Boom help

[Joe]

And what keeps the boom off of people's heads or the bimini until you can move the halyard. The vang can't do it all.

The rigid vang will easily support the boom and mainsail..... that's why you install it... to get rid of that annoying topping lift. So, two advantages: ONE..clipping the main halyard to the boom end and snugging down the mainsheet locks the spar in a horizontal position (or what ever angle pleases you)... meaning it will be very stable to lean on if you have to crawl up on the cabin roof. TWO.. it's a great way to store the halyard so it won't noisily slap against the mast... which makes you a courteous and thoughtful neighbor to others in the marina or anchorage.

 

[slaume]

My topping lift is set a bit lower than when the main is raised so I don't generally need to adjust it when the main is raised. When I replaced the fixed portion, I used very light Amsteel line which tends to be blown back away from the sail and avoids chafe.

I have run my topping lift control from the end of the boom, forward to the mast. My halyards and reefing lines are rigged there as well. I ease the main sheet and then go to the mast to reef. I tension up the topping lift before reefing. This makes it much easier to get a flat reef in the sail. Once the reef is finished I slack it off a bit and then re sheet the main.

I believe the traditional topping lift and soft vang allow for much easier reefing, Steve.

 

[Joe]

I believe the traditional topping lift and soft vang allow for much easier reefing, Steve.

If the rigid vang is installed properly, it will support the boom slightly above horizontal.. however much you want, actually. I installed mine to give me around 5 deg...just for the purpose you mentioned.

Gentlemen... trust me when I say a rigid vang is one of the very best upgrades you can make to your boat. Pneumatic vangs are very pricey... but the spring loaded type, such as those made by Garhauer, are very reasonably priced.... besides making your sailing life easier and more efficient, it is a beautiful piece of hardware.

 

[Ron20324]

The rigid vang will easily support the boom and mainsail..... that's why you install it... to get rid of that annoying topping lift. So, two advantages: ONE..clipping the main halyard to the boom end and snugging down the mainsheet locks the spar in a horizontal position (or what ever angle pleases you)... meaning it will be very stable to lean on if you have to crawl up on the cabin roof. TWO.. it's a great way to store the halyard so it won't noisily slap against the mast... which makes you a courteous and thoughtful neighbor to others in the marina or anchorage.

Point was, why go through hassling with the halyard when the topping lift is already there? Different strokes, etc.

 

[Doc_holiday]

That "pigtail" is called a "boom lift" - the short wire connected to the backstay. Don't raise your main with it still connected. Don't....

Been there, done that. Fortunately the wind was less than 15 knots. I couldn't figure out why I couldn't sail well until I finally gave up and noticed it when I dropped the main to flake it. Doh!

 

[Joe]

Point was, why go through hassling with the halyard when the topping lift is already there? Different strokes, etc.

Because the topping lift will most likely NOT be there if you have a rigid vang... that's the main reason people install a rigid vang... so they can get rid of the topping lift. If you prefer additional stabilization for the boom when the boat is resting.... the main halyard, clipped to the boom end, will substitute for the missing topping lift quite nicely. It's also a great place to store the halyard away from the mast. Does that make sense now.

 

[Jackdaw]

There are two types of sailors in the world.

One that uses topping lifts, and one that has discovered rigid vangs.

Sure it costs some dough, but device is loaded with several benefits and zero down-side.

A topping lift is hassle, and does not even do its only intended job well.

 

[Anonymous 121765]

I have a rigid vang & a topping lift. I use the vang for sailing, I use the TL for setting my boom angle at the dock (ref. previous posts) for angling up & allow for water drainage. If one fails, I have an alternative.

CR