Topper Bigger sail?

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PY numbers are pretty out of date mind you.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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Sam.Spoons Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 07 Mar 12 Location: Manchester UK Online Status: Offline Posts: 3393	Post Options Post Reply Quote Sam.Spoons Report Post Quote Reply 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useful resource for comparing boat's basic specs http://www.noblemarine.co.uk/dinghydatabase.php3 PY numbers are pretty out of date mind you.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

bicrider Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Groupie Joined: 14 Jan 14 Online Status: Offline Posts: 40	Post Options Post Reply Quote bicrider Report Post Quote Reply 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.
	Dart 18 5054 "Willy Flipit" Finn K333 Yellow (faded) Pico "Willy Tipit"

Sam.Spoons Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 07 Mar 12 Location: Manchester UK Online Status: Offline Posts: 3393	Post Options Post Reply Quote Sam.Spoons Report Post Quote Reply 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?

EddyP Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 11 Jan 17 Online Status: Offline Posts: 15	Post Options Post Reply Quote EddyP Report Post Quote Reply 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?

JimC Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 17 May 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 6644	Post Options Post Reply Quote JimC Report Post Quote Reply 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.

oldbaldbloke Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 19 Jan 17 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 2	Post Options Post Reply Quote oldbaldbloke Report Post Quote Reply 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.

JimC Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 17 May 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 6644	Post Options Post Reply Quote JimC Report Post Quote Reply 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

PeterV Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Posting king Joined: 24 Feb 07 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 131	Post Options Post Reply Quote PeterV Report Post Quote Reply 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.
	PeterV Finn K197, Finn GBR564, GK29 Warsash

Rupert Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 11 Aug 04 Location: Whitefriars sc Online Status: Offline Posts: 8956	Post Options Post Reply Quote Rupert Report Post Quote Reply 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.
	Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686

Sam.Spoons Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 07 Mar 12 Location: Manchester UK Online Status: Offline Posts: 3393	Post Options Post Reply Quote Sam.Spoons Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 19 Jan 17 at 11:43pm
	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.........