The topping lift on my 1982 C-27 is not adjustable, and I do not have a boom vang. I would like to be able to get more control over the boom. Has anyone employed an adjustable length topping lift? The owner's manual does not show one.
Topping Lift Ideas
- Thread starter Phil Decker
- Start date
- Status
Boom vang
Hi Phil - I'd suggest installing a boom vang, as they are relatively inexpensive if you get the block and tackle variety with rope instead of a rigid vang. Fairly simple to install too. The control you'll want with the boom is holding it DOWN (on a reach or run the belly of the sail can fill which pulls the boom high into the air - you want to be able to keep this from happening). Take a look at Garhauer Marine's offering (see related link). If you go with a rigid vang (also recommend Garhauer for good value) you can do away with the topping lift altogether! Hope this helps, Trevor
Hi Phil - I'd suggest installing a boom vang, as they are relatively inexpensive if you get the block and tackle variety with rope instead of a rigid vang. Fairly simple to install too. The control you'll want with the boom is holding it DOWN (on a reach or run the belly of the sail can fill which pulls the boom high into the air - you want to be able to keep this from happening). Take a look at Garhauer Marine's offering (see related link). If you go with a rigid vang (also recommend Garhauer for good value) you can do away with the topping lift altogether! Hope this helps, Trevor
In the same boat as Phil
I am in the same boat as Phil ('73 C 27 Std Rig with un-adjustable topping lift and no vang). These are great ideas. I didn't realize that the rigid vang would take away the need for the topping lift all together. I hate on a light wind day hearing the topping lift rub against the sail canvas. Thanks Dan B
I am in the same boat as Phil ('73 C 27 Std Rig with un-adjustable topping lift and no vang). These are great ideas. I didn't realize that the rigid vang would take away the need for the topping lift all together. I hate on a light wind day hearing the topping lift rub against the sail canvas. Thanks Dan B
get a rigid vang from Garhaurer.
and you'll solve both problems. Forget the boomkicker since you'll still need to buy a soft vang. I had a boom end adjustable topping lift that was fine till I got a new main with larger roach and full battens. Totally inconvenient, always hanging up on the battens because it was too tight or slapping against the sail because it was too loose. So I got the rigid vang and....voila!.... no more issues with the topping lift. I tied it off to the backstay. For the adjustable conversion you'll need to shorten the toppping lift, install a bullet block, fix a cheek block to one side of the boom and ane eye strap on the opposite side. A vee or clam cleat ahead of the cheek block will secure the 5/16 control line that is run from the eyestrap up through the bullet block, down to the cheek block then forward to the cleat. Pricewise, the rigid vang will cost less than the soft vang/boomkicker set up, and 30-40 bucks more than the soft vang/adjustable top combo. But.... trust me.... when I tell you the rigid vang is the way to go. You'll love it.
and you'll solve both problems. Forget the boomkicker since you'll still need to buy a soft vang. I had a boom end adjustable topping lift that was fine till I got a new main with larger roach and full battens. Totally inconvenient, always hanging up on the battens because it was too tight or slapping against the sail because it was too loose. So I got the rigid vang and....voila!.... no more issues with the topping lift. I tied it off to the backstay. For the adjustable conversion you'll need to shorten the toppping lift, install a bullet block, fix a cheek block to one side of the boom and ane eye strap on the opposite side. A vee or clam cleat ahead of the cheek block will secure the 5/16 control line that is run from the eyestrap up through the bullet block, down to the cheek block then forward to the cleat. Pricewise, the rigid vang will cost less than the soft vang/boomkicker set up, and 30-40 bucks more than the soft vang/adjustable top combo. But.... trust me.... when I tell you the rigid vang is the way to go. You'll love it.
Another advantage to a rigid vang
is that, on a very light day, you can force more bag in the sail. Without the rigid, the weight of the boom pulls the foot and roach down to some degree. With a rigid vang, you can put some support under the boom and take the downward tension off the roach, getting more bag and better shape. No way you can do that with a topping lift/non-rigid vang setup. It's also more easy to fine-tune the downward/upward force with one adjustment to a rigid vang than fiddling to adjust both the T/L and non-rigid vang.
is that, on a very light day, you can force more bag in the sail. Without the rigid, the weight of the boom pulls the foot and roach down to some degree. With a rigid vang, you can put some support under the boom and take the downward tension off the roach, getting more bag and better shape. No way you can do that with a topping lift/non-rigid vang setup. It's also more easy to fine-tune the downward/upward force with one adjustment to a rigid vang than fiddling to adjust both the T/L and non-rigid vang.
Vang
Garhauer rigid vang is the way to solve this problem. Usually they have some kind of spring special...check them out.
Garhauer rigid vang is the way to solve this problem. Usually they have some kind of spring special...check them out.
GARHAUER sailing hardware
Hello: As a boater I also offer "Garhauer" sailing hardware at a vary good price.,let me know if I can help out. call:412-496-0766
Hello: As a boater I also offer "Garhauer" sailing hardware at a vary good price.,let me know if I can help out. call:412-496-0766
rigid vs soft vang set up
I have a Cat '27 std rig with topping and soft vang set up. So you've taken off the topping lift altogether and used a rigid vang? Do you have a way of setting up a preventer for wing on wing or is that an issue for you? I like to set up a preventer when less experienced crew are on board or seas are such that there is a possibility of an accidental jibe. The vang is set up with mid weight shackles on either end so I can easily move it if I need a block and tackle somewhere on the boat or use it as a preventer. The rgid vang with no topping has me interested, especially when I have racing sails set up.
I have a Cat '27 std rig with topping and soft vang set up. So you've taken off the topping lift altogether and used a rigid vang? Do you have a way of setting up a preventer for wing on wing or is that an issue for you? I like to set up a preventer when less experienced crew are on board or seas are such that there is a possibility of an accidental jibe. The vang is set up with mid weight shackles on either end so I can easily move it if I need a block and tackle somewhere on the boat or use it as a preventer. The rgid vang with no topping has me interested, especially when I have racing sails set up.
- Status