We have a new to us 1987 23ft Hunter. Discovered topping lift cable is broken. What is the length we need to order replacement?
Topping lift halyard
- Thread starter Gratto 23
- Start date
Welcome to the forum!!
Can the broken topping lift be attached and taped? If you, suggest attach a tag line to one end, pull it through and measure the topping lift length.
Can the broken topping lift be attached and taped? If you, suggest attach a tag line to one end, pull it through and measure the topping lift length.
Doesn't matter exactly, depending on how you want to rig it. Original was to run line from mast crane to end of boom, through one of the 3 sheaves, through boom and out fore end. The jam cleat is used to hold the boom at the desired height, say slightly above horizontal when sail is down. Topping lift should be a bit loose when sail is up, letting sail support boom. So if you want that approach, measure from mast crane down to end of boom when boom is horizontal, then add length of boom and another 15 feet or so.
I used a suggested owner mod to improve mine. It had a wire cable of fixed length as the topping lift. I could not adjust it. I cut the cable so it was about 3 feet shorter than the length from the Topping Lift to the end of the horizontal boom. Used a small thimble to attach a small swivel block to the bottom of the TL. Ran a line (maybe 1/4 in?) tied to the end of the boom up to the block, then back down to the sheave and through the boom to the front and through the jam cleat. That allows you to 1) adjust the TL with a 2 to 1 mechanical advantage when supporting the weight of the boom and 2) you only have to disconnect the running line from the aft end of the boom and pull it out of the block when you unstep the mast. The running line always stays in the boom so you don't have to re-thread it through the boom every season.
I used a suggested owner mod to improve mine. It had a wire cable of fixed length as the topping lift. I could not adjust it. I cut the cable so it was about 3 feet shorter than the length from the Topping Lift to the end of the horizontal boom. Used a small thimble to attach a small swivel block to the bottom of the TL. Ran a line (maybe 1/4 in?) tied to the end of the boom up to the block, then back down to the sheave and through the boom to the front and through the jam cleat. That allows you to 1) adjust the TL with a 2 to 1 mechanical advantage when supporting the weight of the boom and 2) you only have to disconnect the running line from the aft end of the boom and pull it out of the block when you unstep the mast. The running line always stays in the boom so you don't have to re-thread it through the boom every season.
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I recently purchased a 1986 H23 that has a fixed-length topping lift. I had considered replacing the topping lift to original configuration through the boom, but recognized this would be a pain to deal with every time I unstepped the mast. The solution isaksp00 suggests fixes that problem. Thanks isaksp00!