
The Topper Book
Topper Sailing from Start to Finish
Fernhurst Books Limited (Publisher)
3rd Edition
Published on 27. February 2024
Book
Paperback/Softback
144 pages
978-1-912621-70-5 (ISBN)
Description
The Topper is a brilliant boat - over 50,000 have been sold and thousands of people learn the basic sailing skills in Toppers every year.
This is the only book which shows you how to rig, sail and race the Topper - right up to World Champion standard. It is packed full of advice, go-fast tips, photo sequences and diagrams. This new third edition covers all three Topper rigs (4.2, 5.3 and 6.4) and is fully up to date with details of the new rota-moulded (grey) boats as well as the traditional injection-moulded (red) boats.
It starts by describing how to rig and sail the boat before moving on to racing and providing masterclasses for success in competitions.
Written by GBR's longest-serving National Topper Coach and a former Topper National and European Champion, the book features recent Topper World and National Champions and is the bible for Topper sailing. UK Topper National Champion Jess Powell demonstrates the techniques required, as well as what not to do, in over 300 photos and has contributed to the text, making sure it is completely relevant to today's Topper sailors.
This is the only book which shows you how to rig, sail and race the Topper - right up to World Champion standard. It is packed full of advice, go-fast tips, photo sequences and diagrams. This new third edition covers all three Topper rigs (4.2, 5.3 and 6.4) and is fully up to date with details of the new rota-moulded (grey) boats as well as the traditional injection-moulded (red) boats.
It starts by describing how to rig and sail the boat before moving on to racing and providing masterclasses for success in competitions.
Written by GBR's longest-serving National Topper Coach and a former Topper National and European Champion, the book features recent Topper World and National Champions and is the bible for Topper sailing. UK Topper National Champion Jess Powell demonstrates the techniques required, as well as what not to do, in over 300 photos and has contributed to the text, making sure it is completely relevant to today's Topper sailors.
Reviews / Votes
"Having had the pleasure to coach with Dave, I can't think of anyone more experienced, knowledgeable and passionate about Topper sailing. Dave has inspired generations of Topper sailors over the years and with this book will continue to do so." (Helena Lucas MBE, Paralympic Gold & Bronze Medallist)More details
Series
Edition
3rd New edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Leamington Spa
United Kingdom
Edition type
New edition
Illustrations
100 Illustrations, color; 360 Halftones, color
Dimensions
Height: 169 mm
Width: 239 mm
Thickness: 12 mm
Weight
356 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-912621-70-5 (9781912621705)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
02/2023
Fernhurst Books Limited
€16.31
Available for download
Previous edition

Book
09/2014
2nd Edition
Fernhurst Books Limited
€38.57
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Persons
Dave Cockerill held the role of RYA Topper UK Head Coach for 14 years. He was instrumental in introducing the centre mainsheet and 4.2 sail to the class.
John Caig is a former Topper National & European Champion. He twice won the Fireball World Championship and has been a member of the British Olympic Sailing team. He is also author of Fernhurst Books' Racing: A Beginner's Manual.
John Caig is a former Topper National & European Champion. He twice won the Fireball World Championship and has been a member of the British Olympic Sailing team. He is also author of Fernhurst Books' Racing: A Beginner's Manual.
Content
Foreword; Introduction; PART ONE: GETTING STARTED: Rigging The Boat, The Different Rigs, Sailing Theory, Reefing, Launching, A First Sail, Reaching, Beating, Tacking, Running, Gybing, Capsizing, Landing, Having Fun In Your Topper; PART TWO: RACING: THE BASICS: Introduction & Rules, The Start, Around The Race Course; PART THREE: MASTERCLASSES: Preparing Yourself For Success, Preparing Your Boat For Success, Boatspeed & Boat Handling For Success, Tactics & Strategy For Success, Preparing For An Event, Dave Cockerill's Guide For Parents ; PART FOUR: TECHNICAL MATTERS: Rigging The Toestraps, Fitting Out A Race-Spec Boom, Rope Kits, Sail Numbers & Telltales, Topper Care & Maintenance, The International Topper Class Association