First launch of my 26x

[1-Tntimbo]

Rigged and launched my 26x yesterday with nothing but the standard owners manual for reference.

To complicate maters, the boat had been taken down in a half assed way and parts stowed randomly.

We could find no mention of the line securing the aft end of the boom to the top of the mast. My friend who helped me. And has extensive sailing experience, assumed the main supported the boom and we raised the mast.

We never got the main sail installed to try this out. When I got home I looked at a 2886x brosure and right there plain as day was a line connecting boom and mast. Nnow what?

Do I have to drop mast?

What is this line made of and does it have fittings attacheI'd?

I fear it is missing from the boat.
T

[Hamin' X]

What you are referring to is a "topping lift". I don't think that these were standard equipment from the factory. I don't have a topping lift, only a Boomkicker. My boom clears the bimini while sailing and I have a short pigtail from my backstay that clips to the end of the boom for anchoring (keeps the boom out of the cockpit when clipping the mainsheet to the stanchion. If you don't have a boomkicker, the pigtail can be used while reefing. Sorry, no pics.

~Rich

[Azzarac]

There are many ways to support the boom without raising the main sail. The line you refer to is known as a topping lift and should be slack once the main is hoisted. Many others, myself included, prefer using lazy jacks which assist in keeping the main contained when lowered. Still yet, you could use a rigid vang to support the boom, although this does not seem to be as popular on our boats. You can make your own support system or purchase one specifically for your boat at Blue Water Yachts. http://bwyachts.com

[Tomfoolery]

As Azzarac stated, the main sail supports the boom when it's raised. The topping lift, if present, normally does nothing and just flaps around when the sail is raised, though for more advanced sail shaping work, it can be used to partially support the boom while sailing, but that's for next year or the year after that.

If I were you, I'd drop the mast and add a topping lift. It's nothing more than some small line terminated at the top of the mast, and cleated to the boom, often with a single sheave block for 2:1 advantage, but it can be, at its simplest, simply terminated on a small cleat. I put a big snap shackle on mine, so I can unclip it to remove the boom for trailering, but passing it through the center of an open center marelon cleat with a big stopper knot is almost as good (can't lose the line by accident). To raise the boom out of the way, simply wind the TL line around the cleat as many times as needed to raise the boom above you head with the sail down. Undo the stopper knot to remove the boom.

Without a TL, you can lay the boom on the cabin roof, and move it to one side against the lifeline stantion to clear the cockpit. Do some sailing, get used to the boat, and put it on your short-term improvement list.

Raising and lowering the mast should be quick and easy, or it will be once you get used to doing it. I've accessed the top of the mast from the dock with the boat docked stern-first, and the mast still pinned to the tabernacle. Just so you know.

[Russ]

As mentioned, the line you are referring to is the topping lift. It is not standard equipment and there are other solutions to hold the boom up off the deck when the sail is down. When the main is up, the sail will support the boom.

A topping lift is very easy to fabricate.

Buy about 50' of 1/4" polyester braid rope. Nylon will stretch and you don't want it to stretch. You will have leftover, good stuff to have around anyway.
Buy 2 eye pads.



Buy 2 snap hooks.


Mount one eye pad on the top of the mast just below the back stay.
Mount the the other on the end of the boom.

Tie one end of the line to the top and the two snap hooks to the other end where it will attach to the boom. You will have 2 hooks, one for sailing (at the end of the line) so the sail can hold the boom and one higher so it lifts the boom up high so you don't bang your head. Easy peezy.

Oh, I've seen all kinds of fancy topping lift setups and you are free to get as fancy as you wish. However what do you need this to do? Keep the boom supported while raising the main and keep the boom supported and away from your head when not sailing. A simple line to the top with 2 hooks at the 2 settings does the trick. Our booms are light and small enough to simply reach up and attach the snap hook to the eye pad.

Here's mine. It's the black line the flag is attached to.
It is slack because the sail is up and holding the boom. You can see at the end of the boom the snap hook is attached and ready to hold the boom once the mail is dropped. Higher up (just below the flag) is the other snap hook. I will connect this one to the eye pad later to lift the boom high over my head.

(click to enlarge)


--Russ

[1-Tntimbo]

You guys have cleared up that mystery fofr me....many thanks.

All part of the leaning process.

When installing the bimimi, does the long leg ofthe bimini frame go to th front or rear of the boat.? I currently have it toward the stearn, but it seems I have seen photos of it the opposite way.
T

[dlandersson]

If you decide to lower the mast - do you know if you have a Mast Raising System (MRS)?

If you do, then it's worth practicing. If you don't, you might wish to consider getting one.

[Tomfoolery]

When installing the bimimi, does the long leg ofthe bimini frame go to th front or rear of the boat.? I currently have it toward the stearn, but it seems I have seen photos of it the opposite way.
T

That depends on who made the bimini. BWY, Dowsar, an independent shop, etc. Got any photos of it?

[1-Tntimbo]

It is the stock Macgegor grey colored bimini offered as an optio in2000
T

[Russ]

Macgregor sold boats bare bones. I don't think a bimini was ever an option. A photo would help.

[wcole]

I had a topping lift on my 2000 26X and removed it. I found it to be an unnecessary complication. I now use the mast "crutch" to support the boom when the mainsail is down and remove it when the sail is up. Works much better for me.

Bill