DIY lazyjacks

[hillyarder]

Need some advice on the above. Boom is 16 feet long, mast is about 30 feet high. Sail weighs a ton and the kids can't hand it. I have no roller reefing either but dropping the jib is easy.
So can anyone give us some advice about where to run the string etc.
Thanks

 

[jacksaid]

They are easy enough to make and it is not worth buying the kits. You will need 2 small blocks positioned at least 2/3 of the height of the mast and 4 or 6 stainless steel thimbles depending how many drops you want coming to the boom. You will also need 3 or 4 cleats or fixing points along the bottom of the boom or on each side of the boom. You also need two cleats towards the bottom of the mast for tying the downhaul. You will probably need 30 to 40 metres of 6mm braid. Best method is to look at some other boats and see how they are rigged, then try a test set up on your own boat before making a permanent fixture.

 

[ccscott49]

as the other post, but I fixed mine to the boom and had blocks on the mast, with cleats, as mentioned on the mast, 9well actually mine are on my granny bars) this way you can tension them at the mast, most of the ones I have seen, are fixed on the mast and tensioned on the boom, either way they work well, the higher up the mast you go, the better the angle of the lazyjacks and the better to hold the sail as it's lowered.

 

[vyv_cox]

Try to avoid fixing anything permanently at first. I have adjusted mine several times to get the sail to pack better. When I first started I tied the blocks to the spreaders and used adjustable reefing attachments on my Kemp boom for the aft lazyjacks and the vang attachment for the forward one. Once positions are established you can make the fittings permanent.

With a 16 foot boom I think you will need four falls on the lazyjacks.

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

I made up a similar system except that the thimbles are nylon - less chance of damage to the sails. The lower ends of the lines are attached to a home-made 'sail-catcher' that is permanently in place. After dropping the main I simply zip the catcher shut and open the beer! One other thing: for adjusting the tension, the last line (closer to the mast) is taken through a SS triangle that is attached to the catcher. The line in doubled onto the standing part and is made fast with a rolling hitch.
Good luck!

Wally

 

[johnsomerhausen]

The best source of information on instaling lazyjacks is in Anne Hammick's "Ocean Cruising on a Budget", wheere she describes the making and has a drawing that makes it clear. I've also used nylon thinbles (black ones because they resist the UV better). One modification I made on Anne H's design is that I put two fairleads on the mast, about one meter above the spreaders and pass tje line through them on their way down to two small nylon cleats about seven feet above the cabin top. That way, when I slacken the lines, I can hook the lazyjacks on the reef hooks at the gooseneck, thereby making mainsail hoisting easier and also allowing me to use the original sail cover.
john

 

[Guest]

I devised a VERY simple system for my last boat. Tied two loops into the topping lift and ran a line through each and attached each one to a line running under the boom. You end up with the sail running through permanant loops which can be tensioned by the topping lift and you can still use a normal sail cover.

Regards,

Peter
http://www.mistressofmourne.com

 

[hillyarder]

Peter
I like the sound of this. Simple and most of all cheap. I'll try this before I spend any more money I havent got.
Cheers

 

[ccscott49]

This is the way its done on gaff boats, but they have twin topping lifts.

 

[andy_wilson]

Dimensions, parts list and comprehensive......

instructions, follow the link.

http://www.coatesmarine.demon.co.uk/r46-99.htm

 

[ean_p]

Re: Dimensions, parts list and comprehensive......

are full battens needed for the lazy jacks to work well or can they be used with any sail with moderate roach and battens??

 

[andy_wilson]

Re: Dimensions, parts list and comprehensive......

Doesn't need full battens, though they probably help a little (mine are extra long but not full.

What it really needs is some way of gathering the reefing lines in to stop them strangling the occupants of the cocpit as the boom swings to and fro when the sail is handed.