Opinions about topping lift rubbing on main sail

[JonnyQuest]

So after rigging my topping lift (another thread) to make it adjustable and to keep it attached to the boom at all times, I see that the topping lift crosses behind the curve of my leech about 75% the way up to the top--about where the top most batten is. I assume that this is not a good thing for the sail, and probably why the PO did not keep the topping lift attached under sail. I'm concerned with whether this will be bad for the main sail.

So my options appear to be 1. Install a boomkicker and ditch the topping lift; 2. Install lazy jacks and ditch the tipping lift. I have been thinking about lazy jacks for some time now, so that may be the better way to go. Are they sufficient to support the boom?

Any opinions on how to deal with the topping lift crossing behind the main sail? Any other considerations I am not considering here?

Thanks,

Jonny

 

[Scott T-Bird]

Re: Opinions on Topping lift rubbing on main sail?

The topping lift is always a nuisance on my boat, but I haven't seen any particular wear from it flopping around in over 8 years of service. My sails have had other repairs but repairs from the topping lift chafing haven't been necessary. That's just my experience.

 

[justsomeguy]

Re: Opinions on Topping lift rubbing on main sail?

Are you slackening the line when sailing? I'd just keep an eye on it. Especially when I'm sailing.

 

[Joe]

Re: Opinions on Topping lift rubbing on main sail?

The lazy jacks aren't designed to support the boom, rather just guide the mainsail....

I got tired of messing with the topping lift years ago...more of a nuisance than doing sail damage.. especially with a large roach mainsail... but it was enough to motivate me to invest in a Garhaurer rigid vang. I prefer the rigid vang over the boomkicker.... but it'll be mainly an economic decision.... installation on either system is relatively simple.

Until you decide your course of action.... leave the topping lift taut enough so it won't slap the sail.. when you tack, you'll have to loosen it to clear the battens.. then reset on the next tack..... yes... a pain.. but that's what you have to do if the sail slapping bugs you.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Re: Opinions on Topping lift rubbing on main sail?

Or you could just remove the topping lift while sailing and attach it out of the way. It serves no purpose while the main sail is up - the sail will hold the boom all by it lonely self.

 

[Davidasailor26]

Jonny,

I agree with Scott that the topping lift shouldn't really damage the sail or itself. Just be sure to let it go slack once you raise the main (and more sure to take it in before you drop the sail). While sailing, you generally don't want it under tension as it will put too much twist in the main. In 26 years we've had to replace the topping lift once but that was just because the sheathing was worn near the boom. The upper portion, and the sail are just fine.

 

[rardiH36]

Re: Opinions on Topping lift rubbing on main sail?

Posts #3 & #4 in this thread show my solution to your topping lift query. But it does go counter to your desire not to have to detach the topping lift from your boom.

http://forums.sbo.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=926374&highlight=a

As to lazy jacks being the solution: I suppose if one used a much stronger line than typical (say dynema or amsteel sp?) used blocks, and installed extra strong attachment points on the boom and mast, it might work. But normal lazy jack lines and attach points certainly will fail if the weight of the boom and mainsheet tug on them with any frequency.

 

[higgs]

Re: Opinions on Topping lift rubbing on main sail?

I have never noticed and wear on the mainsail from the topping lift brushing against it. I kept my last two boats over 10 years - no problem from the TL.

 

[higgs]

Re: Opinions on Topping lift rubbing on main sail?

Another way to make my point: Other factors will wear out your main long before the topping lift does the deed.

 

[Charlie Jones s/v Tehani]

Or you could just remove the topping lift while sailing and attach it out of the way. It serves no purpose while the main sail is up - the sail will hold the boom all by it lonely self.

Until a halyard fails, THEN it serves a serious purpose. Keeps the boom from crashing down. I always use a topping lift, and have never had problems with sail wear

 

[JonnyQuest]

Thanks for all the suggestions and explanations-- although hoisting the main did release tension on the topping lift, I could probably stand to let the TL a bit more slack still; and then keep an eye when on a beam or broad reach and letting the main out further than normal. I'm going to try to figure a way to keep the TL attached since when I was watching it there wasn't any real problem other than the sail laying up against it near the top quarter at the apex of the leech's curve.

Thanks too on the explanation on lazy jacks; they are on my short list.

I can now get back to sailing without worrying about the TL messing up my sail.

PS -- here's the topping lift block and tackle attached to the end of the boom. I can release the stopping ball which is inside the d-ring gate and release the tension on the TL some more while under sail. Then haul back up on the TL adjuster by placing the ball back into the d-ring gate for the optimum position to clear my bimini.

