typhoon topping lift specs

[nscotia]

I plan on installing a topping lift on my typhoon weekender. Currently have a pig tail….which has become dangerous to use in ocean swells when I want to reef.
I understand that I need to attach a small toggle or shackle and small block on the back stay pin. Can some one give me some product names and sizes?
Also..I will run the line from the end of the boom thru the small block on the back stay pin to the mast. Question here is do you put a cheek block at at the top of the mast and run the line down the mast from there to a jamb cleat? If so what product and size?
Last what size and type of line do you recommend?
Marine supplies for sailboats are limited in Nashville, where my boat is now. I have to order on line…so getting the right sizes the first time would really help.
thanks
Hugh

[tjr818]

On the home page of this website click on About Cape Dorys, then click on the listing for the Typhoon, click on the multi-product brochure, and the all specs will be listed there. I think Running Rigging is near the back.

[sloopjohnl]

you should have a pin and holes in the aft portion of the masthead crane, forward of the backstay attachment point to which you can secure a fixed line or block for a topping lift. a line can then be run easily directly to the aft of the boom for an ataachment point of your choosing

[ariasis]

I went a different way. I spliced a static end at the top of the mast then brought the topping lift down to a cheek block on the back of the boom. running up to a cleat mid boom. This works really well because you can reach it without walking up to the mast to make adjustments. The only problem I've found is you have to pull it back out of the cheek block to use the roller reefing in the boom. I have one main sail that has reef points and one that doesn't so I just sail with the reef point main now.

Edit: Here is a link to my write up on it with some photo's http://bristol-blue.blogspot.com/2013/0 ... -2013.html

[Skeep]

Ahhh yes, the topping lift. Agree with Chris on variations with this. Nonetheless, I put the simple cheek block at the top and starboard side of my mast, running the line to the boom end and the tie-off end to the starboard mast at chest height on the mast.

I did not take photos of this yet. I was testing this during this year. I think it is "ok" although at times it might interfere a bit with my sail at the top, but nothing critical. What it does positively is it provides the capability to get that dang thing out of the way when underway, and when roller furling by hand, that equally "dang" boom. Yes, there is the need to go forward and adjust the line when doing this or that occasionally. But for the most part, I've been pretty satisfied with the arrangement.

This may appear in some early posts on my blog ( check it http://baggywrinkles.blogspot.com/ ) but if not, I'll take a few pics this winter as I do some maintenance and post them.

[nscotia]

thanks everyone……gave me multiple ideas what to do!