Is it not possible to use the topping lift as a second halyard since the boom will still be held by the topping cable?
Barry Clark
Swan’s Wing, NS 354, #71
Urbanna, VA
I do use my topping lift as a secondary safety halyard when hoisting ANYBODY up the mast.
When both halyards are properly fastened to the bosun’s chair, it does effect and allow for a very safe hoisting and lowering process.
The trick with both raising and lowering is to keep slack out of the topping lift safety line to avoid a sudden “drop” if the main halyard fails.
Michael Jabara
Hobbes II, 1995 NS 354 #72
San Rafael, California
Michael, is your topping lift different than mine? On my boat it’s a steel cable coming down from the masthead, with then a block system that runs along the wishbone…
Robin B
ZOE, 30U #307
SF Bay, CA
Two FYI comment. In my marina boatyard there is a very tall antenna. It was being serviced when I was there a few days ago. The service crew had a bucket truck with a 115’ boom. I asked them about renting the truck to address some issues with my mast. He quoted me a price of $120/hr for the truck and the operator. Given the safety factor that seemed extraordinarily inexpensive. The truck belonged to an IT firm so you might check around your area for something similar.
As to the topping lift, I have the steel cable that supports the aft end of the mast and a topping lift pennant (per owner manual) that lets you raise the aft end of the boom. I think raising the back end moves the center of effort forward on the sail. The Botts sail trim article on the INA website explains this.
Barry Clark
NS 354 #71, Swan’s Wing
Urbanna Boat Yard & Marina
Urbanna, VA