Missing Topping Lift

[Banzai]

Firstly, my appologies if my terminology is not correct as I'm new to the cruising game.

I have an Islander/Wayfarer 29 which I have just put in the water.
I thought that I had correctly sorted all of the rigging prior to stepping the mast, but it seems that I might have missed the topping lift?

The problem is that there is not an obvious attachment point at the masthead to attach one. There is, however a spliced 'tail' on the rear stay which I have used for now to support the boom.

Should my boat have a topping lift or would it rely on the sail when raised?
I appreciate that I would only use the 'tail' to support the boom when the sail is not raised, but is this correct for my boat?

I'm tempted to fit a Boomkicker instead ...... your thoughts?

Paul

[bewitched]

You're choice really. You can do away with the topping lift if you have solid boom vang or kicker. Or you can retain the topping lift and not need the boom vang.

One solution I saw ( which I suspect is similar to yours) is to have something attached to the backstay that hooks into the boom and holds it up when the sail is down.

Not good for when you want to reef though

[Banzai]

Boomkicker on order

[SkiprJohn]

There are several topping lift options but you've chosen a good one. The little pigtail on the backstay was probably something rigged to act as a boom crutch to keep the boom from falling when you lower the sails. A true topping lift would be a dedicated line from the top of the mast to the aft end of the boom through a block and rigged forward near your mast on the boom or through additional blocks to the cockpit in order to hold your boom up during reefing.
Congratulations on your new boat.
kind regards,

[Connemara]

I see you've gone with a Boomkicker. Good idea. The damn topping lift is just another thing to fool with and if you forget it, down comes the boom, Boom!

OTOH the Boomkicker is a passive device; it supports the boom whether you think of it or not.

Put one on two years ago, or may be three. Works like a charm.

Connemara

[SkiprJohn]

Another down side of traditional topping lifts is they sometimes chafe the sail if not stowed agains the mast.
kind regards,

[four winds]

Ah, stowing the topping lift. Adding that to the notes. Thanks.

[Bloodhound]

A topping lift is almost essential on any boat with a heavy enough boom if you don't have a boom gallows. But to me, its greatest use is in lifting the boom when raising the mainsail. The sail should not be used to lift the boom into position as it causes uneven stretch on the sail and you will probably end up with a prematurely misshapen sail. Once the sail is raised the topping lift can be released and slackened a bit, but obviously not so much that it flails around chafing the leech of the sail. With a heavy boom a topping lift is essential; with a light boom and small boat its a nonessential convenience (or nuiscance, as the case may be).

[four winds]

I've noticed with the roach on my main, the lift will make contact regardless of tension. I had not thought to stow it on the mast.

[senormechanico]

I love mine!

http://www.boomkicker.com/images/Dragon33.jpg

[E.L.Green]

the way i rigged my topping lift on my santana is the following.. rather than run to the mast to attatch at the base when under sail, i used a VT hitch and when resizing the lift, left about a foot of tail. after the main is raised i apply pressure on the hitch allowing to add slack while under sail. when dropping the main, apply pressure under the hitch to advance on the lift. the knot will bite unless acted upon by pressure. the method transferred from my arborist days and i used the system as a lifeline when climbing. [ATTACH][/ATTACH]