Lazee jacks

[Wansworth]

I noticed that some yachts have their lazy jacks fastened on the spreaders so making a wider gap to hoist the main.Is this an improvement to the system and does it reduce snagging ,which I seem to suffer as a new userof lazy jacks.

 

[Ex-SolentBoy]

I noticed that some yachts have their lazy jacks fastened on the spreaders so making a wider gap to hoist the main.Is this an improvement to the system and does it reduce snagging ,which I seem to suffer as a new userof lazy jacks.

It helps a bit but can look funny.

Assuming you mean snagging when hoisting the sail of course easing the mainsheet helps, but in my view the best solution is to lead the lazy jacks back down the mast so that they can easily be lowered. Ease the lazy jacks, hoist the main, then lift them back up ready for the sail drop.

 

[Wansworth]

It helps a bit but can look funny.

Assuming you mean snagging when hoisting the sail of course easing the mainsheet helps, but in my view the best solution is to lead the lazy jacks back down the mast so that they can easily be lowered. Ease the lazy jacks, hoist the main, then lift them back up ready for the sail drop.

Ah,bit of lateral thinking.....could be a good way,thanks!

 

[MoodySabre]

Try making the aft triangle of lazyjack strings a bit smaller. This will make the lines lower so that you are less likely to catch the battens on them. You don't need much height in the l/jacks at the aft end as most of the sail falls whee the forward fixing points are.

 

[Wansworth]

Try making the aft triangle of lazyjack strings a bit smaller. This will make the lines lower so that you are less likely to catch the battens on them. You don't need much height in the l/jacks at the aft end as most of the sail falls whee the forward fixing points are.

Thanks,from my limited use of LJ it seems a good idea especially keepin the sail on the boom taking down sail.The boat is now laid up but a lowering of the cradleof string might be the answer.

 

[PlankWalker]

A plastic snaphook on the very aft branch of the LJ can help.

The leward one can be unhooked and moved to a position at the forward end of the boom prior to hoisting the main.

All potential snags are thus moved forward causing no problems.

Plank

 

[KINGFISHER 9]

My top batten tends to catch on the lazyjacks ... as they've got a bungee section I was thinking of making up a line, maybe also bungee, with hooks on to pass round the front of the mast and hooked on to the lazyjacks somewhere, each side, thus pulling the whole lot towards the mast and ensuring the batten doesn't get stuck at the top, and it could be released as soon as the sail is up ... that's the plan anyway! Every time I pull the main up, which is done from the mast rather than the cockpit, I tell myself I must try this ... one day I will! .... unless someone has a better, or easier, idea.

 

[nigelmercier]

I noticed that some yachts have their lazy jacks fastened on the spreaders so making a wider gap to hoist the main.Is this an improvement to the system and does it reduce snagging ,which I seem to suffer as a new userof lazy jacks.

If you are head to wind, you won't get snagging.

 

[ianfr]

I use a system which has a downhaul to get the lazy jacks away from the sail while hoisting. It REALLY works. If you can find the original try googling Skip meisch lazy jacks. The original website hasn't got it anymore, but its worth looking for. Or PM me with your email address and I will send you the description and diagrams.

Regards

Ian

 

[Resolution]

I noticed that some yachts have their lazy jacks fastened on the spreaders so making a wider gap to hoist the main.Is this an improvement to the system and does it reduce snagging ,which I seem to suffer as a new userof lazy jacks.

Mine are attached to the spreaders and, whilst it may reduce snagging, it certainly does not eliminate it.

 

[rotrax]

Had a bit of snagging early on when we got our latest boat. Now First Mate keeps her dead into the wind and I hoist slowly, untill the battens clear the lines and then get the rest up. Have not had to lower and re-hoist for ages.The trick seems to be to watch the leach flapping as you hoist, and the anticipate the movement so you hoist when the leach is central. Once my second batten is clear the others dont snag.

 

[trapezeartist]

My old lazyjack system used to go to the hounds, and there were a couple of bits of bungee from the ends of the spreaders, pulling the bits of string apart. On the Mk II version the top of the lazyjacks go through blocks halfway along the spreaders and then down to clam cleats for adjustment. I haven't had a snag since changing to the Mk II and I don't really think about it any longer.

 

[TQA]

This is for those who leave their lazy jacks in place when hoisting the main,

What do you do with the lazy jacks when sailing to prevent chafe?

 

[BAtoo]

This is for those who leave their lazy jacks in place when hoisting the main,

What do you do with the lazy jacks when sailing to prevent chafe?

Slacken the hoist of the LJs a little. (I have no blocks on my LJs & the rope is quite soft).
If in "keen racing mode" I slacken right off and pull the LJs down & hook around the reefing horn & re-tighten the hoist and I roll the cover and tie to the boom through the loose footed main.

 

[ianfr]

This is for those who leave their lazy jacks in place when hoisting the main,

What do you do with the lazy jacks when sailing to prevent chafe?

The system I have, has a downhaul so all the lines are away from the sail and mast when hoisting. See previous reply and PM me if you want the details.

Ian

 

[TQA]

The system I have, has a downhaul so all the lines are away from the sail and mast when hoisting. See previous reply and PM me if you want the details.

Ian

I was just having a little gentle stir coz if you have to slacken move them AFTER hoisting you may as well do it before hoisting.

I have lazy jacks as part of Stack pack and lead them forward to the mast prior to hoisting the main. Solves both the problems of the battens catching and sail chafe.