3-strand for lazyjacks?

[Greenheart]

I want to replace the 6mm braided line I've had in mine for many years.

I have a lot of nice soft white 3-strand 8mm. It would be my choice, but I associate 3-strand with kinking, which would be a real pain high above the deck.

Lazyjacks don't move far through their blocks, so can I assume they aren't much subject to twisting forces - am I worrying without reason?

 

[Plum]

All my lines are three-strand, including the lazyjacks which are 6mm, and I have never had a problem with kinking.

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

 

[Catalina36]

It'll only kink if you introduce kinks into it. It won't kink on its own once it's up there without kinks.

 

[lw395]

Lazyjacks are an abomination and 8mm will have the drag factor of the proverbial bingo hall, but I don't think kinkiness will be a problem.

 

[Graham376]

Mine are 4mm 3 strand, no problems.

 

[Greenheart]

Excellent, thanks. Glad to hear kinking shouldn't be a problem...I might have ended up making multiplait lazyjacks.

I bought the 3-ply years ago as an economical anchor warp, but mainly used an old spare halyard instead.

I had got so keen on braided line, I began to think 3-ply isn't for anyone who has a choice. I think I was remembering a rotten, stiff old tow-rope in my first car.

 

[Stemar]

Lazyjacks are an abomination

Other opinions are available...

Like so many other things, they aren't a perfect solution, but on a cruising boat with a less than agile crew, I've been very happy to be able to drop the main without leaving the cockpit on many occasions. Hoick up the topping lift, release the halyard and pull in the downhaul. Job done. I'll tidy up when the boat stops bouncing around.

 

[John the kiwi]

Lazyjacks are an abomination and 8mm will have the drag factor of the proverbial bingo hall, but I don't think kinkiness will be a problem.

Please elucidate.

 

[Stemar]

I bought the 3-ply years ago as an economical anchor warp

And you want to use it for lazyjacks? Bit of overkill isn't it

 

[Greenheart]

Yes, it's thick stuff, but I was thinking of how its softness and thickness make it less like cheese-wire when it's pressing against the sail.

I know the LJs can be slackened off to reduce contact, but once they're free to flap about, I think the rather hard weathered face of my current 6mm lines chafe worse than when tight.

I certainly don't have to use the 3-ply, although doing the maths last night, I was dazzled to find that I have the right amount for the job, within a metre or two. That may be influencing me.

It also occurs to me that slightly heavier line may be less easily blown about, snagging battens.

 

[LadyInBed]

Go buy a reel of braided twine from B&Q

 

[rgarside]

Other opinions are available...

Like so many other things, they aren't a perfect solution, but on a cruising boat with a less than agile crew, I've been very happy to be able to drop the main without leaving the cockpit on many occasions. Hoick up the topping lift, release the halyard and pull in the downhaul. Job done. I'll tidy up when the boat stops bouncing around.

I agree, if you're worried about drag, 2mm dyneema and some Ronstan shocks will make a low-drag option.

 

[Graham376]

Yes, it's thick stuff, but I was thinking of how its softness and thickness make it less like cheese-wire when it's pressing against the sail.

One thing it will be good for is destroying the boundary layer and reducing sail performance.

 

[Greenheart]

It's not altogether clear how your comment agrees with what Stemar had said, Rgarside! Anyway, thanks, I'll keep it in mind, although I'm pretty sure I didn't mention drag as a concern. The thought was introduced on my behalf.

About five years ago I said here I was conscious that lazyjack lines were corrupting the smooth flow of air over the sail, and somebody asked 'what evidence do you have for that?' and I was rightly silenced. It may seem probable; but my sails aren't new, my skills aren't considerable and my need for speed and efficiency is much less than for convenience.

I dislike very slender lines (2mm or smaller) and their readiness to run into the gap between the sheave and the body of a block. It shouldn't happen but it sometimes does. If it happened out of reach in the lazyjacks, I'd be thinking fondly of the heavy 3-ply.

Haven't made up my mind yet.

 

[LittleSister]

I dislike very slender lines (2mm or smaller) and their readiness to run into the gap between the sheave and the body of a block. It shouldn't happen but it sometimes does. If it happened out of reach in the lazyjacks, I'd be thinking fondly of the heavy 3-ply.

Haven't made up my mind yet.

But you don't need blocks for lazyjacks (my computer wanted to call the Ladyjacks! ) on a boat of your size. Unnecessary complication. Nylon or S/steel rings will be fine.

Regardless of that, there is a size (4mm?) below which cordage tend to get itself knotted and caught on things.

 

[Greenheart]

Thanks Little Sister, I had got near to ordering some thin stuff, but you remind me that I wasn't imagining how readily it tangles.

I already have the blocks (I mistyped and my computer tried to turn 'bolcks' into 'bollocks'), so I'll stick with them, but thanks.

Ladyjacks......Midshipman 'Albert' Poopdecker.