My Legend 35.5 has 2 reef points led back to two independent line stoppers. I have actually never used the second reef point except in trying it out a few times. I'd much rather feed the topping lift line back to this stopper rather than have to go to the mast each time to adjust the boom height. I have given some thought to simply coiling up the second reef line in the cockpit [not disconnecting it] but just pulling out of the stopper and using this stopper for the the topping lift. I guess I could install an additional stopper but this seems like a simpler fix. I would appreciate any comments. Fred M S/V M-Squared
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Add a line clutch
I just added another line clutch to both sets of line clutches on my 35.5. Garhauer will send you a kit to make your line clutches "quads". The kit is about $100 and is easy to install. I just did this on my boat and now have both the topping lift and the vang led back to the cockpit on the new clutches in addition the standard lines. That way you do not have to leave out the second reef. I agree you don't need a second reef very often but when you do - you don't want to have to jury rig it. Having the topping lift back in the cockpit is great - I should have done it long ago.
I just added another line clutch to both sets of line clutches on my 35.5. Garhauer will send you a kit to make your line clutches "quads". The kit is about $100 and is easy to install. I just did this on my boat and now have both the topping lift and the vang led back to the cockpit on the new clutches in addition the standard lines. That way you do not have to leave out the second reef. I agree you don't need a second reef very often but when you do - you don't want to have to jury rig it. Having the topping lift back in the cockpit is great - I should have done it long ago.
Alternative Approach
My topping lift passes over a sheave at the masthead, down inside the mast and back to a clutch in the cockpit. The masthead sheave has been simply bolted on alongside the main halyard sheave and the topping lift passes through a 3/4" hole in the masthead fitting. Yours might have this too. My mast is Z spars 1996 vintage. (H376)
My topping lift passes over a sheave at the masthead, down inside the mast and back to a clutch in the cockpit. The masthead sheave has been simply bolted on alongside the main halyard sheave and the topping lift passes through a 3/4" hole in the masthead fitting. Yours might have this too. My mast is Z spars 1996 vintage. (H376)
2nd Reef
Although I have a smaller boat, I set up the second reef on my 28.5, then backed the line out of the sail cringle and re-tied the line to the anchor point on the boom. Lastly, I coiled up the remaining 2nd reef line at the cabintop stopper (I have 5). If I need the 2nd reef, I can re-run it up thru the cringle as I tie it in. I run a topping lift from the masthead tied to a 3/4" block about 6" above the aft end of the boom. I dead end another line on the end of the boom, up thru the block; back down thru a cheek block 6" forward of the end of the boom and forward thru a captured jamb cleat to a horn cleat 4' aft of the mast. This gives me a two part purchase and an adjustment that can be made right from the cockpit on the captured jamb cleat or forward at the cabintop. The starboard sheet stoppers handle the main halyard one Genoa halyards plus the second reef. The port sheet stoppers handle the 2nd Genoa halyard and the first reef. The boom vang is self cleating at the lower block becket at the base of the mast so it can be adjusted from the cockpit or either rail.
Although I have a smaller boat, I set up the second reef on my 28.5, then backed the line out of the sail cringle and re-tied the line to the anchor point on the boom. Lastly, I coiled up the remaining 2nd reef line at the cabintop stopper (I have 5). If I need the 2nd reef, I can re-run it up thru the cringle as I tie it in. I run a topping lift from the masthead tied to a 3/4" block about 6" above the aft end of the boom. I dead end another line on the end of the boom, up thru the block; back down thru a cheek block 6" forward of the end of the boom and forward thru a captured jamb cleat to a horn cleat 4' aft of the mast. This gives me a two part purchase and an adjustment that can be made right from the cockpit on the captured jamb cleat or forward at the cabintop. The starboard sheet stoppers handle the main halyard one Genoa halyards plus the second reef. The port sheet stoppers handle the 2nd Genoa halyard and the first reef. The boom vang is self cleating at the lower block becket at the base of the mast so it can be adjusted from the cockpit or either rail.
The topping lift....
...is only used to support the boom if you don't have a solid vang (which I highly recommend that you do). If you install a small line cleat with a 2:1 purchase at the bottom of the topping lift, you can ease it before you raise the main and re tighten it after you drop it again. This way it will always be slack when sailing (it isn't a sail control) but will be available to catch the boom when the main is dropped and then be re tensioned to make the boom horizontal.
...is only used to support the boom if you don't have a solid vang (which I highly recommend that you do). If you install a small line cleat with a 2:1 purchase at the bottom of the topping lift, you can ease it before you raise the main and re tighten it after you drop it again. This way it will always be slack when sailing (it isn't a sail control) but will be available to catch the boom when the main is dropped and then be re tensioned to make the boom horizontal.
I hate topping lifts.
I got rid of ours long ago cause it was always in the way/getting tangled if too loose/hanging the boom if too tight. I put on the Garhauer solid vang and have been MUCH happier since.
