The Cape Dory Board

Great advice! Thanks for all the help. Is the topping lift made out of halyard rope or is it partly wire? Guess I'll have to de-rig to get the mast down.

I just installed the vang, so I think a adjustable topping lift is the answer.
Best,
Steve

Steve: Also, where do your clew lines terminate? Do you have cleats mounted on the boom just in front of the pad eye guides?

Thanks for this detailed and helpful description!
I'm lacking the topping lift, but there is a clip line on the backstay that might serve well enough, assuming that I reef dead upwind.
Best
Steve Ormond

I recently purchased Second Wind, a Cape Dory Typhoon (1982). She came with the roller furling setup and a blown out mainsail (well, almost blown out). After trying the roller furling boom on a windy day, I decided to order a new mainsail with single deep reefing points built in, loose footed. The s...