I just purchased a 1990 26S. Sailed it for the first time on Sat. Loved the boat, had a great day of sailing. I could never have a bad day of sailing! The question that I have is, The boat did not have a boam support when the sail is down. the boom sits in your lap. I want to put something to support the boom. I looked at other boats some look like they where always attached. Others look like they remove them when they sail. Some where attached to the rear stay, and others attached from the top of the mast. I'm looking for a way to keep my boom up off my lap, I don't want to take it off everytime I put up the main sail if possible. Can anyone give me some advise with this.
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Topping lift?
You could use a topping lift, which is a rope that goes over a pulley at the top of the mast and connects to the end of the boom. The other end of the rope ends up in the cockpit. On my 26X I prefer using the roller support pole. It is a handy pole to hang on to when swinging around the steering wheel.
You could use a topping lift, which is a rope that goes over a pulley at the top of the mast and connects to the end of the boom. The other end of the rope ends up in the cockpit. On my 26X I prefer using the roller support pole. It is a handy pole to hang on to when swinging around the steering wheel.
I'm curious about this too
The backstay has a clip hanging down that is there, I believe, for this purpose. But the boom doesn't have anything to clip it to -- at least mine doesn't. If anyone knows this it would be a great little mystery solved!
The backstay has a clip hanging down that is there, I believe, for this purpose. But the boom doesn't have anything to clip it to -- at least mine doesn't. If anyone knows this it would be a great little mystery solved!
I run my outhaul rope up to the clip.
This clip can only be used when you are not sailing. I would support the boom by running the outhaul rope up through the clip and back down to the cleat on the end of the boom. Got tired of it, so I added a topping lift, instead. Much happier with this. Can keep it hooked up while sailing.
This clip can only be used when you are not sailing. I would support the boom by running the outhaul rope up through the clip and back down to the cleat on the end of the boom. Got tired of it, so I added a topping lift, instead. Much happier with this. Can keep it hooked up while sailing.
Boom Support
I also had a 1990 26S. Great Boat. When I received it it had the backstay pigtail that I would attach to the outhaul cleat on the end of the boom. I finally added a small eye to the end of the boom to attach to the pigtail. I ended up also adding a topping lift. I mounted a small cheek block at the top of the mast and used a 1/4" line. The topping lift was handy for other things as well. On my 26X I have a topping lift, backstay pigtail, and boomkicker. The boomkicker is one more thing to do in setup so I generally use it when I've left my boat in her slip.
I also had a 1990 26S. Great Boat. When I received it it had the backstay pigtail that I would attach to the outhaul cleat on the end of the boom. I finally added a small eye to the end of the boom to attach to the pigtail. I ended up also adding a topping lift. I mounted a small cheek block at the top of the mast and used a 1/4" line. The topping lift was handy for other things as well. On my 26X I have a topping lift, backstay pigtail, and boomkicker. The boomkicker is one more thing to do in setup so I generally use it when I've left my boat in her slip.
Boom strap
My boom came with a short strap of stainless screwed loosely to the end. This strap has a hole for the snap tied to my backstay to snap into. sorry for all the straps and snaps
My boom came with a short strap of stainless screwed loosely to the end. This strap has a hole for the snap tied to my backstay to snap into. sorry for all the straps and snaps
spinaker halyard
When not sailing I just loop the spinaker halyard around the outhaul cleat at the end of the boom(one day I hope to use it for a spinaker, but gotta wait for the $). Rich
When not sailing I just loop the spinaker halyard around the outhaul cleat at the end of the boom(one day I hope to use it for a spinaker, but gotta wait for the $). Rich
Another topping lift
But mine isn't on a block it is one length (fixed) , I don't take it off when I sail. Although I guess it might lift the back of the boom up when I don't want it to.
But mine isn't on a block it is one length (fixed) , I don't take it off when I sail. Although I guess it might lift the back of the boom up when I don't want it to.
Topping lift
My 1990 26S came with a topping lift and a backstay cleat for a pigtail. I use the topping lift only, since it can be left attached at all times. I don't have any extra hardware, just a 1/4" line and a bowline knot at the boom end and masthead. Wrap some tape around the bowline loops for chafe protection. Boomkickers work great, but if you have a 25 or 26C/S/D, you won't be able to use the poptop. I never thought of using the spinnaker halyard, but that would work too. Mine stays attached to the bow pulpit as a backup forestay. I have a recurring nightmare where the forestay/furler or deck fitting breaks and the mast comes to visit me in the cockpit. I'm not sure if the pulpit would really hold, but I get some peace of mind that it might slow the mast's descent.
My 1990 26S came with a topping lift and a backstay cleat for a pigtail. I use the topping lift only, since it can be left attached at all times. I don't have any extra hardware, just a 1/4" line and a bowline knot at the boom end and masthead. Wrap some tape around the bowline loops for chafe protection. Boomkickers work great, but if you have a 25 or 26C/S/D, you won't be able to use the poptop. I never thought of using the spinnaker halyard, but that would work too. Mine stays attached to the bow pulpit as a backup forestay. I have a recurring nightmare where the forestay/furler or deck fitting breaks and the mast comes to visit me in the cockpit. I'm not sure if the pulpit would really hold, but I get some peace of mind that it might slow the mast's descent.
so you can sail without a topping lift rope
I have always had a rope attatched to the top of the mast that leads to the outhaul cleat on my boom. That keeps it up. I didn't realize you could sail without this. Is that good for the sail? I guess that would give it better shape for high wind but wouldnt that stretch your sail out? I'll have to try this? Ryan
I have always had a rope attatched to the top of the mast that leads to the outhaul cleat on my boom. That keeps it up. I didn't realize you could sail without this. Is that good for the sail? I guess that would give it better shape for high wind but wouldnt that stretch your sail out? I'll have to try this? Ryan
Don't sail with topping lift tight
It's the way you're supposed to sail. The topping lift is used to hold the boom up only. Used to be ships had a crutch but the topping lift is the way to go. SOme people usse a point on the backstay too but that is deemed a problem by some as it may wear or weaken the backstay where there is usually a crimp. No it doesn't hurt the sail but allows you to use the sail and place a proper twist in it for best shape. Steve
It's the way you're supposed to sail. The topping lift is used to hold the boom up only. Used to be ships had a crutch but the topping lift is the way to go. SOme people usse a point on the backstay too but that is deemed a problem by some as it may wear or weaken the backstay where there is usually a crimp. No it doesn't hurt the sail but allows you to use the sail and place a proper twist in it for best shape. Steve
Easy Topping Lift
Attach a 3/16" nylon line from the backstay bolt in the masthead fitting and put a small snap shackle on the other end that connects to the back of the boom. (I used a 3/16" SS thimble at the masthead end to reduce chafe, but it's likely overkill.) Make the line long enough that it is just slack when sheeted hard for close-hauled sailing. When not sailing, wind up some of the line around the outhaul cleat to provide lots of headroom in the cockpit.
Attach a 3/16" nylon line from the backstay bolt in the masthead fitting and put a small snap shackle on the other end that connects to the back of the boom. (I used a 3/16" SS thimble at the masthead end to reduce chafe, but it's likely overkill.) Make the line long enough that it is just slack when sheeted hard for close-hauled sailing. When not sailing, wind up some of the line around the outhaul cleat to provide lots of headroom in the cockpit.
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