The Topper Topaz Xenon is a relatively roomy plastic roto moulded two hander dinghy. Its fittings and standing rigging are of stainless steel and the single piece mast and boom by Seldén are of aluminium. The dinghy is virtually maintenance free. The dinghy is fitted with an effective Jib furling unit that is a real boon when launching in windy weather and a single zip reefing system on the main mylar sail. The dinghy is rated to hold a maximum of 4 standard persons but a family of 5 will be very comfortable. In practise it is perfectly possible for 3 normal (12 -13 stone 6ft) persons to sail very comfortably indeed in the Xenon (we often sail 3 up). 

It is very suitable for both cruising (comfortable for 6 footers) and racing, however its relatively powerful rig puts it more to the racing end of the spectrum. As soon as the breeze gets up so does the Xenon! 

The large sail area gives the dinghy a very useful performance in a reasonable wind even with 3 people on board. It is stable and predictable and, in most conditions, gives adequate time to spill wind or hike before threatening a capsize. The dinghy will sail happily in heavy conditions with a gunwhale under water, and even in this attitude instils confidence that it will not capsize. On returning to a more sensible attitude the dinghy is full of water but the very effective bailing chutes will empty the boat in a minute or so leaving it almost dry. 

In strong winds the Xenon with its large sail area can be a handful for two persons requiring a reasonable level of skill and attention but the extra weight and hiking of three persons enable the dinghy to be sailed very well in such conditions. The main control is via a central main sheet running through a 1:6 block set mounted on a large central hoop. The hoop provides excellent control of the boom as well as giving both crew and helm a steadying post when a rapid change of course occurs. The block set and excellent main sheet rachet work well. We have sailed very successfully, with reefed sails, in Force 6 winds and found it a very enjoyable experience. The zip reefing system is very neat and tight with none of the flapping sail material that some dinghies exhibit.

Although it can be sailed single handed this is only possible in light winds. The Xenon is primarily a performance dinghy for two persons. The dinghy responds quite well when being run with the jib furled and in this mode will make for a pleasant days single handed cruising but using the jib and tacking when single handed is difficult as the jib cleats are out of reach of the helm position and cannot be easily released.

A fluorescent coloured flotation pack is available that can be fastened to the top of the main sail to reduce the prospect of the dinghy inverting after a capsize. The flotation pack is less effective when the main sail is reefed and the dinghy will turtle if care is not taken. On the topic of capsize the dinghy is fitted with effective righting lines designed to be accessible even if the crew is in the water and the dinghy is floating high. 

The dinghy comes fitted with a Gennaker (asymmetric spinnaker) operated very easily by a single launch and retrieval line.  There is a single trapeze kit available as an optional extra. Even under moderate winds the trapeze is useful as the handle enables gentle and comfortable hiking without hooking on. As a grandad I find it very useful!

It is a sizeable dinghy. Its beam contributes significantly to both comfort and stability without detracting from performance (it has a RYA 2009 PY of 1070 – compared with that of a Laser 2000 at 1120 a similar slightly smaller fibreglass dinghy). It has a very solid build and gives the impression that it will last forever. It is not surprising that Topper is willing to provide a 3 yr guarantee on the hull. This solid build may be seen as less of an advantage when it is being pulled out of the water  

The Xenon has limited storage consisting of two 240mm storage tubes, useful for spares and a few modest drinks. The third access panel is in the stern and exposes the main buoyancy tank. Although capacious it has limited sorage value because anything small placed in it will disappear under the main deck, out of sight and out of reach, perhaps forever! That said any package that will pass through the 240mm circular cover that is waterproof and is of sufficient size not to get lost in the small recesses can be stored in the buoyancy chamber.