TOPPER 4.2

History

The Topper class has been hugely successful over the whole of its forty year history and increasingly so, as a racing boat, over the last ten. Fleets have grown and the training opportunities are the best available in the UK. However, despite changes to the controls, including the centre-main and a 6:1 downhaul, the boat is still a powerful one for anyone under about 45 kg. The younger and lighter sailors were demanding some of the action; why should they miss out on all the fun?

I (Dave Cockerill) had become aware of a couple of clubs who were using old cut down sails to train sailors in windy weather and I also realised how poor the reefed 5.3 sail was. The answer seemed clear; there was an opportunity to develop a small rig for the Topper. Originally Sailing Solutions marketed them as training sails but when Topper International and the Class Association saw the benefits, the idea of making an official version gathered pace.

In 2005 the official version was launched and clubs and parents have come back to me with very positive comments about the way it performs and the effect it has on the development of younger and lighter sailors.

It could have been designed to be used in conjunction with a shorter top mast but I felt that keeping the price down was an important consideration so the original top mast was retained and the 4.2 sail was sleeved to allow for the shorter luff length.

The Rationale

The 4.2 sail is very special. It’s much nicer to use than the 5.3 sail because the extra area has been taken out of the back of the sail. The centre of push on the 5.3 sail is behind the centre of pivot of the daggerboard so the whole boat tends to turn into the wind and can be difficult to bear away. This is especially a problem when it is windy or when the boat is allowed to heel. It is possible to lessen this problem by using a lot of downhaul when sailing upwind in a breeze which is why coaches go on about downhaul so much.

With a 4.2 sail the rig is much better balanced because the centre of push is over the centre of pivot.

Now if you are a 50-60 kg Topper sailor the extra area of the 5.3 sail is rather useful but if you are 35-45kg 4.2 sq m is just fine and especially when it is windy you can learn to sail a boat rather than fight it all round the racecourse.

It is not a sail for wimps; it is the best sail for lighter sailors to develop their skills more quickly. With this in mind there is a move to make it a new class rather than an alternative sail for windy weather.

TOPPER 4.2 not a Topper with a small sail.

ITCA (GBR) has announced that in 2010 it will promote the Topper with the 4.2 rig as a separate class to the full 5.3 rig.

For 2010 there will be a new Topper 4.2 National Series that will run alongside the well established Craftinsure National Series for the full rig. Although taking place on the same weekends, the 4.2s will have their own event on separate courses.

The dates for the Topper 4.2 2010 National Series are:

February 20th/21st - Rutland Water Sailing Club

April 17th/18th - Datchet Reservoir Sailing Club

May 1st/2nd - Grafham Water Sailing Club

June 5th/6th - Derwent Reservoir Sailing Club

July 10th/11th - Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy.

Lighter sailors are strongly encouraged to enter these events using the 4.2 rig where good quality, close racing is guaranteed.

Sailing Solutions Topper 4.2 National Championships

For all other events the Topper 4.2 class will compete on the same weekends and at the same venues as the Topper 5.3 but not their National Championships. A separate Topper 4.2 National Championship will take place on17th/18th July at Leigh & Lowton Sailing Club, generously sponsored by Sailing Solutions (last year first prize was a 5.3 sail). So here is an opportunity for the smaller Topper 5.3 sailors to borrow a 4.2 sail and experience a National Championships with slightly less than 350 boats! Oh and have loads of fun at a terrific venue!

TOPPER 4.2 National Squad

Last year, the first Topper 4.2 National Squad was selected and will be training over the winter under the guidance of Dave Cockerill ably assisted by Nikki Sharp and Andy Millington. Later this year the selection criteria for the 2010/11 Topper 4.2 National Squad will be announced. The squad is generously sponsored by Topper International. You will see their squad jackets and buoyancy aid badges at the big events!

Dave Cockerill Topper 4.2 Lead Coach