friend of mine has a top hat going pretty cheap. needs anti foul and the topsides are black which I'm not keen on. its a pretty sound boat though, but has less cockpit room than the bluebird. its about 4500. i think its time for a minor upgrade. What do you top hatters think'?
Hi Steve
i am not familiar with either yacht but what do you see as the pluses and minuses of making the change
Regards Don
Tophat will have more headroom. More seaworthy. The cockpit is smaller so has less capacity of seawater! Ones a harbour racer and the other is a small ocean going vessel. If the Tophat has an inboard then its a no brainer.
Select to expand quoteSectorsteve said..
friend of mine has a top hat going pretty cheap. needs anti foul and the topsides are black which I'm not keen on. its a pretty sound boat though, but has less cockpit room than the bluebird. its about 4500. i think its time for a minor upgrade. What do you top hatters think'?
Nothing like a can of two pack paint and roller would not fix Setorsteve. I not had much to do with the bluebird . The top hats I have there a great boat and with enough room for a good coastal adventure or two 
Buy your self a foam roller and get ready 
The reason for the upgrade is more seaworthy and headroom. Doesnt have inboard. Has good winches and everything is more robust. Its cheap enough.
Select to expand quoteSectorsteve said..
The reason for the upgrade is more seaworthy and headroom. Doesnt have inboard. Has good winches and everything is more robust. Its cheap enough.
My brother in law bought a new Baker hull back in the early eighties Mk111 and built it up he trucked it up to to the whits for his long service leave as time was limited
He and his partner had a great time sailing her around there for his 3 months leave. He still owns it .
it might be worth keeping an eye out for a good 10 hp in the future . good luck what ever you decide
Don't be afraid of the outboard, sure they're noisy and not as easy to use in the well, or on the transom (as mine is) but they're really easy to service, repair and generally look after. I have an 8hp Tohatsu 4stroke, and it quite easily outpaces a few of the diesel Top Hats I've come across.
Of course, those with diesels have their opinions too, eh NSW?
yeah I'm used to my 6hp tohatsu. its been very good. the top hat has an 8hp. thats good to hear hgo2 about the top hat in the whits. realistically it might be a while before i can afford substantial yacht upgrade - which was the plan. This top hat i can afford. Do need to sell the BB though to free up the mooring. the TH has a lot of growth on the bottom, but the bb is due for ant foul too. TH has good harken winches - even winches on the mast. i like the idea of the traveller block on the cabin top too. a lot of benefits over the bluebird. under seat storage in cockpit, chart table, headroom, lifelines, furling head sail...
When I had a Bluebird the next logical upgrade was to a Top Hat. Same makers, same period. Difference is that the Bluebird keel is bolt-on and I had no way of checking the bolts without destructive testing. The Top Hat has internal ballast which is usually trouble free. Full headroom, etc.
However the level of fit-out and condition of rigging and sails and motor could make it an expensive buy if there is a lot of things to replace. Accepted wisdom is that unless you want a project, the best buy is usually the boat in excellent condition at a higher price.
What is the history of the Top Hat? Have you checked out www.tophatyachts.com/ ?
Select to expand quoteYara said..
When I had a Bluebird the next logical upgrade was to a Top Hat. Same makers, same period. Difference is that the Bluebird keel is bolt-on and I had no way of checking the bolts without destructive testing. The Top Hat has internal ballast which is usually trouble free. Full headroom, etc.
However the level of fit-out and condition of rigging and sails and motor could make it an expensive buy if there is a lot of things to replace. Accepted wisdom is that unless you want a project, the best buy is usually the boat in excellent condition at a higher price.
What is the history of the Top Hat? Have you checked out www.tophatyachts.com/ ?
Your right Yara project boat become expensive the only trade off is very thing ends up how you want it . and you kow where and how every thing is and if it will not break when the chips are down.
Its all called B.O.A.T. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$= Poor owner 
I think that's an important trade off though HG. To have it how you want it and trusting the upgrades brings peace of mind.
A friend bought it up north 2.5 years ago.He lived on it in port stephens then set it up nicely new rigging and paint.he wanted to sail it around oz so he started preparing. He hasnt really touched it last 2 years though. Its just sitting. Cant really see it being expensive as it is what it is which is better condition than my bb with good quality rigging and winches. Slightly bigger engine. Dont think theres any electrics. I like the fact it has a good interior,fixed keel , good winches, and headroom.
Select to expand quoteHG02 said..Sectorsteve said..
The reason for the upgrade is more seaworthy and headroom. Doesnt have inboard. Has good winches and everything is more robust. Its cheap enough.
My brother in law bought a new Baker hull back in the early eighties Mk111 and built it up he trucked it up to to the whits for his long service leave as time was limited
He and his partner had a great time sailing her around there for his 3 months leave. He still owns it .
it might be worth keeping an eye out for a good 10 hp in the future . good luck what ever you decide
Sorry HGo2, that would have been a Formit hull, Baker got out of Top Hats at the Mk1 level.
Select to expand quoteMichaelR said..
Don't be afraid of the outboard, sure they're noisy and not as easy to use in the well, or on the transom (as mine is) but they're really easy to service, repair and generally look after. I have an 8hp Tohatsu 4stroke, and it quite easily outpaces a few of the diesel Top Hats I've come across.
Of course, those with diesels have their opinions too, eh NSW?
Yep, 0.9 liters per hour, have to fix them insitu though
Select to expand quote
The history on the Top Hat site is out of date and full of assumptions.
I have research the history and only have to contact somebody who worked for formit, as that is the area that is missing.
Can anybody help?
Select to expand quoteSectorsteve said..
its about 4500.
All over the place here,
Steve a good Top Hat with inboard and all the gear working sold for just over $12,000 recently.
That would be the top of the market at present.
Select to expand quotenswsailor said...Sectorsteve said..
its about 4500.
All over the place here,
Steve a good Top Hat with inboard and all the gear working sold for just over $12,000 recently.
That would be the top of the market at present.
So you think 4500 is ok?
Select to expand quotenswsailor said..HG02 said..Sectorsteve said..
The reason for the upgrade is more seaworthy and headroom. Doesnt have inboard. Has good winches and everything is more robust. Its cheap enough.
My brother in law bought a new Baker hull back in the early eighties Mk111 and built it up he trucked it up to to the whits for his long service leave as time was limited
He and his partner had a great time sailing her around there for his 3 months leave. He still owns it .
it might be worth keeping an eye out for a good 10 hp in the future . good luck what ever you decide
Sorry HGo2, that would have been a Formit hull, Baker got out of Top Hats at the Mk1 level.
so sorry for that misinformation of mine 
Go to the Top Hat site and join, then ask for one of the local owners to have a look for you.
I can't tell from your very short description.
For four and a half grand it does not matter much if all the basics are there. Smaller yachts are now that cheap its getting ridiculous and will continue so. The only problem is getting rid of the other boat, Bluebirds sell for silly money too and unless we have another TV show like "Water Police" that was busy blowing up Bluebirds for the show, then they will be quietly cluttering up our waterways.
Yeah i havent had 1 enquiry yet....might not be able to sell.
am i.allowed to blow up my bluebird?
For four and a half grand it does not matter much if all the basics are there. Smaller yachts are now that cheap its getting ridiculous and will continue so. The only problem is getting rid of the other boat, Bluebirds sell for silly money too and unless we have another TV show like "Water Police" that was busy blowing up Bluebirds for the show, then they will be quietly cluttering up our waterways.
Select to expand quotenswsailor said..Lot of Fleet Owners out there!
Yeah, I have been an Admiral before and didn't like it so I demoted myself back to Captain of one ship with a small flotilla of tenders.
