Replacement topping lift

[Hermit Scott]

My slip neighbor saw me going up the mast today and asked me to help him with replacing his topping lift. What he is using now is a double block hoisted by a halyard. Then through the double block he has a halyard and a rope topping lift. There is a tang with a hole in it sticking off the back of the mast head for the topping lift.
What is the best topping lift, a wire to rope or all rope? For wire, how should the ends be swaged? Are aluminum swages ok on 316SS wire since a topping lift doesn't lift much?
His boat is a 33' 1966 Morgan.
I asked if he has considered a boom kicker or rigid vang, he said he didn't like them. I gave him my email I intend to direct him here as I do most sailors I meet.

 

[sinnettc]

Personally I like my boomkicker.

 

[stephen Penny]

Suggest a solid boom vang from Garhauer.

 

[Hermit Scott]

Personally I like my boomkicker.

That's what I am going to buy too when I get tired of screwing around with the topping lift chaffing the roach.

 

[Hermit Scott]

Suggest a solid boom vang from Garhauer.

He has his heart set on a topping lift.

 

[sailingdog]

There are advantages to having a real topping lift, as opposed to a boom support. A real topping lift can double as a mainsail halyard in an emergency. It allows you to adjust the boom height when the mainsail is furled, to clear the heads of your tallest crew members. It can help the mainsail form a good shape in light air.

I would recommend setting up the topping lift using a line the same size or one smaller as the main halyard. Attach a block to the tang on the mast, and run the line externally. It will require a cleat or line clutch on the mast or a turning block and a line clutch on the deck, if the lines are led to the cockpit on this boat.

 

[Joe]

Topping lifts are a pain in the ass. For the money you spend on a soft vang and a boom kicker, you can have a garhaurer vang. A rigid vang is one of the best investments and upgrades you can make on your boat. As far as trimming in light air... well you don't really lift the boom up, you simply keep it from sagging.... and that's exactly what a rigid vang does... it supports the boom. I wrapped my old topping lift around the backstay after I installed a rigid vang 9 years ago, just in case, but have had no occasion to use it since.

 

[sailingdog]

I'd point out that many of the rigid vangs say that they should not be used for supporting the boom by themselves.

Topping lifts are a pain in the ass. For the money you spend on a soft vang and a boom kicker, you can have a garhaurer vang. A rigid vang is one of the best investments and upgrades you can make on your boat. As far as trimming in light air... well you don't really lift the boom up, you simply keep it from sagging.... and that's exactly what a rigid vang does... it supports the boom. I wrapped my old topping lift around the backstay after I installed a rigid vang 9 years ago, just in case, but have had no occasion to use it since.

 

[Roger Long]

Are aluminum swages ok on 316SS wire since a topping lift doesn't lift much?

Place hand on top of head. Imagine topping lift breaking when the sail isn't set, like when you are snugging up hard on the sheet to keep the boom from swinging around under power before you attach the short line from the boom end to the backstay.

 

[sailingdog]

What is the best topping lift, a wire to rope or all rope? For wire, how should the ends be swaged? Are aluminum swages ok on 316SS wire since a topping lift doesn't lift much?

Place hand on top of head. Imagine topping lift breaking when the sail isn't set, like when you are snugging up hard on the sheet to keep the boom from swinging around under power before you attach the short line from the boom end to the backstay.

That'd be a NO!!!.

 

[Roger Long]

That'd be a NO!!!.

That's the word I was trying to think of. It was right on the tip of my tongue.

Thanks.

 

[Deadline]

Rope is fine

Or line, as it's termed. Wire is overkill, and as mentioned above, could garret you. 3/8-inch line that doesn't stretch. Ask any marina or West Marine. Good point about emergency halyard too. Try using wire for that, and you'll take up golf instead.

 

[oldiesrocker2001]

Rope is fine

I use a pretty light line on my little Venture for the topping lift, but I hear tell of some that use the boom supported by the T-lift to help wrestle an outboard into place or even aid in MOB procedure. Surely(no I won't call you Shirley) they would need a line at least as strong as a 3/8 or better for duty such as this. I'm sure my lift line or even the next size higher at 3/16 wouldn't handle such weight. I believe that my halyards are 3/8 and are used to help step the mast but that sure looks like that size would be overkill on my boat for a topping lift.

 

[novelman17130]

topping lift

My slip neighbor saw me going up the mast today and asked me to help him with replacing his topping lift. What he is using now is a double block hoisted by a halyard. Then through the double block he has a halyard and a rope topping lift. There is a tang with a hole in it sticking off the back of the mast head for the topping lift.
What is the best topping lift, a wire to rope or all rope? For wire, how should the ends be swaged? Are aluminum swages ok on 316SS wire since a topping lift doesn't lift much?
His boat is a 33' 1966 Morgan.
I asked if he has considered a boom kicker or rigid vang, he said he didn't like them. I gave him my email I intend to direct him here as I do most sailors I meet.

I personaly use a topping lift on my boats from 21' to 30'. NEVER USE wire for a topping lift, it could damage your main. I also use a boom vang attached to the lee side of the deck for preventer. Works for me.
novelman

 

[Hermit Scott]

I would recommend setting up the topping lift using a line the same size or one smaller as the main halyard. Attach a block to the tang on the mast, and run the line externally. It will require a cleat or line clutch on the mast or a turning block and a line clutch on the deck, if the lines are led to the cockpit on this boat.

That is an excellent idea. Since he is already using a block at the top, I assume he has a set up to secure it already on the deck somewhere. I will recommend this, also he could change it out with out going up the mast.

And you are right Roger, I crank that main sheet to keep the wind from blowing the boom around. That is quite a force.

 

[Hermit Scott]

I personaly use a topping lift on my boats from 21' to 30'. NEVER USE wire for a topping lift, it could damage your main. I also use a boom vang attached to the lee side of the deck for preventer. Works for me.
novelman

On my boat the topping lift is wire, and you are correct, it has damaged the main.

 

[Blueskies]

Rigid vang is in my future plans, but I would still need my topping lift as I have a "dutchman" setup for my main.

I use a 3/8 line for my topping lift (30ft boat).

Also use a vang mainly for a preventer on certain points of sail.

 

[Joe]

I'd point out that many of the rigid vangs say that they should not be used for supporting the boom by themselves.

If that is an argument for a topping lift it's pretty weak.

Manufacturers wouldn't recommend using the topping lift while sailing with their rigid vangs... that would not make sense. So you must mean when NOT sailing. Like when you leave the boat. So... hook the main halyard to the boom's end for support, release the vang, then tension the mainsheet to stabilize. No topping lift (or pigtail) necessary and the vang can rest while you're away.

 

[sailingdog]

I notice, you don't address my primary argument, that a topping lift can act as a backup main halyard... Or my secondary argument, that a topping lift can help shape the mainsail in very light air.

If that is an argument for a topping lift it's pretty weak.

Manufacturers wouldn't recommend using the topping lift while sailing with their rigid vangs... that would not make sense. So you must mean when NOT sailing. Like when you leave the boat. So... hook the main halyard to the boom's end for support, release the vang, then tension the mainsheet to stabilize. No topping lift (or pigtail) necessary and the vang can rest while you're away.

 

[Ed Schenck]

I like my soft vang for use as a preventer also. And my wire topping lift is attached to my spare halyard for slack and light air control. After reading all that has been written here I think I will make one change. I will replace the wire topping lift with a small line. This should be quieter when slapping the backstay and less chafe on the leech.