Top lift options

[Barry Considine]

Help, I am very new to sailing. I have a 1976 Venture 21'. The book Sailing fundamentals recomends having an adjustable top lift as opposed to having a top lift attached to the backstay. how do I change to an adjustable top lift. Please phrase your answer as if you were writing "Sailing For Dummies"

 

[Chris]

Not a hard job

I added a topping lift to my Venture222 this year nothing to it as long as the mast is down. First on the top of the mast on the opposite side of the main halyard you will need to install a cheek block.If your main has a chicken head just put the cheek block on the port side of the mast near the aft edge. West marine had the bullet block type and I installed it with 2 rivits. I put my cleat to tie off my topping lift about 2 feet above the cleat to tie my jib halyard amd more to the back end of the mast. I just used a cheap fiber cleat from West Marine on the. on the end of the boom I Installed a stainless steel eye. I than used 5/16 line as a topping lift and a snap shackle to attach the line to the boom. It would also work in a pinch as a backup main halyard should anything happen to the main halyard.

 

[billy w]

Another option

I have 26x. I attached 5/16 line to back stay attachment at top of mast with bow line knot then ran it thru fairlead on end of boom to cleat on underside of boom. I adjust by taking up or letting out line from the cleat on boom. Works great for me. No need for all that extra line or any blocks. I still use the lift attached to the backstay to get the boom away from centerline when I'm anchored.

 

[Barry Considine]

*o Top lift responses

Thanks to billy w & Chris. they are probably very good answers. What would really help if you would - please post some sort of rough diagram to go along with your ideas.Thanks Barry from Pasadena

 

[Mark A]

Try sailcare.com

Take a look at www.sailcare.com . It's a no brainer kit that will last forever. I got one for my 26D. Basicly it is a lenth of lifeline with a loop on one end and a block and locking tackel on the other end. I prefer coated wire over rope because the ropes get mnasty pretty fast. Take a look.

 

[Bob]

A two for...

Hey Barry,I too have a Venture 21 (but 1977). The lift you have attached to your back stay was a factory deal. The weight of your sail and boom isn't hurting anything by keeping it this way. As a matter of fact, the one plus is that it keeps the boom from swinging back and forth while motoring and knocking someone in the head. I still use mine all the time. However, I also installed a very simple alternet topping lift, but as noted in other replys, it must be connected when the mast is down. Simply attach one end to the mast head and the other to the end of your boom. Have it just tight enough that it holds the boom at your desired height but will automatically become slack when you raise the mail sail. No other adjustments are required. I use this one when I need to swing the boom out of the way while moving around the cockpit. We have small light boats and don't need all the other "normal" stuff that larger rigs require.Remember, keep it simple.Good sailing,Bob