topping lift

[bkafer]

Topping lift questions. This is my first sail boat with a topping lift.
The line was tied on the boom ( i'll be changing that to a snap ring of some sort) then goes to the top of the mast , thru a block and tied at the bottom of the mast to a cleat.
The question is, when sailing should the topping lift be changed as we tack or run down wind? Or once set just leave it alone.
Also when the boat is sitting still, should the TL hold the boom level with the boat?
Its winter in most of the country and our boats are all wrapped up nice and snug. As our boats wait, we think of our next outing and can't wait till spring. I will be asking LOTS of questions while I can because I'm sure once spring gets here we will all be on the water. please feel free to chime in at any time and if I get to be annoying, please let me know.

Earlier I mentioned having other sailboats.
I've had the following .
Moth, yflyer ( loved that boat) , 16 foot free, no name on hull and I put on a spare yflyer sail. 18 ft solcat, aquacat. hobie cat 14 , butterfly ( i still have) and now the daysailer 2.
I don't want to get into the powerboats as we don't have enough space

[Roger]

At rest, (when not sailing) my topping lift is yanked quite high so that I can move around the boat without knocking my noggin. At anchor, or in the slip, I have it parallel with the boat, water, horizon... makes a prettier picture!

While sailing, the sail holds up the boom, so I give the topping lift a whole bunch of slack. I don't want it interferring with sail shape. Sometimes if it is on the wrong side of the sail, and I think it is interferring with sail shape, I will flip it over to the other side.

I had a slightly different configuration, but I like yours better and switched it to that on my current boat. Originally it was anchored at the mast top, and came down to a microblock at the aft end of the boom, then to a cleat on the side of the boom. It could only be adjusted when the boom was over the cockpit, and the cleat was reachable. If the sail was reefed it was also difficult to adjust, hence the change.

[algonquin]

bkafer - Sounds like you have quite a bit of sailing experience on go fast day boats.

I have owned 3 sailboats with my DS1 being the smallest but is definitely the most fun of the 3. I sailed her a few times using a boom crutch but after a couple wacks on my head when lowering the main I added a topping lift and which is set up like yours. I leave a bit of slack in it when under sail and lift it high when at rest. Usually when it is at rest I am in it and when I'm not its on the trailer.

No such Thing as To Many Questions !!

[Adrift]

Roger paints a pretty good picture with his description. But I'm here, so my 2 cents.

I don't have a block at the mast head. I adjust at the end of the boom.

Keeping the boom level when unattended seems "tidy" and keeps whuffos from asking questions. (Whuffo you have dat way up der?)

Keeping the boom up while fussing about aboard saves the scalp.

When sailing it should be loose. Even better, unclip from the boom and take that clip forward to the main halyard. There you will see it when lowering the main and re-connect.

[Barry]

In reference to the topping lift....any recommendation as to size/type of line?

[swiftsail]

You could also replace the main halyard with one a few feet longer and use it

[Barry]

I'm having a hard time visualizing your suggestion of using the main halyard in connection with the topping lift. Can you describe how that would be rigged? Or are you suggesting just buying enough new halyard so as to make the topping lift with what's left over?
Barry