Where is my topping lift

[macneilga]

I am launching for the first time and the only thing from the top of the mast is the main halyard. Does anyone have a picture of the topping lift on the H26. The line from the aft end of the boom adds to the confusion. I think my years with an aft stay have jaded me.

 

[JoeWhite]

On some boats there is a short - about 18"- line that connects from the aft end of the boom to the backstay and this hold up the boom while lowering the mainsail. This may be why you do not have a topping lift that goes all the way to the top of the mast.

 

[macneilga]

You lucky Catalina owners have an aft stay, but there is no aft stay on the Hunter 26 or on most Hunters with the set back spreader and shroud system.

 

[DJN51]

On my 23.5 Hunter there are three lines through the boom,Outhaul,reef and topping.Topping should be about 40 ft long,What I did was attached to top of mast before raising,after everything was rigged cut topping 2 ft above boom and added a small shackle to each line that way you can disconnect them for trailering or deriging.Going to boat today will post pix tonight.

 

[macneilga]

DJ, thanks, my topping line is about 20 feet long and whats even more strange is there did not seem to be a place at the top of the mast that had been used for a line. The small opening at the aft edge of the top was almost completly covered by a mast light base and so I had to force a shackle through and tie a 40 foot line that is now tied to the topping lift line to hold the boom in a workable state.

 

[Forrest15112]

On my 23.5 Hunter there are three lines through the boom,Outhaul,reef and topping.Topping should be about 40 ft long,What I did was attached to top of mast before raising,after everything was rigged cut topping 2 ft above boom and added a small shackle to each line that way you can disconnect them for trailering or deriging.Going to boat today will post pix tonight.

This is the same configuration I have, but if you have a rigid vang or boom kicker, you wouldn't need the topping lift.

 

[cephius (Dave)]

Topping lift

There is a cable from the mast head that ends in a single block about about 3' above the boom. The starboard line that comes out the end of the boom should go up and through the block and back to tie off on a bail on the boom. If I recall correctly, there is a bar at the mast head that extends aft a couple of inches that the cable attaches to.

It is adjusted at the mast end of the boom.

I suspect the cable and block may be missing from your boat.

 

[macneilga]

Re: Topping lift

Dave,

Thanks so much for taking the time, exactly what was needed and yes it appears to be missing.

Gerard

 

[Don Guillette]

Re: Topping lift

You could use your mainsail halyard as a topping lift. The main purpose of the topping lift is to hold up the boom when the mainsail is flaked

 

[JonnyQuest]

There is a cable from the mast head that ends in a single block about about 3' above the boom. The starboard line that comes out the end of the boom should go up and through the block and back to tie off on a bail on the boom. If I recall correctly, there is a bar at the mast head that extends aft a couple of inches that the cable attaches to.

It is adjusted at the mast end of the boom.

I suspect the cable and block may be missing from your boat.

Dave, with topping lifts aren't they supposed to be released from the boom while sailing? How do you release the boom from the topping lift when it has a pulley setup like your image shows? Or is it ok to leave the topping lift attached?

Thanks for the extra explanation. I might add a pulley setup to mine if it helps.

JQ

 

[JonnyQuest]

In doing some other reading on topping lifts it appears some cruisers keep it attached to the boom and just slacken it when sailing. Is this correct? I have a topping lift that is a fixed cable that comes about s foot or so short of the end of the boom; currently has a d-ring on the end and no pulley/trim line. Seems that rigging a block and pulley rig would make my topping lift much more useful and usable.

Do I have the right idea?

 

[Hugh Straub]

Yes, the topping lift should be adjustable. your block and tackle idea is spot on.

Kind regards

Hugh

 

[cephius (Dave)]

I ease the topping lift after the main is up. I just slack it enough to allow the boomvang and main sheet to shape the sail. Since the H260 doesn't have a backstay, the topping lift cable is the only thing aft of the main leech.

I use the topping lift to pull the boom clear of the bimini when the main is furled.