Topping Lift Question

["At Ease"]

I recently upgraded from a Catalina 27 to a Catalina 30. The topping lift on the 27 (lizard tail) was a cable attached to the back stay that once the mainsail was hoisted you unclip so the boom could move freely. My question is on the Catalina 30 the topping lift is connected directly
to the mast with a cable/block then a line and jaw block connected to the end of the boom. I'm assuming once the mainsail is raised the
topping lift stays connected to the boom? When we did the sea trial and the mainsail was hoisted I did not see the topping lift removed and connected to a stanchion etc.

Thank you !

 

[dlochner]

Yes. Adjust the line so the topping lift is slack and the mainsail leech supports the boom. Tighten the TL before lowering the sail to prevent the boom from crashing down on someone's head. Once the sail is secured adjust the TL to raise boom enough so people don't bang their heads while in the cockpit.

 

[Don Guillette]

At Ease; I heard that spoken many time while in the military!!

Dave has answered your question. There is one event where the topping lift comes in handy and that's when reefing. There's another - if you have an adjustable topping lift, which I didn't, a little (key word) pressure from topping lift helps when closehauled but I can't vouch for that as I've never tried it.

Side Note: I talk to a lot of sailors worldwide regarding my book and chart and a few of the conversations start out this way " I've been sailing for 20 years on both oceans and lakes" (not sure why guys preface the conversation with those words - gals never do) and then they ask me about the TOPPING LIFT as a sail trim control? I've been golfing for many years and rarely hit the ball to the same place twice!! The time you've been doing anything has little to do with proficiency.

 

[weekendrken]

Depending on your mainsail roach and battons you may find that the lift either flaps against the sail or hangs up on them when you tack or gybe. I have a large roach and it was a P.I.T.A. and basically annoying. There’s a discussion of this and a very cool fix if you want to cross post a question on the official C-30 Assoc forum.
groups.io/g/Catalina30

welcome aboard to the CTY family.

 

[dlochner]

The time you've been doing anything has little to do with proficiency.

It is how you do something, not how much you do something.

 

[weekendrken]

I guess if one happens to be doing something “wrong” or is truly ignorant of something, or is just on the wrong track, experience at those three compensates for them!

Sometimes throwing out a resume is useful, but......

 

[weekendrken]

PS. What yr/hull number is she?

Forgot to mention that I turned the TL around, using the spare mast truck main halyard sheave, so that I have it run back to a port cabin-top clutch instead of wrestling with it on the boom. Much safer and convenient.