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Boom Topping Lift - Factory Kit.

OPERATION - This optional Clark topping lift for the SJ23 is adjustable, allowing the sailor to hold the boom up as the mainsail is raised or lowered.  It could also be used to set the height of the boom while under sail.  Although, it's a bit of a reach to that cleat with the boom way out there. 

There are several situations why you should support the boom or raise it. 

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 leech 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!

The control line shown above is terminated on the end of the boom which is a pain to adjust while sailing on any point except close hauled.  But even then I struggle to reach the end of the boom with the boat bouncing on the waves or when well heeled.  For this reason, I have extended Panache's control line 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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