DSII ?s from new owner: instal tabernacle and topping lift

[whitejw1967]

First question: How hard is it to create a tabernacle for a DS II? It seems that this makes setting up for sailing solo much easier? Can a handy guy do it himself or should it be done by a professional?

Second question: How hard is it to install a topping lift? The boat I'm buying doesn't have one currently but this seems a really necessary item.

Are there instructions somewhere for doing such things?

Any information is greatly appreciated!

John

[MrPlywood]

Hey John, Both subjects have been discussed many times in various threads, with an abundance of good how-to advice, pros and cons, etc. Try searching the forums - I'm sure you'll find all the info you need.

This is just one recent thread about topping lifts: http://forum.daysailer.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3076

Good luck!

[algonquin]

It’s not hard to install a tabernacle. Making one is a different story. Here is a commercial tabernacle made specifically for the DS models. Comes with instructions and DR Marine will give you additional guidance if you need it.

Also like Mr Plywood said, there is a lot of info on this site about the tabernacle and the topping lift. Brad

http://www.drmarine.com/proddetail.asp?prod=DS208

[1965healy]

The topping lift is a pretty straight forward install. You'll need about 50' of 3/16 Dacron, a cleat for the base of the mast, a shackle for the aft end of the boom and a cheek block for the top of the mast. The luff of the main is about 22', the leech is about 21'. Green is a good color since most of your other lines will not be green. Typical color code is White for the main, Blue for the jib, Red for the spinnaker, Green for out-hauls, down/up-hauls and lifts and Orange for vangs and travelers.

With the mast un-stepped install the cheek block near the top of the mast, make sure that the screws/rivets don't hit the sheave for the main. Thread the line thru the block so that it's about 50/50 per side. Install a shackle on the end of the line that exits the block towards the rear of the mast, this will clip to the aft end of the boom. Tie a knot in the other end so you don't accidentally pull it thru the block. My lift is on the port side of the mast; the cheek block is about 6" down from the mast top and the cleat to tie it off is about 2' up from the mast tabernacle.

Tape or bungee both of the lines about three feet from the base of the mast, coil the ends so you don't trip over them. Step the mast and attach the forestay to the stemhead. Attach the boom and rest the aft end in the boom crutch or have someone hold it level if you don't have a crutch. Undo your new lines from where you have them secured to the mast, make sure they're not twisted and attach the end with the shackle to the aft end of the boom. Pull down on the other lead until it just raises the boom out of the crutch and cleat it off on the mast. Leave it like that for 24 hours to allow the line to relax/stretch. Trim off any excess line on the down-haul leaving enough to safely cleat off the line. If you're brave and daring you can just put a loop on the end to hold it on the cleat or you could put a bail on the mast and a shackle on the down-haul and fasten it that way. Mine just gets cleated off, I am neither brave nor daring.

Hope this helps.