i'm the second owner of my 91 catalina 30 - hull 5961. the owners' manual shows the topping lift going to the aft part of the boom and being led forward again through a block at the end of the boom to a cleat along the boom. the pevious owner just hooked the topping lift to the hole in the end of the boom meant for the block to be mounted through. every other cat 30 i have seen - not that many as of yet, does the same. anyone out there know why the factory intended such a complicated rig and if the jerry-rigged on has any disadvantage?
topping lift block
- Thread starter mortyd
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My Rig
I just rebuilt the boom on mine and attached the block for the topping lift to the tang at the end of the boom. The new topping lift was specified as 32ft. long and did not come all the way down to the boom so a line had to be added to make it functional. I run a line thru the block at the end of the boom attached to the topping lift and attached it to the jam cleat on the port side of the boom near the mast. I believe the topping lift is intended to provide shape for the sail by raising or lowering the boom.
I just rebuilt the boom on mine and attached the block for the topping lift to the tang at the end of the boom. The new topping lift was specified as 32ft. long and did not come all the way down to the boom so a line had to be added to make it functional. I run a line thru the block at the end of the boom attached to the topping lift and attached it to the jam cleat on the port side of the boom near the mast. I believe the topping lift is intended to provide shape for the sail by raising or lowering the boom.
Topping lift
Rick wrote: "I believe the topping lift is intended to provide shape for the sail by raising or lowering the boom." In light winds, perhaps, but basically it is intended to keep the shape of your head intact so the boom doesn't conk it when you drop the mainsail. Stu
Rick wrote: "I believe the topping lift is intended to provide shape for the sail by raising or lowering the boom." In light winds, perhaps, but basically it is intended to keep the shape of your head intact so the boom doesn't conk it when you drop the mainsail. Stu
Adjustability is good.
Not to necessarily adjust the topping lift when sailing as a sail trim control (although as mentioned in light winds, it can help to relieve the weight of the boom from the shape of the sail). The adjustability that is handy is to be able to secure the boom up and out of the cockpit when at anchor or under motor, and then ease the control when setting the main. Hence, just hooking it to a fixed point doesn't provide that adjustability. Tim Brogan April IV C350 #68 Seattle
Not to necessarily adjust the topping lift when sailing as a sail trim control (although as mentioned in light winds, it can help to relieve the weight of the boom from the shape of the sail). The adjustability that is handy is to be able to secure the boom up and out of the cockpit when at anchor or under motor, and then ease the control when setting the main. Hence, just hooking it to a fixed point doesn't provide that adjustability. Tim Brogan April IV C350 #68 Seattle
My Rig
I also have a short wire to connect my boom to the back stay to keep it out of the cockpit and also to keep it from shifting back and forth when at anchor. I have tried to find a new tang but have not been able to. Any suggestions?
I also have a short wire to connect my boom to the back stay to keep it out of the cockpit and also to keep it from shifting back and forth when at anchor. I have tried to find a new tang but have not been able to. Any suggestions?
catalina topping lift.
My c27 topping lift was a fixed wire from the masthead with a small block at the end. The wire/block end terminated about 2 feet above the boom. A cheek block was attached to the port side of the boom, and 5/16 in. adjusting line was tied to an eye on the other side, run up through the block at the end of the wire, down to the cheek block, then forward a foot or so to a jam/horn cleat. This rig allowed a 2:1 purchase and some adjustment from the cockpit. A longer control line could be run to the mast then back to the cockpit if desired. *Adjustment was difficult unless the boom was right over the cockpit. *When I got a new main with a full roach and full length battens it hung up in the topping lift every time I changed directions. If I ran it loose the topping lift flopped around annoyingly. So I was constantly messing around with this ridiculous device. *My solution was to install a rigid vang from Garhaurer. Life is great, NOW! If your main has a straight cut leech with no full battens, then the topping lift will not get in the way too much. If, however, the main has full battens at the top and a rounded leech (full roach) then the topping lift will interfere regularly so make the adjusting line easy to reach by running it forward and then back to the cockpit.
My c27 topping lift was a fixed wire from the masthead with a small block at the end. The wire/block end terminated about 2 feet above the boom. A cheek block was attached to the port side of the boom, and 5/16 in. adjusting line was tied to an eye on the other side, run up through the block at the end of the wire, down to the cheek block, then forward a foot or so to a jam/horn cleat. This rig allowed a 2:1 purchase and some adjustment from the cockpit. A longer control line could be run to the mast then back to the cockpit if desired. *Adjustment was difficult unless the boom was right over the cockpit. *When I got a new main with a full roach and full length battens it hung up in the topping lift every time I changed directions. If I ran it loose the topping lift flopped around annoyingly. So I was constantly messing around with this ridiculous device. *My solution was to install a rigid vang from Garhaurer. Life is great, NOW! If your main has a straight cut leech with no full battens, then the topping lift will not get in the way too much. If, however, the main has full battens at the top and a rounded leech (full roach) then the topping lift will interfere regularly so make the adjusting line easy to reach by running it forward and then back to the cockpit.
adjustable topping lift
An adjustable topping lift serves at least two purposes. When sailing, it can be eased so that the mainsail or a protruding batten doesn't hang up on it. When at anchor, it can be trimmed to raise the boom higher than the head of a tall sailor. I've found it handy both ways.
An adjustable topping lift serves at least two purposes. When sailing, it can be eased so that the mainsail or a protruding batten doesn't hang up on it. When at anchor, it can be trimmed to raise the boom higher than the head of a tall sailor. I've found it handy both ways.
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