Hunter 40.5 topping lift stuck - considering a rod kicker.

Mark Maulden · Sep 15, 2023

Why dont you just get rid of the current topping lift of rope to wire and replace it with Samson 1/2“ XLS? Cheaper than Dyneema and it would feel better in the hand. I would bet the sheave would handle it just fine..

garymalmgren · Sep 16, 2023

Your topping lift is wire?
That would make it a spare mainsail halyard, wouldn't it?
That would be a keeper for me.

1. Go up the mast and check what the problem is.
2. Fix the problem with the present system.
3. sail away with a working topping lift which is a back up mainsail halyard.

No reason to complicate things here.

gary

jviss · Sep 16, 2023

Rodkicker is Selden's name for a rigid boom vang. I researched rigid boom vangs a while ago as my original Offshore Spars vang is damaged, and it also squeaks horribly. The one I chose is Vang-Master, which is now sold by Harken. It's pneumatic, pretty slick, but a bit pricey. The one for my boat sells for around $3,300. But I think it's cool. (I don't have one yet.)

Harken Vang-Master

Tally Ho · Sep 16, 2023

On my O’Day 322, my rope topping lift was very old and crusty. It would hardly move (cleated off at the mast like yours). But mine is all rope. I bought a new 90’ line, spliced it to the old one, but could not get the splice over the sheave. Pulled so hard, I parted the splice

. Went up the mast and pulled the new rope /splice out of the sheave and dropped a piece of paracord with a few nuts tied on the end down the mast. Fished it out of the mast and tried again to pull the new rope up and over the sheave….no go.

I bought a used Seldon rod kicker, but the gas spring was shot, so I had to get a replacement….in the meantime, I put a little pigtail of paracord on the backstay with a Klemheist knot. I put a carabiner on the end so I could clip it to the back end of my mast BEFORE dropping the sail. It worked temporarily until I got the Rodkicker working, but I was very careful to not cross load the sail with the pigtail attached to the backstay.

Anther thing you could do is to tie. Loop in the back stay to shorten it, then add a coupe of blocks (basically like a vang set up). Then you could raise and lower the boom with the blocks instead of moving the whole topping lift.

I will try to replace mine at some point (going to drop the mast next year or 2 to replace standing rigging, wiring, etc…so will also check all of the sheaves. I like having the extra line (spare halyard). But the Rodkicker is pretty cool.

Greg

Dalliance · Sep 16, 2023

I got rid of my topping lift 14 years ago. The mainsail roach hung up and chafed on it constantly. Went with a Garhauer rigid vang. Love it. No regrets. Much less expensive than what Harkin offers because there’s a simple spring inside rather than it being pneumatic.
Interesting point by garymalgren about the topping lift serving as a back up mainsail halyard, but I don’t think it would change my mind about my rigid vang.

garymalmgren · Sep 16, 2023

Hi Smokey
If it is a broken sheeve, is it possible to replace the sheeve with the mast up?
The short answer is yes.
The long answer is sometimes a sheave axle (pin) will come out easily and sometimes it won't.
When you are up there make sure everything is tied off so nothing falls down inside the mast.
I would contact ZSpar directly and talk to someone there.

RE:I have in my hands a new Mainsail Haylard and Genoa Halyard purchased from SBO already and just waiting to install them before I go up the mast before this happened.

If you are changing over your halyards it would be a good idea to at least check the masthead sheaves for them.
Aftermarket sheaves are readily available.

Sailboat Rigging Sheaves | MAURIPRO Sailing

Shop sailboat Rigging Sheaves at MAURIPRO Sailing Store. Complete selection and technical information on all. Free shipping on orders over $99.

www.mauriprosailing.com

gary

Terry Cox · Sep 16, 2023

smokey73 said:
It is stuck and will not go up or down

Different model boat, but that happened to me a few years ago. What we found was that the topping lift sheet jumped the sheave and had bound up with the main halyard. Could not raise or lower the main halyard beyond mid mast. Why, because I failed to follow my best practice, which was to first raise the main before easing the topping lift. You may find the same with a less expensive fix than purchasing a boom kicker.

