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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Topping Lift Help needed

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MurphyPeoples
1st Mate

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USA
45 Posts

Initially Posted - 08/22/2009 : 07:01:57

Early this summer when I bought my Catalina 25, it came with both a Topping Lift, and a Pic Tail lift hanging off the back shroud. I've never used a Topping Lift before, so I unhooked it, as it was only tied to the boom in a knot.

Well, I'm sailing single handed alot lately, and I NOW understand what a help a true topping lift would be. I want to reconnect it (I never removed it from the mast) - but I don't want to simply tie it with a knot to the last hole at the end of the boom. I'd like to take some kind of metal connect piece (see where this is going?) - attach the rope to it, and the connect the piece to the boom. Anyone know what it's called I'm looking for??

Thanks in advance for the help!
Murphy

Edited by - MurphyPeoples on 08/22/2009 07:02:41

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5902 Posts

Response Posted - 08/22/2009 : 07:13:27

Good idea. It sounds like you want a shackle, like one of these.

Edited by - on

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3321 Posts

Response Posted - 08/22/2009 : 07:46:43

If you would like an adjustable topping lift (very useful in light winds) then set-up a small block & tackle. Attach a shackle to the boom and to this add a v-jam fiddle block and then a block with a becket to the end of the topping lift which needs to end about 2' above the boom. Then reeve a 3/16" line through the blocks with the free end finishing at the v-jam cleat on the fiddle block.
It also is helpful in raising the boom about a foot while in the slip to give more head room in the cockpit.

Edited by - on

tinob
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1883 Posts

Response Posted - 08/22/2009 : 07:55:23

M.P.

I use an adjustable device easily made from a piece of wood with two holes drilled in it( like tent stake adjusters). Mine measures 2.5"X5.5"x1/2". (all approximate) Drill holes at either end to allow the line to just pass through. Run the line through one end then through the boom end fitting then through the other end of the piece of wood and tie a knot in it.

To adjust the boom lift, raise the boom while sliding the adjuster up the line to the height needed, when you release the adjuster it should bind in place.

If the holes are too large it wont work. They must be of a diameter to just allow the rope to pass and be free enough to slide up/down the topping lift.

Val on Calista #3936, Patchogue, N.Y.

Edited by - on

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5372 Posts

Response Posted - 08/22/2009 : 21:34:29

I've used both the tent pole line adjuster and the V-jam cleat on the fiddle block, and I must admit I prefer the V-jam, since its more reliable and predictable.

With the wooden gizmo, I got it to work on my old boat, but from time to time I was "surprised" when it suddenly got caught by the wind or a sharp movement of the boat, and it would let go.

Maybe I did not use the right kind of line or made the holes a little too big, but it was a good idea in theory, it just never worked out for me during critical situations.

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 08/23/2009 : 09:40:49

Here's the V-jam fiddle block (a Harken Micro block) Derek is referring to (I think):

Note the V on the side. I used one in a 3:1 3/16" rig with a becket block tied to the end of the line from the mast-head. (Actually, the fiddle might have had the becket, as on the right.) A stopper knot marked the level where the topping lift went barely slack for sailing, and one quick pull lifted it to wherever I wanted. (Voyager has it now.)

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 08/23/2009 09:45:23

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 08/23/2009 : 12:50:39

My topping lift is led to the cabintop. Much easier to adjust especially if you have a bimini deployed. Lose the pigtail.

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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 08/23/2009 : 17:34:44

My topping lift on the C-25 is a 1/4" line tied to the top of the mast which runs through a block at the end of the boom and then runs forward through a lance cleat on the port side of the boom just over the cabin top. Infinately and easily adjusted by the crew, or by me when I'm sailing solo. When I can, I'll continue the line forward to the mast and down to run through turning blocks and back to the cockpit. The next time I take the mast down, I'm going to add one of the wire halyard pieces from our C-22 (changed to all rope halyards) to the C-25 to use as the fixed portion of the topping lift, attach a block to it, and run the line from the boom to the block, back down to the boom and then forward. I've done this on the C-22 already and I like it.

Edited by - on

PCP777
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1225 Posts

Response Posted - 08/24/2009 : 09:09:37

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by dmpilc
 My topping lift on the C-25 is a 1/4" line tied to the top of the mast which runs through a block at the end of the boom and then runs forward through a lance cleat on the port side of the boom just over the cabin top. Infinately and easily adjusted by the crew, or by me when I'm sailing solo. When I can, I'll continue the line forward to the mast and down to run through turning blocks and back to the cockpit. The next time I take the mast down, I'm going to add one of the wire halyard pieces from our C-22 (changed to all rope halyards) to the C-25 to use as the fixed portion of the topping lift, attach a block to it, and run the line from the boom to the block, back down to the boom and then forward. I've done this on the C-22 already and I like it.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Mine is pretty similar, it comes down to the end of the mast and goes through a small jam cleat attached to the port side of the boom which makes it real easy to adjust. It's knotted at the end so that it won't run through. Very simple and effective.

Edited by - on

MurphyPeoples
1st Mate

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USA
45 Posts

Response Posted - 08/24/2009 : 15:45:57

Thanks guys! Your input was greatly appreciated. I'm going to run down to the hardware store at the Marina and cobble something up.
Murphy

Edited by - on

aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 08/25/2009 : 12:15:39

I threw my topping lift away and bought a rigid boom vang. Much better when trying to shorten sail.

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dave andersen
1st Mate

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85 Posts

Response Posted - 08/28/2009 : 10:48:59

I've got a "boom kicker; very sweet". Check it out.

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jaclasch
Navigator

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USA
104 Posts

Response Posted - 08/29/2009 : 17:18:54

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by dave andersen
 I've got a "boom kicker; very sweet". Check it out.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Tried a boomkicker and ended up going back to a topping lift. The boomkicker was fine except when the mainsail was down and the boom detached from the pigtail. When returning from going forward I have always used the boom to hang onto when going from topside to cockpit. With the boomkicker the boom just pushes down.

Other than that it works fine.

Edited by - on

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 09/05/2009 : 09:00:58

Another take on a topping lift is what my Capri 26 friend uses. He has a 1/4" or 5/16" line (can't remember which) with a shackle on the end (like a halyard) running from the boom end (shackle) up to a block at the top of the mast and down to a cleat on the starboard side of the mast just above the boom. After raising the main he disconnects the line from the boom end and brings it up to the mast and secures it at the cleat so it's completely out of the way while sailing. Coming back in, he re-connects it before lowering the main.
As for the block at the top of the mast, I need to check where it is placed, whether on the pin beside the backstay or on a padeye on the mast to the side of the mainsail's boltrope/slide groove.

Edited by - on

Deric
Captain

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USA
408 Posts

Response Posted - 09/07/2009 : 17:19:57

I have a topping lift that leads to the cabin. The TL is nice to make adjustments.
I also have a pigtail. I have discovered that the pig tail removes additional horizontal play of the boom when I am at the slip. I use both TL and PT.

Deric

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