Get rid of having to use one to keep the boom up, sure, but actually
removing the topping lift would be silly. All sorts of uses for the topping
lift, emergency backstay, extra main halyard, safety line for bosun's chair
work. I vaguely recall someone mentioning a rigger talking about removing
the topping lift, can't imagine a competent rigger suggesting this.
John Cairns
"Thom Stewart" wrote in message
...
John,

I forgot to meantion that Bart's statement about the Rigid Vang would
let him get rid of the topping lift.

Ole Thom