Topping/Boom Lift???? Help.... (27-Cal)

[pyratekj]

I jus purchased a 1970 27-Cal....I don't think I have a topping or boom lift.......Does anyone know where I can find out any info on how it came from the factory??

ps....how about the pop top does anyone know where I can find out info on what the canvas peice that went around may of looked like so I can get it made or something....

thank you again for you time!!
cheers!

[tager]

I am sure that a competent canvas shop will be able to figure out how to make the canvas skirt. The topping lift, I would not worry about "keeping stock" boats aren't like cars. If your boat is stock, it just means you aren't taking advantage of recent developments, and you haven't maintained your boat.

[tager]

Okay brainchild.

[sailingdog]

A topping lift is usually a line that goes to a block at the aft end of the masthead, and then runs down the mast. It is generally used to lift the boom when the mainsail is being lowered, while the mainsail is furled, and while the mainsail is being hoisted.

You might want to get the owner's manual for the boat from HERE.

They also have the rigging specifications, located HERE. It appears that there was not a topping lift on the boat as it was originally rigged. There was a Spinnaker topping lift, but not a boom topping lift.

As for the canvas, any decent marine canvas shop should be able to make the skirt. There should be some sort of fasteners on the inside of the poptop as well as on the cabin top around it, which were originally used to fasten it. Upgrading the fittings can make the poptop far easier to install. For instance, using a boltrope and track, instead of snaps.

[sailingfool]

Many small boats have a short line hanging off the backstay, with a clip on the end, which serves as a topping lift. The problem with this arrangement is that it really can't be used when the mainsail is raised.

To me one of the impartant features of a topping lift is that having one in place makes reefing the main a lot easier, as you don;t have the boom swinging around in the cockpit during the reefing process.

Do your own lift: add a strap to the top of the mast, a small block at the aft end of the boom, and a cleat near the forward end of the boom. Run a piece 5/16 line from the strap, through the block to terminate on the cleat.

If you have the space in the boom, you could duplicate your main halyard to use as a topping lift, then you have a backup halyard.

[sailingdog]

Originally Posted by sailingfool

Many small boats have a short line hanging off the backstay, with a clip on the end, which serves as a topping lift. The problem with this arrangement is that it really can't be used when the mainsail is raised.

To me one of the impartant features of a topping lift is that having one in place makes reefing the main a lot easier, as you don;t have the boom swinging around in the cockpit during the reefing process.

Do your own lift: add a strap to the top of the mast, a small block at the aft end of the boom, and a cleat near the forward end of the boom. Run a piece 5/16 line from the strap, through the block to terminate on the cleat.

If you have the space in the boom, you could duplicate your main halyard to use as a topping lift, then you have a backup halyard.

I believe SF means the mast, not the boom. I prefer leading the topping lift from the end of the boom to a block on the mast and then down to the mast base, since you generally have to go to the mast to raise, lower or reef the main. Also, if you've led the halyards aft, you can lead the topping lift aft as well.

[RXBOT]

Use a boomkicker or ridgid vang as an alternative to support boom while hoisting, lowering or reefing.

[sailingdog]

Originally Posted by RXBOT

Use a boomkicker or ridgid vang as an alternative to support boom while hoisting, lowering or reefing.

Be aware that many boomkickers or rigid vangs clearly state they should not be used for supporting the boom when the boat is not in use. This means you need a topping lift or a boom crutch.