Our Isomat mast head has a cap that must come off to expose the sheave box for the main and topping lift halyards. The machine screws that secured the cap required the use of an impact driver to remove them due to age and some corrosion. The sheave box just lifts out where you can work on replacing sheaves, if needed. Ours were just okay with some minor edge wear.

Our boat has a Dutchman flaking system that requires a topping lift. I can also use it as a safety backup line when going up the mast using the main halyard.

Terry Cox · Sep 17, 2023

Good morning, Dan. Our boat came with a 1/2" double braid topping lift halyard. Originally, the working end went through the organizer, sheet stopper and into the cockpit with the bitter end tied off at the boom end. When I added the asym gear I moved the working end to the boom end with the bitter end tied off at the mast. That way I was able to do most everything from the cockpit area rather than going to the mast. I also did this to free up an organizer slot and sheet stopper for the asym. This has worked out quite well over the years.

Hunter 42 Owner Modifications and Upgrades

hunter.sailboatowners.com

jssailem · Sep 17, 2023

Smokey, you idea of a wire clamp on the cable, and then a tie off to th boom will be a simple fix til you decide what to do.
Something like this, perhaps a pair might hold the boom in place. Attach a soft shackle through the thimble to the boom and you could attach when the main is furled / release when the sail is hoisted.

Or a couple clamps like this might provide a more secure holed while you await the final decisions.

But they look clunky and could damage the sail unless careful

jssailem · Sep 17, 2023

smokey73 said:
For those who have kept the topping lift but went ahead and installed a rigid vang, what do you do with the "spare halyard" since it is no longer attached to the aft end of the boom?

I use the topping lift when the sail i lowered. When the sail is hoisted I remove the topping lift from the boom and attach it to the mast like other lines not in use. A bungee helps to keep it in place while I sail. My lines are all rope so noise is not wire against the mast.

Your idea to use dyneema will work. It will mean less weight on/in your mast. The dyneema line diameter can be small like 1/8 but I would likely consider 5/16 as useful.

AmSteel®Blue / Dyneema® 12-Strand SK76
Diameter	Diameter	Tensile Strength	Working Load
inches	mm	pounds	pounds
1/8"	3	2,300	460
3/16"	5	4,900	980
1/4"	6	7,700	1,540
5/16"	8	12,300	2,460
3/8"	10	17,600	3,520

Rick D · Sep 17, 2023

smokey73 said:
Hunter 40.5 1994

Went for an afternoon day sail today and now it appears that my topping lift has either jumped the sheeve at the masthead or the sheeve itself is broken. Can't really see it. It is stuck and will not go up or down. Problem is that it is out too much and my boom is too low and will rest on the bimini (it does clear the dodger) I'll probably go up the mast when I can get to it and see if I can get it unstuck and/or inspect the sheeve. It is a line/wire rope topping lift. I can go up on the main haylard with the spinnaker haylard as a safety line. If I do decide to keep the topping lift I may consider a new dyeema topping lift. Any suggestions there?

I am also considering just abandoning the topping lift and getting a rodkicker. Seldon has one that should fit my boat. Their website lists about every Hunter other than a 40.5? Are there any 40.5 owners with a rodkicker. Any recommendations on manufacturer, size etc. Monday I'll call Seldon and see if they have a recommendation.

Would appreicare any insights, tips on freeing the topping lift, recommendations for a rodkicker, etc. Open to all options.

Thanks

Terry Cox · Sep 17, 2023

smokey73 said:
Why are there two.

Hi Dan. You're welcome. The lower one is a fiddle turning block that attaches to the boom end. The upper one is a fiddle turning block with cam cleat. I use them to first trim the topping lift when I drop the main and ease the topping lift after I've raised the main. As you say, that allows me to make all the appropriate main adjustments while under way.

smokey73 said:
If my topping lift and main halyard were fouled and would not release how would I get the main down?

That is exactly what happened to me. Got the main half way up when the jam occurred due to a slack topping lift halyard. My best practice was to always raise the main first before easing the topping lift. Went into West Sound marina and used the asym halyard to go up the mast to undo the jam so that I could lower the main.

Rick D · Sep 17, 2023

FWIW, about 15 years ago, I put on a Garhauer rigid vang. It's wonderful, and comparatively economical.

Hunter 40.5 topping lift stuck - considering a rod kicker.

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SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John

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SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John

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