Monkey Butler 104 #1 Posted January 22, 2020 Catalina Capri 22 Okay for those of you still here. I'm trying to sort out a topping lift. The standard boom topping lift as supplied is a wire nico-pressed onto the backstay, with a snap hook on the end that you clip the end of the boom onto before lowering the main. Unfortunately the snap hook went missing at some point and the PO replaced it with a simple loop in the wire formed with a nico-press. and this at the end of the boom controlled by this home center sheave block at the mast end (note neatly labeled jam cleat) ... Now my question(s). Considering the boat, is there any reason I'd want to control the topping lift from the mast end of the boom? I'm ditching the zinc plated hardware no matter but I don't see a topping lift addresed here. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Moonduster 312 #2 Posted January 22, 2020 There's a school of thought that the topping lift can live on the end of the boom while sailing if it can be eased. Similarly that the topping lift should be used to support the boom while tucking or shaking a reef. It's just wrong. You probably want to swap out the wire for dynema or spectra and ditch all the hardware. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
justsomeguy! 614 #3 Posted January 22, 2020 The topping lift should be able to be adjusted while the boom is athwartship, such as when hove to. I think... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Monkey Butler 104 #4 Posted January 22, 2020 26 minutes ago, justsomeguy! said: The topping lift should be able to be adjusted while the boom is athwartship, such as when hove to. I think... You just shattered my illusion of hoved to. Isn't it sort of a close reach with the jib backed? I've never pulled it of in any of my ill handling boats so I'm kinda like describing anal here. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Monkey Butler 104 #5 Posted January 22, 2020 43 minutes ago, Moonduster said: There's a school of thought that the topping lift can live on the end of the boom while sailing if it can be eased. Thank You, now I understand why it would need to be eased in the first place. Now, in this day and age of all lines lead to cockpit, why have topping lift adjust at mast? Similarly that the topping lift should be used to support the boom while tucking or shaking a reef. I need to research this. the main nas one reef point but no reefing on boom. In fact the eye poker outer topping lift hook takes up one reef sheave. It's just wrong. You probably want to swap out the wire for dynema or spectra and ditch all the hardware. Yeah I need to replace the backstyay anyway so... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
justsomeguy! 614 #6 Posted January 22, 2020 The "eye poker" has its place, when the boat is parked. In my old Mac25 I'd backwind the genoa, let the main flog and tie the tiller off to lee. She'd calm right down, and I could casually drop or reef the main from the cockpit. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The great unwashed 73 #7 Posted January 22, 2020 I guess the wire off the back stay counts as a topping lift, but it’s only meant to be used when the boat is either anchored or at the dock and you want to hoist the boom up out of the way of the cockpit. No functionality when reefing or heaving to. I can’t imagine why somebody would go to the bother of making the hook on the aft end of the boom adjustable. Strip off all the extra hardware and just attach a fixed length bit of line and a much smaller hook to the boom end. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RImike 150 #8 Posted January 22, 2020 JFC that's one sure hell of a way to discourage people from sailing with you that just want to drink your beer. For a 22 foot boat all you really need is a 2mm piece of dyneeama and call it a day. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Q 447 #9 Posted January 22, 2020 Most boats round here have a permanent topping lift, from the mast, to the boom, through a small block, to the mast, down the mast to the tie off point. Run really slack when sailig just tighten up when dropping or scandalizing the sail, helps keep the sail under control when dropping it as well.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mogle 14 #10 Posted January 22, 2020 19 minutes ago, RImike said: JFC that's one sure hell of a way to discourage people from sailing with you that just want to drink your beer. For a 22 foot boat all you really need is a 2mm piece of dyneeama and call it a day. Simplicity work best. 2mm or 3mm piece of Dyneema is what you need. The second thing you need - go sailing! