Sailing Seaka Solo

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Gender	Male
Location	Dunbogan, New South Wales, Australia
Introduction	The Top Hat History. Top Hats were designed in England in 1962 by Illingworth and Primrose. The first, of five known yachts built in Europe, was displayed at the London Boat Show in January 1963. There were 16 Mark 0 timber Top Hats built by Rob Legg in Melbourne from late 1963. One, ARIEL, would go to Sydney to be fitted out where a mould was made of the hull. A sketch was made of ARIEL’s deck and plans for fibreglass construction were drawn up by Illingworth and Primrose. Geoff Baker at Fibreglass Yachts built 59 Mark 1 Top Hats from 1965 to 1972. A Top Hat in 1966 cost $6,300 without an engine or sails. In mid 1972 Baker sold the moulds to Formit Fiberglass Manufacturing. Late in 1972 the Mark 2 was introduce and as the yacht was lighter more weight was introduced to the keel and with a lower cabin roof the cabin floor was also lowered to maintain headroom. The internal fit out had fibreglass mouldings. In 1980 the Mark 3 was introduced. By late 1985 production of the Mark 3 had ceased. A Mark 3 in 1989 cost $38,250 without an engine or sails. In 1989 Formit introduced the 27’ Top Hat of which only four were built at a cost of $44,000 each.