Purchased a Macgregor 25. Rookie question: When attaching the boom to the mast, what keeps it from bending down (or will it?) while putting the sail and lines on, or while moored with sails down? Is there a line from the end to the top of the mast to hold it up? Wouldn't that get in the way of the sail? Help!
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Jim
Purchased a Macgregor 25. Rookie question: When attaching the boom to the mast, what keeps it from bending down (or will it?) while putting the sail and lines on, or while moored with sails down? Is there a line from the end to the top of the mast to hold it up? Wouldn't that get in the way of the sail? Help!
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Gregg
Boom
A line from the mast down to the end of the boom is called a topping lift. On my MAC 25, I just have a short (12-14") cable running down from the back stay with a snap hook. When the sail is down or off, that hooks on to the end of the boom, and holds it up. When the sail is all the way up. it holds the boom up.
A line from the mast down to the end of the boom is called a topping lift. On my MAC 25, I just have a short (12-14") cable running down from the back stay with a snap hook. When the sail is down or off, that hooks on to the end of the boom, and holds it up. When the sail is all the way up. it holds the boom up.
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Gregg
Boom
A line from the mast down to the end of the boom is called a topping lift. On my MAC 25, I just have a short (12-14") cable running down from the back stay with a snap hook. When the sail is down or off, that hooks on to the end of the boom, and holds it up. When the sail is all the way up. it holds the boom up.
A line from the mast down to the end of the boom is called a topping lift. On my MAC 25, I just have a short (12-14") cable running down from the back stay with a snap hook. When the sail is down or off, that hooks on to the end of the boom, and holds it up. When the sail is all the way up. it holds the boom up.
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Bob
masthead sheave
My 25 has a small block just below the masthead on the port side. It is high and the line connects to the boom a bit behind the sail so the topping lift doesn't interfere with the main. I use a short line from the backstay as well, but the topping lift allows me to swing the boom out of head banging range when at anchor. It can also get a little dicey raising the main with it attached to the backstay, I prefer to let it swing until the halyard is tied off and I can tighten the sheet. If you don't have the block, I agree with Gregg that the backstsay connection works fine.
My 25 has a small block just below the masthead on the port side. It is high and the line connects to the boom a bit behind the sail so the topping lift doesn't interfere with the main. I use a short line from the backstay as well, but the topping lift allows me to swing the boom out of head banging range when at anchor. It can also get a little dicey raising the main with it attached to the backstay, I prefer to let it swing until the halyard is tied off and I can tighten the sheet. If you don't have the block, I agree with Gregg that the backstsay connection works fine.
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Bob
masthead sheave
My 25 has a small block just below the masthead on the port side. It is high and the line connects to the boom a bit behind the sail so the topping lift doesn't interfere with the main. I use a short line from the backstay as well, but the topping lift allows me to swing the boom out of head banging range when at anchor. It can also get a little dicey raising the main with it attached to the backstay, I prefer to let it swing until the halyard is tied off and I can tighten the sheet. If you don't have the block, I agree with Gregg that the backstsay connection works fine.
My 25 has a small block just below the masthead on the port side. It is high and the line connects to the boom a bit behind the sail so the topping lift doesn't interfere with the main. I use a short line from the backstay as well, but the topping lift allows me to swing the boom out of head banging range when at anchor. It can also get a little dicey raising the main with it attached to the backstay, I prefer to let it swing until the halyard is tied off and I can tighten the sheet. If you don't have the block, I agree with Gregg that the backstsay connection works fine.
