Topping Lift & Main halyard

[Porthandbuoy]

I've been finding it a little awkward when reefing the main on ladybird. The topping lift exits a sheave on the port side of the mast, while the main halyard exits to starboard. This means I have to cross the coachroof twice when reefing, an unneccessary bit of gymnastics when the wind pipes up.

It strikes me life would be a bit easier were I to swap the topping lift over to starboard and some other line, possibly the spinnaker pole uphaul, to port. This would allow me to take in a reef while hove-to on the starboard tack and do everything from 'the high side'.

Does that sound reasonable, or is there perhaps a good reason for things being the way they are?

 

[rob2]

That sounds like a good idea to me! I went further and fitted a sprung vang so I can disconnect the topping lift once the sails are up.

Rob.

 

[marko99]

Are you able to lead everything back to the cockpit ? If you can, this will make life even easier.

 

[prv]

Always a good idea to keep stuff used in reefing together. Same reason my throat halyard is on the same side as the first reef pennants.

Pete

 

[Porthandbuoy]

Are you able to lead everything back to the cockpit ? If you can, this will make life even easier.

Too much hardware for my liking: 1 topping lift, 1 halyard and 3 reefing lines. I'd need blocks at the base of the mast, deck sheeves, miles of new line and jammers. Too much dosh, to much friction, and too many lines in the cockpit.
Thanks, but I prefer to keep it simple.

 

[bbg]

Do you use lazyjacks? If so, forget about the topping lift and let the lazjacks hold the boom up for a few seconds.

Or just forget about the topping lift completely (I assume it is merely eased when sailing, no disconnected entirely). The boom will drop a bit, no big deal. Ease the halyard, hook the tack on, tighten the halyard and then pull the reef in. The boom will go straight back up.

Simples.

 

[Porthandbuoy]

Do you use lazyjacks? If so, forget about the topping lift and let the lazjacks hold the boom up for a few seconds.

Ladybird doesn't have lazyjacks, but they're on my wish list.

Or just forget about the topping lift completely (I assume it is merely eased when sailing, no disconnected entirely). The boom will drop a bit, no big deal. Ease the halyard, hook the tack on, tighten the halyard and then pull the reef in. The boom will go straight back up.

Simples.

Eased while sailing is correct. I've never tried reefing without using the topping lift to hold the boom up. I'll give it a try next time out and see how it goes.

 

[Boathook]

Do you use lazyjacks? If so, forget about the topping lift and let the lazjacks hold the boom up for a few seconds.

Or just forget about the topping lift completely (I assume it is merely eased when sailing, no disconnected entirely). The boom will drop a bit, no big deal. Ease the halyard, hook the tack on, tighten the halyard and then pull the reef in. The boom will go straight back up.

Simples.

My boom hits the wheel house if I don't use the topping lift. I might get away with it if I start the reef first but it just makes it harder.

 

[prv]

Or just forget about the topping lift completely
[...]
tighten the halyard and then pull the reef in. The boom will go straight back up.

That means that in hauling the clew pendant you also have to lift the boom as well as tightening the sail. Mine really doesn't work well with the extra load. Far better to top the boom up above its normal sailing position, haul the sail down, then let the boom drop back into place adding a little more tension to the sail.

Assuming you have a jammer of some kind for the topping lift, and everything to hand, it's really not hard to get the boom supported before you release the sail.

Pete

 

[BAtoo]

Find a setting on the topping lift that keeps the boom sufficiently clear of the sprayhood/cockpit, mark it and ease it to that point when sailing then you won't have touch it when reefing as the boom will fall only to that point.

 

[andygc]

Does that sound reasonable, or is there perhaps a good reason for things being the way they are?

Eminently sensible and reasonable - there is no good reason to have them on opposite sides of the mast, but as you have worked out, a very good reason for having them accessible from the same side.

As for not using a topping lift - if you have a rope kicker and your halyard slips while you are easing it, your boom may either cause damage to the after end of your coachroof or kill your afterguard. Bad things happen at sea in foul conditions unless you make efforts to reduce risk.

 

[alahol2]

My topping lift is on the same (starboard) side of the mast as the halyard and reefing pennants. The topping lift is on a normal horn cleat. At the start of the season I make up the topping lift on the cleat with the boom just below its normal sailing position. I then take a single turn of the topping lift standing part (?) round the cleat, this is enough to lift the boom into its 'parked' position. It is then very quick and easy to drop that turn off when hoisting sail, or to hook it back on when wanting to reef/lower the sail.

Not sure if that's understandable, but I know what I mean

 

[snooks]

I might be incredibly thick here, but where are the topping lift and main halyard made off?

If they are in the cockpit, take up on the topping lift befor you release the halyard, reef as normal then once finished release.

If they at the mast can you not go around the front of the mast?

If your halyard is in the cockpit and your topping lift is at the mast, swap them over so you can put the tack cringle on and crank up the halyard at the mast and you can set the topping lift from the cockpit.

Or you can just tie off the topping lift 6-8 inches lower than the boom when the sail is up and leave it there. As long as the boom doesn't hit the deck/sprayhood/crew you'll be fine

 

[Deleted member 36384]

There may be an issue crossing lines within the mast. On occasion additional friction or fouling due to a poor lead between sheave and mast exit can occur. On my own boat I just reach around the mast and haul the topping lift tight, then release the main sheet, kicker and start reefing the sail.