J/30 Class Association Forums J/30 Forum The Boat, Sails and Equipment Topping lift

Ok, I'm a new boat owner, I just bought an 82 J30 and I didn't realize until I stepped the mast last week that their was no topping lift on the main. I ordered a boom kicker today to make life easier but am still wondering why their isn't one, isn't a place for one, and how you do without? My sailing history is somewhat limited so I found it a little strange.

Patrick,

Do you mean halyard for the main to raise it? On the boom there should be a vang that attached between the boom and the base of the mast. This runs parallel to the boom kicker and applies force in the opposite direction of the boom kicker. Here is a picture at the base of the mast with the boom kicker and vang (white/blue line) at the center, and cunningham (white/red line) on the port side with the red sheet stopper:


There may be a static line that runs parallel to the backstay from the aft portion of the mast crane. This is used to hold the boom up when the boat is in port. I've seen some use the main halyard attached at the end of the boom too.

No, My boat didn't come with a boom kicker, and their was nothing to hold the end of the boom up while I hoisted the main.

Congratulations on your recent purchase. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have mine(going on 24 years).
As Bill indicated, there is suppose to be a thin static boom topping lift that runs parallel to be back stay. It attaches to the aft position of the mast crane along with the back stay. The original is a thin braided wire with a brass snap hook on the end. When at port the hook is attached to the back of the boom. When sailing/racing, most racers take it off the boom and attach it to a shock cord running from the stern pulpit. If there isn't one with the boat, until your boom kicker arrives I'd suggest getting a length of thin kevlar line and a simple snap hook.

Use the main halyard to keep the boom off the deck until the boomkicker arrives - just take care when raising and lowering the sail to keep the boom from dropping. As I'm sure you know, the boomkicker will eliminate the need for a topping lift, so I don't think any modifications are in order.

The boomkicker is great - it's silent and an absolute breeze to install.

Thanks for the insight guys.

Also order direcly from Boomkicker http://www.boomkicker.com. They have one that pre-cut for the J/30. If you buy from somewhere else you will have to cut the fiberglass rods.

DB

david

Yes, I ordered the J/30 model directly from them. It was also cheaper than the standard one was at my local dealer.

Patrick

Great. The instructions are easy to follow and the boomkicker works great. Good luck.

1. Originally equipped with a topping lift. SS wire to rope splice used for adjustment. I left it on all the time till i got a boomkicker. and adjusted it to one inch higher than the top of my head. worked for me but I am 5'6" ...

2. Because I run a half hour in and out of Gordon River to get to the Gulf, we drop the sail on the river, flake and put the cover on before we get to the dock. There is powerboat traffic and resulting boat motion. We drop the main fast, attach the main halyard to the end of the boom and snug it up to eliminate the springiness of the boomkicker, before we flake and put the cover on.

New crew unfamiliar with the spring like action of the boom without the main halyard to stabilize it are going to be surprised when they reach out thinking that the boom is solid but it bends away from them. Great trap for all your cruiser friends.

And talk about a loose cannon ... in high waves with only the boomkicker on ....that boom [under power with the main down] has a action all its own unless snugged in hard. Keeping the main H at the end eliminates that ... And afterall you have to keep the main halyard somewhere when the main is down, why not keep it "working" for the boat instead of in the way off a stanchion base.

Remember to put a stop knot in the vang as the boomkicker has a tendancy to bounce up high enough to detach from the boom when the sail is up and the vang is too loose.

v