Top Hat 27 ~ Setup to circumnavigate Australia

‘Magic’ is a Top Hat 27 that has recently undergone an extensive refit in preparation for a circumnavigation of Australia. Over the past couple of years, the owner estimates spending over $17,000 on upgrades and new equipment to ensure the yacht is ready for long ocean passages. Notable additions include a high-end Hydrovane self-steering unit (worth approximately $10k new), a new Raymarine tiller pilot, and a backup Tohatsu outboard engine which also serves as an additional charging source for the batteries.

Designed with a full-length keel, the Top Hat 27 delivers stability and a steady sea-kindly motion in rougher waters, which makes it a very capable coastal cruising yacht. Its moderate displacement means it can carry some weight for comfort and storage without sacrificing performance.

Its relatively small size (27 feet in length) allows for ease of handling, while still providing enough space to be comfortable for longer trips. The Top Hat 27 is a robust, reliable vessel with a pleasing combination of old-school design and modern functionality.

The Top Hat 25 was a very popular and hugely successful design with over 400 built. The Top Hat 27 emerged as its natural successor, incorporating a range of upgrades and enhancements. These improvements resulted in a more capable cruising yacht, featuring 30% more sail area and a significantly roomier and more comfortable interior. The increase in sail was a significant enhancement, allowing the Top Hat 27 to be more powerful under sail, especially in lighter winds, while maintaining its stability and sea-kindly motion.
The Top Hat 27 also offers a larger and more comfortable interior, which made it more suitable for extended cruising. The cabin space, layout, and storage options were notably improved, providing more room for crew and passengers while maintaining the same compact, easy-to-handle nature that made the 25 so popular.

The cockpit is generously big for a yacht of this size, making her a joy to sail. Two Anderson self-tailing winches are positioned within easy reach of the helm, and the running rigging is led back to the coach house roof, allowing the yacht to be sailed comfortably and safely from the cockpit. The design is well-suited for single-handed sailing and is very easily handled by a couple.

The saloon boasts a practical and liveable layout with ample headroom. The galley is well-equipped with a two-burner metho stove and grill, a top-loading icebox to keep food and drinks cool, and an opening hatch for added ventilation.

Accommodation is well catered for with a very comfortable sized double V-Berth forward and a single quarter berth on the starboard side. The dinette can also be converted into an additional berth by lowering the table.

‘Magic’ is powered by a dependable 18hp Yanmar diesel engine. The diesel tank is removable, making it very easy to refill, clean, and inspect.

This yacht is perfect for anyone wanting to spend weekends at Rottnest Island, cruise the coast, or even pursue the current owner’s dream of sailing around Australia. With a shallow draft of just 1.4m and a mast lowering setup, the possibilities are truly endless!

The previous owners had Magic for over 12 years. They purchased her from Pittwater, NSW and had her transported across the country to WA. During their ownership they made numerous upgrades including a new Furlex Furler 2019, Doyle genoa 2019, standing rigging 2019, two Andersen self-tiling winches 2021.

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Details of this vessel are offered in good faith, but West Coast Boat Brokers cannot guarantee, or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal without notice.