Topaz Argo Buyer's Guide
The Topaz Argo is a rotomolded performance dinghy from Topper International, designed by Rob White and built from 2013 onward as a club trainer that also planes for fun. On the used market it appears in the United States and Switzerland, and because it was conceived for instruction and singlehanded ease, the boats you find tend to be well equipped for casual sailing rather than stripped racers. Shopping one means judging rotomolded hull condition and the standard safety rig rather than hunting rare options.
Layouts on the Used Market
Every Argo shares the same fundamental plan: a beamy 14-foot-odd hull with a full-length chine and a genuinely roomy cockpit built to carry three or four sailors. The high boom and Gnav system keep the middle of the boat open, and the mainsheet leads from the center of the boom so the aft cockpit stays clear of lines. A stayed mast can be left rigged in the dinghy park, and a hinged mast step simplifies one-person rigging. There is no cabin or belowdecks accommodation — this is a day dinghy, and the layout you inspect is the cockpit, the rotomolded hull, and the centerboard trunk.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
The spinnaker setup is the headline item and is commonly fitted: the Argo carries an asymmetric spinnaker system as standard, with a single-line launch and retrieval and a retractable bowsprit, and a symmetrical spinnaker is a known alternative for training. Beyond that, standard safety gear worth confirming includes the masthead float, grab rails, and 'Step On' righting lines with an extension rope for lighter crews. The epoxy centreboard and rudder are standard, as is a combi trailer for storage and launch. Buyers should not expect extensive owner-added systems; the boat's consequence items are the spinnaker gear, righting aids, and trailer rather than generators or nav suites.
What to Inspect
The rotomolded TRILAM hull is built to take abuse, but inspect the full-length chine and the spray-reduction channel for cracking or impact damage, since those are structural and functional features. Check the foam-core sandwich at the inner and outer skins for any delamination, and confirm the molded-in gunwale handholds are intact. The epoxy centreboard and rudder should be examined for crazing or repair, and the hinged mast step and stayed rigging checked for wear from repeated park storage. Verify the standard righting lines, masthead float, and grab rails are present, as these are factory-fitted safety items.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
Argos are found in the United States and Switzerland. For a buyer, the practical checklist is short: confirm the asymmetric spinnaker gear and bowsprit operate on a single line, verify the standard righting aids and masthead float are aboard, inspect the chine and TRILAM skins for damage, and check the combi trailer. A clean hull with intact safety equipment and working spinnaker system is the boat you want.
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Topaz Argo. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 3 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 25 | 1 | $13,000 | — |
| Aug 25 | 1 | $10,500 | -19.2% |
| Oct 25 | 1 | $11,000 | +4.8% |
Where they're listed
Topaz Argo listings appear across 1 country. United States has the most listings with 2.
Country view
2 listings · 1 country| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $10,750 | 2 | 0 | 100.0% |