Rich, Thanks. Your suggestion is similar to some others, but you've added the twist of getting the mechanical advantage of a second block. Hmmmm...I don't know...if I put the second block on then the speed will drop somewhat (it won't likely halve as the load on the motor will be less). On the other hand, I am using winches rated at over 2000#, so do I really need to boost that up to 4000#. You've made me think about the loads differently (I'm not a mechanical engineer, so those who are please don't scoff). The static load on the hoisting line is simply the dead weight of the dinghy plus a little friction on the block, while the load on the topping lift is the dinghy weight, plus the vertical weight at the end of the boom. Now is there also a component due to the angle of things? That is to say, if the dinghy load is 300# and the end of the boom bears down at 50#, then the topping lift is pulling that PLUS some tension load due to the fact it is doing the pulling at 45 degrees? I'd guess so, now that you've made me think of it, but how to calculate that extra load component? Is my 2000# winch enough? Is the cable strong enough? I'd like to hear from others on the list on this point. BTW, another consideration is that the winch only pulls 2500# on the first layer of wire rope I the drum; each successive layer drops the pulling ability by about 10%, of so I'm told...again...seems reasonable to me. I need to keep that in mind if the extra load in the foregoing paragraph is substantial. Re your general point about load with a flat boom (and several others made a similar comment), I don't think that the load on the wire would be different if it goes the way I stated or the other way around (with the winch mounted to the mast). The tension load on the wire and the amount of pull exerted on the winch should be the same both ways. Others have commented on the additional compression load on the boom brought about by doing the topping lift my way (i.e., backwards). Gee, the boom looks heavy enough to handle it. But, that did make me wonder about the difference on the load on the gooseneck. Doing it my way adds 25# of load to the gooseneck (the weight of the winch). Bottom line, I think putting the winch on the mast just above the boom and running the topping lift up the mast, over to the end of the boom, and around a block and back up to the top of the mast would be the best from an engineering perspective. So, why did I propose it the way I did? First, I think it looks better and second, a friend sent me a photo of one that was done that way. Lately I've been looking closely in the magazines and I've seen examples done my way, the other way around and with and without the second block on the topping lift. Gee, I just want this to work and be safe! Grateful for any additional opinions! I'd especially like to hear from those of you who actually have such an installation. Best to all, Maurice -----Original Message----- From: Rich Gano [mailto:rgano@mantech-pc.com] Sent: Wednesday, September 20, 2000 12:50 AM To: nunas@pacific.net.sg Subject: That topping lift can end up with a lot of strain on it, especially when you have the boom "flattened out" to max extension. Are you confident that going up the boom and then to the mast top is better than going up the mast the down to boom tip, around a pulley, and then back to the mast top? I would think your mechanical advantage would be significantly improved. Rich Gano CALYPSO (GB42-295) Homeport Panama City I'd rather be cruisin'