 

[Scott T-Bird]

Wow ...

That's some heavy-duty topping lift assembly for a 27' boat! I've just got this little-ole block. Yep, the photo shows my line way slacked off hanging below the boom. It's not normally that slack. I'm thinking more like Joe now ... a rigid vang would be so much cooler:2cool:.

Calling up this photo has got me thinking about how much more comfortable I was sailing that day after an 18-inch snow storm than I was this past weekend with 95 degree sun baking on us!

 

[RichH]

Topping lifts if allowed to continually 'cross' the leech of a mainsail will eventually abrade the folded leech seam ... wearing the sail fabric and the leech stitching.

In the days before rigid booms, to prevent the topping lift from 'beating hell out of a leech' I'd attach a small bungee cord to the topping lift at about 4-6ft above the boom and pull it horizontal along the boom until the topping lift was about 2-3 ft. 'in front' of the leech. To set up, Id pull full strain on the mainsheet (to establish the max distance of the topping lift), slack the topping lift a bit, then pull the bungee forward .... and the topping lift would 'ride' quietly several feet in front of the leech. The result was less chafe on the leech seams and leech stitching and the all important 'fold' of sail material at the leech.

Get a rigid vang and stop all the 'topping lift nonsense'!!!! ;-)

 

[oldiesrocker2001]

I keep my topping lift slack enough to clear the roach (most of the time) on a tack, but still keep the boom high enough for us to drop the main without the boom hitting the admiral if she's at the helm, though I have to duck just a bit. Otherwise while anchored or beached I still attach the boom to the pigtail on the back stay which is a little higher.
Gotta agree with Scott on the weather - it was unanimous(if we count 'cabin dog's vote) that we stay in the A/C sunday instead of sailing. And to think just a few years ago I would have carried my bag for 18 holes of golf in the same kind of temperature.....

 

[JonnyQuest]

That's some heavy-duty topping lift assembly for a 27' boat! I've just got this little-ole block. Yep, the photo shows my line way slacked off hanging below the boom. It's not normally that slack. I'm thinking more like Joe now ... a rigid vang would be so much cooler:2cool:.

Calling up this photo has got me thinking about how much more comfortable I was sailing that day after an 18-inch snow storm than I was this past weekend with 95 degree sun baking on us!

Hah! It's not really heavy duty, it was a left over block with cam (correct term?) probably for a flag halyard--small diameter. Don't have the deck hardware to run it anywhere so this was the cheapest solution (free!)

 

[JonnyQuest]

Yep, I may ultimately invest in a boomkicker, price is right and not a heavy boom to support.

Good suggestions on bungie-ing the topping lift to lessen wear along leech. Thanks.

 

[Cayennita]

My boat came with 2 main halyard sheaves at the top of the mast. I carried the main halyard in a 2:1 ratio configuration and another simple halyard in the other side as a topping lift. I did install a rigid vang also. The spare halyard was good for getting to the top of the mast for work or replacing the main halyard. Even though the line was 9/16th and kept it slack, it never chaffed in 15 years of sailing with that boat.

 

[bobbob]

Had the same problem.

We have a 1987 pearson and had the same problem. This year purchased a boom kicker and are very pleased. Could not find a rigid boom vang for a boat this size, they seem to start at about 35 foot and up..would not think the lazy jack system is good for supporting the boom. We also have that but would not trust it for boom support. good luck!

 

[JonnyQuest]

I appreciate all the input here. What I ultimately want to do is to make a sail cradle (aka stack pack etc) that has lazy jacks too. While some may consider this overkill, I handle the sailing while The Admiral flogs the unruly scalliwag crew-- by crew I mean our 5 yr old and 8 yr old. I definitely have the easier job by the way

So as part of the quest to make Jonny Quest more family friendly I am on a process of rigging for solo sailing as so much of this is beyond the abilities of the rest of the crew. When I bought this oday none of it was rigged for solo handling.

the Admiral can sew so I expect the project may come to fruition by the end of this sailing season. So all of your ideas are going to help out greatly.

Fair winds to all.

Jonny

 

[bffatcat]

topping lift

I go along with Scott and Higgs I just let the topping lift flop around I very rarely adjust it. when I drop the main the boom is right where I want it. Im not much on gadgets. Boom kickers, lazy jacks ect. after over 60 years of sailing Im still a minimalist. The less gadgets I have, the less stuff I have to fix