Correct mast cleat for lazy jacks.

[jonjo]

What type of cleats should I fit on the mast for mainsail stack-pak lazy jacks?

Currently I am using an undersized pennant halyard cleat plus the spinnaker pole ring to tie off the lazy jacks.

Fitting larger conventional cleats on the mast will create a snagging hazard for genoa sheets so I am thinking about some jam cleats like these...

http://www.go2marine.com/g2m/action/GoBPage/id/25005F/jam_cleats.html

 

[tugboat]

You need to use a conventional cleat in order to turn up the excess line that allows you to create slack when necessary. A plastic cleat is adequate as loads are small. Suggest you use one that has a hole through the centre, you can thread the line through the hole and put a knot in the end. Turn up the excess and if you need to let the halyard go you can do so without losing the end up the mast. The type you picture has no facility to stow the excess.

 

[alahol2]

Why use a cleat at all? I take the fall from the mast to the holes in the stakpak closest to the mast. The excess tucks into the batten pocket. It works just as well and saves a pully block in the lazyjacks.

 

[oldsaltoz]

G'day Jonjo,

Have you considered using the spinnaker halyard to hoist - lower your lazy jack?

Avagoodweekend........

 

[john_morris_uk]

Don't understand the spinnaker halyard suggestion.

We have two conventional plastic cleats either side of the mast just below the goose-neck for the Lazy-Jack lines. I have never seen the Genoa sheet go anywhere near them. Anyway, by the time they are loaded up with the Lazy-Jack line, it is very difficult to see how a line the size of the genoa sheet could sang on them at all.

Are you worrying about something that is not likely to happen?

 

[jonjo]

[ QUOTE ]
Anyway, by the time they are loaded up with the Lazy-Jack line, it is very difficult to see how a line the size of the genoa sheet could sang on them at all.

Are you worrying about something that is not likely to happen?

[/ QUOTE ]
Yes maybe.

I take your point about the profile of the loaded cleat.

 

[jonjo]

[ QUOTE ]
I take the fall from the mast to the holes in the stakpak closest to the mast.

[/ QUOTE ]
Does this mean you have found a fixed lazyjack setting that is good for the set mainsail and controlling a drop?

 

[Robin]

Gosh Jonjo how can somthing so simple be so complicated! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

OK for what it's worth we have one of each so can make the comparisons. We have never had a horny cleat snag but prefer our jam cleat one because it is more easily adjustable, not to use but when stowed because we stow lazyjacks along the boom under a normal sailcover not stackpack. Once we take the sail cover off the lazyjacks are set to hold the folded sail and the sail ties are removed (you won't need these). The sail is hoisted with the lazyjack lines in the same position and they are not adjusted underway normally. On rare occasions I might slacken them off a bit IF we have the clew outhaul off a long way to put some extra draft in the foot of the sail which is loose footed and fully battened. On even rarer occasions I might put the lazyjacks in their stowed position along the boom to prevent chafe. When dropping the sail the lazyjacks are in the same position as when it was raised, we try to drop it under control with one of us at the mast zig zagging the luff though after a while the sail will develop a memory and (almost) do it alone. We have the bitter ends tied off to mast rings and the stowed lines run along the boom and under the reef hooks (which are redundant with our reefing set up) and are tensioned by the cleats on the mast, relly tight simply to avoid them frapping on the rig/mast/my nerves!

A Donf /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Robin

 

[jonjo]

Re: Jam cleats now fitted.

Jam cleats now fitted.

I have found another advantage. When the stack pack bonnet is in place I can still reach up under this and adjust the tension of the lazy jacks before going home.