Design Brief & Intent
Topper International was long famous for producing rugged, indestructible, roto-molded plastic boats aimed at beginners and training centers. However, the mid-1990s witnessed a "skiff revolution," prompted by the explosive popularity of high-power asymmetric classes like the 49er and International 14. To capture a slice of this performance-oriented market, Topper commissioned Ian Howlett and John Caig to design a family of skiff-lite dinghies. The Spice emerged in 1996 as the flagship twin-trapeze offering in this new range, which also included the single-trapeze Buzz and the larger, more powerful Boss.
Unlike competing high-performance classes that were notoriously fragile and expensive, the Spice was conceived as a twin-trapeze boat for the masses. The design brief emphasized manageability, stability at rest, and a forgiving hull shape that allowed intermediate sailors to experience the thrill of high boat speeds without the constant threat of a catastrophic capsize. The cockpit focuses purely on ergonomics for racing, featuring comfortable contoured side decks and a clean, clutter-free floor layout. The build quality utilizing fiberglass instead of the traditional TRILAM plastic ensured the hull was light, stiff, and perfectly contoured to cut through waves.
Variations & Configurations
The Topper Spice was primarily offered in a standard twin-trapeze configuration with a high-performance fractional sloop rig, utilizing a fully battened mainsail, a small jib, and a large asymmetric spinnaker flown from a retractable bowsprit. To maximize the utility of the hull mold, Topper also marketed a sibling configuration known as the Topper Flash. Utilizing the exact same 13.94-foot hull, the Flash featured a shorter mast, less overall sail area, and a single trapeze. This configuration served as an ideal transitional trainer for lighter youth teams or less experienced crews moving up from entry-level double-handers. In terms of underwater foils, the Spice employs a high-aspect retractable centerboard that drops vertically into a tightly gasketed trunk. This arrangement is highly efficient, allowing the foil to be raised without fouling the boom, which is positioned high enough to facilitate easy, hassle-free tacking and gybing.
Sailing Performance & Handling
The sailing characteristics of the Topper Spice are nothing short of electric. With an astronomical sail area-to-displacement ratio of 83.66, this machine is dominated by its sail plan. The moment the asymmetric spinnaker is launched via the single-line hoist system, the boat enters a pure planing regime, driven by the physics of apparent wind. Helm and crew must coordinate closely, adjusting the mainsheet and spinnaker trim constantly as the wind shifts forward with acceleration.
An exceptionally high capsize screening ratio of 4.36 highlights the boat’s inherent lack of static stability. Left on its own, the narrow, low-buoyancy hull will roll over instantly. However, the design tames this instability through the use of adjustable hiking wings or racks. These wings extend the beam of the boat, granting the crew massive leverage on the twin trapezes. Even lighter teams can easily keep the boat flat in a blow. Steering is handled by an oversized, deep rudder that provides crisp, positive feedback even when flying downwind in large waves. The 5:1 mainsheet is geared to allow quick, minor flicks to keep the boat balanced, while the single-line spinnaker halyard and bowsprit system means hoists and drops are fast and drama-free.
Market Snapshot & Economics
Decades after its launch, the Topper Spice occupies a unique niche on the used boat market, primarily in the United Kingdom and Europe. Because it never achieved the widespread, monolithic status of class giants like the RS800 or 29er, the Spice does not command the same premium on the brokerage market. Instead, it represents an exceptional, budget-friendly gateway into high-performance skiff sailing.
Prospective buyers can expect to find used models trading at a highly accessible value, making it a popular choice for club sailors seeking maximum excitement on a budget. However, because production ended in the 2000s and hulls are finite, parts availability is the primary economic factor to weigh. While basic blocks and lines are easily sourced from modern chandleries, specialized spars from the original Super Spars M6 section or custom fiberglass rudder blades require careful preservation. Buying a boat with a solid, dry hull and a healthy set of Mylar sails is critical, as a complete sail replacement from custom lofts can easily equal or exceed the second-hand value of the entire boat.
Known Issues & Triage
While the Topper Spice was designed to be more rugged than Olympic-grade skiffs, decades of high-load sailing can expose specific structural vulnerabilities. The extreme tension from the twin-trapeze setups and the high-aspect fractional rig places immense stress on the mast gate and the shroud chainplates. Prospective buyers should thoroughly inspect these areas for spiderweb stress cracks in the gelcoat or any deformation of the underlying fiberglass laminate. Additionally, the hiking racks put significant leverage on the gunwales when both the helm and crew are fully extended on the wire. This leverage can cause minor flexing along the hull-to-deck joint, leading to hairline cracks or slow water ingress into the double-bottom hull.
Other common points of concern include the cockpit floor self-bailers and the asymmetric spinnaker chute. Similar to other models in the Topper lineup, the original self-bailing units are prone to seal deterioration. Many owners opt to blank these off with a sealed plate, preferring to sponge out minor spray rather than risk a continuous leak. On the foredeck, the single-line gennaker retrieval system relies on a trumpet-style chute. Over time, friction from frequent hoists and drops can wear through the gelcoat inside the chute or cause friction burns on the retrieval lines, requiring periodic replacement to ensure smooth, hassle-free drops on both gybes.
Modernization & Upgrades
Modern owners of the Topper Spice have successfully kept these high-performance machines competitive on handicap racing circuits through focused upgrades. Replacing the original wire trapeze lines with low-stretch Dyneema is a highly popular modernization that reduces weight aloft, increases strength, and eliminates the risk of wire splinters. Similarly, running rigging throughout the boat is commonly upgraded to modern core-dependent lines to ensure crisp, slip-free control over the primary rig settings.
Beyond rigging, sail technology has moved forward significantly. While original boats were often supplied with standard Dacron, contemporary owners frequently opt for modern Mylar laminates for the mainsail, which hold their shape far better under the high mast-bend and sheet loads required to keep the Spice flying upwind. Finally, upgrading the older block packages with modern, composite ball-bearing blocks makes the 5:1 mainsheet and the single-line spinnaker halyard system significantly easier to operate, reducing physical fatigue during long racing sessions.
The Verdict
The Topper Spice is a brilliant, under-the-radar high-performance dinghy that delivers genuine skiff-like acceleration and handling without the sheer terror or high financial barrier of Olympic classes. While the class lacks the dense one-design racing fleets of modern RS or Ovington classes, the boat's forgiving hull dynamics, adjustable hiking wings, and accessible price point make it an outstanding choice for experienced duos wanting a high-speed, twin-trapeze toy.
Pros
- Exceptional power-to-weight ratio delivering early planing and exhilarating speeds.
- Adjustable wings allow lighter crews to remain competitive in higher wind ranges.
- More stable and forgiving than pure Olympic skiffs, leading to less time swimming.
- Highly affordable gateway into twin-trapeze and asymmetric sailing on the used market.
- Ergonomic and simplified single-line asymmetric spinnaker halyard system.
Cons
- Extremely limited class-specific parts availability following the end of production.
- Lack of active one-design class racing, restricting most competitive sailing to handicap fleets.
- High capsize risk if crew weight is not actively and precisely managed.
- Hull-to-deck joints and mast gates are prone to structural fatigue under heavy trapeze loads.
