Choosing a boat: URGENT CHOICE

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URGENT CHOICE - Topper ISO

Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: General
Forum Name: Choosing a boat
Forum Discription: Ask any questions about the sport!
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5146
Printed Date: 06 Aug 25 at 1:28pm
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Topic: URGENT CHOICE - Topper ISO

Posted By: Gladys
Subject: URGENT CHOICE - Topper ISO
Date Posted: 08 Feb 09 at 5:43pm

Has anyone sailed a Topper ISO?

While searching for a boat i've found one at an amazing price but they want a quick decision?

Any advice is brilliant!

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You're a sailor when you will leave port in any wind,
You're a good sailor when you can get back!

Replies:

Posted By: Rockhopper
Date Posted: 08 Feb 09 at 5:56pm

not sailed one but have seem them close up at the club an open every year so if the price is right buy it and enjoy it.just check the transom as they do have a tendancy to crack.

andy

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Retired now after 35 seasons in a row and time for a rest.
2004 national champ Laser5000
2007,2010,National Champ Rs Vareo

Posted By: ratface
Date Posted: 08 Feb 09 at 6:10pm

sailed one, in light winds/marginal trapezing and it felt very cramped to me( i was crew) dont know how they do on handicap tho.

also its good is you+crew/helm are light enough to be allowed the wings as without them they aren't that nice to sail

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http://www.blym.org.uk/ - BLYM
http://www.blym.org.uk/hydrs/index.htm - Hertfordshire Sailing team
Uk-Cherub 2644
Laser 4000 -4089

Posted By: JimC
Date Posted: 08 Feb 09 at 6:48pm

I'm sure they *say* they want a quick decision: who wouldn't. But I doubt they'd got a queue of buyers lined up for an ISO in this day and age.

One thing I've learned over the years is never be rushed into a deal. If someone's trying to rush you its for their benefit and most definitely not for yours. And even if they do sell it elsewhere there's *always* a better deal if you're prepared to wait and look around. The only time its right to rush is if its "its free but collect it this weekend or it goes down the tip".

As for the ISO as a boat: I've sailed them a moderate amount. There are worse boats, but the class didn't kick the bucket because it was great. As a forward hand I always found them very uncomfortable and all those Topper rigs were pretty poor.

I've seen cracks on the deck mouldings in a variety of places, not just the transom.

Posted By: neilgb
Date Posted: 08 Feb 09 at 6:54pm

If you want a cheap boat that is good fun buy it..... will give 4000s a run for their money and a really supportive and active class assocation..they are also a really robust boat and will take whatever you throw at them......think about weight as lighter crew sometimes go for the Buzz (generally slightly more expensive). They are actually fine to sail without wings if you are heavy enough (crew weight over 78kgs I think).

Posted By: neilgb
Date Posted: 08 Feb 09 at 7:10pm

Just read the above and agree don't rush into it as they do become available quite frequently. In fact a lot are going to Europe where there is a growing following... despite the comment they still have a strong and loyal following in the UK........it definately has'nt 'kicked the bucket' and as most will know the ISO set the standard for popular access to single trapeze asymmetrics. Not sure where the 'Topper rigs pretty poor came' from........ I would agree with a lot of Toppers but on the ISO it is pretty good and relatively easy to handle (slightly easier than the 4k)....why not see if you can have a test sail.The class have developed new sails with Hyde which have given the boat a bit of a facelift. Its actually about how much you want to spend and what type of sailing you want to do....... Have a looka the CA website, lots of up to date info plus a list of lots of events for next year (just to show it has'nt kicked the bucket !)

(I should say I am biased because I have on older ISO which is excellent fun when its windy !)

Posted By: alstorer
Date Posted: 08 Feb 09 at 8:42pm

I crewed one for a season- they're not a bad boat, really, for the money. They are heavy, which slows them down, but from sailing against 4000s, that 20 point PY diffference is a bit, um, wrong. Even with the older (Sobstad) sails. It'll do for cheap thrills, certianly.

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-_
Al

Posted By: Rupert
Date Posted: 09 Feb 09 at 1:48pm

If they want that quick a decision, offer them even less than they are asking...

And they do go pretty cheap on ebay, too.

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Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686

Posted By: radixon
Date Posted: 09 Feb 09 at 2:15pm

If its not the boat you want, don't rush into it just because they want a "quick decision"

Call them up and offer them a reduced price. If they turn it down, ring them a week later and ask if its still available, get your mum or someone else to ask as it will be a different voice. May find they are rushing you as they want to sell (more a Trader trick that)

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Posted By: Chew my RS
Date Posted: 09 Feb 09 at 2:23pm

I had one for 3 or 4 years.

Check the sails, especially the jib. The original Sobstad jibs were awful.

Check the space frame has been modifed, if its an old boat. The fore/aft part should not stick out into the kite chute. This was modified by Topper for free.

Check the around the holes were the wings slot in - will almost certainly be cracked, but probably just cosmetic.

Check the rudder stock. Check the transom.

Check the mast is straight.

Check it doesn't leak.

That may sound a bit negative, but its no worse than any other boat. The boat is fairly heavy and the sheet loads are quite high, but they are fun boats.

Its definately a buyers market at the moment, so don't be rushed into making a decision.

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http://www.sailns14.org - http://www.sailns14.org - The ultimate family raceboat now available in the UK

Posted By: craiggo
Date Posted: 09 Feb 09 at 9:22pm

If its been sailed by lightweights and its got the wings, then check the pins on the wings. Where they go into the hull they tended to crack and break. If your heavy and dont need the wings, then not really an issue.

As everyone has said they arn't bad boats just outdated now in terms of performance assymetric. From a helms point of view they are very good boats although the ridges in the deck tend to chew your shins up and the non-slip eats your knees, but very competent boat. Look out for sails, the original sobstad jibs tend to de-laminate pretty quickly, the new Hydes are lovely sails. Rudder stocks are a bit of a pain due to the lift the tiller then push it then lock it down system. The corner of the ratchet on the stock tended to round off and if you didnt have a pin through it, the rudder would kick up while your sailing.

As with any boat, have a test sail and if your unsure walk away and re-consider.

Paul