I’m on my 3rd mainsail. This 3rd sail that was made is wider only near the top of the sail. The topping lift line interferes with the sail . I was told to just unhook the topping lift line and attach it to the mast once the mainsail is up. I didn’t have to do this with my original and 1st replacement sail. The topping lift holds the boom up on this model when the mainsail is down. Does anyone have experience with this? Thanks
O’day 23-2 Topping lift
- Thread starter hasspacher
- Start date
Sailmakers tend to want to make sails wider at the top for two reasons: One, there is more sail area which translates to more power. Two, the shape is aerodynamically more efficient - which means more lift for the same sail area. Unfortunately the wider top can hit the topping lift or even the backstay, if you have one.
I think the advice to move the topping lift to the mast while sailing is sound. You may instead get a solid vang which can hold the boom up when not sailing.
I think the advice to move the topping lift to the mast while sailing is sound. You may instead get a solid vang which can hold the boom up when not sailing.
The sail's feature you refer to is the "roach". Many sailmakers will recommend a larger roach to increase mainsail performance. Of course, they should also advise you that this larger roach, especially when combined with full length battens, can interfere with the old existing topping lift... That's exactly what happened to me when I first upgraded my mainsail years ago.
Installing a rigid vang is such a great upgrade, you'll thank your sailmaker for selling the large roach mainsail. Not just because of the improvement in boat performance, but because it motivated you to go with the rigid vang improvement.
The best deal on rigid vangs is with Garhaurer Marine. You'll love the price.... just a great value for such a significant upgrade.
Once installed, there's no need to use the topping lift for anything. I wrapped mine around the backstay thinking there might be another use for it some day. Never has. I use the main halyard to stow the boom once the sail is down. If there's a pigtail clamped to your backstay for securing the boom, get rid of it also. Use the halyard.
Okay.... are we clear? Call the folks at Garhaurer right away and they'll get you setup. Full installation instructions including how to create a pattern for the custom made boom and mast brackets that are included with the vang. You'll thank me for this, I promise. Good luck Have fun.
Installing a rigid vang is such a great upgrade, you'll thank your sailmaker for selling the large roach mainsail. Not just because of the improvement in boat performance, but because it motivated you to go with the rigid vang improvement.
The best deal on rigid vangs is with Garhaurer Marine. You'll love the price.... just a great value for such a significant upgrade.
Once installed, there's no need to use the topping lift for anything. I wrapped mine around the backstay thinking there might be another use for it some day. Never has. I use the main halyard to stow the boom once the sail is down. If there's a pigtail clamped to your backstay for securing the boom, get rid of it also. Use the halyard.
Okay.... are we clear? Call the folks at Garhaurer right away and they'll get you setup. Full installation instructions including how to create a pattern for the custom made boom and mast brackets that are included with the vang. You'll thank me for this, I promise. Good luck Have fun.
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 24,589
My new mainsail had that problem…
Sailmaker just wanted me live with it, or loosen or remove the topping lift once the sail was up…or suggested a rigid vang would make the TL unneeded.
I tried loosing the TL for 1 season…not a good solution for me…so I asked the sailmaker to replace the headboard with a smaller one (that was really what was catching on my TL). That helped, but the headboard would still catch.
So I found a used Seldon rigid vang, rebuilt it (gas spring was shot) and now have eliminated the TL.
I use my main halyard as a TL after I am done sailing to keep the rigid vang from carrying all of the weight while at the dock.
Hard to beat the rigid vang. Garhauer is certainly less pricey than the Seldon version.
Greg
Sailmaker just wanted me live with it, or loosen or remove the topping lift once the sail was up…or suggested a rigid vang would make the TL unneeded.
I tried loosing the TL for 1 season…not a good solution for me…so I asked the sailmaker to replace the headboard with a smaller one (that was really what was catching on my TL). That helped, but the headboard would still catch.
So I found a used Seldon rigid vang, rebuilt it (gas spring was shot) and now have eliminated the TL.
I use my main halyard as a TL after I am done sailing to keep the rigid vang from carrying all of the weight while at the dock.
Hard to beat the rigid vang. Garhauer is certainly less pricey than the Seldon version.
Greg
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 24,589
I do not believe A = B in this case.
In some situations winds at the top of the mast can be more constant and a bit stronger than on the surface. Such conditions help to move the boat. Your trim of the sails can be different than another similar boat with a different cut sail.
It does not equate to you having a boat that sails slower.
Assuming good sails and running rigging, when a gust hits the boat will dip some, accelerate and come up sailing faster. That’s what an aerodynamically efficient sail shape will do. Because there is more force driving the boat forward and less drag heeling the boat over. If the boat consistently over heeled, which is slow, then there needs to be a reduction in sail area. The efficiency of the foil will remain in the slab reefing scenario - same high aspect ratio shape but less of it. Roller reefing would be different.