Toppng lift whisker poll question ????

[michael]

Hi.. I am a new user so if my question is inappropriate please let me know. I am trying to figure out how to install a topping lift on my 30 foot catamaran. The boat is fractionally rigged and also the mast is only fractionally supported. By this I mean that the back stays ( cap Shrouds ) support the mast about 10 inches above where the screecher exits the mast. Both the screecher and the jib are furling sails. So, there are no halyards that I can easily use for a topping lift for a whisker poll. I had planned on simply installing a pad eye and a block with a swivel above the screacher but it seems like that might not do the trick. I think if I do this the halyards and it's opposite end will have to be taken out around the screacher in order to rig the whisker poll. So every time I would go to set the whisker poll I would have to taken out around the screacher is this correct? Is there any way that I can rig this externally so that it will run fair on either side? I hope I have explained my problem so that it is easily understood. I also hope there's an easy answer :^) Thanks for any help Michael

[michael]

Hi.... sorry, I meant to include this in my message. I also thought of using the cheek block, so that one side would run fair, and the other side would simply bend across the mast. I would still have to take the attaching and out around but only on one tack. Thanks

[Brian Duff]

...pole lifts are normally set up lower on the rig than other halyards, about twice the length of the pole off the deck seams about right as a starting point. What is your mast made out of ? That is the primary determining factor for deciding how to install and lead the lift. You should also consider the installation type of your other halyards. ..
How long is your pole, and where is it intended to be stored ? (on mast or deck)

with that info we should be able to help you.

[michael]

HiÖ The extended length of the pole is 19 feet. We sized this by measuring the foot of the screacher . This would give you 38 feet at twice the length of the pole . The mast is 41 feet off the deck and its made of aluminum, By Metalmast. The screacher exit is about a foot and a half above the jibs. The support coming from the backstay/ cap shrouds is just above them at 36 feet. When I talk to the folks at metal mast be recommended that I did not put any strain on the mast above this 36 feet. This is a fractional rig, with a picture being worth a thousand words here is a link to the Maine Cat site in as the specs and a line drawing which might help
http://www.mecat.com/indexsail.htm
also the folks at metal mast mentioned that they would not try to add any more in the mast halyards because they might interfere with the existing ones, or chafe on some of the existing equipment inside the mast . We will store the pole on the deck. The more I think about this project the more I think that installing cheek blocks on both sides of the mast would be the easiest approach? With this being used only as a topping lift I think that we could popper that the cheek blocks, and put in a couple of cleats and we'd be done. What do you think?

[Russ L]

Hi Micheal,
What diameter is this whisker pole? The usual ones are kinda small enough not to need a top'n'lift.
The spinnaker pole top'n'lift on my boat (mast height approx 40' above deck) is about 30' high. Well below the jib halyard exits. You should be able to rivet a tang to the forward side of the mast to hang a block for the lift. Adding a bail around it to keep the jib from dragging across the block on each tacking is a nice touch. A swivel block will allow the lift to wrap upon itself (if it is a MicroSoft product, this is called a "feature"). Be careful when drilling holes up there, so you don't pearce a halyard, with the end of the drill.

If you want to spec the height by deduction, try picking a lift angle... say 20 degrees. Using 1/2 pole length (because it's bridled), you're looking at a height of 27.5 feet (above the pole end). A lift angle of 10 degrees will need a block at 56 feet high.
So you can see how going high does not yeild much of an advantage for this gear which is a relatively light load.

Cheers, Russ