Pearson 26 and topping lifts

[flycloud]

Hi (sorry if I'm posting in the wrong section) I have a Pearson 26 and I've been sailing the main with the topping lift still attached to the boom. Now I'm not so sure if I've been making a mistake Do any of you with a P26 remove the topping lift while under sail? thoughts and/or suggestions appreciated. Thanks

[Suijin]

Do as you please. If it chafes the roach of the sail then take it to the mast. If not there’s no harm in leaving it rigged. Just make sure it’s not so tight that when you put vang on they don’t conflict.

[GuyFromTheNorth]

I don't know the P26 personally, but can say you will see 2 types of topping lifts.

On my Tanzer 7.5m the topping lift was a fixed cable with a snapcleat on the end that attached to the boom. Once the sail was hoisted you disconnected the topping lift snapcleat to release it from the boom and clipped it off to the mast so you could then pull the right sail shape with the mainsheet.

On my Mirage 33 the topping lift is adjustable and once the sail is hoisted you release enough of the topping lift so that is slacks off and lets you get the shape you need.

Hope that helps.

[flycloud]

Thanks suijin. I do not have a vang so I guess that's why there's been no conflict. I imagine though I should loosen the topping lift up a bit as it is pretty tight and it probably been hindering the shape of the sail.
I appreciate your insight.

[flycloud]

Thank you for your explanation. Very helpful and makes sense..

[jharding]

my topping lift is set low enough so that when I hoist the sail the topping lift line is slack, I don't ever have to adjust it.

[George DuBose]

A Brit showed me the simplest topping lift.

I have a shackle on one end of the topping lift that always remains connected to the aft end of the boom. Once the main is raised, I take a boat hook and hook the topping lift walking the standing part forward where I hook it on one of the reefing hooks. Once the standing part is hooked, I just tie off the bitter end on a cleat. No chafing of the sail, no leaning over the side to unhook the topping lift, no bungee cords involved.

Very neat and seaman-like.

George DuBose

[fred4936]

Hi! If yours is #1206 it was my old boat! I sold it to a guy on the north shore of Long Island many years ago. I have nothing but fond memories. I concur with the previous solutions. On my current Tartan 27-2 I have mine double ended, so I can adjust it at the mast or at the back of the boom so i can raise it a few inches so it clears my head when under power. I have a knot in the line so if something breaks the boom doesn't land on top of me. Good luck!

[Perfusser]

Hi FlyCloud,
I Have a Tasman 26 also with a topping lift. I leave it on, but quite slack, except for very light airs when i lift the boom to add depth and twist, thereby moving a bit faster. And it definitely makes a difference.
Cheers
Craig