Opinions: Backstay and topping lift necessary?

[Globalhobo]

So, we are rigging our project boat- 2006 26M - and are looking for opinions. We've never sailed on a Macgregor, let alone owned one, but we have loved the idea of one forever. I see the stock set up doesn't come with backstays or topping lifts (although you can buy the topping lift from BWY for cheap). So, whaddaya think? Necessary? And how does that work when you've got a forestay and a backstay and a rotating mast?

Mahaloz.......

[kadet]

The is a B&R rig so does not require a backstay unless you modify the boat with crazy head sails I think there is a Canadian Scotsmen that hangs around here like that .

Topping lift is a personal choice,I prefer a boomkicker

[Globalhobo]

Thanks, Kadet. Does it matter that we will have her rigged full time (we got a slip in a marina down the road and live in an area that allows sailing 365)?

[kadet]

Thanks, Kadet. Does it matter that we will have her rigged full time (we got a slip in a marina down the road and live in an area that allows sailing 365)?

No keel boats like Hunters also use B&R rigs

[grady]

Topping lift is a personal choice,I prefer a boomkicker

X2 on the boomkicker! It not only helps keep the boom out of your way it can improve the sail shape in light winds.

[dxg4848]

Thanks, Kadet. Does it matter that we will have her rigged full time (we got a slip in a marina down the road and live in an area that allows sailing 365)?

I keep mine in a slip rigged 5 months a year (boating season is short in Ohio).

As far as topping lift I made mine by attaching a fairlead to mast top and this style camcleats to boom end.

http://www.defender.com/product3.jsp?pa ... &id=735626

I connected 1/4" line to mast top with bowline knot and ran line through camcleats fairlead with stop knot at the end.

This way I can fix boom at any heights. Worked great for many seasons.

[Tomfoolery]

Unlike the , a backstay probably would interfere with the main sail of the , I believe. And it doesn't need one anyway.

A topping lift can be nothing more than a length of line from the top of the mast to the end of the boom, with a means of adjustment so you can hoist it high when the sail is flaked, and dropped so it's not holding up the boom when sailing.

But a boom kicker is a nice way to do the same thing, with the advantages mentioned earlier. And it takes no more space than the vang, which works with it.

Which way you go is probably more about how much you want to spend, with a static topping lift being the cheapest but least functional, and the boomkicker being most expensive but with the most functionality.

[Russ]

Unlike the , a backstay probably would interfere with the main sail of the , I believe. And it doesn't need one anyway.

A topping lift can be nothing more than a length of line from the top of the mast to the end of the boom, with a means of adjustment so you can hoist it high when the sail is flaked, and dropped so it's not holding up the boom when sailing.

But a boom kicker is a nice way to do the same thing, with the advantages mentioned earlier. And it takes no more space than the vang, which works with it.

Which way you go is probably more about how much you want to spend, with a static topping lift being the cheapest but least functional, and the boomkicker being most expensive but with the most functionality.

+1

Simple topping lift is cheap and easy. Her's mine.
2 adjustment points, sailing and higher when not.

[Tomfoolery]

Unlike the , a backstay probably would interfere with the main sail of the , I believe. And it doesn't need one anyway.

A topping lift can be nothing more than a length of line from the top of the mast to the end of the boom, with a means of adjustment so you can hoist it high when the sail is flaked, and dropped so it's not holding up the boom when sailing.

But a boom kicker is a nice way to do the same thing, with the advantages mentioned earlier. And it takes no more space than the vang, which works with it.

Which way you go is probably more about how much you want to spend, with a static topping lift being the cheapest but least functional, and the boomkicker being most expensive but with the most functionality.

+1

Simple topping lift is cheap and easy. Her's mine.
2 adjustment points, sailing and higher when not.

That's almost exactly what mine looks like, but I push the boom up and take a turn around it to shorten it, without ever unclipping it, at least until it's time to break it down for transport. Mine also passes over a cheek block at the top of the mast and runs down to a cleat. I never adjust it, so the block and cleat are not necessary, but the PO did it, and it's not worth the trouble to eliminate some of it, until (maybe) it's time to replace the line. I like simple.

[JohnCT]

Xxx

[Globalhobo]

You guys are so awesome! We won't be installing the backstay, per your advice, and guess what we realized - we have at least part of the boomkicker! The PO had one istalled but have lost a few (or more) pieces. Looking at our rigging parts (they cut the rigging off! ), it looks like they used to have a backstay too.
Thanks for all the advice!

[dlandersson]

Ditto.

Thanks, Kadet. Does it matter that we will have her rigged full time (we got a slip in a marina down the road and live in an area that allows sailing 365)?

I keep mine in a slip rigged 5 months a year (boating season is short in Ohio).

As far as topping lift I made mine by attaching a fairlead to mast top and this style camcleats to boom end.

http://www.defender.com/product3.jsp?pa ... &id=735626

I connected 1/4" line to mast top with bowline knot and ran line through camcleats fairlead with stop knot at the end.

This way I can fix boom at any heights. Worked great for many seasons.

[Globalhobo]

Well, we went on BWY site to order some parts for the boomkicker and it says, "THIS PRODUCT DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY WITH ROTATING MASTS, DO NOT USE ON 26M" in big, bold letters. Some of you that replied use it...what's the scoop?

[FishyFabs]

I got mine from Dowsar Marine the ONTARIO Mac dealer. It came with instructions specifically for the

Works great and I cannot see any issue. I am sure they can ship it to you.

[Tomfoolery]

I got mine from Dowsar Marine the ONTARIO Mac dealer. It came with instructions specifically for the

Works great and I cannot see any issue. I am sure they can ship it to you.

I had to use the search function to find it on Dowsar's site, but it was there. Different part number for X and M units. Exchange rate is also quite favorable right now at about 1.34CD to 1.00USD.

http://dowsar.com/cgi-bin/online/storepro.php

Enter 'boom' into the search box to quickly get the page. It wouldn't give me a direct link to the part.

I've never been to their store, even though I've been to Toronto a few time. Maybe I should stop there on my way to the MMOR next year, just-because.