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Topping Lift Attachment

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Brent
1st Mate

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USA
37 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/25/2004 : 01:22:10

I have it in my mind to eventually add a topping lift to the boom. I can not find anything in the archives concerning where this could be attached to the mast head. The forward part of the mast head has too possible attachment points, but the back appears to have only one. Is it possible to:
1. Attach a block to the aft stay fitting at the mast head.
2. Fix the end of a line leading to a block above the boom to
the mast head.
3. Some other route entirely.

I realise some topping lifts have a fixed end at the mast head and a block at the lower end with line running on the boom. I would like to run a line attached to the boom up to the mast head and back down to the base of the mast.

Any help with a plan would be appreciated.

Brent

Brent
84 C25 SK/TR

Edited by - on

lcharlot
Master Marine Consultant

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Antigua and Barbuda
1301 Posts

Response Posted - 06/25/2004 : 01:38:43

Attach the upper end loop of the topping lift wire to the same pin in the mast truck that holds the backstay. There should be plenty of room on the pin for the two wires. Your topping lift wire does not need to be any bigger than 3/32" diameter 7x19 wire, which needs only a small thimble and compression sleeve to make a loop at the end.

Edited by - on

ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 06/25/2004 : 01:39:01

"I realise some topping lifts have a fixed end at the mast head and a block at the lower end "

That's only 1 way of rigging them... many are rigged with a block at the masthead.... just like a mainsail halyard only run back to the end of the boom. I prefer mine that way as it can be used as a spare halyard, utility hoist line etc... and can be lead aft to a clutch or cleat like a 'regular' halyard.

Edited by - on

Brooke Willson
Admiral

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USA
983 Posts

Response Posted - 06/25/2004 : 03:00:11

Brent, I use a 5/16 line running through a block attached to the backstay pin in the mast truck. I run it down to a block at the base of the mast that's attached to a plate under the mast. The line then goes through a deck organizer and back to a clutch.

Brooke

Edited by - on

Bill Holcomb
Admiral

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USA
769 Posts

Response Posted - 06/25/2004 : 09:04:54

Brent,

Snickerdoodle's topping lift is a 3/16" line that is secured to the boom end cap with a shackle and small caribiner. The line is run through a cheek block secured near the top of the mast (starboard side and then down to the mast base to a turning block. From the turning block at the mast base the line is led to the deck organizer on the starboard cabin top near the forward end of the handrail, and from there back on the cabin top (between the poptop and the handrail) to a cleat near the aft edge of the cabin top (just forward of the main halyard winch).

Boy, try to say that all in one breath.

The topping lift is right beside the main halyard. So, tensioning the topping lift when hoisting, dousing or reefing the main is almost automatic.

Bill Holcomb - C25 Snickerdoodle #4839

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 06/25/2004 : 10:05:17

The topping lift can be a spare halyard, but then it's also one more thing slapping on the mast. My topping lift (3/8" braid) currently is attached to the same masthead pin as the backstay, runs through a block at boom end, cleats forward on the boom, and is too short to lead back to the cabintop where I want it. I'm about to cut it off a few feet above the boom, attach a small block to its end, and then run a new line from the boom end up through the aforementioned block and back down to a block on the boom end, then to a cheek block at the forward end of the boom, down to the mast base, out to the organizer, and back to a clutch. That will give me several feet of adjustment for reefing and manipulating the bimini, 2:1 purchase, and no additional mast slapping.

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 06/25/2004 10:14:26

ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 06/25/2004 : 11:34:11

"...one more thing slapping on the mast..."

I use a bungee cord looped around the stays to hold the halyards and topping lift off the mast...

Edited by - on

rwdutton
1st Mate

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USA
52 Posts

Response Posted - 06/30/2004 : 22:01:07

Puff has a topping lift with a control line that runs along the boom, down to the deck and back to the cockpit. The previous owner had added a small wire rope and a small block (attached at the head of the mast -- same location as back stay). I added a small pad-eye on the starboard side of the boom, ran a line from it up to the block down to a cheek block on the port side of the boom and then forward along the boom to another cheek block at the front of the boom, down to the mast mount through a block .. then through a turning block to the cockpit. We use it all the time from the cockpit and love it. I will try to get some pictures and post them shortly.

Edited by - on

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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.