Just picked up Glory Days (H40.5) in Havre de Grace, MD and had a great trip south to Oriental, NC. Boat did GREAT. My only concern deals with the amount of stress on the topping lift. It holds the weight of the mast and sails and takes all the tension of the main sheet used to center and secure the boom. The line is small, 3/8"? compared to the main, 1/2"? with 6:1 advange. This seems to be a lot to ask of this small line. If it breaks, someone could be killed by the boom. I see notes on the forum about adding advantage to the topping lift and I think thats a great idea but doesn't reduce the stress on the line. Any suggestions would be appreciated?
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Hello and welcome to NC., I too share your concern about the strength of the topping lift. I sail a 1993 Legend 37.5 with the same size topping lift, I have just about decided to buy a solid vang I just haven't figured out which one. I still won't be able to eliminate the topping lift, because I have a dutchman flaking system. You may also want to consider a solid vang, if for no other reason that peace of mind. Good Sailing! Capt. Ron
Try a Garhauer
Robert: Look at the Garhauer website. Their rigid vangs are reasonably priced and have a 10 year warranty. My boat also has a dutchman so I will not be able to eliminate the topping lift. The rigid vangs give you the security of the boom not dropping on someones head and the additional sail shape that characteristics. The website has pricing too.
Robert: Look at the Garhauer website. Their rigid vangs are reasonably priced and have a 10 year warranty. My boat also has a dutchman so I will not be able to eliminate the topping lift. The rigid vangs give you the security of the boom not dropping on someones head and the additional sail shape that characteristics. The website has pricing too.
Something Doesn't Sound Right!
In the description of the topping lift it was stated that it takes all the load of the boom. This should only be true when the sail is NOT set. When the sail is set then the topping lift should be loosened but not so much so that is floggs around. If the topping lift is only supporting the weight of the boom and the sail, with a small amount of main sheet tension to keep the boom from swinging back and forth, then the cable size should be adequate. Any comment??
In the description of the topping lift it was stated that it takes all the load of the boom. This should only be true when the sail is NOT set. When the sail is set then the topping lift should be loosened but not so much so that is floggs around. If the topping lift is only supporting the weight of the boom and the sail, with a small amount of main sheet tension to keep the boom from swinging back and forth, then the cable size should be adequate. Any comment??
Garhauer Rigid Vang
On my 40.5, I had to replace the topping lift the first year due to some chafe from a mast head bolt that was too long. I used the best 7/16" line money could buy to replace it since it supports the boom when the sail is lowered, and I use it as a safety line when going up the mast using the main halyard. It is lead back to the cockpit. I just ordered the Garhauer rigid vang for $340 and should be here in 3 weeks. I have a Dutchman so I will not be able to eliminate the topping lift. I'll use the old soft vang as a preventer when on a run and in port to prevent boom movement. We live aboard and boom movement makes some noises.
On my 40.5, I had to replace the topping lift the first year due to some chafe from a mast head bolt that was too long. I used the best 7/16" line money could buy to replace it since it supports the boom when the sail is lowered, and I use it as a safety line when going up the mast using the main halyard. It is lead back to the cockpit. I just ordered the Garhauer rigid vang for $340 and should be here in 3 weeks. I have a Dutchman so I will not be able to eliminate the topping lift. I'll use the old soft vang as a preventer when on a run and in port to prevent boom movement. We live aboard and boom movement makes some noises.
This forum is great. You write in with a question and an expert does a house (boat)call. You can imagine how pleased I was when Ron Cousino, a Legend owner, drops by yesterday to advise me on my topping lift concern. Thanks Ron.
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