Topping lift

The topping lift (more rarely known as an uphaul) is a line which applies upward force on a boom on a sailboat.

Part of the running rigging, topping lifts are primarily used to hold a boom up when the sail is lowered.

[1] This line would run from near the free end of the boom(s) forward to the top of the mast.

[2] On larger or older sailing vessels, lifts known as "quarter-lifts" run to the middle of the boom.

[citation needed] A topping lift may also refer to a line on the front of the mast used to rig the spinnaker pole.