Topping lift....

[xavierp]

Hi all, I have a SO 419 and I am wondering how much to tighten the topping lift.
What I understand from the topping lift is that it 'carries' the boom when the main is not out.
And if I let the line loose, the boom will put tremendous strain on the mast.

I am sure I am wrong though

So how much to tighte/ raise the boom with the topping lift?...

Should I even consider bringing the line to the cockpit?....

[cpetku]

Google is your friend...

www.riggingdoctor.com/life-aboard/2016/3/8/toppin

Just tension it to get your boom level when the main is furled or dropped.

[rene460]

Hi Xavier P,

The topping lift is primarily to support the boom when the sail is furled and during raising and furling.

When sailing, the wind causes to sail to lift the boom upwards, and this force is opposed by the main sheet when close hauled, and by the vang when the sail is eased.  Tension on the topping lift would increase the load on the main sheet and oppose the vang which is your main control for sail shape as the sheet is eased.  The main sheet then is more responsible for the boom angle.  

Of coarse, in very light winds, a heavy boom may exert too much down force at the clew due to its weight alone, so a little judicious tension on the topping lift might help your sail shape, but only in very light winds.  Helpful when racing if the wind drops out, but if you are cruising, you would probably be motoring.

When sailing, once the main is fully up and the halliard tensioned, you can either just ease the topping lift slightly so it is not opposing the sail control, or take it to the base of the mast, or other convenient place where it will not interfere with the sail or boom.  On an earlier boat, I used to attach it to the backstay, but not so easy on a larger boat.

Lots of challenges in getting the best out of your sails.

rene460

[Tony K]

I have a 409. The topping lift is a bit of a pain.

1. The boom on the 409 is quite high. Reaching the end of the boom to connect or disconnect the TL is a pain.
2. If you have the TL too tight, and you are trying to remove twist from the sail, you can crank and crank on the main sheet or bang and wonder why the sail is still twisted. Aaaargh!
3. If the TL is too loose, it gets fouled on the back stay. Suddenly you wonder why you can’t let the boom out further. Aaaaargh.

So we mostly leave the TL disconnected from the boom unless we’re going to be away from the boat for a month or two. Even then, I guess it just prevents a little wear on the boom vang.