If you change to a rigid vang, you still have the
topping lift for all these things--unless you take it
off.

"Thom Stewart" wrote
Bart,

I know that topping lift can be a PITA but it still has a lot of
advantages over the rigid vang. Just to mention a few;

A spare and ready back stay

A man overboard hoist

An end reinforcement of the boom when you want to use it as a crane
(Dingy recovery)