I certainly agree that the previous topping lift line needed to be replaced. In colloquial British English, what you started with was a "bodge" (to put it politely). And I accept that what you ended up with is an improvement. However, you've secured that line to a boom bail that's intended to be used only for the mainsheet blocks, so that's another bodge. Those loops not designed to secure a line in the way cleats are; that's proved by the way the previous line was jammed tight in the corner of the fitting, and the issues you had trying to figure out how to attach your new line. And while it's fine putting a rolling hitch in the topping lift so it's adjustable, I predict that's not going to work too smoothly when the bight of that line is jammed into the acute angle where the bail attaches to boom. Another potentially much more serious issue is that it looks to me like your new topping lift line fouls the first mainsail reef turning block and line. The pattern of corrosion and gunge on the boom at 8:17 makes me sure that at one time, something was mounted there. I assume it must have been something relating to the topping lift, since the only other fittings that should be at the extreme end of the boom is stuff relating to the clew outhaul, and that's on the other side of the boom. The discolouration suggests a cam cleat was there, but I don't see how that would work, considering the curve of the boom and the angle of the topping lift line. In any case, it would be extremely stupid to rely on something as inherently insecure as a cam cleat to support a boom. If I were you, I'd consider whether a standard cleat could be attached there for securing the topping lift. Lashing the clew to the boom is yet another bodge. I imagine your rigger did this just to demonstrate to you the difference it made, but it looks to me like the slackness in the clew outhaul system could be corrected fairly simply, quickly and cheaply by getting rid of that two-link connection between clew and outhaul turning block car. And maybe it's just pickiness on my part, but I don't like how that double-link arrangement results in the shackle at the sail's clew twisting the clew rather than holding it in a vertical orientation. It seems to me that all this could be simply solved by replacing the double link with a single link. Finally, I question your choice of a bowline to secure your new topping lift line to the end of the boom. You should not need to remove and reattach this line in the ordinary course of events, so a more seamanlike arrangement would be a spliced eye.
Thanks for the comments. Installing a cleat on the boom to terminate the topping lift makes a lot of sense. I agree that how it is now does run the risk of fouling/conflicting with the first reefing line and can be improved upon. I will look at the clew attachment with fresh eyes given your comment. Your observations are welcome and appreciated.
I certainly agree that the previous topping lift line needed to be replaced. In colloquial British English, what you started with was a "bodge" (to put it politely). And I accept that what you ended up with is an improvement. However, you've secured that line to a boom bail that's intended to be used only for the mainsheet blocks, so that's another bodge. Those loops not designed to secure a line in the way cleats are; that's proved by the way the previous line was jammed tight in the corner of the fitting, and the issues you had trying to figure out how to attach your new line. And while it's fine putting a rolling hitch in the topping lift so it's adjustable, I predict that's not going to work too smoothly when the bight of that line is jammed into the acute angle where the bail attaches to boom. Another potentially much more serious issue is that it looks to me like your new topping lift line fouls the first mainsail reef turning block and line.
The pattern of corrosion and gunge on the boom at 8:17 makes me sure that at one time, something was mounted there. I assume it must have been something relating to the topping lift, since the only other fittings that should be at the extreme end of the boom is stuff relating to the clew outhaul, and that's on the other side of the boom. The discolouration suggests a cam cleat was there, but I don't see how that would work, considering the curve of the boom and the angle of the topping lift line. In any case, it would be extremely stupid to rely on something as inherently insecure as a cam cleat to support a boom. If I were you, I'd consider whether a standard cleat could be attached there for securing the topping lift.
Lashing the clew to the boom is yet another bodge. I imagine your rigger did this just to demonstrate to you the difference it made, but it looks to me like the slackness in the clew outhaul system could be corrected fairly simply, quickly and cheaply by getting rid of that two-link connection between clew and outhaul turning block car. And maybe it's just pickiness on my part, but I don't like how that double-link arrangement results in the shackle at the sail's clew twisting the clew rather than holding it in a vertical orientation. It seems to me that all this could be simply solved by replacing the double link with a single link.
Finally, I question your choice of a bowline to secure your new topping lift line to the end of the boom. You should not need to remove and reattach this line in the ordinary course of events, so a more seamanlike arrangement would be a spliced eye.
Thanks for the comments. Installing a cleat on the boom to terminate the topping lift makes a lot of sense. I agree that how it is now does run the risk of fouling/conflicting with the first reefing line and can be improved upon. I will look at the clew attachment with fresh eyes given your comment. Your observations are welcome and appreciated.