topping lift/reefing rigging

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May 21, 2004
12
- - superior, wi
hello, have an old irwin 30 that the topping lift wire cable ends about 2.5 feet above the boom end. i am using rope to adjust the boom and secure it to the backstay when docked. is there a simple device i can rig up using a couple of sheaves to do this prettier. also, have two sheaves on the rear of boom for reefing the two aft eyelets on the main but nothing on the forward boom for the luff reefing eyelets. i want to change the setup to something where one doesnt have to leave the cockpit to reef. whats a good way to do this with minimum modifications? thanks
 
Jun 1, 2004
412
Catalina 27 Victoria BC
What I have...

For topping lift is a fitting on the end of the boom almost like a chainplate except smaller. My main sheet tackle is attached to one end of it and a line up to a single block on the end of the topping lift, back down to a turning block, forward to a jam cleat near the mast so I can harden the topping lift when I drop my main. I don't have my lines led aft as you can tell. For reefing I have a deadeye on the boom on the opposite side of the turning blocks. A line goes from the eye up to the reef cringle (luff reefing eyelet) through the cringle down to the turning block and forward to another jam cleat. At the mast I have a reefing hook which is basically a stainless steel open loop over which the forward reef crigle is passed. Hope this helps David S/V Cindino
 
S

Steve G

It's a little

hard to picture what you're saying. Sounds to me like your topping lift should have a loop of line coming out the end of the boom. This should run to a sheave or the like near the gooseneck and then down the mast, through a block and then to a rope clutch atop the cabin near the cockpit. Tensing the line would then make the loop at the boomend smaller. Now put a captive quick release and roller on that loop. you can attach this to the topping lift and tension it as needed. No need to attach to the backstay. Just tighten it up when the sail is down using the rope clutch (you might have to push the boom up), and loosen it when sailing to avoid chafe.
 
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