Surprisingly simple question that I have yet to find a definitive answer for. When raising the sail, I keep the topping lift on and ease the sheet and choker.
So my question is, when releasing the topping lift once the sail is up, should I release it entirely or just a little… I’m seeing references in some sources that suggest keeping some of the boom weight on the topping lift so I figured I would turn it over to this group to answer conclusively.
Jim Denmark
C.A.T. 1982 NS30C #146 lying Sausalito, CA.
Jim, I don’t think there is a one size fits all answer to your question. The cut of your sail, the geometry of your rigging, the wind strength and point of sail will all enter into how you set the TL. After I raise the sail, I usually slack the TL entirely then pull it in until it just starts to take the weight and the boom and secure it there. Most times that is all I need to do. Sailing a Nonsuch is more art than science and every Nonsuch is a little different I suspect.
David Young
Bay Cat, 30U #402
Traverse City / Suttons Bay, MI
I do the same in light air. Seems to help. I’ve also tried tightening the topping lift in heavy air to help induce twist and depower the head of the sail.
That was what I suspected, have spent so much time on the choker and sheet that hadn’t really messed with the TL at all.
FWIW on sail cut etc. C.A.T. has an extremely overbuilt sail with 7 - yes seven - full length battens. Not a fun beast to raise (heavy) or drop (battens impair the drop and flaking).