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I rigged a sort of topping lift from the end of the main boom back up
a third of the Mizzen mast; works great for parking; I have a little
tackle on it so I can adjust it. When I need an actual topping lift, I
use a spare halyard. As an aside, I bought my 424 (formerly SeaMyst)
in 2014 and have been doing a major refit since I pulled it out that
year. Splashing this spring.
Randy on Varuna #158 -
If I had a spare main halyard I don’t think I’d want to use it as my main boom topping lift – because then I wouldn’t have a spare halyard anymore. When I re-rigged Silverheels I pinned a wire, 3/16″ diameter I think, to the after side of the main masthead, its length about equal to the distance from the masthead down to the boom gooseneck, with a thimbled eye at the lower end. I shackled a small block to that eye, secured one end of strong 1/4″ line to the aft end of the boom, ran it up through the small block and back down to a cheek block on the starboard side of the boom’s after end, and from there forward to a cleat about 18″ abaft the gooseneck, also on the boom’s starboard side. This provides a simple, permanent topping lift, adjustable from the starboard mast pulpit. I also have one of those original Pearson wires off the front of the mizzen mast – no idea what its proper name is – which I use when I’m going to be in port for a while, slacking the main topping lift a little so the mizzen wire takes the boom’s weight. Not sure why I bother. Because it’s there, I guess.
Tor
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Silverheels, P-424 #17
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I should have noted in the description of my topping lift that I also have a solid boom vang that supports to boom without a topping lift. So if I ever need to use my topping lift as a halyard the boom is still supported and won't drop on deck when the halyard is slacked. I've also kept the harbor lift (or whatever it is called – if it has a name) so I can secure the boom when motoring or moored. So I really haven't lost a spare halyard to a topping lift,  especially since I've never actually lost the primary halyard.
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