Fixing Lazy Jacks to the boom

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ifoxwell

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Just fitting some lazy jacks to a 32ft Jeanneau and looking for a clever method of attaching them to the boom.

I have a slot running along the bottom of the boom but with no open ends and although I have an open slot on top, I want to keep this clear to facilitate sail changes.

I'm trying to avoid riveting lacing eyes in strategic places but cant think of an alternative.

Any ideas out there?

Ian
 
ifoxwell said:
Just fitting some lazy jacks to a 32ft Jeanneau and looking for a clever method of attaching them to the boom.

I have a slot running along the bottom of the boom but with no open ends and although I have an open slot on top, I want to keep this clear to facilitate sail changes.

I'm trying to avoid riveting lacing eyes in strategic places but cant think of an alternative.

Any ideas out there?

Ian
Click to expand...

lacing eyes either side of the boom & tie the lazyjack lines together under the boom, then the loads are taken by the boom
 
Yup I know that's the conventional way, I was just hoping some one might have a clever alternative.

Like some kind of fitting that I can get into the lower groove even though i don't have access?

I'll dry holes if I have to but just trying to avoid it.

Ian
 
I am thinking of fitting lazy jacks by threading a line through kicking strap attachment eye and similar at mainsheet eye ( mainsheet attachment point is set forward of boom end) and using existing boom up haul to keep it all up. A small balance block on the loop one side of boom and ends on other side clipped to up haul should allow lazyjacks to self align around the boom.
 
Our lazy jacks are attached to the boom cover. The top 2 sides of the boom cover have full length battens and the lazy jacks are attached to the battens with little shackles (that go through the cover and battens). The boom cover and lazy jacks are strong enough to act as a topping lift (and that's how the boat was built) but we added a topping lift anyway - good belt and braces.

But you must be able to access the slot through the boom end fittings, either at the gooseneck or outboard end. Our fittings are attached by 'sort of' fancy allen bolts (the sort that look like stars).

Jonathan
 
J Neeves said:
But you must be able to access the slot through the boom end fittings, either at the gooseneck or outboard end. Our fittings are attached by 'sort of' fancy allen bolts (the sort that look like stars).

Jonathan
Click to expand...
I understand that that varies with the age of spar, earlier ones tended to have both ends riveted on, later are as you describe.
From personal attempts to tame a relatively large main I think the OP should consider the addition of lazyjacks as part of fitting a Stackpack type cover as you describe. On their own the LJs may well turn out to be disappointing.
 
johnphilip said:
I understand that that varies with the age of spar, earlier ones tended to have both ends riveted on, later are as you describe.
From personal attempts to tame a relatively large main I think the OP should consider the addition of lazyjacks as part of fitting a Stackpack type cover as you describe. On their own the LJs may well turn out to be disappointing.
Click to expand...

I've just come across sailrite.com - not looked deeply but looks like they have some very nice diy videos including one which is over an hour showing to make a stackpack and lazyjacks. I'm tempted!
 
Re, the cant you use the slot under the boom.... well unfortunately the kicker fitting is riveted into place effectively closing off access via the gooseneck and the other end is the riveted in place.... removable but I dont like fiddling with things that arnt broke.

Ian
 
sailorman said:
FFS how is a "clever" alternative better than a simple one :sleeping:
Click to expand...

The simple, accepted method means holes in the boom, dissimilar metals, and permanent fixings.... all of which are potentially bad. Especially as this will be the first time they are fitted to the boat and I may find i want to move them at some point.

Surely its better to open ones mind to alternatives before just jumping in....
 
johnphilip said:
I understand that that varies with the age of spar, earlier ones tended to have both ends riveted on, later are as you describe.
From personal attempts to tame a relatively large main I think the OP should consider the addition of lazyjacks as part of fitting a Stackpack type cover as you describe. On their own the LJs may well turn out to be disappointing.
Click to expand...

I don't like the idea of a stackpack cover, just to cruise'y.... but having struggled to organize the sail neatly in any kind of breeze I do miss not having the lazy jacks. They don't have to completely contain the sail just control it so that I have time to pack it away when its more convenient. Sailing single handed on a river you dont always have the luxury of time to sort out a wayward sail.

Ian
 
I fitted lazy lines and could not get the boom end fitting off easily. So instead of the 'normal' slide in eye for the track at the bottom I found some staggered ones. They fit into the slot and you twist about 20 degrees and then tighten up the grub screw. Sorry but can't recall where I got them from. They are out there and you don't need to drill or take off end fittings.
 
I used small stainless steel 'D' brackets riveted into the slot under the boom, the lazy jack line just passes through the "D' with no knots.

I also used 500 pound braided fishing line and stainless steel rings to adjust the jack lines till perfect then cut and burnt the ends to stop any fraying.

That was about 5 years ago and still good.

Good luck and fair winds. :)
 
Why not a tight strong line on the underside of the boom from kicker fitting via mainsheet attachment to the clew end? Use this as an attachment for the lazyjacks. This gives the opportunity to try varying positions to check the best operation without drilling the boom for new fittings. It will enable checking how many lines are needed to get a satisfactory catch of the sail. Once happy go for a permanent fixing.
 
johnphilip said:
Why not a tight strong line on the underside of the boom from kicker fitting via mainsheet attachment to the clew end? Use this as an attachment for the lazyjacks. This gives the opportunity to try varying positions to check the best operation without drilling the boom for new fittings. It will enable checking how many lines are needed to get a satisfactory catch of the sail. Once happy go for a permanent fixing.
Click to expand...

That's I good idea, not permanent but it gets me started.

Thanks

Ian
 
Get 2 sail slugs. Cut them in half along their length.
Slide each half into the slot which should be easy as they are now half thickness
Bring the 2 halves back together & glue them so they now form a conventional slug
When the line comes to the slug pass it round the hole twice so it effectively supports the 2 glued halves together

Alternatively - & possibly the easiest- buy a length of aluminium strip from B & Q
Cut 2 pieces 1.5 inches long & bend each one to an "L" shape- experiment to get the shortest length to work
Put them back to back in the groove ( so it now forms a "T") & put a 3mm bolt through them- or even a pop rivet
Drill a small hole in the tails & fit a 3 or 4mm shackle in the hole.
Fix the line to that
File or grind the sharp edges so it looks neat

To stop either of the above options sliding along the track put a self tapping screw in the track
You could fix a 3mm line inside the groove & tie each new slug to that so it pulls from the outer end of the boom
This means you can adjust the position & not put holes in the boom until you are satisfied with the position
 
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