 |
The Topcat is a one-design sailing catamaran boat class which is divided into several boat sizes.
|
The Topcat is a one-design sailing catamaran boat class which is divided into several boat sizes.
The Topcat sailing catamarans are fast, seaworthy, popular, and affordable twin-hull boats ranging in size from 3.60 m (12 ft) to 5.50 m (18 ft). They have world-wide distribution and are differentiated by:
The Topcat lacks the dangerous main boom, as well as daggerboards, spreaders, shroud adjusters, and other complicated trimming mechanisms.
To compensate for the missing daggerboards, the hull profiles are narrow and deep, and form a keel, similar to the Dart 18 and other beach catamarans. This is a compromise between lateral stability, agility in maneuvers, and ability to run up the beach. The material of the hulls is fiberglass, with a strength of a few millimeters on top and on the upper sides. Extra material is applied in areas subject to abrasion and stress forces: at the keel, and where the beams, shrouds, and rudders connect to the hulls. There are special boat versions with a build-up keel for sailing schools and for sailing areas with coral reefs. The surface of the hulls is covered by a gelcoat. Each hull has a dry storage compartment accessible by sealed hatch covers.
The aluminum beams are plugged into the hulls, and the assembly is held together by a tightly laced trampoline. The trampoline consists of two sheets of fabric. Each sheet has a round rubber edge that is threaded into an aluminum rail connected to the hull. The trampoline is laced in the middle, similar to a corset. For safety the front beam contains a line to assist in righting the boat after capsizing.
The rudders do not have to rotate upwards in low water, but slide upwards inside their cheek plates when a retaining line is pulled. The boat can still be steered when the rudders are at the keel line, this allows sailing in areas with low water levels.
The rigging consist of an aero-dynamically shaped aluminum mast held by a forestay and two shroud wires. The mast sits on top of a round knob riveted to the front beam, and rotates freely. The K1 and Spitfire models have diamond spreaders to stabilize the mast. Some masts can be divided into two parts for easier transportation. There is a trapeze for the crew and/or helmsman.
There are three sail types available:
The Streamcut and PenTex sails have a larger sail area, and an almost rectangular shape.
1 approved for racing by ITCA
| Series | F1 / F2 | Spitfire 2.3 / 2.5 | K1 | K2 | K3 | K4 / 4.5 | Chico |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Period | 1977-2005 | 1985 -1993 | since 1993 | since 1995 | since 1999 | since 2005 | since 2005 |
| LOA | 4.80 m | 5.48 m | 5.48 m | 5.17 m | 4.92 m | 4.50m | 3.60 m |
| LOA | 15.7 ft | 18.0 ft | 18.0 ft | 17.0 ft | 16.1 ft | 14.8 ft | 11.8 ft |
| BOA | 2.00 m | 2.50 m | 2.50 m | 2.44 m | 2.21 m | 2.21 m | 1.98m |
| Mast height | 7.00 m | 9.20 m | 9.15 m | 8.20 m | 7.60 m | 7,00 m | 5,76 m |
| Weight | 115 kg | 180 kg | 170 kg | 155 kg | 138 kg | 115 kg | 80 kg |
| Sail area Mainsail | 11.2 m2 | 16.7 m2 | 16.7 m2 | 15.9 m2 | 14.9 m2 | 11,0 m2 | 5,8 m2 |
| Sail area Jib | 3.6 m2 | 5.4 m2 | 5.4 m2 | 4.2 m2 | 3.2 m2 | 2.5 m2 | 2.1 m2 |
| Sail area Gennaker | --.- m2 | --.- m2 | 18.8 m2 | 16.3 m2 | 16.3 m2 | 12.0 m2 | --.- m2 |
| Trapeze | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Crew | 1/2 | 2 | 2 | 1/2 | 1/2 | 1/2 | 2 (kids) |
| DPN | - | - | 88 [4] | - | 75 [5] | - | - |
A sailboat or sailing boat is a boat propelled partly or entirely by sails and is smaller than a sailing ship. Distinctions in what constitutes a sailing boat and ship vary by region and maritime culture.
A daggerboard is a retractable centreboard used by various sailing craft. While other types of centreboard may pivot to retract, a daggerboard slides in a casing. The shape of the daggerboard converts the forward motion into a windward lift, countering the leeward push of the sail. The theoretical centre of lateral resistance is on the trailing edge of the daggerboard.
