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Topper Bigger sail?

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Sam.Spoons View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Sam.Spoons Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Topper Bigger sail?
    Posted: 24 Jan 17 at 5:05pm
Another question for the OP, You mention a topper fitting in the back of your van, it's 3.4m long, a Pico is 3.5m a Topaz is a lot longer at 3.86m. Where would you have to draw the line for it to fit in your van? The Topaz is not bad for singlehanding by a reasonable sized adult (a windsurfing pal of mine had one for some time before buying an L3k 18 months ago) but I suspect it might be too big. it's also a fair bit heavier than the Topper (60kg hull weight against 43kg and a more complicated thus heavier rig).

This is quite a useful resource for comparing boat's basic specs  http://www.noblemarine.co.uk/dinghydatabase.php3 
PY numbers are pretty out of date mind you.


Edited by Sam.Spoons - 24 Jan 17 at 5:10pm
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bicrider View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote bicrider Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Jan 17 at 4:43pm
Just an idea but I am 6'4" and 17 stone and I sail my kids Pico with the larger Rooster race sail. Yes in the light stuff it is a bit cramped and to beat upwind I find myself sitting up past the main sheets cleats. But if I am not trying to race it and just out in a heavy breeze its great fun. Laser say the standard sail is 5.14m2 and the sport sail is 6.44m2 and made from mylar and has battens. But despite what Laser say about being able to go on a roof rack I would not and it is not a 1 man job if you do give it a try.
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Sam.Spoons View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Sam.Spoons Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Jan 17 at 3:08pm
Most sailing centres have a fleet of toppers which can be hired out for a modest fee. Where abouts in the South are you?
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Post Options Post Options   Quote EddyP Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Jan 17 at 2:45pm
Think all of this has given me enough to work with too, I'm a little on lighter side so I think a topper is the way to go. Does anyone know any sort of 'test-drive' facility/retailer in the South? Does such a thing even exist?
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JimC View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote JimC Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Jan 17 at 1:31pm
> Maybe the extra forces would break something.
The spars are a little bit more delicate than ideal as they are when the kids haul everything on tight.
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Post Options Post Options   Quote oldbaldbloke Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Jan 17 at 12:28pm
Hi everyone
Thank you for your responses.
I guess everything's a compromise.
I agree a Laser sounds great and probably makes most sense. However I think I then have to tow and drive to a beach further from home.

Maybe just accepting a topper for what it is and giving it a go is what I have to do . If it doesn't work my kids could use it.

I suppose I am looking for something that doesn't exist. Maybe I need to just start windsurfing again! Maybe that's how windsurfing was invented?

The thing is I live so close to the beach in Dorset and I wanted a solution where I could go to my local beach and sail with the minimum fuss. No trailer ,no driving long distances.

If any one has ever experimented with a bigger sail I'd love to hear , but I guess if it was doable someone would have tried it by now. Maybe the extra forces would break something.

Thanks again for sharing your thoughts.
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JimC View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote JimC Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Jan 17 at 12:23pm
At 12.5 stone you can go sailing quite happily in a Topper, and it won't handle badly. The spars would fold up if you put a bigger sail on though. Grab a sail in one and see how you get on. But if if does turn out too small you can always sell it on. Always buyers for them, unlike more obscure boats.

Edited by JimC - 20 Jan 17 at 12:24pm
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Post Options Post Options   Quote PeterV Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Jan 17 at 12:00pm
If you're happy to accept the Topper for what it is there's no reason why you cannot enjoy it. It's great for carrying to a beach, sailing in swimming trunks and having a blast when it's too rough for anything else to go out. I'm the same size as you and I've done all this with ours despite also sailing a Finn.
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Rupert Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Jan 17 at 7:57am
I don't know whether the hull would take a bigger rig. I wondered about transferring a 7.5m Minisail rig straight across. The current spars would have issues, I think. I sailed a Topper for a few years as an adult, but only weighed about 10 1/2 stone at the time. Great for a blast in a strong wind, frustrating to race in the light stuff.

Take a look at the Comet, too. Similar length, but more hull volume and a bigger rig.
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Sam.Spoons View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Sam.Spoons Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Jan 17 at 11:43pm
Big smile I always wondered about a big raceboard rig on a Topper but, even down to weight (which I'll bet most weren't) it's a bloody heavy windsurfer.........
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