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Topping lift question

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avi
Deckhand

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12 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/30/2018 : 11:14:37

I have a 1988 CA 25 swing keel, S/R. I finally raised the mast!
Unfortunately I forgot to hook up the topping lift. Do I really need it and what are the benefits of having that rigged? I can use the pig tail that spliced to the back stay to catch the boom when not sailing, isn�t it what�s it for?

Davy J
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1511 Posts

Response Posted - 06/30/2018 : 11:24:12

quote:
Do I really need it and what are the benefits of having that rigged?

You don't need to have one. However, the real function is to keep the boom from falling down into the cockpit when you lower the main sail. The pigtail is used when you are not sailing to keep the boom raised and to keep it from swinging side to side.

Davy J

2005 Gemini 105Mc
PO 1987 C25 #5509 SR/SK
Tampa Bay

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5340 Posts

Response Posted - 06/30/2018 : 13:11:19

You can definitely secure it to the backstay. As DavyJ suggests if you have a pigtail swaged to the backstay then you�re good to go.

If not, you can rig a 3/16� line to the backstay using an �icicle hitch�, so named because you can tie one to an icicle and it would not slip off the end.I use one for my flag halyard.

Animated Knot shows you how to tie one. Pay close attention to all the overs, unders and arounds.

Here�s a Wikipedia Article for knot aficionados. This knot was developed in the 1990s so Mr Ashley and his famous book of knots was entirely ignorant of it. It is however closely related to the Klemheist knot, which is ABoK #1762.

Bruce Ross
Passage ~ SR-FK ~ C25 #5032

Port Captain � Milford, CT

Edited by - Voyager on 06/30/2018 13:16:26

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9070 Posts

Response Posted - 06/30/2018 : 13:55:25

I've occasionally warned folks to be wary of the pigtail... The first time you hoist the sail without remembering to detach the pigtail, especially in a good breeze, you'll likely find your pulse suddenly surging! (You have to be there to really get it.) And I can't recommend hooking it up to hold the boom while dousing the sail. I replaced the standing rigging with CD's set that had no pigtail on the backstay--the topping lift is way more useful (hoisting, dousing, reefing,...) and less risky.

So go ahead and use the pigtail--just don't forget about it! And look forward to getting that topping lift rigged.

Dave Bristle
Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT
PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage, USCG "sixpack" (expired),
Now on Eastern 27 $+!nkp*+ Sarge

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 06/30/2018 13:58:22

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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5891 Posts

Response Posted - 06/30/2018 : 13:58:01

If you lower the mainsail without either hooking the boom to a pig tail, or using a topping lift, the boom will either fall into the cockpit or onto your head.

The pig tail and the topping lift work differently.

If you use a pig tail when you lower the main sail, the boat must be head-to-wind. As the sail comes down, you must catch the boom with your hand, steer with your knees and hook up the pig tail with both hands. If you don't catch the boom, it will drop into the cockpit. If the boat veers off head-to-wind after you have hooked up the pig tail and before you have lowered the sail, the boat will accelerate out-of-control, until you can get the sail down.

If you use a topping lift when you lower the main sail, the boat doesn't have to be head-to-wind. As the sail comes down, the topping lift will catch the boom and prevent it from dropping. After the sail is down, most people hook up the pig tail to prevent the boom from swinging from side-to-side while on a mooring or in a slip.

IMO, on a C25, the best approach is to use both a pig tail and a topping lift, as described above. Neither is expensive or difficult to set up, and they make raising and lowering the mainsail much easier.

Steve Milby J/24 "Captiva Wind"
previously C&C 35, Cal 25, C25 TR/FK, C22
Past Commodore

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9070 Posts

Response Posted - 06/30/2018 : 14:08:40

quote:
Originally posted by Steve Milby

...If the boat veers off head-to-wind after you have hooked up the pig tail and before you have lowered the sail, the boat will accelerate out-of-control, until you can get the sail down.

If you use a topping lift when you lower the main sail, the boat doesn't have to be head-to-wind...

...and the sail doesn't want to come down if it's filled because the pigtail is connected and the boat is not head-to-wind. The topping lift will let it luff with the mainsheet eased to keep the sail "head to wind" even if the boat isn't.

Dave Bristle
Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT
PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage, USCG "sixpack" (expired),
Now on Eastern 27 $+!nkp*+ Sarge

avi
Deckhand

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12 Posts

Response Posted - 06/30/2018 : 18:27:13

Thank you for all the replies

jerlim
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1484 Posts

Response Posted - 06/30/2018 : 21:25:49

Strictly speaking, the topping lift is the opposing partner of the boom vang and is used to position the angle of the boom relative to the mast. Depending on your point of sail and strength of the wind, it can be useful to control the amount of tension and the shape (curvature) of the main's leach.

Jerry

hewebb
Admiral

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USA
761 Posts

Response Posted - 07/01/2018 : 03:57:46

I would highly recommend that you lower the mast and install a topping lift, or, add a boom kicker. That pigtail will get you in trouble sooner or later-I speak from experience.

Boom Kicker
https://www.defender.com/product3.jsp?path=-1|118|2358532|2358534&id=96739

1988 WK/SR w/inboard diesel Joe Pool Lake
Hobie 18 Lake Worth

Life is not a dress rehearsal. You will not get another chance.

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9070 Posts

Response Posted - 07/01/2018 : 19:12:44

quote:
Originally posted by hewebb

...That pigtail will get you in trouble sooner or later-I speak from experience...

Ah-HAH! Another one.

Dave Bristle
Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT
PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage, USCG "sixpack" (expired),
Now on Eastern 27 $+!nkp*+ Sarge

Erik Cornelison
Navigator

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USA
194 Posts

Response Posted - 07/02/2018 : 09:45:38

I just sailed my '86 for the first time this week. The topping lift is awesome. I used to to lift my boom/sail in very low winds and used it when dropping the sail in 17kt winds.

My last boat, a Dutchcraft 23, didn't have one, wow what a difference it makes.

But if its a real pain to lower your mast, just make a note and use it next time, its not a deal killer.

Erik

Erik Cornelison
6th Generation Professional Sailor, First Gen Submarine Sailor.
1986 Standard Rig SW. #5234

Good Times
1st Mate

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45 Posts

Response Posted - 07/02/2018 : 14:32:02

Borrow a bosuns chair and send a teenager up the mast to tie it on.
You are better off with a topping lift.

Cheers.

Andy Kohler

C25 #6012 TR WK
traditional layout

16ft Hobie Cat
23.5 Hunter

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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.