Where does this go...?

[Squidd]

Found it in the bowels of the boat...

I do remember taking it off the aft end of the boom, when I first got the boat, but didn't use it last season (couldn't find it)...

It either gives purchase to my outhaul (which is now 1:1 and not sure that's correct rigging) or... It adjusts my topping lift, where at present I have a 12" "jumper rope" from steel topping line to boom plate...??

 

[Tim R.]

How about a boom vang?

 

[justsomeguy]

Looks like a boom vang, but not enough line...

 

[Squidd]

No, I have a boom vang, 3/8" line 30' long...

This is 1/4" line with about 6"-8" of "adjustment" (maybe 14" overall clip to clip)

 

[Tim R.]

I do not see enough room for it to be part of the outhaul and you should not need that much of an advantage for a topping lift.

How about a cunningham?

 

[Dave Groshong]

Could have be used as a block and tackle to lift an outboard engine up, or a vang, or a mainsheet, or a preventer..........

 

[MrBill_FLL]

that still looks like a vang to me. (a very cheap one)

doesn't look like it would fit for an outhaul. blocks are too long.


with 3 strand line...(stretch) maybe used for an outboard lift, or dingy?

 

[justsomeguy]

Is that your topping lift running through that cheek block, Squidd?

 

[Squidd]

No that's the reefing line running thru the cheek block...

Topping lift (at present/in picture) is disconnected and secured forward to the mast.(PITA)...uses a short "jumper" line or lead to connect steel topping lift line to boom end...Steel topping line too short without jumper (boom less than 90* to mast)

Any advantage to an adjustable TL compared to fixed length as is now...? I would like to leave it connected rather than have to run it forward alll the time..

 

[Squidd]

Could have be used as a block and tackle to lift an outboard engine up, or a vang, or a mainsheet, or a preventer..........

Too small maybe 14" overall with 6"-8" adjustment...1/4" line...?

How about a cunningham?

haddn't thought about that, but no hook at present and I'm 99% certain I took it off the aft end of boom...(not that it was in the correct position when I got there..?)

 

[kloudie1]

Topping Lift.. Lets ya leave it on by slacking a bit.. lets ya adjust the boom angle when sail is down.. ?? I dunno

 

[Stu Jackson]

Why not "give it up" if you can't find a place for it and everything else works fine?

The bottom block looks backwards, since the line around the bottom sheave going up to the other block, uhm, blocks the part of the lower block that clamps the end of the line. Maybe the bottom should be used as the becket.

 

[Squidd]

Looks like that's where I'm headed with this piece....TL adjuster...

Now, does the TL work in tension with the boom vang to create sail shape...? or just there to hold it out of the way unless sail is down...?

I was under the impression you were to remove the TL when the sail was up..?

 

[Squidd]

Why not "give it up" if you can't find a place for it and everything else works fine? .

It doesn't work just fine at present...

I'm not thrilled with my outhaul purchase and not thrilled with having to remove/replace the TL every time I raise/drop the sails...

Maybe this piece is not the answer...but those are the concerns I'm trying to address...just seems a little "awkward" the way I'm doing things now...

 

[Stu Jackson]

You don't remove it, you simple slack it. In light air it could be used to raise the boom.

 

[Daydreamer]

Could be a downhaul for the luff of the main. Works like a cunningham, but would attach at the gooseneck and base of mast to pull the front of the boom down and tension the luff.

 

[seadaddler]

Topping Lift

It is for the topping lift for sure and seen many boats with some thing just like it,it makes adjusting the topping lift from in the cockpit easy.
the topping lift is to keep the boom from dropping into ccockpit when no sail is on and can be pulled up higher in very light air,my topping lift does get in the way of my main and holds up the boom wwwhen my in-mast sail is all rolled up.
Nick

 

[tkanzler]

It is for the topping lift for sure and seen many boats with some thing just like it,it makes adjusting the topping lift from in the cockpit easy.

That's my guess, too. Since he has a wire line to the top of the mast, and it's (presumably) not adjustable, the bottom is the only place where you can add adjustment. While you don't 'need' multiparts for a TL, especially on smaller boats, those fiddle blocks were used most likely because of the included jamb (or wedge) cleat functionality. Or so it seems to me.

 

[Squidd]

That's what I'm going with TL adjuster...

Cleaned it up and added new line...

 

[Joe]

When I sailed beach cats a rig like that was used as a trapeze line adjuster.....I also had exactly the same rig as the vang on my Laser... but you are making way, way to much out of this..... it's just a set of tackle that someone threw in the bottom of the boat, cause he couldn't find anywhere to use it.... remember what condition you found the boat in....

You don't need 4:1 purchase for a topping lift on a 26 ft boat. Besides it would flop around and bang into stuff if it was attached near the boom.

Also, as a topping lift you may find the cleat location inconvenient, and the 4 way purchase adds extra weight which means you'll be constantly adjusting it... plus the tail of the line will need to be secured or it will drive you crazy.

For a static line TL, I think putting the cleat for the adjusting tackle on the boom makes way more sense.... plus it's easier to reach.


My experience with this lighweight rig is that it is difficult to release under load. You must pull it tighter before uncleating it, so close access to the line has a lot to do with its operation.