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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Boom Topping Lift

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jsummerfield
1st Mate

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USA
96 Posts

Initially Posted - 08/03/2003 : 10:39:17

I had my standing rigging inspected while the boat was hauled for a bottom job. The only recommendation was to plan for replacing my topping lift. The topping lift was mentioned in several recent threads. I believe that one post mentioned hauling the tipping lift.

As others described, the topping lift on my Catalina 25 is a light line, perhaps ¼-inch. The only function that is apparent is to hold the boom up until the main is raised and during reefing. Some have mentioned cutting the pigtail. That may be the only useful aspect of the topping lift. I have seen mention of it’s use when setting a spinnaker but I only have the two standard head sails.

Please describe details regarding the proper rigging such as where connected, what size, etc. and uses of the topping lift.

John
C25 3973 FK/SR
"Texas Tango"

Edited by - on

ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 08/03/2003 : 11:22:35

You've described the 'typical' use of a topping lift, to hold the boom up so it doesn't fall when the mailsail halyard is released.

Most folks only use them to hold the boom up when not sailing, but they can also be used to lift the boom in very light air, giving the mainsail more shape.

In their simplest configuration, they are simply a line tied to the masthead and run down to a cleat at the end of the boom. (no sheave at the masthead).

If you have one rigged with a masthead sheave, a topping lift can function as an emergency mainsail halyard, with a tagline they be used for hoisting flags, lights, radar reflectors etc. they make a good safety or toolbucket line when using a bosun's chair, when run through a block at the end of the boom, they can be part of a MOB retrieval system. etc etc.

Translation: a topping lift can be a pretty useful thing to have around.

For heavier uses (other than just 'holding up the boom') you might step up to a good quality 5/16" line.

Currently maintaining two holes in the water...'77 Venture 23 and new to the family,
'78 Catalina 25

Edited by - on

Dave B
Admiral

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Mali
863 Posts

Response Posted - 08/03/2003 : 12:14:46

I have another question on this... My topping lift is fixed at the masthead and runs through a swivel block on the boom forward to a cleat, for adjustment. When I put the bimini on, I think I'll want to be able to adjust the boom from the cockpit. To run it to a cabintop clutch, should I extend the current path to a cheek block near the gooseneck and down to the deck, or should I put a block at the masthead (like a swivel on the crane) and fix the line to the boom end, running up to the masthead and down the mast?

Hmmmm... Can anyone understand all of that?

Dave Bristle, 1985 C-25 #5032 "Passage" SR/FK/Dinette/Honda in SW CT

Edited by - dave b on 08/03/2003 12:18:40

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skipn809
Navigator

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111 Posts

Response Posted - 08/03/2003 : 12:33:31

All of my topping lifts have been run like an extra halyard from a pully on the mast head. That way they can do double duty for other needs like mentioned above. I run them down the mast to deck hardware, and the line ends in a rope clutch on the aft cabin top, so I can adjust it from the cockpit even with a bimini up.

Skip 1985 C-25 T/R #5121 "Corporal Punishment" N.E. Mo.

Edited by - on

skipn809
Navigator

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111 Posts

Response Posted - 08/03/2003 : 12:37:30

PS-- I leave the pig tail on. It helps heep the boom from swinging when I remove the main sheet, or use the topping lift for something else.

Also, using this topping lift system leaves the boom clean for running other lines that may be necessary, like single line reefing.

Skip 1985 C-25 T/R #5121 "Corporal Punishment" N.E. Mo.

Edited by - on

Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1893 Posts

Response Posted - 08/03/2003 : 12:47:02

John and Dave,

Re: "Please describe details regarding the proper rigging such as where connected, what size, etc. and uses of the topping lift."

Re: "... I want to be able to adjust the boom from the cockpit."

Let me first say that I don't dissagree with anything ClamBeach has said about the style of boom topping lift that ressembles a light duty main halyard. I prefer the other style that is fixed at the masthead because it reduces weight aloft and avoids having to deal with another line slapping against the mast or getting fouled aloft. It's a personal preference thing.

On my 1979 C-25 SR, I got rid of the pigtail and installed an adjustable topping lift as follows. I use a light piece of stainless steel rigging wire a couple of feet shorter than the main leech. Both ends of the wire are terminated with SS thimbles and Nicopress sleeves. The upper end is captured by the same pin as the backstay. The lower end has a tiny single block with becket. On the aft end of the boom, there's a matching single block shackled to the boom end fitting and a cheek block on the stbd. side of the boom as far aft as practical. There are two or three tiny fairleads along the boom. Near the gooseneck there's either another cheek block, or a single hanging from an eye strap (I forget, and either would work). From there, the line is routed like any other control lead aft. (Mast base turning block, deck organizer, cam cleat w/fairlead.) A 3/16" line is tied off to the becket of the block on the end of the wire topping lift. That line then goes down around the single block on the boom end fitting, back up around the hanging block, down around the cheek block, forward through the fairleads and forward block, down, out, aft, etc. Whew! I hope that's readable.

This gives a 3:1 ratio topping lift, which nicely balances the 3:1 mainsheet ratio. Yes, it could have been done either 2:1 or 1:1. I see a potential problem there if someone horses down hard on the mainsheet against the topping lift. Doing so could damage the camcleat or other light rigging for the line.

-- Leon Sisson

Edited by - on

Dave B
Admiral

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Mali
863 Posts

Response Posted - 08/03/2003 : 15:29:26

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
...I see a potential problem there if someone horses down hard on the mainsheet against the topping lift. Doing so could damage the camcleat or other light rigging for the line....
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>
Thanks, Leon... I think I followed that. <img src=icon_smile_blush.gif border=0 align=middle> I could see where I would "horse down" my 4:1 mainsheet a little against the topping lift--I do it regularly to stabilize the boom when the sail is coming down, but so far it hasn't threatened the little swivel block at the end of my boom. I guess I'm not that much of a horse...

Dave Bristle, 1985 C-25 #5032 "Passage" SR/FK/Dinette/Honda in SW CT

Edited by - on

osmepneo
Past Commodore

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USA
1420 Posts

Response Posted - 08/04/2003 : 11:04:55

I installed a topping lift this spring, primarily to hold the boom up, especially when I need to hold onto the boom while I'm walk around the boat. I also have a boom kicker to hold it before the main is raised.

All I did was tie a small diameter low strech line to the mast head, and put it around a pully a to turn the line and then tied it off with a double half hitch on the the topping lift line. Very simple if I want to hold the boom a bit higher, or lower it for some reason.

Don Peet
c25, 1665, osmepneo, sr/wk
The Great Sacandaga Lake, NY

Edited by - on

deastburn
Captain

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USA
334 Posts

Response Posted - 08/07/2003 : 08:42:41

Here's another, very simple variation:

I use quarter inch dacron line tied to a swivel eye at the boom end, led through a small swivel block at the masthead (next to the backstay), down the mast to a block at the mast base, and back to the cockpit. It ends up in the cockpit adjacent to my main halyard and main downhaul line. Very simple, cheap, and light. But useful only for supporting the boom while raising and lowering the main. And for raising flags etc. by untieing it from the boom end and attaching a second line.

Dave on Wood Duck (2616)

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 08/07/2003 : 12:05:21

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
I have seen mention of it’s use when setting a spinnaker but I only have the two standard head sails.
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

Different line, different function. The topping lift for the spinaker is also commonly known as the Pole lift.

dw

D. Wolff - "The Flying Wasp" #401 sr/sk
Chief Measurer C-25/250 National Assn.
<img src="http://www.flags.com/dreamimages/Flags/measurer.jpg" border=0>

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