I would like to see some pictures of how your topping lift gos on the boom . Can you still use the roller boom with a topping lift ? I am still working on my Macgregor 22 ,I hope to get to try it out next year
Topping lift ?
- Thread starter slowdog
- Start date
Yes, you can. You need a tang on the very end of the boom that is free to rotate, so when the boom rolls, the tang just revolves around it' attachment./
But a roller furling boom would be my personal LAST choice for reefing. Jiffy reefing ( or slab reefing as it's also called) is SO much faster. and gives a far better sail shape when reefed. The end of your boom will droop as you roll the sail up and unless you adjust the topping lift, it'll hold the boom end up, and give you even worst shape.
But a roller furling boom would be my personal LAST choice for reefing. Jiffy reefing ( or slab reefing as it's also called) is SO much faster. and gives a far better sail shape when reefed. The end of your boom will droop as you roll the sail up and unless you adjust the topping lift, it'll hold the boom end up, and give you even worst shape.
I agree with TSBB. Instead of trying to accommodate the boom roller...convert the whole thing to non rotating boom and rig it for slab reefing, that way you can also have a functioning vang, topping lift, or even a rigid vang, Just because it might have come that way 40 years ago doesn't mean it should stay. There's no resale value in restoring such a thing... it fact it would probably diminish resale, 'cause no one want's those old roller boom reefing systems.... they don't work.
My neighbors Columbia 26 pilot house had a roller furling boom... it sucked, I helped him fix it with a couple of self tapping screws to keep it from rotating.
A winch handle was needed to roll the boom. He had the old Merriman type winches, that use a flat bar handle. The fixture on the boom end looked similar to the top of the winch... the tang for the topping lift was part of a freewheeling cluster that allowed you to crank the boom with the TL attached.
All of this was so inconvenient... you couldn't but a cleat on the boom to control the topping lift... it had to be run like a halyard to the top of the mast then down to the deck.... he didn't even have it set up that way, because there weren't enough sheave's at the mast head... so it was just a fixed line...the previous owner would disconnect the TL when he was sailing. ALL of this bs just so you could roll the sail on the boom.... you couldn't really reef because there was no outhaul to pull the main's clew aft to keep the foot of the sail flat..... So the whole thing was just for storage... WTF????
Anyhow... we got together and figured a way to immobilize the boom's rotating, We mounted a proper vang and outhaul and rigged some slab reefing gear on the boom .... He was a very happy camper.
My neighbors Columbia 26 pilot house had a roller furling boom... it sucked, I helped him fix it with a couple of self tapping screws to keep it from rotating.
A winch handle was needed to roll the boom. He had the old Merriman type winches, that use a flat bar handle. The fixture on the boom end looked similar to the top of the winch... the tang for the topping lift was part of a freewheeling cluster that allowed you to crank the boom with the TL attached.
All of this was so inconvenient... you couldn't but a cleat on the boom to control the topping lift... it had to be run like a halyard to the top of the mast then down to the deck.... he didn't even have it set up that way, because there weren't enough sheave's at the mast head... so it was just a fixed line...the previous owner would disconnect the TL when he was sailing. ALL of this bs just so you could roll the sail on the boom.... you couldn't really reef because there was no outhaul to pull the main's clew aft to keep the foot of the sail flat..... So the whole thing was just for storage... WTF????
Anyhow... we got together and figured a way to immobilize the boom's rotating, We mounted a proper vang and outhaul and rigged some slab reefing gear on the boom .... He was a very happy camper.
I'm with the others on the boom roller reefing. We messed with it for a year - forgetaboutit!
There are several ways to rig a topping lift. Ours is
Boom end -> masthead cheek block->mast base turning block->outer coach roof turning block->cockpit cam cleat.
We use it constantly. Mounting a cheek block at the mast head is not difficult.
There are several ways to rig a topping lift. Ours is
Boom end -> masthead cheek block->mast base turning block->outer coach roof turning block->cockpit cam cleat.
We use it constantly. Mounting a cheek block at the mast head is not difficult.
My 22 originally had roller reefing even though I never used it. I never disabled it either. The boom could still rotate but that never cause any problems with the slab reefing or anything else.
If you still want to use it as intended, there should be two rotating tangs at the far end of the boom. The longer one attaches to the mainsheet. The shorter one attaches to the pigtail on the backstay and also to the topping lift.
If you still want to use it as intended, there should be two rotating tangs at the far end of the boom. The longer one attaches to the mainsheet. The shorter one attaches to the pigtail on the backstay and also to the topping lift.
Slowdog ... ttsb makes a good point ....
