I just finished making a replacement topping lift for my main boom and thought it a good idea to send out a tip for folks who haven’t already heard of this.  The original topping lift provided by Pearson was a 3-strand fiber line, possibly polyester.  There is just enough stretch in this line to allow the rig to vibrate when moored.  With the original topping lift, when the wind is just right the whole rig will pump, making quite a racket.  Many years ago I discovered that this pumping could be eliminated by replacing the topping lift with a steel wire and the 2-part tackle with low-stretch cord (e.g. sta set-x).  I recommend 1/8” lifeline cable.   The steel wire is 1/8”.  With the cover, it’s almost ¼” in diameter.  Don’t use the thinner wire because it may snag your mainsheet snap-shackle making it hard to pull the sail down.  You need about 42’ of lifeline cable, two 1/8 thimbles, and two oval sleeves.  If you don’t have a crimp tool or can’t borrow one, they are available for about $20 at most home goods stores.  I’m replacing mine because of age.  I put heat-shrink over the wire tail to prevent snagging.

Once you replace the topping lift, you can eliminate pumping by tightening the mainsheet.

Rich

BlackSheep #47