Rigid Vang And Topping Lift

[Ian McColgin]

Ahoy Paul et al,

Just a voice from a cromeudgeon.

I've used rigid vangs on boats for racing, where getting rid of the topping lift had some value, but for cruising:

How easy is it to reef in a hard chance, let's add some sleat, without a topping lift to get the clew up and to provide some real support as you hang leaning against the boom on a canted and heaving deck tying in the points? At my over 250# (trying to loose some) I'd probably break the boom on the roll-snap-back in the trough.

Don't you have lazy jacks that might be convertable to Lazy Lifts (LazyIans mid-Nantucket Sound) ? If not, how do you ever live without them?

All to the point that the topping lift or lazy lifts are very important controls as conditions worsen and provide extra lines - for safety if nothing else - when going aloft on a bad day to re-reeve that broken hallyard.

I'm not saying don't go for the rigid vang. Just don't completely get rid of the topping lift, even if you mostly sail with it belayed down along the shroud and rig it only when the wind is getting on to a Fresh Breeze (Force 5) and due to go higher.

G'luck

Ian