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Stephen Paul
Topping lift
A topping lift should be on a pully or block at the top with a cleat on the mast. When sailing slack off the topping lift and it won't be in the way of the sail. In fact, if kept tight it will not allow the boom to fall and keep the sail tight. As mentioned a back stay cable can be arranged to hold the boom as well, remove when the sail is up. A stiff boom vang will also act as a boom support if you wanted one. Do use a boom vang to keep the boom from lifting on a broad reach and striking the back stay. Striking the back stay can break it and cause a dis-masting in rough weather. Steve
A topping lift should be on a pully or block at the top with a cleat on the mast. When sailing slack off the topping lift and it won't be in the way of the sail. In fact, if kept tight it will not allow the boom to fall and keep the sail tight. As mentioned a back stay cable can be arranged to hold the boom as well, remove when the sail is up. A stiff boom vang will also act as a boom support if you wanted one. Do use a boom vang to keep the boom from lifting on a broad reach and striking the back stay. Striking the back stay can break it and cause a dis-masting in rough weather. Steve
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Stephen Paul
Topping lift
A topping lift should be on a pully or block at the top with a cleat on the mast. When sailing slack off the topping lift and it won't be in the way of the sail. In fact, if kept tight it will not allow the boom to fall and keep the sail tight. As mentioned a back stay cable can be arranged to hold the boom as well, remove when the sail is up. A stiff boom vang will also act as a boom support if you wanted one. Do use a boom vang to keep the boom from lifting on a broad reach and striking the back stay. Striking the back stay can break it and cause a dis-masting in rough weather. Steve
A topping lift should be on a pully or block at the top with a cleat on the mast. When sailing slack off the topping lift and it won't be in the way of the sail. In fact, if kept tight it will not allow the boom to fall and keep the sail tight. As mentioned a back stay cable can be arranged to hold the boom as well, remove when the sail is up. A stiff boom vang will also act as a boom support if you wanted one. Do use a boom vang to keep the boom from lifting on a broad reach and striking the back stay. Striking the back stay can break it and cause a dis-masting in rough weather. Steve
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Richard
I'm with Greg on this one
I use the same system as Greg. A short piece of cable has been attached tothe backstay about 6 feet above the cockpit floor and hangs free when not in use. To secure the boom when the sails are down it attaches to the aft end of the boom and holds the boom secure and up and out of the way for my crew of (shorter than) 6 foot tall people. There is very little weight involved at the aft end opf the boom so this arrangement does not put any strain on the back stay. Merry Christmas Richard
I use the same system as Greg. A short piece of cable has been attached tothe backstay about 6 feet above the cockpit floor and hangs free when not in use. To secure the boom when the sails are down it attaches to the aft end of the boom and holds the boom secure and up and out of the way for my crew of (shorter than) 6 foot tall people. There is very little weight involved at the aft end opf the boom so this arrangement does not put any strain on the back stay. Merry Christmas Richard
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Richard
I'm with Greg on this one
I use the same system as Greg. A short piece of cable has been attached tothe backstay about 6 feet above the cockpit floor and hangs free when not in use. To secure the boom when the sails are down it attaches to the aft end of the boom and holds the boom secure and up and out of the way for my crew of (shorter than) 6 foot tall people. There is very little weight involved at the aft end opf the boom so this arrangement does not put any strain on the back stay. Merry Christmas Richard
I use the same system as Greg. A short piece of cable has been attached tothe backstay about 6 feet above the cockpit floor and hangs free when not in use. To secure the boom when the sails are down it attaches to the aft end of the boom and holds the boom secure and up and out of the way for my crew of (shorter than) 6 foot tall people. There is very little weight involved at the aft end opf the boom so this arrangement does not put any strain on the back stay. Merry Christmas Richard
different boat but...
I have a fixed length topping lift with a snap on my V21. Don't know if it's original but I really don't like it. I have to either clip it to the backstay where it will creep up to where I can't reach it, or clip it to a shroud where it looks sloppy. I'm going to try and figure a way to make it adjustable so I can leave it attached to the boom Bryan
I have a fixed length topping lift with a snap on my V21. Don't know if it's original but I really don't like it. I have to either clip it to the backstay where it will creep up to where I can't reach it, or clip it to a shroud where it looks sloppy. I'm going to try and figure a way to make it adjustable so I can leave it attached to the boom Bryan
different boat but...
I have a fixed length topping lift with a snap on my V21. Don't know if it's original but I really don't like it. I have to either clip it to the backstay where it will creep up to where I can't reach it, or clip it to a shroud where it looks sloppy. I'm going to try and figure a way to make it adjustable so I can leave it attached to the boom Bryan
I have a fixed length topping lift with a snap on my V21. Don't know if it's original but I really don't like it. I have to either clip it to the backstay where it will creep up to where I can't reach it, or clip it to a shroud where it looks sloppy. I'm going to try and figure a way to make it adjustable so I can leave it attached to the boom Bryan
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