The top two battens on my main sail are full length Where the two battens are inserted at the leach there is a flap and gromet to lace the batten inside the pocket. My problem is in breezy conditions my wire topping lift slides under the flap edge and gets stuck. When its time to go about the topping lift wire stays jammed under the flap and gets in the way. Ive been thinking about going to a sail maker to modify the batten pockets and get rid of the flaps. Anyone have another Idea
Topping lift Nuisence
- Thread starter bffatcat
- Start date
- Status
Adjustable topping lift?
Hello,
Is your topping lift adjustable? Mine can be tensioned or slacked from the cockpit. When the sail is up I slack the topping lift so it is free and does not hit the leach. When it's time to lower the sail I tension the topping lift and drop the sail. After the sail cover is on I raise the boom so no one can hit their head.
I left the topping lift line to the cockpit to it's real easy to adjust.
Maybe that would help?
Good luck,
Barry
Hello,
Is your topping lift adjustable? Mine can be tensioned or slacked from the cockpit. When the sail is up I slack the topping lift so it is free and does not hit the leach. When it's time to lower the sail I tension the topping lift and drop the sail. After the sail cover is on I raise the boom so no one can hit their head.
I left the topping lift line to the cockpit to it's real easy to adjust.
Maybe that would help?
Good luck,
Barry
topping lift nuiscence additional comments
Anyone have experience with a boom kicker? does it work? do you need a vang with it
Anyone have experience with a boom kicker? does it work? do you need a vang with it
boomkicker use
Novelman
The boomkicker has a built in boom-vang. Go to the gear ads to see the one I have for sale at a big discount.
Novelman
Boomkicker is great.
I've had one for 3 seasons. Great quality piece of gear. You will need a vang since the Kicker just provides the lift for the boom. It's well worth it to loose the topping lift and gain real control of the boom. With this system (or any rigid vang) you can lock the boom height in place making it more versitile than the topping lift. You could run the vang control line back to the cockpit if you like. Mine is reachable from the companionway so I kept it simple.
Yes Dave I did purchase it here and happy I did.
I've had one for 3 seasons. Great quality piece of gear. You will need a vang since the Kicker just provides the lift for the boom. It's well worth it to loose the topping lift and gain real control of the boom. With this system (or any rigid vang) you can lock the boom height in place making it more versitile than the topping lift. You could run the vang control line back to the cockpit if you like. Mine is reachable from the companionway so I kept it simple.
Yes Dave I did purchase it here and happy I did.
Garhaurer rigid vang
First, your topping lift should be adjustable... if it isn't, install a small block on the end of the line and loop a separate line from the boom, up through the block, then back down to the boom, through another small cheek block then forward a few feet to a clam cleat with a fairlead to keep it secure.
OR.......
you could replace it with a Garhaurer Rigid Vang.... many, many sailors on this forum swear by them. The rigid vang is priced less than the boomkicker, and you don't need a soft vang. I have the removed soft vang tackle ready for preventer or MOB duty.
http://garhauermarine.com/catalog_process.cfm?cid=40
First, your topping lift should be adjustable... if it isn't, install a small block on the end of the line and loop a separate line from the boom, up through the block, then back down to the boom, through another small cheek block then forward a few feet to a clam cleat with a fairlead to keep it secure.
OR.......
you could replace it with a Garhaurer Rigid Vang.... many, many sailors on this forum swear by them. The rigid vang is priced less than the boomkicker, and you don't need a soft vang. I have the removed soft vang tackle ready for preventer or MOB duty.
http://garhauermarine.com/catalog_process.cfm?cid=40
Last edited:
Take a small bungee cord affixed to the boom about 6-8 ft. in front of the aft end of the boom. Tie the bungee around the topping lift about 6-8 ft. above the boom and tied so that the topping lift 'goes forward' on the side of the batten pocket that doesnt have the 'flap' .... the topping lift being pulled forward by the bungee cord on the side of the sail that the batten pocket & flap ISNT sewn to will keep it from fouling. Yes there are better design 'flaps' .... ones that you push back inside the batten pocket (with difficulty as the all the velcro is on the inside of the pocket and there is no exposed 'flap'. If you dont often adjust batten tension in their pockets .... hand sew the pocket closed with sailmakers twine and cut away the 'flap' ... cut it open at the end of the season and resew it closed at the beginning of each season
Best is to install a rigid vang and use the topping lift as a spare/emergency main halyard.
Best is to install a rigid vang and use the topping lift as a spare/emergency main halyard.
2nd for the boomkicker
I had the same problem with the topping lift on my H 35.5. I installed a boomkicker and removed the topping lift.
I had the same problem with the topping lift on my H 35.5. I installed a boomkicker and removed the topping lift.
