Newbie Questions - Hunter 290

[jmhoffman]

I purchased a 2000 Hunter 290 in Sept of 2010, and I have a few questions. Your assistance would be greatly appreciated.

1. Currently there is tension on the topping lift holding the aft end of the boom slightly upward past a horizontal position. When I raise the main sail, the topping lift is contacting the main sail to the point of impacting sail shape. What is the correct tension on the topping lift and how should the main fall in relation to the topping lift? Should the sail edge be on one side of the topping lift and remain there, regardless of wind direction and tack or should the main pass inside the topping lift as I change tack?
2. The main sail halyard block is snug to lock when the main is down. Once the main sail is raised and I lock the block to secure the sail in place, the halyard is not held in place. The sail drops about 1 foot. How can I resolve this issue? Is there normally an adjustment on the block?

Thanks very much.
Jeff

 

[Alan]

Jeff, the topping lift should be completely slack when the main is up. Which side of the sail it lies is completely irrelevant. I don't like having a topping lift. I removed mine in favor of a solid vang which takes the place of the TL and is a great sail control that far too many skippers never use.
I'm unsure of what you mean by 'halyard block lock' ?? After the sail is up the halyard is tensioned with a winch and either locked off on a cleat or run through a stopper clutch which holds the line from slipping back. If you are referring to a line stopper that is slipping you need to check that stopper for proper operation and correct line size.

 

[jmhoffman]

Hi Alan,
Thanks for your replay. What I meant with the halyard was that t

 

[jmhoffman]

Hi Alan,
Thank you for your reply.

What I meant with the halyard issue is that the halyard slips in the rope clutch. I wasn't sure if the tension that is applied on the line is adjustable so that it won't slip. This was not an issue last season. Not sure what happened to cause this issue.

Thanks again.
Jeff