A number of the advice booklets on Nonsuch sail handling also suggest raising the topping lift and easing the choker when raising or lowering the sails, only dropping the topping lift and tightening the choker once the halyard’s set the way you want it.
I think the reasoning behind this advice is to reduce friction on the mast slides and maybe also unnecessary stretch on the sail.
Our boats are forgiving enough that this may not be essential, so I’m offering this FWIW, not as a strong opinion.
Besides holding up the wishbone, the topping list is another control line to shape the sail. Up wind you want a flatter sail so ease it. Downwind you want a fuller sail so tension it a bit.
Joe Valinoti
S/V iL Gatto NS30U #221
Sea Harbour YC
Oriental, NC USA
I headed out into the islands today and tried out the new 5/16 topping lift. What a difference! It no longer requires a winch to lift the boom end and it drops perfectly and easily when eased.
It's like night and day.
