Boom and Topping Lift

IAMCCF

.
Jun 29, 2015
33
ODay 28 Quincy Yacht Club
Hi All,

I could use some guidance, direction, advise on my topping lift and my boom.

On my old Cal 21 I attached the boom to a small wire attached to the back stay. This kept the boom up and centered on the boat when not in use.

On Take Two I have a topping lift cable with a block attached. Do you all have this set up? How do you rig it? How do you keep the boom centered if you want to disconnect the main sheet at dock?

As you see in the first picture, I have it jury rigged for now.

Also the boom has at the aft section a block on the port side, a cleat on the starboard side and Stainless-Steel Eye Straps on both side but in different locations. What is all this hardware for?

The boom on the mast side has an internal system where lines come out which I believe is the outhaul.. Correct?

Any pictures with your feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Chris
 

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Joe

.
Jun 1, 2004
8,197
Catalina 27 Mission Bay, San Diego
The topping lift is adjustable. Tie a stopper knot in one end of the control line... thread the line through the eye strap on the port side of boom to anchor it... run the line aft to the cheek block... I would keep it outside the bale.. the line then threads up to the block on the topping lift and back down to the cleat on the starboard side... I would replace that cleat with a small cam cleat with fair lead, or a vee cleat with fair lead... the idea being to keep the line captive.. for obvious reasons. However, inspect the existing horn cleat. carefully.... it may a "jam" cleat like you see as sheet cleats of that era boat... you can secure it by leading the line through the hole in the base of the cleat... as long a s the line isn't over sized... 1/4 inch is all you need. Whatever, tie a stopper knot in the end of the control line. If you replace the cleat... you might consider inserting another small cheek block to bring the line a few feet forward before placing the cleat. This will let you adjust the TL from the cockpit even if the boom is swung out.

The pigtail you had on your previous boat can't be used as boats get larger.... What you do is set the boom height with the topping lift, then cinch the mainsheet down to stabilize everything.. you can use the traveler to position the boom where you want. On my boat... I like to push the boom to the side of the cockpit...

The outhaul is a purchase system inside the boom... that exits at the gooseneck. You should see the wire move when you pull it.

I don't see anything set up for a reefing line.. have you figured that out,]. It may run inside the boom also .. there appears to be second line in the gooseneck.