 16 August 2012. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
  2. ^ "Portsmouth Number List 2012". Royal Yachting Association. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
  3. ^ "2005 INTERNATIONAL TOPPER (5.3m2) and Topper 4.2 m2 CLASS RULES" (PDF). ISAF. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 28 June 2010.
  4. ^ a b "Topper Dinghy". www.go-sail.co.uk. Retrieved 28 June 2010.
  5. ^ a b c d "The Topper". www.itcaworld.org. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 28 June 2010.
  6. ^ "The Topper". www.toppersailboats.com/. Archived from the original on 5 May 2010. Retrieved 28 June 2010.
  7. ^ a b c "Topper". minisail.prv.pl. Archived from the original on 27 November 2010. Retrieved 28 June 2010.
  8. ^ "Article by Roger Proctor on the new rota moulding process to produce the Polyethylene Topper hull. This was a controversial development because the new design removes the traditional, coloured deck. It lacks the large daggerboard plate, replacing it with a much smaller one only at the aft of the board; has three watertight compartments (two at the front of the cockpit, one on port the other on starboard, a further smaller one at the aft of the cockpit); central selfbailer; adjustable side toestrap; tighter mast gate; the lip on the stern is gone; is about 4 kg lighter than the previous design. This caused debate among the fleet about whether the new boats would be faster than the old ones. Leo Yates (Topper National Champion 2022) said the new boats were much stiffer. They appear to be balanced on upwind boatspeed but the new boats are faster downwind in waves". www.itcaworld.org. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
  9. ^ "Topper 4.2: SAIL NUMBERS & NATIONAL LETTERING" (PDF). www.itcaworld.org. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 28 June 2010.
  10. ^ "Online shop / Topper / Sails". www.toppersailboats.com. Retrieved 28 June 2010.
  11. ^ Heyes, John (11 March 2020). "The NEW Topper 6.4". Yachts and Yachting.
  12. ^ a b https://www.sailing.today/5c924cce14b8bd35fa24f323/results [dead link]
  13. ^ https://www.itcaworld.org/assets/itcamedia/documents/Gold%20fleet%20after%204%20races%20with%20ufd.pdf
  14. ^ https://www.itcaworld.org/assets/itcamedia/documents/Topper%204.2%20after%2011%20races.%20friday.pdf
  15. ^ https://www.royalcork.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/5.3-Results-Finals.htm
  16. ^ https://www.royalcork.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/4.htm
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