What does the topping lift do?
What does the topping lift do?
The topping lift (more rarely known as an uphaul) is a line which applies upward force on a boom on a sailboat. Part of the running rigging, topping lifts are primarily used to hold a boom up when the sail is lowered. This line would run from near the free end of the boom(s) forward to the top of the mast.
When should I adjust my topping lift?
When the sail is raised, the topping lift should be adjusted to take out any slack in it while taking care to not over-tighten it. When the mainsail is reefed, the boom will rise to meet the new clew, this will also induce a lot of slack into the topping lift.
How do you rig a topping lift?
The classic way to make a topping lift is with a halyard similar to the mainsail halyard. But instead of attaching the shackle to the head of the mainsail, you attach it to the aft end of the boom. The working end of the line can be cleated at the mast or led aft to the cockpit.
Can you sail without a topping lift?
True, the topping lift is not (normally) used to make sail trim. You would slack it so the boom “hangs” on the sail. BUT if the boom drags on the bimini, then yes, you would have to engage the topping lift to prevent rubbing. You do what you gotta do.
How is a boom attached to a mast?
Boom attachment The forward end of the boom attaches to a mast just below the sail, with a joint called the gooseneck. The gooseneck pivots allowing the other end of the boom to move freely. There the forward end of the boom is attached to the same stay as the sail’s luff (forward edge).
Do all sailboats have a topping lift?
Most sailboats have a traditional topping lift to perform this function, whole some boats use a newer rigid vang to hold up the boom. Shown in this photo is an adjustable topping lift from the outboard end of the boom to the masthead. (The mainsail is reefed in this example.)
How does a boom vang work?
A vang works with the mainsheet to apply the downward force on the boom at all horizontal angles, allowing the mainsheet to be used to control the horizontal angle of the boom effectively. While under sail, the opposite force to the vang is supplied by the sail itself.
What holds a sail to the mast?
On a sailing vessel, a forestay, sometimes just called a stay, is a piece of standing rigging which keeps a mast from falling backwards. It is attached either at the very top of the mast, or in fractional rigs between about 1/8 and 1/4 from the top of the mast.
What is a topping lift on a sailboat?
Often the topping lift is adjustable, however, allowing the sailor to raise the boom higher out of the way with the sail down and to ease the process of reefing the mainsail. In two situations you might want to tighten the topping lift such that the weight of the boom is supported by the topping lift rather than the sail itself.
Why do I need to tighten the topping lift?
The second reason to tighten the topping lift is to prepare for reefing the mainsail. Reefing is the process of lowering the mainsail partway, to a reefing point, to use less sail area when the wind is blowing harder. Tightening the topping lift provides more slack in the sail itself, making it easier to lower the sail part way and secure the reef.
Can you hook the topping lift to the mainsail?
The topping lift doesn’t really undergo much stress, and could be rigged with a very small and weak line. If something were to happen to the main halyard, it would be awfully nice to simply hook the topping lift to the head of the mainsail and raise the sail up to continue sailing onward.
Can the topping lift wrap around the backstay?
The topping lift can even wrap around the backstay which can sometimes foul on a backstay adjuster. When the sail is raised, the topping lift should be adjusted to take out any slack in it while taking care to not over-tighten it.
