Topper TOPAZ VIBE Quick start guide

www.toppersailboats.com
Topaz VIBE
Rigging Instructions

TOPAZ VIBE
RIGGING INSTRUCTIONS
CONTENTS
2. Introduction
2. Manufacturers Details
3. Maintenance
4. Raising the Mast
5. Attaching the Boom and Gnav
6. Raising the Jib
8. Rigging the Gennaker Kit
9. Rigging the Gennaker Sail
11. Raising the Mainsail
13. Reefing the Mainsail
13. Rudder
14. Tips
INTRODUCTION
These RIGGING INSTRUCTIONS have been compiled to help you to rig your Topaz VIBE sailing dinghy.
Please also ensure that you refer to your TOPAZ OWNERS MANUAL. The OWNERS MANUAL has been compiled
to help you to operate your craft with safety and enjoyment. It contains details of the craft, the equipment supplied
or fitted, it’s systems and information on its operation and maintenance. Please read it carefully and familiarise yourself
with the craft before using it.
If this is your first craft, or you are changing to a type of craft you are not familiar with, for your own comfort and safety,
please ensure that you obtain handling and operating experience before assuming command of the craft. Your dealer
or national sailing federation or yacht club will be pleased to advise you of local sea schools, or competent instructors.
PLEASE KEEP THE RIGGING INSTRUCTIONS and THE OWNERS MANUAL IN A SECURE PLACE AND HAND THEM
OVER TO THE NEW OWNER WHEN YOU SELL THE CRAFT.
MANUFACTURER DETAILS
For further information, spares and accessories,
please contact the manufacturer:
TOPPER INTERNATIONAL LTD,
Kingsnorth Technology Park,
Wotton Road, Ashford, Kent TN23 6LN
Telephone [phone]
Fax [phone]
email [email protected]
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TOPAZ VIBE
MAINTENANCE
The Topaz VIBE is designed to require very little maintenance, but there are some simple ways
to keep your boat in the best condition.
Mainsheet
Tie a figure of eight knot in the mainsheet at a point which will prevent the boom hitting the shrouds.
Rudder
Never launch your boat without checking that the retaining clip has clicked into place beneath
the upper transom fitting.
Sails
After sailing, roll the mainsail loosely. Never fold Mylar sailcloth.
Never let the sails flap unduly. Do not hoist the jib till just before launching. If you have the optional furler kit fitted,
furl the jib as soon as you hoist it (even in light airs). Try to get into the habit of furling it while launching
and recovering the boat, between races and when you capsize in windy conditions!
The mainsail is protected to some extent by the full-length battens which stop it flapping but you should never
leave it hoisted for extended periods on the shore.
Be as gentle as you can with the asymmetric. Drops have to be fast but if the crew can pull smoothly the sail will
last longer. You should also keep an eye on the halyard cleat: really strong (or unobservant) crews have been known
to pull the patches out of cleated kites... Avoid trawls - the helmsman can help if necessary by taking the sheet on
the drop. Bearing away a little also makes the pull easier.
Always rinse the sails and boat after sailing in salt water.
Remove the gennaker from the boat after sailing - mice have a taste for gennakers left in boats! If you must leave
it in the chute overnight make sure that the corners are flat (i.e. not folded or crushed). Always dry the gennaker
flat (not flapping in the wind!) before folding it.
ALWAYS RELEASE JIB TENSION WHEN NOT SAILING
Foils
Repair any nicks or deep scratches on the rudder with gelcoat filler. Even the slightest damage to the shape
or surface of the foils will affect their performance. If your boat vibrates or hums it is usually due to minor
damage to the foils.
Make sure that the rudder blade remains tight in the stock when down. Any play between the blade and stock,
or between the stock and the hull, may cause steering problems.
Hull and fittings
Small dents can be repaired by gently warming the hull with a hot air blower (take care not to melt the hull).
For any more substantial repairs refer to Topper Sailboats.
Check the attachment of all fittings regularly. This is particularly important for the fittings that are screwed onto
fixings that are set in the hull. Keep all blocks, cleats and ropes clean and rinse them after salt water exposure.
Always remove the bung to empty any water after sailing, and when not sailing leave the bung out to prevent
the build-up of pressure within the hull as the temperature fluctuates.
Ropes
Replace any ropes showing signs of wear immediately. Too many championships have been lost by failing to replace
a damaged rope when it was first noticed.
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4
Fix the base of the mast to the mast step on the cross beam
with the pin and ring from the mast step.
Ensure all halyards are in place at foot of mast. You may now
pull the mast up using the forestay. You may require someone
to lift the top of the mast.
Having pulled the mast upright secure the forestay to the eye
on the black bar at the chute mouth. Leave a long tail.
Ensure all halyards from mast are clear and not twisted
or snagged.
RAISING THE MAST
Position the boat head to wind away from any overhead power
lines or other obstructions.
Lay the mast along the centre line of the boat.
Untape all the ropes attached to the foot of mast.
Attach shroud adjusters to the shroud eye each side -
approximately the 7th hole down (approximately the middle
of the adjuster). Subsequently, you can attach at the captive
pin on the base of the plate.

5
Fix the gnav strut to the carriage on the top of the boom.
The carriage should already be fixed to the boom for you.
Having fixed the boom and gnav to the mast, thread the gnav
control line from the fitting at the front of the boom through
the cleat on the mast.
Attach main halyard to end of boom.
TIP: You can tie a stopper knot in halyard by the mast
to support the boom while you rig.
ATTACHING BOOM & GNAV
Attach the boom onto the mast with the pin on the lower of the
two fittings. Remember to put the pin in from the top and flip
the pin end over.
Next attach the strut to the upper fitting on the mast.
Ensure the toggle is correctly orientated.
WARNING It is VITAL that the GNAV toggle is assembled
as shown in the diagram below. Failure to do this will result
in damage to the Strut Assembly.
Note orientation
of toggle