A Better Topping Lift

I have noticed (when sailing on other skipper’s boats) that the main topping lift (the line or wire from the mast head to the aft end of the boom) is adjusted too short.  This gives plenty of headroom in the cockpit.  But, is a real problem for proper sail shape.

The sail loft has cut and sewn the mainsail with a design that accommodates the weight of the boom and attached sail control lines.  In “normal” breezes, the boom’s weight shapes the sail “just right” (the “Goldilocks” shape).  If the topping lift is too short, the weight of the boom never comes into play; thereby never allowing the leech to be pulled tight.  The leech bows out on all points of sail.  Skippers may not notice this defect on off-the-wind points of sail.  But, close hauled or on a close reach, the boat cannot point as high on the wind as it should be able to… AND, every puff of breeze heels the boat over farther than it should.  Additionally, the leech almost always is flapping like some sort of flag.  This wears out the sail prematurely.

To prevent this condition, check to make sure that the topping lift length allows for the boom to help shape the sail; AND make sure that if you sheet in on the mainsheet, that the topping lift allows this.

On Snickerdoodle, I have an adjustable topping lift.  As soon as the mainsail is up – even before I sheet in – I cast off the topping lift from its cleat.  That way, there is no chance that the topping lift will interfere with the sail’s shape.  If your topping lift is adjustable, make sure that you can easily loosen and tighten the line.  If the topping lift is cleated to the boom, you may not be able to easily do this.

This drawing shows the topping lift secured at the mast head, rove through a block at the aft end of the boom, and secured to a cleat a bit forward on the boom.  This works fine for hoisting the sail… but if you are on a reach or run, the cleat is over the water and difficult to reach.

This drawing shows the topping lift secured to the boom, rove through a block at the mast head, and through another block at the mast base, then aft to a cleat near the back of the cabin top.  With this setup, the topping lift can be adjusted anytime.