Main Sail ... Boom, Vang, Topping Lift, Sail Leech

[Rick Z]

I need some direction .. how should the boom, boom vang & topping lift be set or adjusted. When sailing close haul, I notice the topping lift is tight and the leech of the main sail has an arch ..doesn't feel right !!! In addition, when sailing close haul I need to move the traveler / boom for the main sail off center in order to maximize performance ... I can't trim main so boom is centered .. HELP...

 

[Don Evans]

Lose the Lift

Rick, it appears most of your trim problems stem from the fact you are sailing with the topping lift attached. Let it go. It should not be attached while under sail. Its main purpose is to support the main when the sail is dropped. Tie off that lift, or let it flop, but remove it while under sail. I'm a bit confused by your last question? I assume there is a traveller on the 272, but you say you can't trim it. Was it because of the attached lift? Again removing it while under way will mean you were not fighting it while trimming the main. Hope it is as simple as all that.Don

 

[Don Evans]

Slight Correction

The topping lift's main role is to support the BOOM after the main is dropped.Don

 

[Tom Ehmke]

Rick Z. 272 SAIL TRIM

Rick,I own a 272(but not an LE) and am kind of puzzled by your problem. Are you easing the topping lift once the main is UP? Sometimes I find that I need to ease it a little more than the original setting on different points of sail, but it has to be eased in order for the sail to fill efficiently. My topping lift was cleated at the mast until I led it down the port side of the cabin top to eliminate at least one trip to the mast. The vang on my boat also was cleated with a cam cleat located on the tackle until I removed the cleat and led the vang line back on the port side of the cabin alongside the topping lift. Once again, one less trip forward to the mast... It's normal to have to move the traveler to windward when sailing close-hauled, especially when you're pinching. The 272 doesn't sail very close to the wind even with the traveler to windward. In stronger winds, the vang will pull the boom down and flatten the sail. That's pretty much normal trim for any boat. Hope you enjoy the boat as much as I enjoy mine. Fine little cruiser, I think, a well-kept secret.

 

[Ben McAndrew]

I agree with Don

Rick:I am 14 years old, but I consider myself a pretty good sailor considering that I sail very often with my Dad on his O'Day 28, and my mom's friend's Catalina 22. As far as your Question goes, the topping lift is to keep the boom at a 90 degree angle to the mast when your sail is down; so it needs to de disconnected via a small clip attached to the aft stay. The boom vang, However, lets u tighten the sail when sailind to windward, and keeps the boom from lifting up when sailing down wind, and allows u to tighten the sail to get maximun efficiency. I would keep the boom vang somewhere between medium and loose tightness, to all free movement of the main and boom. (it usually doesen't need to be messed with) But your topping lift deffinately needs to be disconnected from the aft stay ( or just loosen it, if it is the type that connects to the top of the mast) while under sail. -BenP.S: If u have any other Questions, E-mail me at Lyman57@hotmail.com