How much of a difference does a topping lift make?

[RJJ]

I like a proper topper in addition to gas strut.
- spare main halyard
- back up if the gas strut breaks
- safety line for mast climbing (especially on a fractional rig where the foresail halyards don't go to the top)
- vertical control if the boom is part of your MOB recovery plan

Racing smaller boats without a gas strut, I've also used the topping lift to help open the leech in very light winds. It makes a big difference. Just an inch or two.

 

[Easticks28]

Never had a topping lift on any of my boats, seems to be another unnecessary piece of string

You've never had a gaff rig, obviously. You'd find yourself sruggling to hoist, lower or reef sail without one.

 

[geem]

Our boat has never had a topping lift despite the boom being a heavy two main lift. Instead the boom is fitted with a mechanical kicker. It uses heavy duty springs inside a tube with a wheel to adjust the height of the kicker. It makes reefing super easy. It is very robust

 

[DangerousPirate]

They make a cracking spare halyard. Why wouldn't you want that?

Well, I didnt make the decision, the previous owner did and the rest of the boat is very fine. So it wasnt a dealbreak and now I try to figure out how important it is.

Topping lift can also help you get the head of the sail up to its marks...if you have such things and help tension the luff rope without competition from the leech tension...which comes next. I find the TL useful, but its not used that often, mainly on reefing as mentioned, and when moored. I imagine that a boom strut arrangement would do the job of a topping lift, not that i've ever used one as its a bit posh at my level of yotting. If the sail has a large roach then a topping lift can be untenable as it just gets in the way.

I can't imagine sailing anything bigger than a dinghy without a topping lift. How do you stop the boom clattering down when you release the main halyard? I suppose a rigid strut where the kicker attaches may help but having experienced one of these failing I wouldn't trust it.

I do use a "skyhook" on the backstay to support the boom when the main is down and then slacken off the topper. Sometimes I forget to top up and release the skyhook which is a pain.

Well, you turn into wind, center the boom, string it up and just drop the sail. Dont see why not?

My own preference is to have a topping lift and a rope kicker. I enjoy sailing slow in interesting places and anchorages. Scandalising the main by lifting the boom right up on the lift is a very useful thing.

Like the op tho, I used to sail smaller boats like Hurly 22, etc and no topping lift was no problem.

Well, its a Cirrus 22 so its not a huge boat.

My question now is: How do I reef without topping lift then? Whats the procedure? Like normal? Or do I need to do something different?

I might install a topping one day, if I can fit it. My other boat had one and I think it helped a lot. But I never paid a lot of attention to it.

 

[DangerousPirate]

rod kicker ?

I found this thread for anyone interested in the topic. Looks like a promising read and it says they prefer a rod kicker over a topping lift.

 

[Slowtack]

Opens the leech in light airs...

 

[Iliade]

If you don't have a topping lift, what is going to hold the boom up while it is being used as a diving platform in the anchorage?

 

[Medway Matt]

The topping lift's prime function is to take the strain off the leech of the sail whilst hoisting, lowering and reefing.

If you hoist a normal bermudan sail without supporting the boom end you are stretching the leech and damaging the sail shape a tiny bit every single time you do it. The same reason you should never pull a sail down by the leech, only the luff. If you don't care about sail efficiency or sail life by all means abuse the leech.

Topping lift also useful at anchor/moored to lift the boom. Very very few occasions when you can actually improve sail set by using the topping lift: perhaps sometimes in very very light airs.

I find it very hard to believe that hoisting the main without using a topping lift for support causes excessive and damaging tension to the leech.

The leech will only come under tension for the final few feet or so of the hoist and will be supporting no more weight than the boom and ancillaries. Far more tension will be applied by the kicker, mainsheet and force of the wind in the sail once underway and, clearly, this will gradually alter the shape of the sail over it's life but the tension applied by lifting the boom is negligible in comparison.

 

[DangerousPirate]

Would this work just as well? I think its definitely needed for reefing to hold the boom up.. Dont wanna wear the sails out more than necessary.

