Another approach would be to fasten the topping lift line at the top of the mast and put a small block at the rear of the boom; run the line thru the block and then forward to a small cleat. That's the way Bob sets them up on the newer 17's. Joe SeaFrog M17 ----- Original Message ----- From: judy casino To: For and about Montgomery Sailboats Sent: Saturday, June 16, 2012 9:02 AM Subject: Re: M_Boats: Topping Lift Jeff, I'd simply install a topping lift, using a small block installed near the top of the mast on the port side and a cleat down near the base of the mast, also on the port side and a little to the side of the jib halyard. You can make the lift adjustable from the end of the boom also by installing a block and cleat there too. Bob Eeg of Montgomery Sailboats can tell you the size blocks and cleats to buy. If you don't want to install a lift, you can shackle the main halyard to the end of the boom to raise the boom to horizontal and off the seat while you're motoring to open water and then shackle it to the mainsail just before raising the main. Best, Ron Casino M15-Spirit ________________________________ From: Jeffrey Johnston <frjeff@gmail.com> To: montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com Sent: Saturday, June 16, 2012 3:29 AM Subject: M_Boats: Topping Lift My Monty 15 is the first sailboat I've had with no topping lift. Our first sail was yesterday (great fun) and I have a question. We rig in the launch parking lot, launch the boat, motor out the channel to open water, hoist sail and the fun begins. With no topping lift, the boom simply lays down in the cockpit on one of the seats. Although workable, it takes up a fair amount of space and is a bit awkward. Am I missing something insofar as doing it this way. What do you all do and use to alleviate this? Might the main halyard be used to hold up the boom during this motoring time? Or, am I just being to bothered by a small detail? * * *Jeff+* Molōn labe!