Replace Topping Lift on O'Day 302

[Steve L22188]

Has anyone successfully replace the topping lift on an O'Day 302?

Mine needs to be replaced and when my buddy went to the top of the mast, he explained that the original topping lift was fastened to a pin at the top of the masthead -- and that the pin seemed to be permanently attached to the masthead.

He couldn't figure out how to disengage the topping lift from this permanent pin. (he's very mechanically inclined and an engineer).

Just hoping someone has done this and has some ideas?

Thanks.

 

[Larry14133]

Topping lift

Steve,

What year is your 302? I have a 1987 and they did not come topping lift so i think yours might be custom.

Regards.

Larry

 

[Steve L22188]

1988 O'Day 302

Larry:

Mine is a 1988 302.

If yours had no topping lift, what holds up the boom? Do you have a solid boom vang?

Thanks.

Steve

 

[Larry14133]

Topping lift

Steve,

The 302's shipped new with a full batten main and lazy jacks. The lazy jack hold the boom up while the sail is raised and lowered. Lazy jacks are not normaly used to support the boom but on this boat thats how it was done. After the sail is lowered the main halyard is used to support the boom. Adding a topping lift would be easy enough. There are extra shives on the mast head. Just fish another halyard then you can use as a spare or a topping lift.

Regards,

Larry

 

[Steve L22188]

Problem is replacing, not adding a topping lift

Larry:

Thanks for the info.

My issue is not with adding a new topping lift -- it's replacing the one I have.
My t-lift is scraggly looking, shedding the covering and occasionally I find a stray wire. The problem is how to get the crazy thing off the pin at the top of the mast.

It appears the pin is permanent.

Best way might simply be to snip the wire at the top and let the lazy jacks (which were added after the previous owner bought the boat) do the work of the topping lift. Or, I could get a solid vang and use it.

Steve

 

[Joe11688]

Steve,
You could snip the old cable off at the pin in the mast head and have a new topping lift with a swaged marine eye ready to be attached to that pin using a small stainless steel shackle. Just tighten the pin on the shackle and mouse it with S.S. or Mon el wire so that it doesn't back off. That's what I would do.
Joe

 

[Steve L22188]

Good idea

Joe:

Thanks. Good idea. I'll see what my buddy thinks about going back up the mast. Thanks for your good thinking.

Steve

 

[Joe11688]

Joe:

Thanks. Good idea. I'll see what my buddy thinks about going back up the mast. Thanks for your good thinking.

Steve

The topping lift on my O'Day 222 is probably similar to the one on your boat in that it has a single sheave at the end of it for a control line at the goose neck which passes through the boom to the sheave and connects at the end of the boom. I love this set up because I can do all my reefing right at the mast. Good luck with that Steve.
Joe