Could move it Out of the Way Using a Snap Shackle Set-up
My 1980 H36's topping lift is the wire type, fixed to the top of the mast. At the boom end the wire connects to a block system which enables tightening or slacking.
I got around the problem of constant topping lift adjustment by adding a snap shackle to the bottom of the block system. After the sail is raised, its quick to release the topping lift from the boom end and instead fasten it to a shrould cleat on my back stay. The topping lift is out of the way and I don't have to constantly adjust it for different points of sail and wind conditions. I haven't yet forgotten to re-attach it to the boom before dropping the sail... but I suppose I will someday.
My 1980 H36's topping lift is the wire type, fixed to the top of the mast. At the boom end the wire connects to a block system which enables tightening or slacking.
I got around the problem of constant topping lift adjustment by adding a snap shackle to the bottom of the block system. After the sail is raised, its quick to release the topping lift from the boom end and instead fasten it to a shrould cleat on my back stay. The topping lift is out of the way and I don't have to constantly adjust it for different points of sail and wind conditions. I haven't yet forgotten to re-attach it to the boom before dropping the sail... but I suppose I will someday.
My 1983 H34's topping lift is the wire type, fixed to the top of the mast. At the boom end I did a long time ago exactly what Joe says : install a small block on the end of the line and loop a separate line from the port side of the boom, up through the block, then back down to the starboard side of the boom, through another small cheek block and then forward a few feet to a clam cleat with a fairlead to keep it secure. Since I'm 6'1, I can adjust the height of the boom at rest. On top of that, I've install a rigid vang, wich gives me more adjustment capability.
If I don't use the topping lift, I find the boom swinging to much and being to dangerous when anchored.
Give it a try ! Like others are saying, it should be adjustable
André
S/V Wind Spirit 3
H34 1983
Lake Champlain, NY
If I don't use the topping lift, I find the boom swinging to much and being to dangerous when anchored.
Give it a try ! Like others are saying, it should be adjustable
André
S/V Wind Spirit 3
H34 1983
Lake Champlain, NY
Doesn't anybody bother with the archives anymore?
If you go to the archives and type in "boomkicker', you will find a wealth of information.
Topping lift alternative
I have a Boom Kicker on my boat. It's a simple, relatively inexpensive product as boat hardware goes. The Boom Kicker does not come with a boom vang. You will need to purchase a soft vang separately or use your existing vang if you have one already.
I personally do not like topping lifts and here is an example of why. My nephew just purchased a used boat with a topping lift. We went out together for his first race of the season and I noticed that his topping lift was a little too tight. I suggested that he loosen it up and he did. We were running downwind to the starting area, with the main nearly touching the spreaders. We had to make one gybe in order get to the starting area and as we did, the topping lift, unbeknownst to us, had gotten wrapped around the forward side of the port spreader. As we were halfway through the gybe, the spreader got ripped from the mast causing the upper shrouds to go limp. Luckily, we noticed the problem before the rig was fully loaded. We nearly lost the mast that day because of a slack topping lift. Needless to say, he got rid of the topping lift immediately.
There are other solid vangs made my numerous manufacturers which will accomplish the same results as the Book Kicker. If you already have a vang, your expenditure will be minimized. Worth considering.
I have a Boom Kicker on my boat. It's a simple, relatively inexpensive product as boat hardware goes. The Boom Kicker does not come with a boom vang. You will need to purchase a soft vang separately or use your existing vang if you have one already.
I personally do not like topping lifts and here is an example of why. My nephew just purchased a used boat with a topping lift. We went out together for his first race of the season and I noticed that his topping lift was a little too tight. I suggested that he loosen it up and he did. We were running downwind to the starting area, with the main nearly touching the spreaders. We had to make one gybe in order get to the starting area and as we did, the topping lift, unbeknownst to us, had gotten wrapped around the forward side of the port spreader. As we were halfway through the gybe, the spreader got ripped from the mast causing the upper shrouds to go limp. Luckily, we noticed the problem before the rig was fully loaded. We nearly lost the mast that day because of a slack topping lift. Needless to say, he got rid of the topping lift immediately.
There are other solid vangs made my numerous manufacturers which will accomplish the same results as the Book Kicker. If you already have a vang, your expenditure will be minimized. Worth considering.
The BoomKicker for an ODay 35 has some special considerations, no added cost though, give me a call for details. 877-932-7245 X116, Mon-Fri, 9-5 Pacific. You'll want the K1500 with modification:
http://shop.odayowners.com/detail.htm?group=395
Oops, I thought you had an ODay 35, that was the 1st reply after your post. What kind of boat do you have?
http://shop.odayowners.com/detail.htm?group=395
Oops, I thought you had an ODay 35, that was the 1st reply after your post. What kind of boat do you have?
- Status