Rigging question on a 75 S2 23

Apr 7, 2019
4
S2 23 Chesapeake , VA
First post! I am finishing up a restoration on a 23. I believe I have all the rigging figured out except one part. On the stern end of the beam there is a small loop/broke of course. The aft stay splits into two directions about ten feet from the stern and attaches to two separate anchors. Where the aft stay splits, there is a cable about two feet long with a hook on the end. I am assuming this hook will attach to the end of the beam when the main is down to support the weight of the beam? If this is correct do you unhook it when you raise the main? I’m not understanding how this works. What supports the beam weight with the sail raised.....the sail itself held up by the hailyard? I have attached a photo of another s2 23 I found online with the line in question highlighted red....I apologize if this is a really stupid question...would really just like some solid info so I can get her in the water!
 

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Dave Groshong

SBO Staff
Staff member
Jan 25, 2007
1,864
Catalina 22 Seattle
Yes, the topping lift holds the boom up, when the sail is down. The sail holds it up when raised. There is an alternative, the BoomKicker, you can do away with the topping lift all together:
https://shop.sailboatowners.com/prod.php?54206

The topping lift should be stowed once the sail is raised.
If you forget to hook up the topping lift when you drop the sail, the boom will crash on the deck, I think almost every sailor has experienced that
 
Apr 7, 2019
4
S2 23 Chesapeake , VA
Dave,

Thank you for the quick response. That is exactly what i needed to know. Much appreciated!
 
Nov 8, 2010
11,386
Beneteau First 36.7 & 260 Minneapolis MN & Bayfield WI
I used to own one of those beasties. Rare boats, made only one year. All info given so far is correct. The so-called ‘pig-tail’ is a poor mans topping lift, designed to hold up the boom when the sail is down. Poor because while cheap to build vs a proper topping lift, forgetting to release it can cause a mess if the sail is up.
 
Apr 7, 2019
4
S2 23 Chesapeake , VA
Guess that would explain why it is so hard to find out a lot of information on them I think I will add on a boom kicker as suggested above or pneumatic style ridged Vang In the future as budget allows. Any suggestions for a head sail? It only has a main at the moment.....I was thinking like 110% Genoa. How do these 23’s sail main only? Decent enough to kick around within a few miles of the marina? I attached some photos of my restoration so far.
F36B4BCD-7FA8-4605-BF63-99134AD83408.jpeg
9D34771A-DFD8-473F-B3F3-804DD327D923.jpeg
8E3BB7EF-A17D-44A0-BB87-96E67327A4B9.jpeg
C5C99164-38D1-4440-8DD4-5C685522E6B0.jpeg
473053B8-250C-452F-A956-057B6D905197.jpeg
 
Nov 8, 2010
11,386
Beneteau First 36.7 & 260 Minneapolis MN & Bayfield WI
A boomkicker will be fine. No need to do more than that!