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Overview of the Top Hat Mark 3
The Top Hat 25 Mark III appeared around 1981 and was typically characterised by a single sleek tinted acrylic glass window on either side of the cabin. That said, the traditional windows of three per side were available upon request during construction.
Two typical interior designs were available. The "A" is the racing version with the head between the forward bunks and a hanging locker in the main saloon for wet weather gear. The "B" is a full lock-up toilet version with a smallish but manageable compartment with toilet, hand basin etc, aimed at the small family cruising market.
A single deep cockpit locker was provided on the port side which allowed for a good sized quarter berth on the starboard side. There are a number of Mark III's 'floating about' with custom interiors that defer from the A & B, though are rare.
The basic hull remained the same with the near full length keel and a keel hung rudder. Ballast of 1234 kg (2721 lb) of lead in the keel and a displacement of 2580 kg (5688 lb), makes a safe ballast ratio of 48%. The hulls were gun sprayed in two halves, joined down the middle and then lead is poured into the keel from the inside.
