If you have a rigid vang, what is the purpose of the topping lift? No-one can give me a good answer, so am hoping one of you may be able to shed some light on the subject. Thanks. Larry
Rigid Vang
- Thread starter Larry7084
- Start date
- Status
Vang and Topping lift
With an adjustable rigid vang, you can get rid of the topping lift altogether. The rigid vang should be able to support your boom when not sailing, the job normally done by the topping lift. This is not, however, the sole purpose of the vang. The Vang allows you to adjust the leech tension, and twist, on your mainsail once the boom goes outside the limits of your traveler, such as on a reach or run. The spring loading in the vang that supports the boom also allows the boom to lift when you need to open the sail in light air, up wind.
With an adjustable rigid vang, you can get rid of the topping lift altogether. The rigid vang should be able to support your boom when not sailing, the job normally done by the topping lift. This is not, however, the sole purpose of the vang. The Vang allows you to adjust the leech tension, and twist, on your mainsail once the boom goes outside the limits of your traveler, such as on a reach or run. The spring loading in the vang that supports the boom also allows the boom to lift when you need to open the sail in light air, up wind.
In storm or heavy air, when standing on the
coach roof reefing the main or simply dousing it, as the boat rocks the rigid vang will not support the weight of a crew member as they put their weight on it for support. It will give & as it drops the main sheet becomes slack & then has the latitude to swing port or starboard. I reinstalled my topping lift as a safety net to the above conditions. BOL Paul
coach roof reefing the main or simply dousing it, as the boat rocks the rigid vang will not support the weight of a crew member as they put their weight on it for support. It will give & as it drops the main sheet becomes slack & then has the latitude to swing port or starboard. I reinstalled my topping lift as a safety net to the above conditions. BOL Paul
Backstay redundancy
Together with the mainsheet,the toppoing lift is a redundant replacement for the backstay. David Lady Lillie
Together with the mainsheet,the toppoing lift is a redundant replacement for the backstay. David Lady Lillie
no purpose
It's just a spare halyard. I attach mine to a fitting near the gooseneck. It's availability as a halyard has saved me in the past, I wouldn't think of removing it altogether. If you leave it attached to the boom, it's in the way of the roach on the B&R rigs--unless you ease it, which is more than I want to fool with it. The the reason I bought a rigid vang in the first place was to stop messing with the topping lift.
It's just a spare halyard. I attach mine to a fitting near the gooseneck. It's availability as a halyard has saved me in the past, I wouldn't think of removing it altogether. If you leave it attached to the boom, it's in the way of the roach on the B&R rigs--unless you ease it, which is more than I want to fool with it. The the reason I bought a rigid vang in the first place was to stop messing with the topping lift.
When your Main Halyard Breaks
you can go up on the topping lift, or use it to pull a thicker line through for the bosun's chair. If your boat is 7/8 rigged how else will you get to the masthead? As a temporary measure it will double as a main halyard. To reduce leach wear and windage you could leave it reeved but take the fall to a mast cleat.
you can go up on the topping lift, or use it to pull a thicker line through for the bosun's chair. If your boat is 7/8 rigged how else will you get to the masthead? As a temporary measure it will double as a main halyard. To reduce leach wear and windage you could leave it reeved but take the fall to a mast cleat.
Topping lift still neded
I don't know how the dutchman flaking system would work without the topping lift. Jim Bessinger
I don't know how the dutchman flaking system would work without the topping lift. Jim Bessinger
- Status