Question for those with topping lifts

[jeffandlori]

There are many threads discussing the merits and uses of topping lifts, so not looking to revisit those topics. I am interested in the merits of different mounting locations. I have seen some that use a cheek block on the side of the mast and some that either run through the masthead sheaves (not an option for me) or a block mounted under the backstay. In my case the cheek block approach would be easier, but how annoying is it to have it off to one side? I could probably get a block set up below the backstay, is it worth the extra hassle to have it centered?

[JPA Cate]

A lot of people don't want to run a boom topping lift, because of chafe on the mainsail. If you have a main with much roach in it, that can be a lot of chafe. Our boom topping lift shiv is at the masthead, parallel to the main halyard shiv, and it is not even roved. On the rare occasions when we have wanted to top up the boom, we have had the main down and used the main halyard. The mechanical vang holds it up adequately in our case.

Ann

[Bowdrie]

I went a slightly different route.
I used a pair of thick stainless "triangle" plates.
One set of holes fits in the masthead weldment with its thru bolt.
The backstay eye fits between the second set of holes, and the third set of holes mount a block that the topping lift reeves thru.
The whole works is well above the head of the main, and the topping lift can also serve as both an emergency halyard and a line for hoisting purposes.
Can there be some chaff? yes, but it's minimal.

[Nekton73]

My boat originally had a side mounted topping lift wire that terminated at the stbd side of the masthead truck, joined to rope a short distance above the boom, went through a sheave at the end of the boom and secured to a horn cleat on the stbd side of the boom. I had sailed on a C&C 32 with the same setup so was content with it for a while, but it did get hung up on the roach often in light air, and would lay against the sail and chafe when the wind was up.

When it came time to replace my halyards I decided to run them internally which freed up a sheave fore and aft for backup halyards, and I thought why not make the second aft halyard a topping lift? Well I can tell you I much prefer the more centred location. Less hang-ups on the roach and more likely to swing free than lay up against it. I also made the section from the masthead down to the boom out of dyneema, which is so light that if the right slack is left in the topping lift it just blows off the sail in most conditions. In the lightest airs it is held taught by the weight of the double braid hanging down to deck inside the mast. Really works well.


You mention that using a masthead sheave is not an option so I'd say if you can find a way to hang or affix a block centred I'd go that route.

Mechanical vang is a great option too though, if it's in the budget; solves two problems with one piece of equipment.

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by JPA Cate

A lot of people don't want to run a boom topping lift, because of chafe on the mainsail. If you have a main with much roach in it, that can be a lot of chafe. Our boom topping lift shiv is at the masthead, parallel to the main halyard shiv, and it is not even roved. On the rare occasions when we have wanted to top up the boom, we have had the main down and used the main halyard. The mechanical vang holds it up adequately in our case.

Ann

I've worn out 5 full battened mainsails (and I wear them OUT) on multihulls and chafe from the topping lift and lazy jacks was never an issue. Loss of shape, full width tears from UV damamge, and worn out bolt ropes. Never chafe from a light line that floats clear of the sail most of the time.


It should not be tight enough to chafe when sailing. It should be slacked off a little.


The only nuisance is the same as having lazy jacks; the batten ends can snag, which simply requires some attention when hoisting. Steering just a little to one side at the critical moment solves it.


Not knowing your situation, consider making it strong enough that it can serve as a safety line (climbing) and a spare halyard. This may not make sense, but is one of the best reason to have it on a masthead sheave.