Has anyone modified their topping lift to a halyard style. I spoke with the folks at Dutchman and they said it wasn't required however it would be easier to use the system. I was thinking of installing a block on the pin in the masthead where the current topping lifts attaches, I would then run the line down the outside of mast through another block and deck organizer to the cockpit. Seems easy enough. Has anyone done a similar mod?
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Halyard Slap
Marc, Are you sure you want to have what amounts to an external halyard. With any wind at all, the new topping lift will slap against the mast and drive you nuts! How about using the other aft facing halyard sheave (next to the main halyard) and rig the topping lift internally. Is there another exit hole near the deck that could be used? Just a thought. Tom Soko Julandra #659
Marc, Are you sure you want to have what amounts to an external halyard. With any wind at all, the new topping lift will slap against the mast and drive you nuts! How about using the other aft facing halyard sheave (next to the main halyard) and rig the topping lift internally. Is there another exit hole near the deck that could be used? Just a thought. Tom Soko Julandra #659
Topping Lift Systems
I put in a wire topping lift that was short of the end of the boom by about eight feet. I then put a block on the end. From the end of the boom I brought a line through the block back to the end of the boom where I turned the line back along the boom to a cleat. My thought is to raise the boom with a block and tackle mounted over the side to hoist someone (me) back onto the boat. I have not tested this system. What would you use your modification for?
I put in a wire topping lift that was short of the end of the boom by about eight feet. I then put a block on the end. From the end of the boom I brought a line through the block back to the end of the boom where I turned the line back along the boom to a cleat. My thought is to raise the boom with a block and tackle mounted over the side to hoist someone (me) back onto the boat. I have not tested this system. What would you use your modification for?
I have an Allmand 31 that originally came with an internal halyard for the topping lift. I recently broke the line for the topping lift and have been studying the different possibilities from re-rigging the internal halyard, to a steel cable, to a rigid boom vang. At this point, I think I am going with the Garhaer rigid vang. It only costs about $300 and seems to be a much more reliable system. If anyone else has any other thoughts, I would love to hear them as well.
Topping Lift begone!!!
Robert Getting rid of the topping lift is a great idea. Our previously owned C34 came with the rigid Garhauer vang, which is just superb! The lack of a topping lift is great, who needs one, the vang supports the boom. We also have a lazy jack system for the mainsail, so between the rigid vang and the lazy jacks, I can position the boom anywhere (height) I want when the day is over. The days of head-banging-boom when not sailing are over, assuming I remember to get it up out of the way!
Robert Getting rid of the topping lift is a great idea. Our previously owned C34 came with the rigid Garhauer vang, which is just superb! The lack of a topping lift is great, who needs one, the vang supports the boom. We also have a lazy jack system for the mainsail, so between the rigid vang and the lazy jacks, I can position the boom anywhere (height) I want when the day is over. The days of head-banging-boom when not sailing are over, assuming I remember to get it up out of the way!
How do you control the boom
This is a familiar discussion from the sailnet email archives. The final conclusion, which I tend to agree with, is that the topping lift is still required with a rigid vang. Or the main halyard should be substituted when at the dock by attaching it to the end of the boom and tightening it. The reason is that although the vang will support the boom, there is nothing to stop the boom from thrashing sideways when the boat is at rest. You cannot tighten the mainsheet to control this. Just a thought. Ed
This is a familiar discussion from the sailnet email archives. The final conclusion, which I tend to agree with, is that the topping lift is still required with a rigid vang. Or the main halyard should be substituted when at the dock by attaching it to the end of the boom and tightening it. The reason is that although the vang will support the boom, there is nothing to stop the boom from thrashing sideways when the boat is at rest. You cannot tighten the mainsheet to control this. Just a thought. Ed
Angle of the Dangle
I have a rigid boom without a topping lift and the way I secure the boom is to put the traveler over to one side snugging it down...then a bungee cord from the back of the boom to the back stay....holds everything nice and snug.
I have a rigid boom without a topping lift and the way I secure the boom is to put the traveler over to one side snugging it down...then a bungee cord from the back of the boom to the back stay....holds everything nice and snug.
Missed The Point
I appreciate all the info but the reason I was asking about the topping lift was to figure out which Dutchman System I needed to get. The sail is all set up for a Dutchman and all I need to do is modify the topping lift to a halyard type. A rigid boom vang will not help in this case. MarcP
I appreciate all the info but the reason I was asking about the topping lift was to figure out which Dutchman System I needed to get. The sail is all set up for a Dutchman and all I need to do is modify the topping lift to a halyard type. A rigid boom vang will not help in this case. MarcP
Got the point
Sometimes the threads get a little skewed. I did what Tom suggested. There are two spots for sheaves at the top of the mast on the aft side, same as the front. On my mast, one of the spots had a dud for a sheave, so I replaced it with a spare. I ran a topping lift parallel to the main halyard, and added a new cleat on the mast to tie off to. Works great. Good luck.
Sometimes the threads get a little skewed. I did what Tom suggested. There are two spots for sheaves at the top of the mast on the aft side, same as the front. On my mast, one of the spots had a dud for a sheave, so I replaced it with a spare. I ran a topping lift parallel to the main halyard, and added a new cleat on the mast to tie off to. Works great. Good luck.
Halyard type is better
Marc, Yes the Halyard type is better because you can slack it a bit when the sail is up to allow the Dutchman continuous line and black box monofiliment line attachments flop from side to side and not interfere with the sail. Although my c28 had a soft vang and the Dutchman worked fine it is easier now on my c320 with a rigid vang to forget about tensioning the topping lift to keep the boom off my head and just adjust the tension for the Dutchman. Stan "Christy Leigh" c320 #656
Marc, Yes the Halyard type is better because you can slack it a bit when the sail is up to allow the Dutchman continuous line and black box monofiliment line attachments flop from side to side and not interfere with the sail. Although my c28 had a soft vang and the Dutchman worked fine it is easier now on my c320 with a rigid vang to forget about tensioning the topping lift to keep the boom off my head and just adjust the tension for the Dutchman. Stan "Christy Leigh" c320 #656
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