You could loop the lift around the boom, with a strap eye on the bottom of the boom to keep it from sliding forward. This would eliminate twisting. -----Original Message----- From: Lawrence Winiarski via montgomery_boats Sent: Monday, April 29, 2019 2:36 PM To: For and About Montgomery Sailboats Subject: M_Boats: Topping lift fitting I've been adjusting my topping lift with a tautline hitch. Any ideas of a little fitting or arrangement that might make it easier to adjust? (and not twist the boom) Mostly I just want to get the boom lifted higher occasionally when rowing or putting up a boom tarp. Curious what others might have figured out. I've seen big boats with a block on the line.

Lawrence: For a topping lift use a 3/16" line that is secured at near the head of the mast. I usually use a strapeye about 6" down the starboard side of the mast. At the lower end use a clamcleat 203 (CL203) where the line runs through the mounting holes (see attached image 'backside cl203') the loops through a strapeye at the aft boom end (some boats have a loop as part of the boom end fitting casting). Now run the line through the CL203's fairlead and adjust the line so boom is at wanted height (see picture attached 'Top fairlead cl203'). Lock line in Clamcleat jaws. Note: CL 203 mounting holes need to be drilled out slightly to fit a 3/16" line. :: Dave Scobie :: M6'8" #650 :: SV SWALLOW - sv-swallow.com :: former owner M17 #375 SWEET PEA - m17-375.com :: former owner M15 #288 SCRED - www.freewebs.com/m15-named-scred/ On Mon, Apr 29, 2019, 2:37 PM Lawrence Winiarski via montgomery_boats < montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> wrote:

I've been adjusting my topping lift with a tautline hitch. Any ideas of a little fitting or arrangement that might make it easier to adjust? (and not twist the boom) Mostly I just want to get the boom lifted higher occasionally when rowing or putting up a boom tarp. Curious what others might have figured out. I've seen big boats with a block on the line.

My M17 has topping lift fast at masthead, down to small cheek block near aft end of boom (port side), forward along boom to small clamcleat with fairlead, placed in the same vicinity (fore-aft) as my clew reefing cleats are on starboard side. This puts all lines along the boom at hand (on one side or the other) from one position in the cockpit. No moving, minimal reaching, to manage any of them. If I do have to reach, it's from the forward part of the cockpit, when boom is out a ways to port or starboard. I can slack or set topping lift from the same place I raise/lower the main (now that I have main halyard to cockpit). If you are single handing much at all I'd do it this way for sure. I've sailed boats with topping lift at aft end of boom, where boom is most overboard if not centered, and swings hardest/fastest and farthest if it's not calm. And boats with topping lift coming down the mast to a cleat on mast, a bit safer location but no more convenient. In both cases, a move away from other key lines/controls (mainsheet, jib sheets, reefing, jib furling if equipped, halyards if led to cockpit). On an M15 with the small rig, light boom, I bet you could just use a nylon strap eye near aft end of boom for a turning 'block'. Less friction with a small cheek block though. cheers, John On 4/29/19 2:36 PM, Lawrence Winiarski via montgomery_boats wrote:

I've been adjusting my topping lift with a tautline hitch.    Any ideas of a little fitting or arrangement that might make it easier to adjust? (and not twist the boom)    Mostly I just want to get the boom lifted higher occasionally when rowing or putting up a boom tarp. Curious what others might have figured out.   I've seen big boats with a block on the line.

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