Questions arise for Cherubini H27, regarding the topping lift. Several comments, questions come up: Firstly, my particular installation of the topping lift is a permanent "eye" near the top of the mast, a wire to the boom held in place with a "circular spring clip" (not a "c", "e" nor a geesis clip). Removing the topping lift means fussing with this arrangement, always with a prayer that darn clip doesn't decide to go "sproing" into a deep sea dive, and securing the topping lift tends to be an element between fun and creative genius, with my latest using a bungee cords to secure the free end. Recently I was treated, and also see in a couple of older notes, the concept of the topping lift passing over a sheave on the mast top, and being tightened or loosened like any other halyard. Should this be the more normal arrangement for the H27 topping lift? One very thoughtful person put photos of their Hunter 33 reefing and topping lift, which again created more questions. Although the arrangement is not even simlar to mine, part of the discussion was a dutchman seemingly used with the topping lift (which, frankly, confused me). My main boom has two sets of lines coming out near the gooseneck: One with a jam cleat and the other just small diameter sheaves. The PO had a makeshift vang by running a line from small cleat under the main boom, forward thorough a solid "eye loop", and thence to a larger cleat on the mast. In other recent posts on larger Hunters, there is discussion on what other sailors refer to a topping lifts, which either have a "Dutchman", or enter or leave the main boom which leads to more questions, as to what other purpose does the topping lift have other than to support the main boom when the main sail isn't there to do it? Then comes the discussion about using a "BoomKicker" Boom Supports in place of the topping lift. Again a curiosity. If using the BoomKicker, is there enough adjustment and function that a when the boom is in the upper reefed position (more / less about a foot higher than the normal "down" sailing position)? If this sounds strange, let me explain what I have been led to understand. ThIS cherubini H27 has an upper and locked position on the mast, which I have been given to understand is for the reefed position. The unlocked and lower position, is for using the "vang" function to adjust as necessary (unlocked) position. Thanks, Bob E s/v Second Nature Salem, MA
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My rig
I also have a '78 h27. My rig is a permanent 1/4" wire fastened at top of mast, bought down and terminating to a small block. Then a 3/8" line fastened to end of boom, taken up thru the small block, back down to a turning block on end of boom, then forward to a cleat. This arrangement allows adjustment of topping lift at mast. Good luck red
I also have a '78 h27. My rig is a permanent 1/4" wire fastened at top of mast, bought down and terminating to a small block. Then a 3/8" line fastened to end of boom, taken up thru the small block, back down to a turning block on end of boom, then forward to a cleat. This arrangement allows adjustment of topping lift at mast. Good luck red
Solid vang is the best solution
A solid vang is the best solution. It can hold the boom up when you lower the sail, as well as performing as a vang. Then you can just eliminate the topping lift. The only use of the topping lift is just that - to hold up the boom when the main is down. David Lady Lillie
A solid vang is the best solution. It can hold the boom up when you lower the sail, as well as performing as a vang. Then you can just eliminate the topping lift. The only use of the topping lift is just that - to hold up the boom when the main is down. David Lady Lillie
Another approach.
I wanted a place to "store" a spare halyard. I ran a new halyard over a spare sheave and attached it to the topping lift. Then I got rid of the small blocks at the boom end, attached it directly. Now I can adjust the topping lift but also have an emergency halyard. Personally, given enough cash, I prefer the solid vang option. But if you like the Dutchman for managing the mainsail you need a topping lift.
I wanted a place to "store" a spare halyard. I ran a new halyard over a spare sheave and attached it to the topping lift. Then I got rid of the small blocks at the boom end, attached it directly. Now I can adjust the topping lift but also have an emergency halyard. Personally, given enough cash, I prefer the solid vang option. But if you like the Dutchman for managing the mainsail you need a topping lift.
Solid Vang (BoomKicker?) .. but ..
