I’d like to hear from others about their experience/advice on replacing the topping lift on my NS22. The Nonsuch Manual specifies that the topping lift be 35 ft of 7x7 coated wire plus a 12 ft lashing of #8 white cord. I think that length is too long. In order to allow for more ability to adjust the topping lift position, a few months ago I shortened it by about 2 feet in order to get enough distance between the end of the wishbone and the topping lift tackle. In shortening the topping lift I discovered a rust buildup in the wire strands. It definitely needs to be replaced this winter. My question is: what is the best material to use for the topping lift? Should I go with coated wire or is there some other material that may serve better? Thanks
Bert Herfst
NS22ob #54 Cat-o-Lac
If you put down where you are in your signature, you may find someone near you, Bert.
Joe Valinoti
S/V iL Gatto NS30U #221
Sea Harbour YC
Oriental, NC USA
I replaced the topping lift wire for my NS30 with Amsteel dyneema. It was an easy splicing project when the mast was down last winter and I was very pleased with the results this sailing season.
Doug Farrand, Corbeau NS30U 386
RCYC, Toronto
I did the same as Doug. Replaced the heavy rusty coated wire topping lift two years ago with Dyneema. Very easy to splice and setup. No problems with the line.
Tom
26C #28 Penetang
Thanks very much. I will look into dyneema to learn more about it.
Bert Herfst
Cat-o-Lac
ND22ob #54
Bath, On
Bert, one issue with Dyneema is up damage. Dyneema is fairly up resistant however the degradation is not fully predictable. The company that makes Dyneema indicates 50 % loss of strength over 10 years however a boat in our area had some Dyneema rigging fail after 3 years. Practical Sailor has found that the U.S. only penetrates so far into the line however with the small size you would be using the U.S. could go all the way through. You can buy Dyneema with a polyester cover however that is much harder to splice.
If you go with Dyneema plan on checking and replacing it regularly.
You don’t want the standing portion of the topping lift failing when the sail is down. I was motoring back into port with the sail down and an inexperienced crew member released the topping lift by mistake. The boom caught me on the shoulder. Based on the pain, I am confident that had it hit my head at best I would have been knocked unconscious.
I that you discuss your options with Mike Quill.
Mark Powers
Thanks Mark. Good information to keep in mind.
Bert Herfst
Cat-o-lac
NS22ob #54
Yes, IV damage is a potential issue. When my mast was re-installed after the move in 2023 the rigger noticed rust seeping through the vinyl coating on the boom hanging cables. He suggested replacing them with Dyneema. I don’t remember the diameter that he recommended, but it was more than adequate for the weight. Still, I had him size it up to the next larger diameter figuring A: it would take longer to degrade to where it was weaker than wire, and B: the outer part created by the extra thickness would intercept most of the UV, leaving an inner part which would last much longer. (Being a woven line that last part might be bogus, but it was in my thinking at the time!) It wasn’t that much more expensive and it gave me more peace of mind.
He also said my topping lift was going to be due for replacement soon and I’ll probably go with Dyneema for that, too. But I will look into the polyester-covered stuff. If it exists then the techniques for splicing it must also exist and a good rigger should be able to do it. I’ll probably still oversize it, though. I think if my boom fell and hit my shoulder it would probably be the last time I ever used that arm. If it hit someone in the head it would kill them. Not worth going cheap on.
Thanks. Appreciate the comments.
Bert Herfst
Cat-o-lac
NS 22 ob #54
Bath, ON
I refer to the Dyneema with a polyester cover as “core dependent” line. I believe that is the industry term. Here are links to instructions on putting an eye splice in core dependent lines.
https://atlanticbraids.com/core-dependent-eye-splice/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Auew2VwPQAM
Mark Powers
Thanks. Noted.