Bill, There are all kinds of ways to skin these cats. Since my main isn't loose footed, I'll leave that for those with more experience. For the topping lift you could, probably among other things: 1. Run a line from the foot of the mast up through a small sheave at the masthead and down to the end of the boom. That's how Busca's is arranged. I tie off to an existing eyestrap on the mast and have a hook that connects to an eye on the end of the boom. The block connects to the backstay pin at the masthead. I used a very small Ronstan. For height adjustment I hook the line around a cleat on the mast (the existing jib halyard cleat which I don't use). 2. Another possibility is to dead end at the masthead, run through a block at the end of the boom and then fwd to a cleat on the boom. 3. A different approach might be to use a rigid vang. Tod Mills M17 #408, 1987 galley model BuscaBrisas -----Original Message----- From: montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of bill safford Sent: Monday, December 17, 2007 9:56 PM To: montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com Subject: M_Boats: Main Sail Advice I've got an M17 with a loose footed main. The present outhaul is a piece of string tied to the clew and the cast aluminum fitting at the end of the boom. The boom is too short for any kind of outhaul on a track. Its all original equipment, but looks sloppy. Also, would appreciate any help with fitting a topping lift. I don't like the backstay clip-on type. Thanks and best holiday wishes! BS _________________________________________________________________ Publish your photos to your Space easily with Photo Gallery. http://www.get.live.com/wl/all _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: 269.17.4/1187 - Release Date: 12/16/2007 11:36 AM No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: 269.17.4/1187 - Release Date: 12/16/2007 11:36 AM

For a topping lift, just attach a line at the top aft of the mast and long enough to reach the aft end of the boom. Once the mast is stepped, attach the other end to the aft end of the boom with a snap and a slip knot for height adjustment. Then you don't have to go forward to the mast to adjust the topping lift. Another attachment to the boom is a cheek block and a clam cleat for adjustment. --Gary Hyde 2005 M17 sailboat #637 'Hydeaway 2' We can't change the wind, but we can trim our sails. On Dec 17, 2007, at 6:56 PM, bill safford wrote:

I've got an M17 with a loose footed main. The present outhaul is a piece of string tied to the clew and the cast aluminum fitting at the end of the boom. The boom is too short for any kind of outhaul on a track. Its all original equipment, but looks sloppy. Also, would appreciate any help with fitting a topping lift. I don't like the backstay clip-on type. Thanks and best holiday wishes!

BS _________________________________________________________________ Publish your photos to your Space easily with Photo Gallery. http://www.get.live.com/wl/all _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats