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 Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums
 Catalina 250 Specific Forum
 Topping Lift		  New Topic  Topic Locked
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bear
Admiral

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USA
909 Posts
Initially Posted - 07/22/2006 :  13:44:19  Show Profile
Well it's raining in upstate N.Y. again this weekend, flash flood warnings are popping up again. So, I will ask a question about my topping lift. I installed this myself several years ago and have basically paid no attention to it. I understand the purpose of holding up the boom, but where should it be positioned when sailing? It is adjustable and can be released. I also hve the pigtail coming off the backstay to hold the boom which I release when sailing. Comments pro or con appreciated......Thanx Again......
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britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts
Response Posted - 07/22/2006 :  17:10:53  Show Profile  Visit britinusa's Homepage
Wayne,
We just make sure the topping lift is 'loose' when under all points of sail.
Of course, we tighten the topping lift prior to dropping the main (else CRUNCH! as the boom drops and hits something.

Ours is rigged such that the line from the masthead to a snap shackle on the lower end. Then there is another line in the boom with a loop on one end, the other goes to a jamb cleat. The loop gets connected to the snap shackle, then the tension in the topping lift is managed by adjusting the line in jamb cleat.

The nice thing about this setup is the ease of adding tension to the topping lift prior to reefing or lowering the mainsail.

Paul.
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bear
Admiral

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USA
909 Posts
Response Posted - 07/22/2006 :  18:23:02  Show Profile
That is what I have been doing lately, but wasn't quite sure. I have been using the jamb cleat to release the topping lift when under sail. My biggest concern was sail shape when the topping lift was still taught.
"THANX" again
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AADIVER
Admiral

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USA
966 Posts
Response Posted - 07/22/2006 :  20:41:36  Show Profile  Visit AADIVER's Homepage
I don't trust the jam cleats on the boom for the outhaul and the topping lift, so I secure those lines to small horn cleats I've installed aft of the jams to avoid any "mishaps".
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kevinmac
Admiral

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USA
732 Posts
Response Posted - 07/23/2006 :  12:43:02  Show Profile
I set my topping lift so that it is well loosened with the sail up, so that the boom is entirely supported by the sail. When I take the sail down, the boom drops some, and then the topping lift takes the weight. I leave it cleated all the time.

Am I missing something, is this procedure a problem for some reason?
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bear
Admiral

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USA
909 Posts
Response Posted - 07/23/2006 :  15:05:57  Show Profile
Kevin, I dont think you are missing anything. However, lately I have been hooking the pigtail up when coming into the slip. My boat never had a topping lift until I installed one a few years ago. I had the boom fall once and then posed the question on the forum. Lately I believe releasing the topping lift has greatly helped the sail shape.
I should have picked this up earlier but didn't.......
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Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts
Response Posted - 07/24/2006 :  06:02:42  Show Profile  Visit Arlyn Stewart's Homepage
Kevin, if the topping lift line is cleated in a clam cleat... place a stopper knot at the loose position with of course some additional bitter end line past the stopper knot for handing the line.

btw, I noted Frank Farmers comments on not trusting clam cleats for the topping lift and outhaul but I've never sensed a problem with use for those. I would agree however that horn cleats (I like jam) should be used on reef lines.
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Russ.Johnson
Commodore

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USA
855 Posts
Response Posted - 07/24/2006 :  14:20:32  Show Profile
Our topping lift is loose during a sail.
When we lower the mainsail, the boom drops about 4 inches and I tighten mainsheet to take up the slack.
Before we bought our boat, we took sailing classes on a J24.
They had us adjust every line, every time we sailed.
I remember the topping lift was a fixed line that couldn't be adjusted.
I'm considering converting to a fixed topping lift because I never adjust it.
Russ (#793)
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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.