quick question here the "line" that connects to the end of the boom and goes up the main mast on the 23.5. is the only load on this line the weight of the boom? mines getting work and looking to replace it with a reg $10.00 50ft green braided rope from Home Depot color matches the factory stickers perfect but unsure how much this topping line is supposed to support , depot line max load is 500lbs surely this is enough ?
topping lift
- Thread starter owner23.5
- Start date
- Status
The topping lift is the line from the aft end of the boom to the mast head. It is generally a lighter weight line and shouldn't have much of a load on it. It is designed to keep the boom from dropping into the cockpit when the main is lowered. 500lbs should surely be strong enough.
Weight is one issue -- remember that working strength is at best 1/2 to 1/3 of the rated strength of the line. Remember also to add the weight of the crew member who leans/ hangs on the boom in a rolly seaway or to flatten the main when trying to pinch up to weather:--)
Another issue is the composition and structure of the rope/line. Some of the stuff sold at Home Depot etc is not suitable! Some of these ropes (one comes in 50 ft hanks of many colors) are highly susceptible to chafe and while the cover looks really nice on some, the interior is only unbraided strands of polypropyulene twine. While it looks strong, I have had poor success with using it to tie down winter covers and tying covers on trailers. The cover comes right off and the interior twine dientegrates. In any event, most of the ropes sold at Home Depot can not be spliced because of their structure. Knots make a poor substitute in this app.
You can buy 3 strand nylon rope (white only) in hardware stores in a number of diameters in both 25 ft and 50 foot hanks. Sometimes it is available on reels too. I have used this on a 23 footer for topping lift and other duties where its stretchiness isn't critical. It an be spliced using a traditional splice. It isn't as good a quality as the "marine" lines but it an be serviceable if budget requires.
Fair winds....
Another issue is the composition and structure of the rope/line. Some of the stuff sold at Home Depot etc is not suitable! Some of these ropes (one comes in 50 ft hanks of many colors) are highly susceptible to chafe and while the cover looks really nice on some, the interior is only unbraided strands of polypropyulene twine. While it looks strong, I have had poor success with using it to tie down winter covers and tying covers on trailers. The cover comes right off and the interior twine dientegrates. In any event, most of the ropes sold at Home Depot can not be spliced because of their structure. Knots make a poor substitute in this app.
You can buy 3 strand nylon rope (white only) in hardware stores in a number of diameters in both 25 ft and 50 foot hanks. Sometimes it is available on reels too. I have used this on a 23 footer for topping lift and other duties where its stretchiness isn't critical. It an be spliced using a traditional splice. It isn't as good a quality as the "marine" lines but it an be serviceable if budget requires.
Fair winds....
Most of this "low cost" line has no UV protection. I suggest that you go to your favorite discount marine site and get yourself a good quality line.
Yes it will cost you 2-3 times the cost of the stuff at Home Depot, but it will also last for 10-12 years without worrying about someone getting clobbered in the head with a falling boom.
Yes it will cost you 2-3 times the cost of the stuff at Home Depot, but it will also last for 10-12 years without worrying about someone getting clobbered in the head with a falling boom.
- Status