Topper Fleet

Topper Fleet Captain: Peter Dunn

The Topper is proving to be one of the most popular boats within the under 16's, but if you are still light and flexible enough, then the Topper can be sailed at any age.

The Topper dinghy is a favourite when it comes to learning to sail. Almost every club and water sports centre has at least one! Over 50000 Toppers have now been sold. Injection moulded from polypropylene (the same material used for car bumpers), the Topper requires no real maintenance.

John Driscoll (the Royal Yachting Association's Sailing Coach) stated:

"The Topper dinghy has a unique place in the world of sailing instruction. It has made a greater contribution to the development of teaching techniques than any other boat in the last ten years, and its role is never likely to be challenged by any other type of dinghy."

The Topper dinghy is car-toppable (hence the name!) and can be rigged in a matter of minutes, sailed, and righted by a child. The boat is stronger and lighter than any other comparable boat and is easy to handle on the water and ashore. The Topper dinghy is virtually maintenance free and its proven track record of reliability means that resale values are very good. Most people sell their beloved Topper for about the same they paid for it.

The Topper has also become one of the top racing classes of it's type within the U.K. and because of it's world wide racing pedigree, it has attained full international racing status from the International Sailing Federation.

SailingDinghy Specifications
Length	: 3.4m
Beam	: 1.2m
Weight	: 43.kg
Sail Area	: 5.2m sq
Portsmouth Yardstick	: 1288

The Youth Squad or Shustoke Sharks are dominated by Topper sailors. But we are also very lucky to have more experienced adult sailors who are more than willing to help.

If you want to find out more about our Topper fleet then please come and have a chat, I am normally at the club most Saturdays, helping Jane and our kids run Sharks.