Poignard
Well-known member
What type and diameter of cordage would the Forum's pundits recommend for the lazy jacks on a 28-ft bermudan sloop?
Lazy jacks - advice please
- Thread starter Poignard
- Start date
marklucas
Active member
Too early in the morning!
Last edited:
Bobc
Well-known member
I think the OP means for a stackpack main, rather than Jackstays.
I would say that something about 4mm should do you. It doesn't take any real load, so cheap multiplat is fine.
I would say that something about 4mm should do you. It doesn't take any real load, so cheap multiplat is fine.
vyv_cox
Well-known member
Mine are quite small, perhaps 5 mm. I use plastic sail slide attachments as turning blocks on the stays, perfectly adequate, lighter and cheaper.
RobinBirch
Active member
On my 28 ft Hillyard I used 5 mm and stainless steel rings. Made single handing so much easier! From recollection there's a fair bit of info on the net.
Lodesman77
Member
28ft Stag - 6mm and stainless rings. I had a length of 6mm handy and the rings are better than blocks...
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Robin
Well-known member
4-5mm braided so with a smooth outer finish and use nylon thimbles for bearing blocks where the split to two bottom lines is. As others said, they take no load they are there just to guide the sail. Stretch is good too as if they are adjustable say at the mast and I prefer that and you left them too tight they will stretch when the boom is sheeted hard without putting strain where it shouldn't be.
oldsaltoz
New member
Braided fishing line (Cordage) with stainless steel rings and 3 'D' fixings under the boom, also had the whole system on a separate halyard through the front of the mast so it was easy to maintain/adjust and could be stowed on long trips.
Good luck and fair winds. ~ ><((((º> <º}}}}>< ~
Good luck and fair winds. ~ ><((((º> <º}}}}>< ~
minnitt
New member
4 - 6 mm braided.
more importantly do not rig in a permanent way - leave adjustable/disposable. on my boat i only use them for sail drop - on lift i put them away by lengthening the mast fall and tucking around winches on the mast.
michael minnitt
charles_reed
Active member
I started with 4mm and have gradually worked my way up to 6mm.
Contrary to the opinion expressed here mine take the weight of the boom when dropping the main (OK some load is on the gas strut), because lazyjacks need to be taut when dropping the main if they are to do their job properly.
A boon for single handers (my main is probably bigger than many posters being just over 35m2), originally there was no stackpack or full battens on the main when I got the boat and dropping the main single-handed was problematic.
Contrary to the opinion expressed here mine take the weight of the boom when dropping the main (OK some load is on the gas strut), because lazyjacks need to be taut when dropping the main if they are to do their job properly.
A boon for single handers (my main is probably bigger than many posters being just over 35m2), originally there was no stackpack or full battens on the main when I got the boat and dropping the main single-handed was problematic.
Lakesailor
New member
Did he mention jackstays?
emandvee44
Well-known member
Lazy jacks cordage
Some very good points made above.
I am replacing ours at the moment and have got all the bits and pieces together. Cordage will be 6mm nylon 3 strand, and hardware as shown in the photo.
Our lazy bag has a bolt rope in the boom slot, and is actually suspended on the lazy lines, so once they are adjusted there is some flexibility in the system so that the boom position can be adjusted up and down to suit conditions. However, the terminations on the bag (4 each side), will have 3 of them tied on so that adjustments can be made. The last one (aft) will be spliced on and that is the one in the picture.
The stainless rings (in lieu of small blocks), are 5mm diameter which look about right for the rope diameter.
The triangle fittings were cut to fit onto the webbing eyes, and the gaps will be taped over.
Splices will be covered with heat shrink to give a neat finish.
Total cost of materials euros 48.50.
And in answer to the OP - 4 or 5mm should be ok.
Michael.
Some very good points made above.
I am replacing ours at the moment and have got all the bits and pieces together. Cordage will be 6mm nylon 3 strand, and hardware as shown in the photo.
Our lazy bag has a bolt rope in the boom slot, and is actually suspended on the lazy lines, so once they are adjusted there is some flexibility in the system so that the boom position can be adjusted up and down to suit conditions. However, the terminations on the bag (4 each side), will have 3 of them tied on so that adjustments can be made. The last one (aft) will be spliced on and that is the one in the picture.
The stainless rings (in lieu of small blocks), are 5mm diameter which look about right for the rope diameter.
The triangle fittings were cut to fit onto the webbing eyes, and the gaps will be taped over.
Splices will be covered with heat shrink to give a neat finish.
Total cost of materials euros 48.50.
And in answer to the OP - 4 or 5mm should be ok.
Michael.
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akyaka
New member
We use 6mm 3 strand with stainless O rings.They are spliced on the bag except the two outers which are each fixed to an adjuster.Ensure that the turning block at the mast is at at least 70% of the mast length above its foot and you should have no problems when hoisting or lowering the main
vyv_cox
Well-known member
Wording from the OP suggested he meant lazyjacks. If not we have all wasted valuable pixels.
onesea
Well-known member
Allot of agreement going on here so I will add mine.
Rope 6mm
Stainless rings (about 5mm dia) (£3.50 for pair I think).
I would suggest Braid on Braid on braid (Less issue with kinking)
Leave enough slack so you can pull out of the way to the mast once sail is down and secured.
Its easier to hoist, it looks nicer, reduces the wind-age and you can use your existing boom cover.
Rope 6mm
Stainless rings (about 5mm dia) (£3.50 for pair I think).
I would suggest Braid on Braid on braid (Less issue with kinking)
Leave enough slack so you can pull out of the way to the mast once sail is down and secured.
Its easier to hoist, it looks nicer, reduces the wind-age and you can use your existing boom cover.
Poignard
Well-known member
Yes - by 'lazy jacks' I did mean 'sail catchers'.
And thanks for the advice so far - and for any more that comes in.
And thanks for the advice so far - and for any more that comes in.
Stork_III
Well-known member
3 strand rope can be a bit harsh causing wear on the sail. I think 6mm multibraid is best, with whipped eyes at junction, don't really need rings or small blocks.
ianfr
Well-known member
Hi
I am rigging mine this year as we are fitting a stack pack.
I am using 6mm braid and stainless rings following the plan
given here http://slowflight.net/upgrades/lazyjacks_how-to.html
This plan allows you to drop the lines out of the way while hoisting.
Regards
ian
I am rigging mine this year as we are fitting a stack pack.
I am using 6mm braid and stainless rings following the plan
given here http://slowflight.net/upgrades/lazyjacks_how-to.html
This plan allows you to drop the lines out of the way while hoisting.
Regards
ian
dt4134
New member
Have found 5mm braid perfectly OK for a 56 square metre mainsail. Suggest you don't need to go over that for the main on a 28' boat.
Bobc
Well-known member
I should hope not. All they do is support the bag and guide the sail down when dropping. They're not supposed to hold the weight of the boom (that's what your topping lift's for).
A nice length of strong shockchord up the mast each side as a tail works well. It allows a constant tension to stay in the lines no matter how you adjust the boom.
As far as size goes, 4mm or 5mm will be fine. You don't want to go any bigger than that on a boat your size.
