Topper Book

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 – 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 master classes for success in competitions. Written by GBR's longest-serving National Topper Coach and a former Topper National and European Champion and featuring recent Topper World and National Champions it is the bible for Topper sailing.

Praise for Topper Book

"From a first sail to strategies for racing success, step-by-step photo sequences and diagrams alongside the text help readers to fully visualise what they are trying to achieve."
— Yachts & Yachting

"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

About the Authors

John Caig is a former Topper National and European Champion. He has twice won the Fireball World Championship and was a member of the British Olympic Yachting Team.

Dave Cockerill held the role of RYA Topper UK Head Coach for 14 years. He is the Topper 4.2 National Coach and was instrumental in introducing the centre mainsheet and 4.2 sail to the class.

About Fernhurst Books

Fernhurst Books was founded in 1979, initially publishing books related to dinghy racing. The list soon expanded to include cruising and other watersports. In 2006 the business was sold to John Wiley, but in 2013 a group of sailing enthusiasts (including the original founder) bought the list and name back, once again creating an independent nautical publisher owned and run by sailors. Fernhurst continues to publish books that instruct, inform and inspire those with a passion on, in or under the water. Their 140+ titles range from how-to guides to narrative to coffee-table books, covering sailing, surfing, canoeing, kayaking, stand up paddleboarding, swimming, diving and fishing.