I got rid of ours long ago cause it was always in the way/getting tangled if too loose/hanging the boom if too tight. I put on the Garhauer solid vang and have been MUCH happier since.
puriest
They drive me nuts. A traditional vang (just pulleys and a line) and an adjustable topping lift can do the same thing as a solid vang on most boats (big roach main is only questionable boat). On the other hand, a solid vang withOUT an adjustable topping lift can't raise a sail. Can't be used to go aloft. Can't be used to hoist things from the water. BUT...it sure does cost a lot more. So don't go throwing that "it isn't a sail control" stuff around. If you want to waste your money then go ahead but don't throw cool sounding statements that make you seem like you know a lot just to get others to throw their money away.
They drive me nuts. A traditional vang (just pulleys and a line) and an adjustable topping lift can do the same thing as a solid vang on most boats (big roach main is only questionable boat). On the other hand, a solid vang withOUT an adjustable topping lift can't raise a sail. Can't be used to go aloft. Can't be used to hoist things from the water. BUT...it sure does cost a lot more. So don't go throwing that "it isn't a sail control" stuff around. If you want to waste your money then go ahead but don't throw cool sounding statements that make you seem like you know a lot just to get others to throw their money away.
Backstay
First off, current hunters don't have backstays. Second, the only concern is if you leave the topping lift TOO slack it could wrapp around the backstay but that would have to be very slack. It doesn't take much to keep the slack out of it. In otherwords, poor excuse.
First off, current hunters don't have backstays. Second, the only concern is if you leave the topping lift TOO slack it could wrapp around the backstay but that would have to be very slack. It doesn't take much to keep the slack out of it. In otherwords, poor excuse.
Legend 35.5 Backstay
Actually Franklin, the boat which was mentioned at the beginning of this post DOES have a backstay. How do I know, I have one. And the topping lift around the backstay? Yes, it does happen, and no it doesn't take much slack at all in the topping lift for it to happen. Topping lift as a sail control? I guess you could stretch to say that, but it has been discussed here before and I think that you'd find most would agree that there are better ways to accomplish the same thing. Maybe a poll on the website to see how others feel? Can I raise a sail with a topping lift? Sure, but I'd rather use one of the 4 halyards that are there for that purpose. (Or run a new line up one of the two messenger lines in the mast.) Can I go aloft? I wouldn't, not on that line. Hoist things from the water? Sure, but again, I have those other lines. And if I had a solid vang (I don't), a set of blocks at the end of the boom will hoist things out of the water just as well. No topping lift? Less interference with the backstay, less weight aloft, less windage. I can see a lot of good reasons to get rid of it. As for coming down on the "purists", I've been coming to HOW for probably 7 years, and I have read the advice of many given here. And I would listen to Alan, Fred, or both Ricks WELL before I would listen to you. They have earned my respect by their experience, the knowledge that they have presented and the respectful way in which they have presented it. That goes a lot further than the noise that often comes from you. T J Furstenau
Actually Franklin, the boat which was mentioned at the beginning of this post DOES have a backstay. How do I know, I have one. And the topping lift around the backstay? Yes, it does happen, and no it doesn't take much slack at all in the topping lift for it to happen. Topping lift as a sail control? I guess you could stretch to say that, but it has been discussed here before and I think that you'd find most would agree that there are better ways to accomplish the same thing. Maybe a poll on the website to see how others feel? Can I raise a sail with a topping lift? Sure, but I'd rather use one of the 4 halyards that are there for that purpose. (Or run a new line up one of the two messenger lines in the mast.) Can I go aloft? I wouldn't, not on that line. Hoist things from the water? Sure, but again, I have those other lines. And if I had a solid vang (I don't), a set of blocks at the end of the boom will hoist things out of the water just as well. No topping lift? Less interference with the backstay, less weight aloft, less windage. I can see a lot of good reasons to get rid of it. As for coming down on the "purists", I've been coming to HOW for probably 7 years, and I have read the advice of many given here. And I would listen to Alan, Fred, or both Ricks WELL before I would listen to you. They have earned my respect by their experience, the knowledge that they have presented and the respectful way in which they have presented it. That goes a lot further than the noise that often comes from you. T J Furstenau
Wow! And it's not even December yet.
I must really be lucky because I have them all, split back stay, solid Garhauer boom vang and a topping lift. The topping lift helps keep the sail cover off of my Bimini, has it's own sheet stopper, has never gotten into my back stay and of course the most important part it plays is it holds the mono line for my Dutchman reefing system. BTW Rick, I should be in Tampa for several weeks in Dec, Jan and Feb. Vinny
I must really be lucky because I have them all, split back stay, solid Garhauer boom vang and a topping lift. The topping lift helps keep the sail cover off of my Bimini, has it's own sheet stopper, has never gotten into my back stay and of course the most important part it plays is it holds the mono line for my Dutchman reefing system. BTW Rick, I should be in Tampa for several weeks in Dec, Jan and Feb. Vinny
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