gaff and topping lift

[chelo]

Hello (sorry, I don't speek english very well)
I have just purchased a second hand 26x (May 2003) and I have a problem. (Its last owner didn't give me the owner's manual)
I don't know how adjust a topping lift from the gaff to the mast (I supose it needs one). The top of the mast has an only pulley I think is for the main sail.

Could anybody help me?
I would thanks very much a drawing or a photo where I could see this.

Could I get a owner's manual for this model? Where?

Thanks very much.

My e-mail address is [email protected]

[Chip Hindes]

Chelo, welcome to the forum. Your English is no doubt better than my Espanol. Hablo un poco, but if you want to learn anything you'd best stick to English. Your first post was perfectly clear.

I believe a few months ago somebody had posted a link to a 26X owners' manual. I searched but cannot find it. If you go to this website Link to 26 Manual there is a link to a Mac 26 (not the X) manual. A quick review and I found many things are similar to those on the X.

Give it a few days. If somebody doesn't come through with a 26X manual, I'll photocopy mine and send it to you. I've tried scanning and sending such things by email before, but when I've done so the pages are several MB each, very hard to email.

In answer to your first question, if there is only one pulley at the top of the mast, it is no doubt for the main halyard, used for hoisting the mainsail.

[Sloop John B]

Chelo,

The Mac doesn't come with a topping lift. When you drop the mainsail the boom comes down onto the deck and the sail goes all over the place.

People who buy the Mac put the topping lift on. This will be an extra line from the top of the mast to the end of the boom, to hold it up.

You have bought a used Mac. Is there any line to the end of the boom to hold it up?

If not, you will learn shortly how to make one.

[Russell]

The other alternative to the topping lift is the book kicker. The boom kicker is a rigid boom lift. Its installed under the boom costs about 100-150 usd. Once installed you just drop the main and never worry about the boom falling it works great.

[chelo]

Thank very much you for your answers. I also received an Adobe Acrobat file of the 26X manual. Doubtlessly it will be very useful for me.
Now I know the Mac doesn't need a topping lift (sorry, I think all sailboats I have seen have it).
In any case, I think it's more comfortable, at least when navigate with the motor starting, to have the boom hold. In addition, the space in the cockpit will be greater thus.
So, I think I'll make a topping lift with a line and a hoop at the top of the mast. To install a book kicker seems a very good idea, but it's more expensive.
Thank you all for your aid!!

[BobCardz]

Hope this helps

[acdave]

You can install a short 18" wire cable from backstay, use a wire clamp at backstay and a clip at other end of short wire. Locate wire clamped at backstay about 12" above the hgt where you boom is normal position when main is up. Clip to end of boom just before you drop main and it will hold your boom in place. I use it for keeping boom in place when in port. When sailing just clip end to backstay.

[Dave X2000 Jac]

My topping lift is just a skinny rope from the top of the mast to the aft end of the boom. With an extra wrap around the end, it keeps the boom from hitting the mast while motoring. Also, when taking apart the boom and mast for trailering, when you disconnect the boom at the gooseneck, the topping lift holds the other end of the boom so you can walk the boom, main sail, and sail cover right down to the area in front of the V-berth - and you can do it with one hand.
FYI,
Dave "Jac"