Topper (dinghy)
The Topper is an 11 foot 43 kg (95 lb) sailing dinghy designed by Ian Proctor. The Topper is a one-design boat sailed mostly around the British Isles. It was recognised as a World Sailing Class. The boat is constructed from polypropylene, and 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 are talented young sailors who are given specialist race coaching.
 Class symbol | |
 Toppers at Stewartby Open 2005 | |
| Development | |
|---|---|
| Designer | Ian Proctor |
| Year | 1977 |
| Design | One-Design |
| Boat | |
| Crew | 1 |
| Hull | |
| Type | Monohull |
| Construction | Polypropylene |
| Hull weight | 94 lb (43 kg) |
| LOA | 11 ft 1 in (3.38 m) |
| Beam | 3 ft 11 in (1.19 m) |
| Hull appendages | |
| Keel/board type | Daggerboard |
| Rig | |
| Rig type | Cat rig |
| Sails | |
| Mainsail area | 57 sq ft (5.3 m2) 45 sq ft (4.2 m2) |
| Racing | |
| D-PN | 110.4[1] |
| RYA PN | 1301[2] |
Class history and design
The Topper was designed by Ian Proctor in 1977 as a One-Design racing boat.[3] The Topper has been in continuous production for over four decades and over 50,000 examples have now been sold.[4][5] The Topper dinghy is built in the UK, to the One-Design of Ian Proctor, 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 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] Following this change from the GRP to the injection moulded Polypropylene hull, sales of the Topper soared.[7]
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,[8] which can optionally be used in favour of the standard 5.3 m² sail.[9] 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 2018, development began of a new 6.8m rig for the Topper [10]
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 Zone 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
World Championships
Year |
Gold | Silver | Bronze |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 Dubai (UAE) |
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| 1998 Carnac (FRA) |
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| 2000 Cushendall (GBR) |
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| 2002 Workum (NED) |
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| 2004 Carnac (FRA) |
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| 2006 Malcesine (ITA) |
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| 2007 Malcesine (ITA) |
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| 2008 IRL |
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| 2009 AUT |
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| 2010 ITA |
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| 2011 Dun Laoghaire (IRL) |
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| 2012 Workum (NL) |
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| 2013 Loctudy (FRA) |
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| 2014 Pwllheli (GBR) |
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| 2015 Garda (ITA) |
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| 2016 Ballyholme (GBR) |
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| 2017 Loctudy (FRA) |
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| 2018 Shenzen (CHN) |
insufficient races to produce a World Champion | ||
| 2019 5.3m2 Medemblik (NED) 152 Boats[11] |
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| 2019 4.2m2 Medemblik (NED) 47 Boats[12] |
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| 2020 Riva Del Garda (ITA) |
postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic |
See also
References
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Topper (dinghy). |
- "Centerboard Classes-Inactive". US Sailing. Archived from the original on 16 August 2012. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
- "Portsmouth Number List 2012". Royal Yachting Association. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
- "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.
- "Topper Dinghy". www.go-sail.co.uk. Retrieved 28 June 2010.
- "The Topper". www.itcaworld.org. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 28 June 2010.
- "The Topper". www.toppersailboats.com/. Archived from the original on 5 May 2010. Retrieved 28 June 2010.
- "Topper". minisail.prv.pl. Archived from the original on 27 November 2010. Retrieved 28 June 2010.
- "Topper 4.2: SAIL NUMBERS & NATIONAL LETTERING" (PDF). www.itcaworld.org. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 28 June 2010.
- "Online shop / Topper / Sails". www.toppersailboats.com. Retrieved 28 June 2010.
- https://www.facebook.com/toppersailboats/posts/10155781787606301?__xts__[0]=68.ARD3vAqjiuYJVS07IrSYWIjaLP82IU-UsL6JrW4830EvmpHaYNqBCxFjx0ZAtw8u1e4jjNE3hpfG_r3g17mSOgjGzA5gRUO0dvTh7LTTWO_iNzbpTXf5SnYDi45189WU51cMAD3VnfDbyxUV5MB41yTyU0Qt3Ct4Qrg0dNg4C_BGC_LdIkvR9Bnn6vJFQV-eNWHPFm_QBHgErEQU4-NuVQ6rQgdTud5k1xFz24ONz2ncItSHFR9MLeXKzLUNJnnjnyp83w2Rul3VwGzVNasmj_yOoM3FOwE6WnaNY7s-kyhTbuKn5EKjvVHPXIf-Mq47siFSYGl-ak3RXXBxXBZs&__tn__=-R
- https://www.sailing.today/5c924cce14b8bd35fa24f323/results
- https://www.sailing.today/5c924cce14b8bd35fa24f323/results