 

[steveeasy]

Think as you progress you will realise the benefits of having a topping lift. easy to fit or should be next time your up the mast or when you drop it. Just makes life easier.
Steveeasy

 

[VicS]

Well, I didnt make the decision, the previous owner did and the rest of the boat is very fine. So it wasnt a dealbreak and now I try to figure out how important it is.
Well, you turn into wind, center the boom, string it up and just drop the sail. Dont see why not?
Well, its a Cirrus 22 so its not a huge boat.
My question now is: How do I reef without topping lift then? Whats the procedure? Like normal? Or do I need to do something different?
I might install a topping one day, if I can fit it. My other boat had one and I think it helped a lot. But I never paid a lot of attention to it.

FWIW The Westerly I used to sail had a topping lift (and a short wire and attached to the backstay)
The topping lift went over a block dangling from the masthead ( I but I forget the exact arrangement) . It looked like an afterthought but I am sure it was original.

We always used the topping lift to support the boom when raising, lowering or reefing the main.

 

[DangerousPirate]

FWIW The Westerly I used to sail had a topping lift (and a short wire and attached to the backstay)
The topping lift went over a block dangling from the masthead ( I but I forget the exact arrangement) . It looked like an afterthought but I am sure it was original.

We always used the topping lift to support the boom when raising, lowering or reefing the main.

Well, we raised the mast 2 days ago and had to figure out where stuff goes again because I wasnt present when the mast was dropped (due to distance, work and time managment, also the "lovely" english train system that had me be 2 hours late instead of an hour early.).

Had a pretty good look at the current system but we didnt see any topping lift or configuration for it. I might have overseen it but that seems unlikely. I dont know what the decision was to remove it from the previous owner.
Will have a look tomorrow at daylight to see if i see any unused blocks. Maybe a line is missing?

Edit: Just had a look at a picture I took in the day. There is not unused block.

So I guess Im going to try out the Barton Boomstrut.It looks easy to install, isnt to expensive and according to the videos some very skilled sailors use them.
Its also really one less sheet to deal with when being single handed.

 

[Caraway]

Some smaller, older boats have a slide-on gooseneck for the boom. Without a topping lift to pull the boom toward the mast you can end up with a detached boom. Which can be a right pain in the arse. Also when lowering the main single-handed at the mast it stops the boom smashing down into the cockpit (and sliding off the gooseneck).
I can't see what benefit not having one would confer.

 

[DangerousPirate]

Some smaller, older boats have a slide-on gooseneck for the boom. Without a topping lift to pull the boom toward the mast you can end up with a detached boom. Which can be a right pain in the arse. Also when lowering the main single-handed at the mast it stops the boom smashing down into the cockpit (and sliding off the gooseneck).
I can't see what benefit not having one would confer.

But the boom is usually fixed to the mast with a screw or two. So it wouldnt just "slide off the gooseneck" and "detach", would it?

 

[Caraway]

On the last three yachts I have owned, yes. A square slot in the end of the boom slides onto a square pin hinged on the gooseneck.
Did you think I was imagining it?

Many smaller yachts use dinghy-like fittings.
It's true that a kicking strap will hold the boom in, but you would slacken that before raising or lowering the sail.

 

[VicS]

So I guess Im going to try out the Barton Boomstrut.It looks easy to install, isnt to expensive and according to the videos some very skilled sailors use them.
Its also really one less sheet to deal with when being single handed.

It's an expensive alternative to a length of fairly light rope ( it can be lighter than the halyards, The original was 3/4" circ or 6mm diam) , a block and a couple of shackles.