I had a Mac 22 and have done a great many 3 -4 day cruises in her (I miss that boat). The roller furling boom is a cool way to store the sail (tidy) and it is easy to let out sail from the rolled up boom if the wind calms down... but it is nearly impossible to roll it up when the wind starts to increase.
When I had my Mac 22, if the wind was strong as I was leaving port, I'd use the roller boom. But I also had reef points in my sail so when I was out sailing and needed to reef, I'd use slab reefing. Slab reefing is quick and easy and you won't get flogged to death dealing with a roller boom and a lose sail.
Also consider a down haul for the genoa. When the wind picks up, you will want to tame that genoa on the deck and a down haul is great for that. Then once the boat is calmed down, you can hank on your smaller jib.
reefing
geared roller reefing is a obsollete as black and white tv listen to tsbb & joe jiffy or slab reefing is the way to go
geared roller reefing is a obsollete as black and white tv listen to tsbb & joe jiffy or slab reefing is the way to go
FWIW: Roller booms on these old Macs aren't geared, they just rotate on a pin on each end and they are lame. Just my opinion.
here is my set up... it works very well and without any measurable stretch, which is bad in a topping lift. being adjustable as it is, its easy to hoist the boom so its out of the way when the sails are down and you want free headroom in the cockpit..
I fully agree with everyone else on the "roller reefing" option, its not really an option... BUT, I do sometimes (usually) roll the sail around the boom when i am derigging the boat. I will then put the sail cover over the rolled sail/boom and stow it inside the boat.... its much easier than removing the sail and folding it every time...
I fully agree with everyone else on the "roller reefing" option, its not really an option... BUT, I do sometimes (usually) roll the sail around the boom when i am derigging the boat. I will then put the sail cover over the rolled sail/boom and stow it inside the boat.... its much easier than removing the sail and folding it every time...
Attachments
This helped me as well as I inherited a fixed topping lift and will adapt Centerlines pully approach for my boat. Thanks, Chief
There are many versions of topping lift control systems. If you google "Catalina 250 topping lift" you'll see quite a few solutions.
Centerline's set up seems functional, but on a smaller boat you could down sized the line, blocks and cleat... if only for the sake of saving a few bucks. I would also address how the tail end of the control line is dealt with.. it is not depicted in the photos. What is more common is to place the cleat far enough forward on the boom that the end of the line can be reached when the boom's end is eased out past the cockpit... the line is routed forward by a side mounted cheek block near the boom end.
In any event, take a look at some of the other solutions you'll find in the google search.
Joe: My topping lift is in place already so all I need is the pully system added to it, plus I have all the items to make it up. Thanks, Chief
the tail end of my line is knotted for safety so it cant pull thru the cam cleat. the boom can only drop a couple of inches lower than what the sail needs when the vang is tensioned.... it can never fall into the cockpit accidentally.
and it cannot be reached when the boom end is outboard of the gunnels.... on this light of boat and my sailing style, I have found its unnecessary to adjust the toplift when sailing.... set it and forget it...
when the toplift is adjusted to hold the boom out of the way when the sail is down, the tail is tied off, so even then if the line should slip the cam, it wont fall....
and it cannot be reached when the boom end is outboard of the gunnels.... on this light of boat and my sailing style, I have found its unnecessary to adjust the toplift when sailing.... set it and forget it...
when the toplift is adjusted to hold the boom out of the way when the sail is down, the tail is tied off, so even then if the line should slip the cam, it wont fall....
Yes, you can put in your own reef points if you are handy with a sewing machine. Test your machine for the max layers of dacron it can sew at once. Cut and sew the folded hems first or at least press them underneath. Sew on each diamond one at a time and through the second one if your machine can do it. If not, make one diamond piece a little larger and sew smallest on, then larger one. Put in grommets when sewing is done. Use strong thread but NOT oversized for your machine. If needle hangs up, use baby powder on the fabric. Chief
sewing in point ties
They are easy enough to put in but another Idea is, as you tie in the reef to pull half of the dead area on either side of the boom Then you dont have to tie in or untie points
They are easy enough to put in but another Idea is, as you tie in the reef to pull half of the dead area on either side of the boom Then you dont have to tie in or untie points
for topcat 0399
It does,not matter whether the roller reefing is geared or rolled by hand Your sail shape is still going to be unsatisfactory
It does,not matter whether the roller reefing is geared or rolled by hand Your sail shape is still going to be unsatisfactory
If you must reef then sail shape is not really any longer much of a need due to excess wind. Jackdaw taught me that when I was concerned about sail shape for a genoa being drawn over lifelines. Chief