Why do I have a topping lift?

[RichandHelen]

I have a rigid boom vang which supports the boom when the mainsail is furled. Why do I have a topping lift?

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by RichandHelen

I have a rigid boom vang which supports the boom when the mainsail is furled. Why do I have a topping lift?

Possibly to help induce twist when the wind is light. If you can adjust it upwards, possibly you don't need it.

[Suijin]

I have a hydraulic hard vang and a topping lift as well. I consider the topping lift to be important insurance for if a seal in the vang goes (which it will at some point).

[RichandHelen]

Originally Posted by Suijin

I have a hydraulic hard vang and a topping lift as well. I consider the topping lift to be important insurance for if a seal in the vang goes (which it will at some point).

I thought of this as well. Also convenient if the vang has to come off for some type of repair (although then I could press a halyard into service). Belt and suspenders?

[atoll]

Originally Posted by RichandHelen

I have a rigid boom vang which supports the boom when the mainsail is furled. Why do I have a topping lift?

its there to use when the main halyard chafes through,and with fractional rigs so you can still get to the top of the mast to replace the main halyard

[Bean Counter]

Spare main halyard. Bosuns chair. When using the boom as a crane. Used in lieu of a backstay, provised support to top of mast when going downwind with foresail/spinnaker only, assuming your Hunter does not have a backstay.

[Joel E Felt]

Is there a difference on a smaller boat, between an outhaul and a topping lift??

just wondering.

thanks Joel

[Joel E Felt]

Or is it just the terminology for when your using it for different jobs?

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by atoll

its there to use when the main halyard chafes through,and with fractional rigs so you can still get to the top of the mast to replace the main halyard

I upgraded my topping lift to the same diameter as my main halyard, with a larger shackle on the end, for those 2 reasons.

A spare halyard is a very good thing when you need it...kept me from losing the rig offshore once (on another boat). Ran it down to chain plate to back up a damaged stay...limped back in on that jury rig.

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by Joel E Felt

Is there a difference on a smaller boat, between an outhaul and a topping lift??

just wondering.

thanks Joel

They’re completely different things!

[Suijin]

Originally Posted by atoll

its there to use when the main halyard chafes through,and with fractional rigs so you can still get to the top of the mast to replace the main halyard

Not mine. It's a fixed coated wire from the masthead, down to a pully and line in the boom for adjustment. But I have six halyards on the boat so I'm good on spares.

[Don C L]

Originally Posted by Joel E Felt

Is there a difference on a smaller boat, between an outhaul and a topping lift??

just wondering.

thanks Joel

Topping lift is a line that runs up to a block at the top of the mast and down to the end of the boom so it can be held/pulled up. The outhaul is a line also on the end of the boom but it only pulls the clew, aft corner of the mainsail, out along the boom to flatten the sail. If I had a rigid vang I'd still have a topping lift, but I've never had a topping lift beefy enough to double as a main halyard!
oops, edit, or you could have a fixed line from the masthead with a block at the end that has a line from the boom up and back that comes back along or through the boom which may be why the two were confusing you.

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by Joel E Felt

Is there a difference on a smaller boat, between an outhaul and a topping lift??

just wondering.

thanks Joel

Originally Posted by Joel E Felt

Or is it just the terminology for when your using it for different jobs?

Two different control lines.

Topping Lift. Primary function is to hold up boom end when main is dropped. On small boats, this may be a simple as a short line/wire attached to the backstay which is clipped to boom end when needed.

Outhaul. Used to tension foot of main by hauling out on clew.

[atoll]

Originally Posted by Suijin

Not mine. It's a fixed coated wire from the masthead, down to a pully and line in the boom for adjustment. But I have six halyards on the boat so I'm good on spares.

mine too,as its easier to adjust boom with the fixed topping lift and pulley system to the boom.
i still have the twin halyards out of the back of the mast head,which are also usefull for going up the mast AND having a safety line all on one side at the top,and to either side winch at the bottom of the mast.

[Jim Cate]

Topping lift is also useful when reefing. Use it to raise the boom up to the angle it will lie at when the reef is pulled in... this means that you don't have to lift the boom with the clew reefing line.

I often wish I had one when reefing...

Jim