I sailed the boat alone as I do Dart 15's, the boat this design was produced to beat.

Not for me it didn't.

The boat was not faster than a Dart 15 on any point of sail, its not easier or more difficult to sail.

Both are difficult to sail on the beat as they are very sensitive to weight distribution and if the wind is variable you have to move back and forth to keep the maximum performance.

Down wind the Dart is better on a very broad reach with the speed falling away much more with the Topcat as you go broader.

On a reach the two are very similar in top speed both are again weigh distribution sensitive.

Both boats are fun to sail but for racing are more suitable for sailors below 11 stone (140 kg). I weigh over this weight and found it almost impossible to get either boat to nose dive when the crew is properly positioned. If the lea bow is allowed to get low the Topcat is quicker to recover.

If you raced these boats on the usual triangular course I think the Dart 15 would be first mainly because of its ability to go broad on the run leg.

The fittings and equipment on the Topcat are similar to the Topcat 18 with the excellent rudder system.

....................Topcat ..........................................................Dart 15