The ISAF International Class Hobie 16 (H16) is a popular catamaran manufactured by the Hobie Cat Company for racing and day sailing. The craft was the driving force behind the popularization of beachcats and was recently inducted into the Sailing Hall of Fame.
Hobie Cat is a company that manufactures watercraft and other products as the Hobie Cat Company. "Hobie Cat" can also refer to specific products of the company, notably its sailing catamarans. Its fiberglass catamaran models range in nominal length between 14 feet (4.3 m) and 18 feet (5.5 m). Rotomolded catamaran models range in length between 12 feet (3.7 m) and 17 feet (5.2 m). Other sailing vessels in the Hobie Cat lineup include, monocats, dinghies, and trimarans, ranging in length between 9 feet (2.7 m) and 20 feet (6.1 m). Its largest product was the Hobie 33, 33 feet (10 m) in length. The company's non-sailing product line includes surfboards, kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, pedalboards, eyeware, and e-bikes. It was founded in 1961 by Hobart (Hobie) Alter, who originally manufactured surfboards.
Taipan Catamarans are sailing catamarans, available amateur built or manufactured by Australian High Performance Catamarans (AHPC).
The term beachcat is an informal name for one of the most common types of small recreational sailboats, minimalist 14 to 20 foot catamarans, almost always with a cloth "trampoline" stretched between the two hulls, typically made of fiberglass or more recently rotomolded plastic. The name comes from the fact that they are designed to be sailed directly off a sand beach, unlike most other small boats which are launched from a ramp. The average 8 foot width of the beachcat means it can also sit upright on the sand and is quite stable in this position, unlike a monohull of the same size. The Hobie 14 and Hobie 16 are two of the earliest boats of this type that achieved widespread popularity, and popularized the term as well as created the template for this type of boat.
A sailing hydrofoil, hydrofoil sailboat, or hydrosail is a sailboat with wing-like foils mounted under the hull. As the craft increases its speed the hydrofoils lift the hull up and out of the water, greatly reducing wetted area, resulting in decreased drag and increased speed. A sailing hydrofoil can achieve speeds exceeding double and in some cases triple the wind speed.
The Dart 18 is a one-design 18-foot (5.5 m) long glassfibre sailing catamaran. It is designed to be sailed by two people and can achieve speeds of up to 20 knots. This is reflected in its Portsmouth Yardstick of 805 and D-PN of 76.3
The Wētā 4.4 Trimaran is a 4.4 metre sailing dinghy conceived and developed in New Zealand from 2001-2006 by Roger and Chris Kitchen and others with original drawings by TC Design's Tim Clissold.
The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to sailing:
The Stiletto 27 is an American trailerable catamaran sailboat that was designed by Bill Higgins and Don Ansley as a racer/cruiser and first built in 1976.
The Gougeon 32 is an American trailerable catamaran that was designed by Jan Gougeon and first built in 1990.
The Hobie 14 is an American catamaran sailing dinghy that was designed by Hobie Alter and first built in 1967.
The Trac 14 is an American catamaran sailing dinghy that was designed by Australians Richard McFarlane and Jay McFarlane as a one-design racer and first built in 1980.
The Flying Phantom Essentiel,, is a French hydrofoil catamaran sailing dinghy that was designed by Gonzalo Redondo and Martin Fischer and first built in 2017.
The Nacra 20 is a catamaran sailing dinghy that was designed by Gino Morrelli and Pete Melvin as a one-design racer and first built in 1998.
The Nacra 5.2 is an American catamaran sailing dinghy that was designed by Tom Roland as a one-design racer and first built in 1975. Other than the small production run Nacra 36, the Nacra 5.2 was the first Nacra brand boat and established its reputation.
The G-Cat 5.0 is an American catamaran sailing dinghy that was designed by Hans Geissler as a one-design racer and first built in 1975.
The G-Cat 5.7 is an American catamaran sailing dinghy that was designed by Hans Geissler as a one-design racer and first built in 1980.
The Prindle 18 is an American catamaran sailing dinghy that was designed by Geoffrey Prindle as a racer and first built in 1977.