The Topper Topaz is a British single-handed or two-handed sailing dinghy that was designed as a beginner and intermediate racer. The boat is referred to by the manufacturer as the ''Topaz System'', as the basic hull can be fitted with four interchangeable rig and sail combinations, with the aim of matching performance to sailor skill level. The design is recognized as an

International Sailing Federation International is an adjective (also used as a noun) meaning "between nations". International may also refer to: Music Albums * ''International'' (Kevin Michael album), 2011 * ''International'' (New Order album), 2002 * ''International'' (The T ...

(ISAF) ''Learn To Sail Class'' and was named ''Best Dinghy'' by ''Sail Magazine''.

Production

The design is built by

Topper International Topper or Toppers may refer to: Brand names *Harley-Davidson Topper, a motor scooter manufactured from 1960 to 1965 * Topper Corp., an American toy manufacturer during 1960s and early 1970s *Topper (sports), a sportswear brand in Argentina and Br ...

in the United Kingdom.

Design

The Topaz is a recreational sailboat, with the hull built from a Metalicene superlinear polyethylene and honeycomb structure tri-laminate. It has a fractional

sloop A sloop is a sailboat with a single mast typically having only one headsail in front of the mast and one mainsail aft of (behind) the mast. Such an arrangement is called a fore-and-aft rig, and can be rigged as a Bermuda rig with triangular sa ...

rig, with a tapered mast, a plumb stem, a reverse transom, a transom-hung rudder controlled by a tiller with a hiking stick and a

daggerboard A daggerboard is a retractable centreboard used by various sailing craft. While other types of centreboard may pivot to retract, a daggerboard slides in a casing. The shape of the daggerboard converts the forward motion into a windward lift, cou ...

. The hull displaces

Variants

;Topaz Uno Plus :This base model has a dacron mainsail and jib with an area totalling ;Topaz Race :This model has a clear, fully-battened mylar mainsail and jib with an area totalling ;Topaz Race X :This model has a clear, fully-battened mylar mainsail and jib with an area totalling , plus an asymmetrical spinnaker. ;Topaz Tres X :This model has a clear, fully-battened mylar mainsail and jib with an area totalling , plus an asymmetrical spinnaker and a trapeze.

Operational history

An evaluation published in ''Yachts and Yachting'' concluded that the Race X model provides "seriously fast sailing for the club sailor right through to a professional sailor. The asymmetric system is simple, easy to use and easy to rig and takes the boat to yet another level only found in boats costing twice the retail price." About the Tres the report states, "Once the kite pinnakeris up, the Tres fairly shoots away. Reaching performance is truly in the apparent wind sailing league". In a ''Sailing World'' article in 2017, American writer Tim Zimmermann praised the design as the ideal boat for a family with young children learning to sail. He indicated that the boat combines excitement, durability, versatility, is fast to rig and de-rig, "semi-indestructible", affordable and able to accommodate a three or more children, or a child and an adult.

References

External links