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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Capri 25 Specific Forum

Topping Lift?

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leebitts
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USA
122 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/14/2008 : 20:20:20

Every boat I have ever owned (except this one) has had a topping lift. I believe I have an extra pulley at the top of the mast to accomodate a topping lift but I'm not convinced that I can get it to go down the mast and out the block at the mast step. I've also had several friends cringe at my adding more weight aloft (racing is new to me and I want the boat to serve double duty). I found a product called a boomkicker. This device mounts forward of the boom vang and suspends the boom. Does anyone have any experience with this or similar devices? The price looks to be around $200.

thanks

LeeBitts
1981 Capri 25 Hull # 142
Sailing in NH and Maine

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frog0911
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1349 Posts

Response Posted - 07/14/2008 : 20:33:11

Search the form and you will find discussions on them. Here is a link. If you go to the second to last post you will see a picture of one installed.

http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=12220& SearchTerms=boom,vang

Edited by - frog0911 on 07/14/2008 20:40:15

Andy_334
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206 Posts

Response Posted - 07/14/2008 : 23:00:08

From your comment, I assume you mean a topping lift to hold the boom, as opposed to holding the spin pole. If this assumption is correct, then an alternate may be a simple line run from the top of the mast to a camcleat mounted at the aft end of the boom.

In normal conditions, the topping lift is allowed to hang loose behind the roach of the mainsail. In super light conditions, the topping lift can be applied to raise the boom to add shape to the main. Obviously, with the main furled, the topping lift will hold the boom up as the crew enjoys the space in the cockpit. Likely to be way cheaper than $200.

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leebitts
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USA
122 Posts

Response Posted - 07/16/2008 : 17:01:38

Yes, it is topping lift for the boom. I ordered the boomkicker to arrive for installation this weekend. If it gives me any grief I will go with your simpler solution.

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Stardog
Captain

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USA
319 Posts

Response Posted - 07/17/2008 : 09:36:55

Hey Lee,

I'm looking forward to hearing how the boom kicker works. I've used my own brand of topping lift for years and it requires constant vigilance to keep it adjusted properly. I'm wondering if the boom kicker will interfere with the coach top? My personal opinion is that it would be worth it in spite of the coach top, since I hardly ever lift it anyway.

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SailCO26
Captain

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USA
457 Posts

Response Posted - 07/17/2008 : 11:58:03

If you're looking to use it in light air to help the main hold some bag, then either the "topping lift" from the boom to the mast or a kicker will work. If you're just looking to hold the boom up during non-sailing times, a short line from the backstay Y to the end of the boom works great and is ultra-simple.

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my_tahoe_too
1st Mate

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USA
32 Posts

Response Posted - 07/17/2008 : 13:55:47

<font face="Tahoma"></font id="Tahoma"><font size="2"></font id="size2"> Dude, buy the Boomkicker and dont forget the little bracket which attachs the B-Kicker to the boom. Whole job takes twenty minutes, and you'll never regret it. Havent looked back racing or cruising. Boomkicker is the only way. The Topping lift may be cheaper, but its one more thing to think about when you take down the canvas. Like WATCH YOUR HEAD! . In light airs its very cool.

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leebitts
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USA
122 Posts

Response Posted - 07/19/2008 : 07:31:16

Boom kicker arrived yesterday. I'll be on the boat tomorrow and am looking to install it. It does look pretty straight forward. Did you have to cut the rods? Which did you use the thick or thin rods. The thing looks pretty slick. By the way. I purchased it from pyacht.com. I was quite surprised to see their price $45 cheaper than Defender.

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leebitts
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USA
122 Posts

Response Posted - 07/28/2008 : 13:49:07

I was able to install the boom kicker last Tuesday. The prior Sunday I was able to do a bit of measuring and determined that it would be best being 2 inches shorter. Once cut, it took about 30 minutes to install. Really quite a neat gadget and very useful to hold the boom up.

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Andy_334
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USA
206 Posts

Response Posted - 07/28/2008 : 20:02:21

In the words of another sailing forum, "pics or it didn't happen!"

I'd be interested to see any pictures of this device that you may have.

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leebitts
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122 Posts

Response Posted - 07/30/2008 : 08:05:45

I'll take some this weekend and upload

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leebitts
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USA
122 Posts

Response Posted - 08/06/2008 : 08:09:54

Andy 334, It poured rain last weekend so we did not go to the boat and last night racing I forgot my camera. Promise pics coming this weekend.

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RonE
1st Mate

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USA
37 Posts

Response Posted - 08/07/2008 : 17:43:20

I have been looking into the boom kicker also. Please let me know the model number you ordered and if you would be kind enough to share the price. Although a different topic, has anyone had experience with lazyjacks for flaking the mainsail. I singlehand alot and I hear it helps speed the takedown. RonE

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leebitts
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USA
122 Posts

Response Posted - 08/08/2008 : 15:58:50

Here's a picture of one from the boomkicker website

http://www.seoladair.com/boomkicker/index.html

The model that I purchased is the book0750 (up to 25 ft). I got it at pyacht.com for $149.68 which was the best price I could find. They come with 2 sets of rods, one slightly larger in diameter than the other one. It really is an amazing device. I have the smaller diameter rods on, then seem to work pretty well but I may try the larger ones. When you do not have it attached, the rods appear to be very unbendable, but in place they do bend, see the pic above. Unless you want to hang from the after end of the boom I would not get the larger unit, the rods would be bigger and I think would make the boom be pointing up.

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