andrewbartlett
New member
Whilst on the subject of lazyjacks does anyone have a simple DIY plan for fitting lazyjacks on a small 20' cruiser with 110 sq. ft. main ,24' mast, 10'2" boom ?
Lazy jacks
- Thread starter emandvee44
- Start date
Poignard
Well-known member
I should think with a short boom like that a simple inverted Y would do.
Before I fitted mine I spent some time wandering around a marina looking at what arrangements other people had and asking if they were happy with it.
Vara
Active member
Barton's website has a diagram for a lazy jack system for smaller boats, they also sell all bits you need.
http://www.bartonmarine.com/tech-in...structions-for-lightweight-lazy-jack-kit1.asp
http://www.bartonmarine.com/tech-in...structions-for-lightweight-lazy-jack-kit1.asp
Lady Campanula
N/A
A few observations.....
On 3 boats now, and up to 10 years' in service, the l/js are secured to the spreader roots and not to pop-rivetted dedicated fittings on the mast wall.
How? A 10" length of Velcro hook-and-loop tape, each side, around the spreader roots, each securing a s/s ring to which the upper span of the l/j is tied/spliced.
These upper spans initially were led back down the mast and back to the cockpit for adjustment. It was found much easier to terminate each upper span at the spreader roots/ring, and make the adjustments at the boom end.
Stainless rings were used, 'cos I had them. The l/j cords were tied off initially until optimum lengths determined, then back-spliced very simply to secure the rings 'permanently'.
No chafe, no noise, no pop rivets, virtually no cost. Just works....
On 3 boats now, and up to 10 years' in service, the l/js are secured to the spreader roots and not to pop-rivetted dedicated fittings on the mast wall.
How? A 10" length of Velcro hook-and-loop tape, each side, around the spreader roots, each securing a s/s ring to which the upper span of the l/j is tied/spliced.
These upper spans initially were led back down the mast and back to the cockpit for adjustment. It was found much easier to terminate each upper span at the spreader roots/ring, and make the adjustments at the boom end.
Stainless rings were used, 'cos I had them. The l/j cords were tied off initially until optimum lengths determined, then back-spliced very simply to secure the rings 'permanently'.
No chafe, no noise, no pop rivets, virtually no cost. Just works....
andrewbartlett
New member
So far very interesting and helpful indeed! Thanks
emandvee44
Well-known member
Lazy Jacks
Hello All.
Just opened the thread and really amazed at the number of replies. Thank you all for your suggestions which are of great help to me and I am sure many others reading the thread.
Cheers,
Michael.
Hello All.
Just opened the thread and really amazed at the number of replies. Thank you all for your suggestions which are of great help to me and I am sure many others reading the thread.
Cheers,
Michael.
Boathook
Well-known member
How about splicing or stiching the line around a nylon thimble?
+1 though I have read all the posts yet !
Poignard
Well-known member
You'll need some simple arrangement to be able to take the lazy jacks forward to the mast so that the battens don't get foul of them when hoisting the mainsail.
I just hitch mine round the cleats that the lazy jack 'halyards' are belayed on.
I just hitch mine round the cleats that the lazy jack 'halyards' are belayed on.
Lady Campanula
N/A
Don't need all that extra 'kerfuffle'. I slacken 'em at the boom end, go head to wind, and hoist with a careful eye on the one batten that might catch. That's it.
Poignard
Well-known member
Don't need all that extra 'kerfuffle'. I slacken 'em at the boom end, go head to wind, and hoist with a careful eye on the one batten that might catch. That's it.
How do you go head to wind under sail?
charles_reed
Active member
Only my 1st 2 battens catch up on my lazyjacks - it's easier & faster, single handed, to head directly into wind whilst getting sail up, than to have the constant bother of moving them to and fro and getting the tension just right. No sail chafe in 20 years but plenty of lazyjack replacement (always the top element) so I keep at least 1 ready-made-up.
Interesting developments in some big catamarans (probably too new for UK waters) where the boom is a deep V acting as the boom bag and they just have a little zip-up cover.
charles_reed
Active member
Under hard-sheeted genoa - you'll be within 30deg of apparent and the traveller can take up the variance.
Frequently do it to keep my hand in, rather than use the engine, and it works quite well.
Alternatively, if enough wind just come up head to wind, and let the main halyard go - tends to be untidy with trailing reef-lines all over the place.