Best Way to Rig a Main Topsail

[David R. Coller]

I'm looking for the best (read "easiest, most convenient") way to rig the main topsail on my 36 foot LOD Nova Scotia built schooner. This topsail goes up on a vertical yard that extends above the mainmast--sort of like a free-floating topmast. The halyard and tack downhaul work fine, but I am wondering what to do with the clew.

At the moment I have a block on a shackle at the distal end of the main gaff through which I am running the clew outhaul and tying it off to the boom, which allows me to get the sail up without dropping the main, but the line down to the boom chafes on the main unless I re-rig the outhaul on the windward side (not practical when tacking, obviously) or tie it off near the end of the boom, leaning out over open water to do so (ACK!). Also, it makes it harder to peak up the gaff.

I was thinking of putting a turning block at the end of the gaff and running it to another at the throat and then down the mast, but I'm afraid this might put undue stress on the gaff.

Anyway, I'm open to suggestions. I've been squinting at schooner pictures all over the internet to no avail....

Thanks,