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Boom Topping Lift - Factory Kit.

OPERATION - The SJ23 topping lift option shown above is adjustable, allowing the sailor to adjust the height of the supported boom.  It can be used to hold the boom up as the mainsail is raised or lowered.  The topping lift can also be used to hold the boom up to prevent it falling into the cockpit, resulting in a headache to crew. 

There are several situations where you should shorten or tighten the topping lift to support the boom. 

1. To support the boom prior to reefing the mainsail. 
2. To support the boom prior to dropping the mainsail. 
3. To raise the boom for sailing with a reefed main.
4. To raise the boom slightly to spill wind.
5. To raise the boom above head height for a cockpit party.
6. To support the boom for a boom tent. 
7. To hoist a casualty out of the water and into the cockpit.

Reefing is the process of reducing the size of the mainsail (to a reef point) to use less sail area when the wind is blowing too hard.  A supported boom makes it easier to lower the mainsail.  After reefing the sail you should loosen the topping lift a bit so the weight of the boom pulls the sail tight and the wind pushes the topping lift away from the leech.  If the topping lift is lifting the boom, it causes a loose leech that is inefficient for sailing but may be desirable if you want to spill wind.  If the topping lift is too loose the line flops around and snags battens, leech tell tales or other rigging.  Being just a little loose is perfect and offers another advantage: if you forget to snug it up before lowering the mainsail, the boom cannot drop into the cockpit, eliminating the risk of hitting someone’s head!

While this line is terminated on the end of the boom, it is a pain to adjust while sailing in any point of sail except maybe close hauled.  But even then, if the boat is well heeled, it is difficult to reach the end of the boom.  For this reason, I've extended the line forward along the boom, down to the mast turning block, across the deck to the organizer, and back to the cockpit rope clutch.  See Tech Tip F05.

CASTING DIFFERENCES - The drawing above shows 2 pins through the masthead.  One for the backstay and one for the topping lift.  I've been told that the mast head casting changed over the years.  I don't know the differences.  Panache's mast head is the earliest version SJ23 and the single backstay pin is 5/16".  It is also equipped with a bail to which the boom topping lift is attached.  In addition, the 3/32" SS backstay wire is bare SS instead of vinyl covered wire.  The SS wire was replaced with Dyneema in 2024, Tech Tip F34a.
 

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