The Topcat sailing catamarans are fast, seaworthy, popular, and affordable twin-hull boats ranging in size from 3.60 m (12 ft) to 5.50 m (18 ft). They have world-wide distribution and are differentiated by:
1975 In the mid-70s two German A-Cat sailors, Bernd Breymann und Klaus Enzmann, were unhappy with the complicated transport and assembly of their boats. Klaus Enzmann build a first prototype without daggerboards or rudders, similar to the Spanish "Patin-Vela", but with many of the successful details of the later boats.
1976 The new "Kick-up" rudder was added to the prototype. The rudder and other Topcat details were registered as patents.
1977 The first Topcat appeared, a 4.80 m long twin-hull boat that was simply plugged together. It had a mast height of 7.00 m, a jib sail of 3.6 m², and a mainsail of 11.2 m².
1977-1979 Production of the first 60 Topcats. Capacity was limited by the rented wood shack, so the production of the hulls was moved to Italy, and company headquarters was moved to Gilching, Germany. In 1979 Bernd Breymann and Klaus Enzmann founded TOPCAT GmbH. Worldwide distribution of the boat was supported by onsite training.
1981 The first Topcat class association was established. The first Topcat bases were founded at the Lake Garda.
1983 Creation of ITCA (International Topcat Class Association). In the same year the first European championship was held in Brenzone, Lake Garda, with 44 boats from 5 countries.[1][2]
1985 The faster and wider 18 ft dual-trapeze "Spitfire" model appeared. More volume was added to the hulls, which was much appreciated by heavier crews. Furthermore, the sails were redesigned, to improve low-wind performance.
1993-2000 Development of the modular K-series boats, to increase speed, safety, and handling. The K1, K2, and K3 boats are approved for ITCA racing.
2005 The 4.5 model was released, to address the low load-carrying capacity of the entry-level model. The 4.5 was renamed K4 in 2013, and relaunched as a youth-crew model. For young sailors the Topcat Chico model was developed.
2005 The Topcat was recognized as an official ISAF racing class. The first world championship was held in September 2005 in TorboleatLake Garda.
The Topcat lacks the dangerous main boom, as well as daggerboards,
spreaders, shroud adjusters,
and other complicated trimming mechanisms.
To compensate for the missing daggerboards, the hull profiles are narrow and deep, and form
a keel, similar to the Dart 18 and other beach catamarans. This is a compromise between lateral stability, agility in maneuvers, and ability to run up the beach. The material of the hulls
is fiberglass, with a strength of a few millimeters on top and on the upper sides.
Extra material is applied in areas subject to abrasion and stress forces: at the keel, and where the beams, shrouds, and rudders connect to the hulls.
There are special boat versions with a build-up keel for sailing schools and for sailing areas with coral reefs. The surface of the hulls is covered by a gelcoat.
Each hull has a dry storage compartment accessible by sealed hatch covers.
The aluminum beams are plugged into the hulls, and the assembly is held together by a tightly laced trampoline. The trampoline consists of two sheets of fabric. Each sheet has a round rubber edge that is threaded into an aluminum rail connected to the hull. The trampoline is laced in the middle, similar to a corset.
For safety the front beam contains a line to assist in righting the boat after capsizing.
The rudders do not have to rotate upwards in low water, but slide upwards inside their
cheek plates when a retaining line is pulled. The boat can still be steered when the rudders
are at the keel line, this allows sailing in areas with low water levels.
The rigging consist of an aero-dynamically shaped aluminum mast held by a forestay and two shroud wires.
The mast sits on top of a round knob riveted to the front beam, and rotates freely.
The K1 and Spitfire models have diamond spreaders to stabilize the mast.
Some masts can be divided into two parts for easier transportation.
There is a trapeze for the crew and/or helmsman.
The mainsail does not have a boom, and has full battens. The sail can be adjusted to wind conditions by a cunningham, and is connected to the mast top by a hook and latch system. The sail is controlled by a main sheet tackle with 7:1 or 8:1 mechanical advantage. The lower main sheet block has a cam cleat and an optional ratchet, and is connected to a traveller that runs the full length of the beam.
The jib is controlled by a jib sheet that runs through a block and cleat with a 2:1 mechanical advantage. Jib traveller and ratchet blocks are optional. A jib furling system is standard.
Agennaker or reacher sail can be added to the K1, K2, K3 and K4 models, and allows a considerable speed increase when sailing downwind.
