Newbridge Topaz

[andrewbartlett]

I am restoring a Newbridge Topaz and would like to hear from anyone who has sailed one or has come across one in any way.

 

[webcraft]

I am restoring a Newbridge Topaz and would like to hear from anyone who has sailed one or has come across one in any way.

Never heard of it . . . sounds like a boat you could write a very bad Dundonian poem about.

Edit . . . . just Googled it - looks like a nice wee boat :

- W

 

[Penguin Man]

Hi,

The Topaz in the photo is now mine, purchased it about a month ago, just about to start a refit for this season in Chichester Harbour (Hayling Island side)

 

[andrewbartlett]

Penguin Man ,
How interesting as I am refitting for this season in Chichester Harbour (based Dell Quay) shall be very interested to see how the Topaz sails . I felt compelled to buy her due to her beauty lightness and size(being suitable for a solo sailer) I feel she lacks the ballast of many of her peers e.g. silhouette , leisure 17 etc. and may perform more like a dinghy although some of those eg. wayfarer may have a deeper plate and possibly waterline beam however she looks right in fact really right. So roll on fair winds and sunny days.

 

[chaps]

Hello Andrew,
I have a Newbridge Topaz, it used to belong to a neighbour of mine. He had it built in 1966 and used it for just a few years until his wife suddenly died. Since then it has sat on it's trailer covered with tarpaulins for nearly 40 years. It is still original from the day it was built. I have the original order placed for building, the bill of sale and I even have the original brochure advertising the boat. I have the original sails and all the rigging, the boat itself is like a time capsule. I am hoping to get a survey done to ensure it is worth the time and effort to restore. If there is anything I can help you with, or if you would like a copy of the brochure let me know.

Kind Regards
Barry

 

[andrewbartlett]

Hi Barry,
Very exciting news to me. I see you have recently joined the forum. Welcome! I should like to come and see the boat and documentation from an acedemic point of view. They are strong boats so it probably is worth restoring. I had mine surveyed before I bought and restored it. My tel no is 01243 672400. (Chichester). They are lovely little boats. Andrew

 

[dylanwinter]

Hello Andrew,
I have a Newbridge Topaz, it used to belong to a neighbour of mine. He had it built in 1966 and used it for just a few years until his wife suddenly died. Since then it has sat on it's trailer covered with tarpaulins for nearly 40 years. It is still original from the day it was built. I have the original order placed for building, the bill of sale and I even have the original brochure advertising the boat. I have the original sails and all the rigging, the boat itself is like a time capsule. I am hoping to get a survey done to ensure it is worth the time and effort to restore. If there is anything I can help you with, or if you would like a copy of the brochure let me know.

Kind Regards
Barry

surely there is no need for a survey on such a tiny boat

never had a boat surveyed myself

my advice

rig it, see if anything wobbles too much, put it on the water, sail it

D

 

[RobinBirch]

Totally agree with Dylan's point.

You'd be better off putting the money you save on getting her trailer refurbed/replaced.

Fun project, enjoy.

.

 

[Biggles1707]

Hi have just purchased a newbridge topaz I would appreciate any technical data or pictures especially of the rigging to help me restore her to her former glory. I have been particularly inspired by the one in the photograph it looks stunning. If anyone can help I can be contacted by email at colin1066conway@aol.com many thanks

 

[Biggles1707]

Hi forum I've just bought myself a topaz and need to restore her back to her former glory. I would really appreciate any pictures, spec or drawings especially of the rigging. My email is colin1066conway@aol.com many thanks colin

 

[GregLassetter]

Became a proud owner of one of these boats yesterday. Today I removed the flood mud, leave etc. I have a lot of work to do and can anyone help with the following info.

The mast needs to be replace. Can anyone give me the length, spreader size and position, the stay lengths and positions and the goose neck position?

My rudder has a chunk missing from the bottom and the tiller is missing. Can anyone supply the dimensions?

Many thanks for any help.

 

[peterlpsmith]

I have a Mk 1 Topaz- base model but very solid.

Much of the rig is interchangeable with an Enterprise dinghy - I got a good alloy boom and spare sails this way!

Very happy to provide photos or measurements - email on peterlpsmith@gmail.com.com

 

[LittleSister]

Lots of refurbishment going on, but is there really no-one on the forum who has sailed one and/or can comment on them?

 

[peterlpsmith]

From my experience the Topaz is very similar to a Drascombe to sail. That is very seaworthy, not as lively as a Wayfarer but far more responsive than a typical pocket cruiser (my last boat was a Hurley 20). The only concern is the lack of a self draining cockpit although even a cockpit half full of water does not make the boat unmanageable.

I switched the wooden boom for an alloy boom from an Enterprise so that I can keep it permanently rigged.

 

[LittleSister]

Thanks.

 

[johnphilip]

Good to have my negative reaction to "Restoring a Newbridge" corrected. From expecting to find a chubby cruiser we are shown a really pretty classic lined craft. Well purchased and best of good fortune with your venture

Never heard of it . . . sounds like a boat you could write a very bad Dundonian poem about.

Edit . . . . just Googled it - looks like a nice wee boat :

- W

 

[andrewbartlett]

Lots of refurbishment going on, but is there really no-one on the forum who has sailed one and/or can comment on them?

Yes I own one which I bought at the beginning of last season. A lovely boat comfortable accomodation for size (17.5 ft.) , no vices but I have to add I was not very adventurous mainly sailed within Chichester Harbour. Sails much like a dinghy. Can definitely recommend them as a harbour or estuary boat. I hope to be a bit more adventurous next season.

 

[Gone sailing]

I have sailed one a couple of times.
They don't sail or point that well but is ok for harbour boat.
I disagree that they sail like a
Dinghy! They have a Enterprises rig on a boat that weighs three times that of the dinghy so do the maths.
They are very pretty little boats tho!
Jim

 

[Tarka2015]

Hi, by now I am sure you will have finished your restoration and be sailing your Topaz around the bay. I owned one for some 5 years about 10 years ago. I moored it on a deep water mooring in Holyhead during the summer and towed it home each winter. It was a great little boat and was an easy move on from dinghy sailing. We slept many a night on board but it always leaked if it rained and even if it was dry the condensation was terrible, to counter this I painted the interior with Johnstone's anti condensation paint and life on board improved quite considerably. We were lucky in that we inherited a really well designed cockpit tent that gave us another cabin outside that was snug and dry, it even had windows! It was made from strong vinyl coated canvas and was good to sit under in the evenings watching the sun go down with a couple of vodkas. The Irish Sea off north wales is not known for being forgiving with 6 knot tides and 10 foot over falls but this boat always performed well, the only real worry was being swamped from the stern as there was no self- draining cockpit and I never got round to fitting the bilge pump that sat in the locker!!
We sailed it to the skerries a few times with some hairy passages but so long as you kept the bows to the sea all was well. Once I got hit by a 40 knot squall, I managed to get the main down in time and eased the jib before I got hit by the hailstones; it was hard work and I was frozen and took a couple of cuts as I was thrown around but both the boat and I survived intact.
Overall I loved the boat and the way it was put together so sold it when I found a decent Newbridge Venturer which proved to be a truly great trailer sailer.
Enjoy your Topaz but dream of a Venturer

 

[Baddad jive]

We bought our newbridge topaz in 2016 and have thoroughly enjoyed her as a yacht and a river boat! She is now known as Dorothy's Way, previously 797P or possibly "trial and error"
Powered by an adjusted Enterprise dinghy rig and a 4hp outboard we have had many enjoyable trips, adventures and holidays in her.
Are there others still around?
Hope to catch up! ?
Nigel and Zoe