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Monkey Butler 104 #11 Posted January 22, 2020 11 hours ago, justsomeguy! said: The "eye poker" has its place, when the boat is parked. In my old Mac25 I'd backwind the genoa, let the main flog and tie the tiller off to lee. She'd calm right down, and I could casually drop or reef the main from the cockpit. A.) If that eye poker got some slack, there's about 3 feet available before the stopper knot, and I let the main flog... that suckers clearing the aft guard real quick. Setting up reefing was my next question but I've found a manual online that matches my boom. There were several different configurations offered I guess. 12 hours ago, Moonduster said: There's a school of thought that the topping lift can live on the end of the boom while sailing if it can be eased. Similarly that the topping lift should be used to support the boom while tucking or shaking a reef. It's just wrong. You probably want to swap out the wire for dynema or spectra and ditch all the hardware. You're right. Here's what I'm going to do since I have all the parts already onhand. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
justsomeguy! 614 #12 Posted January 22, 2020 18 minutes ago, Monkey Butler said: that suckers clearing the aft guard real quick. I don't understand. 18 minutes ago, Monkey Butler said: Here's what I'm going to do since I have all the parts already onhand. I recommend turning the working end towards the mast with a cheek block or small block w/becket, cleating it off about mid-boom with a clamshell or V cleat. This will allow you to adjust no matter where the boom is. I went whole hog and routed the line back to the cabintop. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zenyatta 4 #13 Posted January 22, 2020 I used to have a Capri 22 and the stock "topping lift" kit offered by Catalina was installed on the boat. I recall it was a vinyl coated wire led from the top of the mast to a block on the end of the boom, and led forward - cleated with a clam / jam type cleat or something on the forward part of the boom - seems to me a cam style cleat would be prone to popping out Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Monkey Butler 104 #14 Posted January 22, 2020 3 hours ago, justsomeguy! said: I don't understand. Imagine sail up and this is hanging off the end off the boom. You let the main sheet go and the boom starts whipping this around! I recommend turning the working end towards the mast with a cheek block or small block w/becket, cleating it off about mid-boom with a clamshell or V cleat. This will allow you to adjust no matter where the boom is. I went whole hog and routed the line back to the cabintop. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Monkey Butler 104 #15 Posted January 22, 2020 3 hours ago, justsomeguy! said: I don't understand. I recommend turning the working end towards the mast with a cheek block or small block w/becket, cleating it off about mid-boom with a clamshell or V cleat. This will allow you to adjust no matter where the boom is. I went whole hog and routed the line back to the cabintop. Muy better. I also rethought about how it would feel pulling down on the topping lift to raise the boom with a single purchase. Leading it along the boom at a right angle solves that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
justsomeguy! 614 #16 Posted January 22, 2020 1 hour ago, Monkey Butler said: let the main sheet go and the boom starts whipping this around! Ah yes, not good! Thanks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
crankcall 206 #17 Posted January 22, 2020 Its a capri 22, take it all off. Best ever, install a boomkicker, keeps boom level at teh dock, allows reefing, keeps weight off main in light air. Dont want to spend $259? then still take it all off, use the main halyard to hold up end of boom when parked, and when reefing drop the boom into the 'V' created by the companionway, take the outhaul to the higher clew and fasten tack, and rehoist. Its a 22ft Capri. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Monkey Butler 104 #18 Posted January 23, 2020 48 minutes ago, crankcall said: Its a capri 22, take it all off. Best ever, install a boomkicker, keeps boom level at teh dock, allows reefing, keeps weight off main in light air. Dont want to spend $259? then still take it all off, use the main halyard to hold up end of boom when parked, and when reefing drop the boom into the 'V' created by the companionway, take the outhaul to the higher clew and fasten tack, and rehoist. Its a 22ft Capri. I already asked, she said no to the boomkicker :-( Weekends I tend to do a lot of stop at the dock drop the main, few crew off, go pee, couple new crew, get some ice, crew back on, hoist main, circle harbor, weeeeee.... I need to pee again, back to dock, drop main, crew off... you get the picture. I remember my O'Day Mariner had a leash that I replaced but I forget the exact setup. Oh, the decal fell off, how else can I be sure it's a Capri? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
