topping lift ???

[smithel]

what is a topping lift used for ?

[GreenLake]

to hold up the boom when the sail is down.

[kokko]

It is a line run from the top of the mast to the end of the boom to support the boom when the sail is down. Most are somewhat adjustable. Mine runs from an eyestrap at the top of the boom to a cheek block at the end of the boom, to a cleat on the boom.

[seandwyer]

Is this normal? I don't have one. When my sail is down, I need to keep the boom in a crutch or it just flops down. Am I missing hardware?

[kokko]

Mine runs from an eyestrap at the top of the MAST to a cheek block at the end of the boom, to a cleat on the boom.

With the sail up, the sail itself supports the boom. With the sail down, you need a boom crutch or a topping lift. THe boom Crutch did not work for me.

I did not have one either, so I added it. Easy with pop rivets or self tapping screws.