boom support

Posted By: Glen / S-21 "Winterdream"
Date: 6/17/08 8:10a.m.

Report: outside forum guidelines

In Response To: Boom Support (David / S21 "God's Gift")

I have a boom support shackle (about 6" lead) swaged onto my backstay. I also have a topping lift. I use the backstay termination at dock or anchor, and when installing / removing the mainsail from the boom. But I release the boom from the backstay, and let it hang on the topping line, for raising / lowering the main on blustery days. I keep the topping line a little short to keep the boom off everyone's head, and to relieve excess tension while raising the halyard. But after raising the sail, I remove the topping lift, or at least slacken it, to allow proper mainsail shape. (purists & racers will remove it). My only complaint about the topping lift is that it is external to the mast. All my halyards are internal, so I hate to see the lift line ,and its return line when it's not attached to the end of the boom, slapping against the mast. But, all in all, I find the topping lift a handy accessory.