You are lifting a one-ton weight with a swinging boom. When comparing the stresses in the rig with the boom at 20° to the horizontal to the stresses when the boom is at 60° to the horizontal, which statement is TRUE?

Correct Answer: Option D — The stress on the masthead fairlead for the topping lift is greater at 20°.

Lowering a boom to a shallow angle like 20° dramatically increases the tension load on the topping lift and its associated masthead fairlead due to the mechanical disadvantage of the acute lifting vector compared to a steeper 60° angle.