MacGregorSailors.com

So I took my 26m out for the 1st time sailing and I have a question about the boom. What type of line do you coonect from the top of the mast to the back of the boom? (The line that holds the boom up) My boat seems to be missing this line? I'm not sure if it's supposed to be a wire or just a normal line? This was my 1st actually sailing boat and not just motoring?

Thanks in advance

Shayne

It's a topping lift. It's a regular line, 3/16 or so, it does not have to hold much weight. You'll want to make it have two settings so that you have a way to attach it higher when you want extra space and lower when you want to raise, lower or reef the mainsail. BWYachts has a kit, or you can pick up whatever you need locally.

If your boat doesn't have a topping lift, maybe it has a boomkicker hidden amongst all the "bits" of a new-to-you boat? It's a device that attaches near the base of mast and holds the boom up from below. If you click on the "catalog" tab of this website you can see what it looks like. Maybe it's hidden somewhere down below? A topping lift is such a convenient thing, and so easy and cheap to install, that it seems almost unlikely that your P.O. wouldn't have had something to hold up the boom.

If you are really new to sailing, the topping lift may be hidden in plain sight. Maybe it's stored on or wrapped around the mast like a halyard in disguise. On the X, at least, it attaches very near the backstay at the top of the mast above the main halyard pulley. You can kinda see the backstay and the topping lift in this photo. Don't know how it attaches on the M but it must be similar.

My 2013 has a cable from the top of the mast that turns into a small (about 4 ft) regular line where the p.o. tied it to the boom. I installed a quick clip for the attachment (I trailer - he didn't).

Starscream's topping lift looks like a fixed line, which is all you need. But since you're looking for yours, or if it even has one, know that on some boats (like my X), it passes through a small block similar to the main halyard block at the top of the mast, and runs down the mast to a cleat. So do look for an 'extra' block up top, possibly attached with an eye strap to the mast.

As to the load being light, I use my boom as a lifeline sometimes, though not always on purpose. When flaking the main sail in rough waters with someone else at the helm, I often find myself hanging onto the boom for stability, and often flopping onto the boom. 230 lb flopping onto the boom is a bit of load. Ok, it's not really a heavy load as far as 3/16" yacht braid goes (1400 lb published breaking strength), but I couldn't resist.

And lastly, if you really don't have a TL or Boomkicker, get one. I can't imagine a sailboat without one or the other.

My X has a topping lift which is a braded wire hanging from the back stay. I can't stand this setup since if it gets windy while you are raising the main it holds the boom near the center of the boat and there for instantly can over power the boat and here we go heeling over for no good reason. The solution I made to this on my last 2 boats was order from BWY a second block like the one at the top of the mast already and double it up 1 for topping one for main halyard. The block is only $9.99. It allows you to adjust the main to spill some wind allows you to put the main up with out the boom banging around on deck and allows you to pick the boom and main up out of your way for getting around the deck in the marina. I went ahead and ran the line back to the cockpit with the other 2 halyards. Color coded for when the kids get old they can learn what things are and what they are called.

Thanks for your replies. I'm considering buying a boomkicker. Are they difficult to install?

Heath says it's not.

http://macgregorsailors.com/catalog/pag ... /index.php

A-1 Boss wrote:Thanks for your replies. I'm considering buying a boomkicker. Are they difficult to install?

Hi A-1 Boss

Very easy to install and setup. It is one of the best mods I have made and gives really nice sail shape at the lower third. Mine is 4 years old and still fine.

BB

Just a thought A1- the ability to hike the mast up with an adjustable topping lift is very useful when erecting your bimini or dodger (if you have them). With the boomkicker, you would have to disconnect it, and, if single handed, hold the boom up over your shoulder (or job for admiral) while erecting or folding down these goodies.

Blue water has an inexpensive topping lift for $29 so I decided to go this route for now. I really appreciate all your advice and maybe someday I'll know enough to answer someone else's questions. ......thanks again.

Here is another use for the topping lift. Just came back from the Seattle Boat Show. Went to a seminar on 5 minute reefing. After they reefed the Tack on the front of the boom, they used the topping lift to pull the back of the boom up to the Leech reefing grommit, and tied it to the boom. Fast and neat. I can control my topping lift from the cockpit. I never undue it, just slack it off so it does not interfer with sail shape when sailing. Wire cable is not recomended, as it is hard on expensive main sails. To much shafing over time.

Chuck