Boom Topping Lift Question

[john Gonzalez]

Need a little help as I couldn't find this on any thread. Should I use wire for the topping lift, if so, what size, coated or not? Or should I use line, and if so what size? My plan is to have a small block at the end of the topping lift line about 2 feet from the boom, then run a line from that to boom end so I can adjust height. The boom is heavy so my concern is having a strong enough line to handle the forces it has to handle.Thanks for any suggestion.

 

[dave_a]

I used my (adj) lazy jacks to the same effect. My topping lift kept rubbing the mainsail leach and fraying the full batten pocket ends. Found one of those expensive battens about halfway out one day. I only used the topping lift to hold the boom while I put the boom on the gooseneck. Worked for me!

 

[terry_thatcher]

I had 1/8 inch wire from mast head to block above the boom, which lasted 20years. I now have a 5/16 braided polyester line. Both are plenty strong for the purpose. I recommend you have a couple of blocks to make handling the boom easier. My tackle starts on fiddle on the block on the boom end, goes up through a turning block hung from the line to the mast head, then comes down to a block on 5he side of the boom. I cleat the topping lift at the forward end of the boom so I can work it while reefing. The boom really isn’t that heavy, but you don’t want to have to work hard to raise it. If I had it to do again, I might put a double block hanging from the masthead line.

 

[john Gonzalez]

Thanks Dave and Terry. I will likely install lazy Jacks later once I get the boat in the water and assess all the things I have forgotten to do, but for now I will go with a topping lift. I like the idea of the double block making adjustments easier on the hand, Thank for the 5/16" advice. I will have a eyes put on both ends for a finished look and have the block on the boom end. I measured today while the mast is on sawhorses that the topping lift's length should be around 39.5' . Thanks again.

 

[datswite]

I replaced my wire topping lift with dyneema. It's lightweight, strong and doesn't chafe on the sail. A brummel splice on both ends - the top is shackled to the masthead, the bottom has a block. The boom side of the line is just a 5/16 double braid, through a cheek block at the boom end, up through block on the dyneema and dead ended on the out haul.

I also have dyneema lazy jacks, but their attachment eyes are pretty lightweight on the mast. I wouldn't trust their strength compared to the topping lift.