I looked at the "solid vang", like the BoomKicker, seems affordable enough (approx $250 for 27 footer) . . but . . I fail to see how it would compensate for when the boom is in the reefed up position, unless the Boomkicker solid part detaches somehow?? Regarding the Dutchman .. that is one approach I mentioned as it was mentioned by yet another sailor with an H33. It looks like some combination of sheaves might do the trick and keep the weight down along with the heft of dollars expenditure. One aspect I saw mentioned, and perhaps this is why Hunter used this approach. Apparently, the "loosened" topping lift flopping around wildly in mid-air also tends to beat up the leech of the mainsail? Has anyone else seen this as a problem? Thanks, Bob E
I looked at the "solid vang", like the BoomKicker, seems affordable enough (approx $250 for 27 footer) . . but . . I fail to see how it would compensate for when the boom is in the reefed up position, unless the Boomkicker solid part detaches somehow?? Regarding the Dutchman .. that is one approach I mentioned as it was mentioned by yet another sailor with an H33. It looks like some combination of sheaves might do the trick and keep the weight down along with the heft of dollars expenditure. One aspect I saw mentioned, and perhaps this is why Hunter used this approach. Apparently, the "loosened" topping lift flopping around wildly in mid-air also tends to beat up the leech of the mainsail? Has anyone else seen this as a problem? Thanks, Bob E
That's why.
That flailing topping lift is the reason I made it adjustable with a spare halyard. Sometimes it would actually get "hooked" to the leech by a telltale. I had a block arrangement on the boom end but if sailing downwind I couldn't reach it to adjust without bringing the mainsail in. Now I can keep it tight with the halyard, right now from the mast. Eventually I may run it back to the cockpit. Or should I get rid of it entirely and install a solid vang? I like my present vang because I can use it as a preventer. And I don't need the expense. Decisions, decisions.
That flailing topping lift is the reason I made it adjustable with a spare halyard. Sometimes it would actually get "hooked" to the leech by a telltale. I had a block arrangement on the boom end but if sailing downwind I couldn't reach it to adjust without bringing the mainsail in. Now I can keep it tight with the halyard, right now from the mast. Eventually I may run it back to the cockpit. Or should I get rid of it entirely and install a solid vang? I like my present vang because I can use it as a preventer. And I don't need the expense. Decisions, decisions.
Hunter 27' topping lift
I have a 1979 27' Hunter. It's a sweet boat. I agree with Red Coles' set up. I have the same set up except I have it cleated off near the goose neck so when I am running down wind I can still get to the line to make ajustments. It works great and it is inexpensive. Good Sailing! Randy
I have a 1979 27' Hunter. It's a sweet boat. I agree with Red Coles' set up. I have the same set up except I have it cleated off near the goose neck so when I am running down wind I can still get to the line to make ajustments. It works great and it is inexpensive. Good Sailing! Randy
Solution to "know" problem Resolved
Problem Solved: (there was no problem!) The PO explained and demonstrated to me, that even though the topping lift is basically fixed at both ends (mast top and boom end); when the main sail is fully tightened up and/or the sail is at it's reef point (one in this sail), then the sail tension pulles the luff tighter so that it's linear distance is shorter than the topping lift! (ergo .. no problem . . . as long as the sail under tension is shorter than the topping lift itself). (Even though it looks like the topping lift is damaged near the top of the mast, I also have a spare halyard which I am sure could serve as a topping lift.) Either way, haul out time is next month (water taxi service is ending scheduled service in mid-october. Thanks to everyone .. I had more questions answered than I knew to ask. Bob E s/v Second Nature
Problem Solved: (there was no problem!)
The PO explained and demonstrated to me, that even though the topping lift is basically fixed at both ends (mast top and boom end); when the main sail is fully tightened up and/or the sail is at it's reef point (one in this sail), then the sail tension pulles the luff tighter so that it's linear distance is shorter than the topping lift! (ergo .. no problem . . . as long as the sail under tension is shorter than the topping lift itself). (Even though it looks like the topping lift is damaged near the top of the mast, I also have a spare halyard which I am sure could serve as a topping lift.) Either way, haul out time is next month (water taxi service is ending scheduled service in mid-october. Thanks to everyone .. I had more questions answered than I knew to ask. Bob E s/v Second Nature- Status