I have recently been given a Hunter 23 ('88 model I believe). I hope to take it out soon. I have reviewed stepping the mast, and done a "dry run" in the driveway on that. My question is what do most people do w/ the topping lift that runs thru the boom? Do you keep a small length of line to thread thru the boom each time you step/unstep the mast?
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No need to rethread
If you are saying you have one continous line from the mast head down to and through the boom, I would cut the line a couple of feet above where it enters the end of the boom. Leave enough length to be able to adjust the height of the end of the boom without coming to the end of your line. Simply connect the two lines after you raise the mast and adjust the height with the line running through the boom.
If you are saying you have one continous line from the mast head down to and through the boom, I would cut the line a couple of feet above where it enters the end of the boom. Leave enough length to be able to adjust the height of the end of the boom without coming to the end of your line. Simply connect the two lines after you raise the mast and adjust the height with the line running through the boom.
H23 Topping Lift
I owned a 1990 23 for several years. Simple, do not disconnet the topping lift. Disconnet the boom at the goose neck, and stick the entire boom in the cabin. The topping lift should be long enough to reach inside when the mast is down, and the topping lift is not so large that you cannot shut the hatch. Had many hour so fun with my two kids for many years, then moved up to a 31'. Good Luck.
I owned a 1990 23 for several years. Simple, do not disconnet the topping lift. Disconnet the boom at the goose neck, and stick the entire boom in the cabin. The topping lift should be long enough to reach inside when the mast is down, and the topping lift is not so large that you cannot shut the hatch. Had many hour so fun with my two kids for many years, then moved up to a 31'. Good Luck.
Install a disconnect.
Like Bob indicates cut the line about foot before it enters the end of the boom and with a ring and a snap clip connect them back up. Next time you want to take it down just release the snap clip from the ring. Brass works best.
Like Bob indicates cut the line about foot before it enters the end of the boom and with a ring and a snap clip connect them back up. Next time you want to take it down just release the snap clip from the ring. Brass works best.
Eliminate the topping lift
Another option is to eliminate the topping lift with a BoomKicker. It supports the boom from undernneath. The boom height is adjustable with the boom vang. The mounting hardware allows the BoomKicker to be easily disconnected from the boom when stepping the mast. A nice advantage is eliminating the topping lift from catching on the roach of the main and distorting the sail shape. The sales sites recommend the K1000 model for a Hunter 26, but the boom and sail are not heavy enough to require that much lift. The K750 is enough.
Another option is to eliminate the topping lift with a BoomKicker. It supports the boom from undernneath. The boom height is adjustable with the boom vang. The mounting hardware allows the BoomKicker to be easily disconnected from the boom when stepping the mast. A nice advantage is eliminating the topping lift from catching on the roach of the main and distorting the sail shape. The sales sites recommend the K1000 model for a Hunter 26, but the boom and sail are not heavy enough to require that much lift. The K750 is enough.
I agree
with Larry. Installed a Boom Kicker model 750 on my H23 this spring and wouldn't go back to a topping lift. Very useful when reefing - don't have to worry about or take steps to avoid the boom hitting the deck when reducing sail.
with Larry. Installed a Boom Kicker model 750 on my H23 this spring and wouldn't go back to a topping lift. Very useful when reefing - don't have to worry about or take steps to avoid the boom hitting the deck when reducing sail.
topping lift vs. boom vang
I've been stuggling to figure this out for some time. I really don't think I know how to use these rigging components properly. Should you release all tension from your topping lift while sailing so that the sail is allowed to take shape? I've been sailing with my topping lift loose but not completely disengaged from the jambs at the goose neck. Otherwise, I'm concerned that I would forget to secure the jamb before lowering the main to reef or pack it in. And, I can't seem to understand what the boom vang does. I think it should be tight in strong winds to help keep the sail flat and losened in light winds to add shape. I've also read about elilminating twist when jibing. Frankly, I can't notice the difference and I just don't get it. Sorry. Tim
I've been stuggling to figure this out for some time. I really don't think I know how to use these rigging components properly. Should you release all tension from your topping lift while sailing so that the sail is allowed to take shape? I've been sailing with my topping lift loose but not completely disengaged from the jambs at the goose neck. Otherwise, I'm concerned that I would forget to secure the jamb before lowering the main to reef or pack it in. And, I can't seem to understand what the boom vang does. I think it should be tight in strong winds to help keep the sail flat and losened in light winds to add shape. I've also read about elilminating twist when jibing. Frankly, I can't notice the difference and I just don't get it. Sorry. Tim
Topping lift vs. boom vang - For Tim
The purpose of the topping lift is to support the boom whenever the mainsail cannot do so, for example when the sail is being raised or lowered. The topping lift is not really a sail control, although some people tension it in very light air to prevent the weight of the boom from pulling the sail down and tightening the leech. When sailing, the topping lift should be loose enough for the sail to support the boom. As you found, it doesn't have to be completely free. When sailing upwind, the boom is held down by the mainsheet tackle. However, off the wind, the mainsheet is no longer as effective, and the boom tends to rise in response to the wind pressure, reducing the sail area presented to the wind. Tensioning the boom vang opposes the boom's tendency to rise when sailing off the wind. The vang can also be used when sailing upwind to "float" the boom in heavy air. I believe the technique is called "vang sheeting". It allows the boom to rise in response to a gust, depowering the sail by reducing its area slightly and helping to prevent the boat from being overpowered. As the gust passes, the sail reverts to its original trim and power is restored. I hope this helps. Peter H23 "Raven"
