Topping lift broken - need advice

[Brian D]

I went down to the boat on Sunday and found my boom on the deck. After a close inspection, I see the rope that extends the vinyl covered wire from the top of the mast to the boom has finally given up the ghost.So my options are somewhat simple.1. Replace the original rope with a replacement. This would require putting an eye splice in one end.2. Replace the original rope with an extension about 30" of 1/8" 7x7 stranded wire which is also vinyl covered and two D shackles.Option 1 seems to be the easiest but instead of an eye splice, I would use D shackles. So the question is simple, but lacking the experience, I am asking those that know for guidance.What I would like to know is recommend rope diameter and recommended knots to attach the shackles.Option 2 would probably last longer, be stronger, but more costly to have made. I think I've given enough info. The actual topping life is serviceable and still intact at the top of the mast. Just need to extend about 30 inches.Thanks!

 

[Joe]

topping lift

I'd use 5/16 sta set or equivalent rope. A buntline hitch would work well for attaching shackle. If it was me, I'd get rid of the wire entirely and go all rope.

 

[sailortonyb Allied Mis]

Use 3/8" Nylon 3 Strand twisted rope.

Relatively inexpensive. Put an eye in it. If you dont know how to make an eye, surely someone on your dock does. Then shackle the eye to the boom. 3/8" should be strong enough to hold you up if you are leaning on boom to put sail cover on. Also the 3/8 inch is strong enough to withstand the opposite pull of your main sheet when you tighten it up at the dock. Would be nice if you could make your topping lift adjustable. There are several ways to do this. Tony B

 

[larry w]

Go to a rigid vang

once you go rigid, you never go back. Mainsail handling/shaping is so much better.

 

[NautiDuck]

Option 3

Boomkicker. Remove the topping lift.

 

[Allan R]

2nd on Boomkicker

I put a Boomkicker on a C 270 that I had and was very satisfied with it. Installation is easy (sold on this site). Though I think I would still keep the topping lift on.

 

[Alan]

Make it unanimous!

Ditch the topping lift and go for the solid vang. It's just another line aloft you don't need.

 

[Brian D]

Well...

Boom gallows won't work. Thought about the Boomkicker, but I don't want to add more things when what I have works. If the topping lift broke from the top of the mast, then a boomkicker would be the answer.I think the line and blocks wold be a good solution (I didn't think of that one). I'll look into that. Thanks guys and as always, you've give some good advice.

 

[Ray T]

Topping lift

Joseph Shirly has a good setup with the all line topping lift going from the end of the boom to a cleat forward on the boom. I had this setup for years on my Cal 27. I used 1/4 stay set line. Check out the load rateing on this, its really very strong. I used to hang on the boom when furling the main. I now have this setup on my 216 in conjuntion with a boom kicker. I found I couldnt lean on the boom when furling without the boom waving all over the place. this setup also steadys the boom when docked. Leave some extra line with this and run it through the center of the cleat with a figure 8 knot on the end, when sailing uncleat the line and let it fly loose just be sure you leave the figure 8 knot attached to the cleat. Ray T

 

[Brian D]

Ray T

I can't fine "1/4 stay set line." Am I not searching correctly?

 

[Timo42]

Sta-set

nm

 

[Brian D]

D'uh!

Yeah, I should have known. Thanks, LOL

 

[Bill Roosa]

Sounds like you are complicating things

and i would not do the eyesplice run through itself deal. just take off the masthead eye (I think that is its name) and thread the rope or wire eyesplice through it then reinstall.

 

[Manny]

Ross, I like your boom gallows

If the gallows was (were?) moved forward for a boat with a shorter mast, it would double as a great frame for a dodger!Manny

 

[Brian D]

Well I fixed the topping lift today.

The original line was 1/2". I used 3/8" and set the line as follows.Bowline knot at the boom with the line passed through the loop of the topping lift wire. The line comes back down toward the boom end. At the boom end, the line is wrapped upon itself using a whipping loop type knot. Works. Does it work great? I won't know until I try it several times. However, the topping lift is now fixed.Thanks for your suggestions.