Our story

Tops’l began not with a boat, but with an idea – a desire to build something lasting.

The principles of what would become Tops’l were set out in 1979 by our founder, Howard Brunt, to the friends who had sailed together on his boat Sphene. He and his wife, Karin, financed the purchase of the group’s first yacht – at the expense of moving house! – and ran the club until 1988 when Tops’l Sailcruise Ltd was incorporated.

Right from the start, Tops’l was never just about sailing. It was about creating something dependable, a place where people could stay connected. Sailing gave that idea momentum. It provided structure and direction, but the real heart of the club was always the community.

Every trip was hands-on. Members shared the work, the planning, and the learning. Skills were passed on, bonds were formed, and trust was earned out on the water. The boats were important, but it was the people who shaped the club.

Boats, voyages, and milestones

Over time, the club’s confidence and reach grew. New additions to the fleet made longer trips possible and opened up new destinations. Some travelled through French canals, others cruised along the Spanish coast or turned north toward Scandinavia. Crews came back with stories, new skills, and stronger friendships.

The history of Tops’l is not just in logbooks or maintenance records, it’s in memories. It’s in the crews who took Innovator from Spain to Malta and back again.

Even now, after decades of sailing, the core spirit remains unchanged. Shared responsibility, good seamanship, and the chance to be part of something bigger – these have always been at the heart of what Tops’l stands for.