I’ve always seen the topping lift for the spin pole come from a block about 2/3 of the way up the mast. Is there any reason I cannot use the spare jib halyard as a spin pole topping lift? The only real difference is that it would be coming down from the very top of the mast. Seems like it should be fine. Am I missing anything?
Spare Haylard as Topping Lift for Spin Pole?
- Thread starter markwbird
- Start date
Depending on how it's configured, it might cause the halyard to jump the sheave and get jammed. When hoisted the jib halyard is inline with the forestay so there would be very little sidewards force on it. A topping lift will have a sidewards force on it when the jib is poled out.
I do it all the time. 20 years, no problems. The previous owner raced a lot... always used the second halyard. The pole is always stable on my boat... it doesn't jump around... the foreguy sees to that. It would seem logical, though, to check for chafe regularly if you're flying it quite a bit. One day I'll install a proper topping lift.
