Boom Lift and Topping Lift

[skully]

Hi Guys
Happily, I've just bought an '89 Beneteau First 41s5. I'm still emptying her out prior to inventorying/ditching/replacing everything, so haven't taken her out yet, but have heard good reports about this model. I am not a hugely experienced yachtsman, but have done a fair bit of racing on friends' boats and the occasional weekend cruise. I also had a 30ft flybridge cruiser for a while, so am confident that I know my limitations. I do wonder if a yacht over 40ft was a bit ambitious, but too late now!
A question (which may simply indicate how inexperienced I am) that is bugging me a litte; my boat is rigged with a topping lift and a boom lift, both of which have lines running into the cockpit. I can't work out what the difference is or whether I need both. I have a rigid vang, which I supposed is another factor in the vang/boom/topping lift. Can someone explain the basics for me?
Cheers
Skully

[skipmac]

All I can think of is the "topping lift" runs forward and is for the spinnaker pole and the "boom lift" runs aft and is for the main boom. But I always called that a topping lift but maybe to keep the two separated on your boat they call it a boom lift.