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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Topping Lift

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adamb
1st Mate

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USA
39 Posts

Initially Posted - 02/21/2005 : 23:20:31

Topping Lift

Now that it’s just the Admiral and me out there, I would like to make the stern activity safer and easier while I raise the sails –

I have heard on the forum about topping lifts – how exactly does it work?

I have a standard rig, with exterior halyards. Does my mast top have a shive for this purpose?

Does the line stay under tension even when under sale, and does it interfere in any way with the action of the boom vang?

Where on the end of the boom should it be attached, and what sort of line, in what length is recommended?

Thanks.

Norwegian Blue
Jacksonville, FL
1984 Standard Rig, Fixed Keel, Traditional Layout

Edited by - on

lcharlot
Master Marine Consultant

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Antigua and Barbuda
1301 Posts

Response Posted - 02/22/2005 : 08:18:04

The topping lift is a length of 3/32" 7 x 19 wire with a loop at the top end and a small single-sheive block at the bottom end. The length of the wire should be such that the block will be about 4' above the end of the boom (sorry I don't know the exact length). You run a 10' length of 5/16" line from the end of the boom, up through the block, then back down to a small cleat which you will attach to the end of the boom. The loop at the upper end of the wire is pinned through the same pin that holds the backstay. To raise the boom, you just pull on the line where it attaches to the cleat then secure it to the cleat when the boom is at the level you want. Obviously, you have to drop the mast to install the wire.
The topping lift should not be under tension when sailing, if it is, the block of the end could chafe the sail.

Edited by - lcharlot on 02/22/2005 08:22:09

aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 02/22/2005 : 08:41:54

Adam,

A variaton to Larry's topping lift is one that I used for many years before adding a rigid boom vang. A single length of 5/16 line tied to the pin at the mast head, lead down to a cheeck block at the end of the boom, and then to a small cleat. It works great and is less expensive than the 1 x 19 wire. I purchased mine with all he hardware from Catalina Direct in 1990 and removed it from the boat two years ago.

Al
GALLIVANT #5801

Edited by - on

ilnadi
Captain

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452 Posts

Response Posted - 02/22/2005 : 09:40:34

We looked at installing the kind mentioned by Larry, but had to wait until the mast was down (a while since we do not trailer). In the meantime we replaced the existing lazy jack line (which used to terminate on the boom) with a longer one and ran it through the mast base and deck organizer back to the cockpit. It easily holds the boom and sail up, manages both in one shot and you do not have to touch the end of the boom while it's swinging. So far it works fine, although sometimes it tempts you to lower the sail without completely heading into the wind

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 02/22/2005 : 11:54:26

I used one of the old wire halyard sections. It was free! My topping lift bitter end runs forward along the boom and back to the cockpit. I can adjust mine on any point of sail.

Edited by - Frank Hopper on 02/22/2005 15:00:52

jwilliams
Captain

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USA
357 Posts

Response Posted - 02/22/2005 : 12:34:28

On Hey Jude I installed a block at the masthead, ran a 1/4 line from the boom end, over the block, down to another block at the mast base, thru my deck organizer and to a triple clutch on the port side.

It is just loose most of the time. Downwind I lift the boom just a bit.

When I reef I use it to lift the boom to quickly take in the single line reefing system.

Jim Williams
Hey Jude C25fk 2958
SF Bay

Edited by - on

PZell
Admiral

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USA
548 Posts

Response Posted - 02/23/2005 : 14:10:00

And yet a further variation. Mine is similar to Frank's picture above at the boom end, but terminates at a cleat there, but... it also goes thru a block at the masthead and down to mast base and to a cockpit cam cleat similar to Jim's Hey Jude set up. We adjust ours frequently depending on the point of sail to keep it just loose from taut. It is an essential element of the reefing sequence. I have two line reefing. The topping lift can be adjusted either at the boom end or the cabin top.

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adamb
1st Mate

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USA
39 Posts

Response Posted - 02/24/2005 : 20:49:35

Thanks to everybody - this is great advise and ideas.

The rigid boom vang is intriguing -
Which kind?
Where from?
Do you like it?
Good and bad stuff?

Thanks as always

Edited by - on

existentialsailor
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1180 Posts

Response Posted - 02/25/2005 : 05:54:26

Adam,

You may find this current discussion in the general forum applicable to your question on the rigid boom vang:
http://www.catalina25-250.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=8601

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adamb
1st Mate

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USA
39 Posts

Response Posted - 02/26/2005 : 22:37:36

thanks Rick - the thread answered my questions

Adam

Edited by - on

Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 02/27/2005 : 09:54:20

Another thing to consider if you don't have a lot of spare parts lying around: Catalina direct sells a kit for just this purpose. That's the route I went. You get a plastic covered cable, Harken blocks, clam cleat, and line to make an adjustable topping lift.

I like to raise the boom really high when I'm anchored out for the night, or having a cookout in the cockpit and it's nice to get the boom out of the way. I just looked it up in the CD catalog and it was 60 bucks.
Of course you could make one yourself too, good luck.

Edited by - on

adamb
1st Mate

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USA
39 Posts

Response Posted - 02/27/2005 : 14:47:41

Jim ( Hey Jude ) How long a line did you use? Thanks everyone for all the input, as always it is a great help.

Edited by - on

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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.