The purpose of the topping lift is to support the boom whenever the mainsail cannot do so, for example when the sail is being raised or lowered. The topping lift is not really a sail control, although some people tension it in very light air to prevent the weight of the boom from pulling the sail down and tightening the leech. When sailing, the topping lift should be loose enough for the sail to support the boom. As you found, it doesn't have to be completely free. When sailing upwind, the boom is held down by the mainsheet tackle. However, off the wind, the mainsheet is no longer as effective, and the boom tends to rise in response to the wind pressure, reducing the sail area presented to the wind. Tensioning the boom vang opposes the boom's tendency to rise when sailing off the wind. The vang can also be used when sailing upwind to "float" the boom in heavy air. I believe the technique is called "vang sheeting". It allows the boom to rise in response to a gust, depowering the sail by reducing its area slightly and helping to prevent the boat from being overpowered. As the gust passes, the sail reverts to its original trim and power is restored. I hope this helps. Peter H23 "Raven"
using the boom vang
Thank you Peter. I definatley get the picture with the topping lift. And if I understand correctly, in addition to reefing the main, I might want to keep the boom vang loose in strong winds, whether sailing into the wind or down-wind. I should keep it tight in light winds. Is that correct? Tim
Thank you Peter. I definatley get the picture with the topping lift. And if I understand correctly, in addition to reefing the main, I might want to keep the boom vang loose in strong winds, whether sailing into the wind or down-wind. I should keep it tight in light winds. Is that correct? Tim
Tim
You have it exactly back wards. The boom vang should be used to flatten the main. This is done as the breeze increases or when on a run to expose the greatest sail area to the apparent wind. Flattening the main up wind reduces weather helm and heeling. Add to this backstay tension which will bend the masthead back and further flatten the main. Down wind added vang tension will give more sail area to the wind for better boat speed. The backstay and cunningham are released and the outhaul is eased slightly.
You have it exactly back wards. The boom vang should be used to flatten the main. This is done as the breeze increases or when on a run to expose the greatest sail area to the apparent wind. Flattening the main up wind reduces weather helm and heeling. Add to this backstay tension which will bend the masthead back and further flatten the main. Down wind added vang tension will give more sail area to the wind for better boat speed. The backstay and cunningham are released and the outhaul is eased slightly.
Tim - a tiny bit more
After flattening the main as Alan describes for increasing wind, including hardening the boom vang, you will find you are eventually still overpowered. At this point you can then ease the vang to increase twist and "spill air" from the upper part of the main. This is hard to do close-hauled since the mainsheet is also holding the boom down. I don't have a traveller, but I assume the trick is to pull the traveller to windward and then ease the mainsheet as well as the vang. Of course, if you are still overpowered you would have already reefed the main.
One thing I'd add to Alan's downwind description of easing the cunningham and outhaul is to tighten the leech cord to cup the main even more to catch the wind. The Sail Trim forum archive is full of such discussions. ...RickM...
After flattening the main as Alan describes for increasing wind, including hardening the boom vang, you will find you are eventually still overpowered. At this point you can then ease the vang to increase twist and "spill air" from the upper part of the main. This is hard to do close-hauled since the mainsheet is also holding the boom down. I don't have a traveller, but I assume the trick is to pull the traveller to windward and then ease the mainsheet as well as the vang. Of course, if you are still overpowered you would have already reefed the main.
One thing I'd add to Alan's downwind description of easing the cunningham and outhaul is to tighten the leech cord to cup the main even more to catch the wind. The Sail Trim forum archive is full of such discussions. ...RickM...Vang sheeting
Alan was correctly...you use the vang to flatten the sail. To "float" the boom, you have to ease the mainsheet slightly with the vang tightened. Then you control the angle of the boom with the traveler instead of the mainsheet. The advantage here is that the sail shape remains constant (flat) even though the angle of the boom is being changed to adjust for the changing wind speed and direction in the gusts. The vang flattens the main by pulling down the boom AND pulling it forward into the mast. A really powerful vang tackle can actually bend (bow)the mast just like the backstay does, which helps flatten and depower the mainsail in higher winds. Happy sailing. Peter H23 "Raven"
Alan was correctly...you use the vang to flatten the sail. To "float" the boom, you have to ease the mainsheet slightly with the vang tightened. Then you control the angle of the boom with the traveler instead of the mainsheet. The advantage here is that the sail shape remains constant (flat) even though the angle of the boom is being changed to adjust for the changing wind speed and direction in the gusts. The vang flattens the main by pulling down the boom AND pulling it forward into the mast. A really powerful vang tackle can actually bend (bow)the mast just like the backstay does, which helps flatten and depower the mainsail in higher winds. Happy sailing. Peter H23 "Raven"
another look at vang sheeting
is that when the boom is out past your traveler while running off the wind, the boom will tend to lift, allowing excess twist into the main unless you use the vang to hold it down. Jim Kolstoe, h23 Kara's Boo
is that when the boom is out past your traveler while running off the wind, the boom will tend to lift, allowing excess twist into the main unless you use the vang to hold it down. Jim Kolstoe, h23 Kara's Boo
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