cp-16-2 rigging on boom

[victor]

Hi Folks, Have another problem/question concerning the rigging on a cp-16-2. Is there a line that runs from the top of the mast to the back of the boom to keep the boom up for when you drop the main sail? Thanks for any help....Victor

[skip1930]

Nope. No line. No back stay. No chain plate for a back stay.
That's what the sail is for...But really, what you do is run yourself another line from top-O-mast to end-O-boom with a quick release at the boom.

skip.

[shamblin]

right. tie a 1/8-1/4 inch nylon rope from mast top to boom end and you have a topping lift.   include a loop knot about 2 feet above the boom and youll have a place to hang your kerosene lantern anchor light   the line will hold up the boom so you can rig a tarp over it for a boom tent.    the c16 doesnt have too much extra room so anchoring without a topping lift can be crowded. 

[JTMeissner]

Victor, not as part of original rigging as far as I know.  I have an original version CP-16, and the top of the mast has very little, the casting has two pulleys for the halyard and that's about it. 

There was a hole from side to side, so I put an eyebolt up there and coated the threads inside the casting so the halyard wouldn't get frayed.  From this point, I tied a line to support the end of the boom, a topping lift, connected to either one of the holes in the boom end casting or the long end of the butterfly plate at the end of the boom.  Sorry, no pictures.

A few options here.  I use a rolling hitch on a loop with a snap link at the end of the topping lift to make it adjustable at the end of the boom and can elevate the boom as necessary.  When the sail is up, and you do have to make sure the topping lift doesn't interfere with raising the main, I disconnect the topping lift and clip it on the eyebolt mast pin to keep it out of the way.  This is a very manual way to operate a topping lift, but it works for me, and makes up for the fact that I bought line too short to be loose when the sail is raised. 

A second way would be to put a pulley at the top of the mast (but the friction through the eyebolt may be doable), and run the lift from the boom to the top of the mast, and down to a cleat near the deck.  This would be very adjustable and could be tightened/loosened as needed from the front of the cockpit. 

The topping lift shouldn't take much weight, basically just the boom with sail for the most part, so the line can be fairly thin. If connected to the butterfly plate, it would allow you to use the roller reefing option.  Just remember, you want to make sure a topping lift is loose when the sail is raised so it can shape properly.  Also, a lift that stays connected can be rigged for pennants, flags, etc. that can be flown while sailing or at anchor.

-Justin

[Ted]

A past owner of my 16 ran the topping lift by adding a block to the top of the mast on the side. It's anchored top and bottom by screws but very close to the top of the mast. There is a block like this on each side and they added a nice little line with some clips on it to the other pulley - helpful for hoisting up a solar water heater or whatever you might want.

So... basically the same advice others have given here.

[kickingbug1]

    i put two split rings (like for car keys) one higher up for motoring with the sail down and one much lower for use undersail. i fly a flag on that one (american flag found at loews in the garden dept). the good thing about having that one on is just in case you forget to affix the top one before you drop the mainsail. it at least keeps the boom off the deck. i also bolted a 8" piece of aluminum to the top of the mast extending towards the stern to tie the top part of the line to. it keeps it from chafing the sail.

[victor]

A big thanks to all of you for your help....Victor