Race Management: Topper Topaz Taz PY

Topper Topaz Taz PY

Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: General
Forum Name: Race Management
Forum Discription: For race officers and competiors to discuss the topic
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=11509
Printed Date: 28 Jun 25 at 6:39am
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Topic: Topper Topaz Taz PY

Posted By: Medway Maniac
Subject: Topper Topaz Taz PY
Date Posted: 09 Jun 14 at 12:47pm

I've always been baffled by the sheer number of boats under the name Topper Topaz.

We have recently had a Taz http://www.toppersailboats.com/taz_stats.aspx" rel="nofollow - http://www.toppersailboats.com/taz_stats.aspx join our junior racing. The PY of 1600 suggested by Topper looks quite ludicrous to me, given that the Oppie is two feet shorter and races on 1658 with a spritsail.

My best estimates range between 1295 and 1370 according to crew weight (30 or 40kg, resp.), which seem not unreasonable compared to the shorter RS Tera Pro which rates 1351.

Does anyone have experience of this boat's racing abilities?

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http://www.wilsoniansc.org.uk" rel="nofollow - Wilsonian SC
http://www.3000class.org.uk" rel="nofollow - 3000 Class

Replies:

Posted By: JimC
Date Posted: 09 Jun 14 at 12:54pm

Originally posted by Medway Maniac

I've always been baffled by the sheer number of boats under the name Topper Topaz.

So, judging by the returns, is the average club RO and Sailing Sec.

Posted By: alstorer
Date Posted: 09 Jun 14 at 4:17pm

it would be OK if it was simply the brand for the range of rotomolded boats. But for the Topaz itself (which has no additional name) there's been, over the years, about three hundred different rig and sail permutations.

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Al

Posted By: kevg
Date Posted: 09 Jun 14 at 6:32pm

When my son had a TAZ we had this problem. Plus we had a sprit sail, 4m ish Dacron and silly Mylar race sail.

For the 4m Dacron sail we initially used 1325, same as suggested for the Topper 4.2) subsequently 1550 was used after outside information from Topper.

I think 1450 similar to a RS Tera Sport (not the Pro rig) is reasonable.

Posted By: Medway Maniac
Date Posted: 09 Jun 14 at 11:11pm

Originally posted by kevg

I think 1450 similar to a RS Tera Sport (not the Pro rig) is reasonable.

Except that the Taz has 19% more sail area and a somewhat longer waterline, so unless Ian Howlett has designed an unfair hull - unlikely I’d suggest - the Taz ought to be quicker than the Tera Sport.

But thanks - at least we can be pretty certain that 1600 is not on!

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http://www.wilsoniansc.org.uk" rel="nofollow - Wilsonian SC
http://www.3000class.org.uk" rel="nofollow - 3000 Class