Adding a topping lift..

[s2sailorlis]

Tired of the pigstay and want to add a topping lift.

There is no room to add anything to the backstay fitting at the masthead as the backstay toggle takes up the width of the clevis pin. I'm thinking of drilling a hike just forwarded of the backstay pin to mount another pin to hold the topping lift.

Any thoughts on where I should drill it? For a CD22. Masthead appears to be a aDwyer.

[Jim Walsh]

That's the way mine is rigged. A hole drilled through the casting with a long "D" shackle as the attachment. Be sure to mouse the pin on the shackle to keep it secure.

[s2sailorlis]

Thanks Jim. Do you sail with the topping lift attached to the boom or do you release any tension? If using a D-shackle I wonder how much articulation is needed at the masthead when one is sailing off wind.

Thinking of using some remnant Amsteel I got at Defender, it's a bit short but I woukd make up the rest length with some light wire strand or line.

[Jim Walsh]

Thanks Jim. Do you sail with the topping lift attached to the boom or do you release any tension? If using a D-shackle I wonder how much articulation is needed at the masthead when one is sailing off wind.

Thinking of using some remnant Amsteel I got at Defender, it's a bit short but I woukd make up the rest length with some light wire strand or line.

If memory serves me correctly my topping lift is 3/16 Amsteel. I spliced a thimble in it and it is attached to the long "D" shackle at the masthead. I feel it has plenty of articulation. I have another thimble spliced in about three feet short of the outboard end of the boom. That is attached to a 2/1 tackle and then runs internally inside the boom to an exit and a cleat a couple feet from the gooseneck where it is cleated.
I loosen it after I have raised the main and it is never detached.
Some people like to run their topping lift from the end of the boom to a block at the masthead, down the mast and cleat it there.
I think Amsteel is great as a topping lift. No stretch and weighs nearly nothing so it seems not to chafe the mainsail at all. Very strong for its size also.