Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Topping Lift

This very neat solution for the Topping Lift, I got from the net (here).

The Bug was previously used as a trailer-sailer so the Topping Lift was probably never used. It came as a basic line from the top of the mast to a cleat near the bottom of the mast. I wanted this to be a permanent fixture to support the boom to keep the weight off the Lazy-Jacks and the boom out of the cockpit when moored / motoring.

Parts List
  • 16mm block
  • Mini Clam-Cleat
  • 1/4" Saddle plus screws
How it was done

Drill out two holes near the rear of the boom for the saddle. This holds the block in place. That's the easy bit.

This works by feeding the line through the cam-cleat, round the block and tying it off back on the cam-cleat. The first thing to figure out is which way to pass the line through the cam-cleat. This is the running part and needs to lock when pulled down. Once the cleat is orientated, you know which end is the bottom. This is where the bitter end of the topping lift line is tied so the screw-hole at this end needs to be big enough to take the diameter of the line. Mine wasn't so I filed it out so that it was.

Where the line goes.

Pass the line through the jamming part of the cam-cleat, through the block and then tie it off back on the cam-cleat. I lashed up the spare line for the time being. I want the boom to drop to its maximum natural level when sailing and be able to haul it right up out of the way when entertaining. Finding its lowest point is something that needs to be done with the sail thus leaving the line oversize for the time being. Once I get the length right, I'll tie it off with a bowline and seize the end.

The finished job with the block on the boom and the cam-cleat holding the weight.

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