I take it you dont have roller reefing of the main

 

[William_H]

On my littler boat 21ft with a large main sail, to minimise the number of lines coming back to the cabin top I just use a piece of line from the mast crane (back stay attachment) So a fixed topping lift. I use it to aid in raising the main sail and also to aid in flaking the main onto the boom. It does sail badly on the wind if the topper is left on due to raising the boom above what the leach will lift it to.
I do not leave topping lift on when leaving the boat but prefer to drop the boom onto the cabin top. This to minimise wear on the traveller car. Held up on the topping lift the boom and so travellercar tend to move with every wave.
I do not use the topping lift when reefing finding the clew line capable of lifting the boom if I drop the main in 2 stages.
So yes I could do with just a line from a bit up the back stay to the boom end as OP has but it will under some circumstances limit the boom swing outward which could be ugly sometimes. ol'will

 

[DangerousPirate]

It's an expensive alternative to a length of fairly light rope ( it can be lighter than the halyards, The original was 3/4" circ or 6mm diam) , a block and a couple of shackles.

I take it you dont have roller reefing of the main

I do have a roller reefing for the main. But one of those very old ones where the sail wraps on the outside. I dont think that was used as there isnt even a handle on the boat for that.

And well, I would need to buy a new rope, shackles, block and fit it up there somehow, which, by the looks of it, might be tight so I might need to rethink the top aswell which might cost more.

I say the boomstrut is only SLIGHTLY more expensive (maybe like 20-50 quid) BUT is way less work AND saves me working with another sheet later.

If you have a very good reason for a topping lift vs the boomstrut let me know. But so far it seems like they do the same job and its just a question of preferance.

 

[VicS]

I do have a roller reefing for the main. But one of those very old ones where the sail wraps on the outside. I dont think that was used as there isnt even a handle on the boat for that.

And well, I would need to buy a new rope, shackles, block and fit it up there somehow, which, by the looks of it, might be tight so I might need to rethink the top aswell which might cost more.

I say the boomstrut is only SLIGHTLY more expensive (maybe like 20-50 quid) BUT is way less work AND saves me working with another sheet later.

If you have a very good reason for a topping lift vs the boomstrut let me know. But so far it seems like they do the same job and its just a question of preferance.

How do you reef the main ?

I guess the system you have is a the old Barton roller system
The Barton handles are available but they are stupid money so you will probably want to make something (picture of mine attached)

If you use the roller reefing you cannot use a boom strut instead you will have to convert to some form of slab reefing That will involve reefing points being fitted to the sail and either a reefing system system like the Barton slab reefing kit or Barton single line system. (I have in fact had reefing points fitted to the sail and I have fitted a Barton slab reefing kit but I keep the roller operational just in case I want to use it)

Looking at the original brochures for the Cirrus I can see a topping lift which once set up for normal sailing only needs a couple of turns round the cleat to take up the slack and support the boom.
No extra sheets are involved. just the topping lift itself but slab reefing will involve quite a bit of extra rope to handle

If you don't have an operational reefing system you need to think about that first, choosing between the existing roller reefing or a slab reefing system . The quickest, cheapest and easiest will be the roller ( and a topping lift)
Slab reefing is the better system but If you have to have reefing points put in the sail and buy the fittings and the rope for reefing lines it will be the most expensive and complicated option but it will allow you to fit a boom strut if you wish

A boom strut will cost a good deal more than the rope, block and shackles for a topping lift The largest part of £300 vs less than £100

 

[john_morris_uk]

Forgive me for being a pedant, but please stop referring to the topping lift as a ‘sheet’. It’s the ‘topping lift’ and if you want a generic short term it’s another ‘line’ as it’s not a sheet or a halyard etc. (Following the old saying that ‘There’s no such thing as rope on a boat; they’ve all got names.’)
Apologies for being picky but if you’re just starting out in this sailing lark, it’ll save a lot of confusion with crew if you reserve the term ‘sheet’ for the lines that pull the sails in and out.

And FWIW on any modestly sized cruising boat without a fancy gas strut etc I believe a topping lift is essential. And on bigger boats in light airs, the weight of the boom seriously affects sail shape. On our 39’ boat, the topping lift is led back to the cockpit and is in the clutch next to the main halyard clutch and is adjusted regularly. (Although that’s sometimes just to stop the clattering of the shackle where it’s clipped onto the end of the boom.)