Lazy-jacks

[backstay]

I was considering fitting lazy-jacks as I sail single handed a lot but am a little concerned over reports of excessive main sail wear or damage caused by the lazy-jacks. Can anyone on here advise if this is correct or what is the correct method of using lazy-jacks. I would have thought only to deploy them when needed, keeping them along the bottom of the main boom and maybe tied with some thread to the goose neck until needed. Most I have seen seem to be up all the time and indeed rubbing on the mainsail.

Any opinions would be much appreciated as I have no wish to ruin my main.

Thanks in advance

 

[mirabriani]

Blasted clever clogs girl next to me not only made her own,
but also made them so she can take them forward to the mast.
Kits are available for the less acomplished like myself.

Regards Briani

 

[Abigail]

Depends a bit how much you sail. We plan to take them off or forward on long passages, but love them to bits, combined with one of those 'stak-a-oaks' (tho that's just one trade name for coastal and day sailing. So far no evident ill effects and we do keep an eye on it.

 

[backstay]

That was what i was thinking of doing - making my own but being able to take them forward to the mast out of the way when not in use. Any change of a sketch of how "the girl next door" laid her's out.

 

[castaway]

I fitted lazyjacks last season as I also sail s/handed a lot.

Dead simple with a bit of common sense, I kept it straight forward and didn't even bother with blocks on the the 'falls'. I just did a simple splice ( I can only do simple splices!).

The uphauls go to small blocks on each of the spreaders, and then down to a cleat at the base of the mast.

I have it so it can be slacked of if on a longish trip, and I can tie 'em forward to the tack, but actually dont always bother, even with a brand new mainsl there is no sign, after a season, of any marks.

I think my set up was about as cheap as its possible to do, and works fine.

Regds Nick

www.yachtsite.co.uk/fairweather

 

[ccscott49]

Did mine exactly the same, but put the turning blocks higher up on the mast, the falls then come to the "granny bars" (mast pulpit) simple really to make your own.

 

[Guest]

Basically only a collection of loines set at verticals from a diagonal .... to set back to mast - that only needs a tie of along the boom to deploy .... to allow it all to go back .. can even do it with an endless whip .... so that you can do it backi and forth from cockpit !

/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[Guest]

Verticals ...

Spliced into diagonal ...
Rolling hitch onto diagonal - allows adjustment if required ...
Double sheet-bend made onto small bights of diagonal ...

No need for blocks or anti-chafe covers if bend / knot is made nice and neat. Self amalgamating tape over ends ...

As to blocks on spreaders ? why ? - the lazy-j's stay up in same position near permanent so they can simply be passed over the spreaders and back down to cleats allows diagonals to find natural setting ....... If they need replacement at any time - the old provides tail to pull new up and over ...

 

[mirabriani]

I am afraid I do not know how to post a sketch,
try http://www.ne-ts.com/ar/ar-402jacks.html
by Tom (another clever-clogs)

I do hope this helps
Regards Briani

 

[mirabriani]

Hey!
I've done a link!!!!!!!

Learning all ze time!

Braini

 

[ongolo]

I use mine as lazy jacks and topping lifts. The leeward side is slackenend and brought to the mast, the wind ward side stays away from the sail anyway when used in light winds as topping lifts. Otherwise I can bring them both to the masts.

I have single blocks with beckets on either side of booms and a single about 1.5m above the boom.

regars ongolo


Braini, vot is yous saying?? must have a looken peepen.

 

[Guest]

Simple idea :

single line of 4mm along under boom from gooseneck to outer end. Fastened by snap hook at outer end / bungee.

At approx 60% boom length a length of 4mm is halved, rolling hitched to under boom line. Ends taken up to over boom.
At mid point gooseneck to 60% point or where you feel is best, another longer length of 4mm halved and rolling hitch to under boom line line etc.

The 2 over spreader to under boom lines are calculated length using pythagoras 3-4-5 triangle calculation for diagonal, + mast height to spreaders + 10% for adjustment.

Attach diagonal to reference point used for calculation .... at about 80-90% boom length.

Attach verticals to diagonal by rolling hitches ...

Please note that this entire concoction can be made at home on the floor / lawn etc. .... laying out the lines to match the set on board. Once all made up .... roll up and off to boat.

Now comes the clever part .... you either get a brave sod to climb mast and drop diagonal tails over spreaders, or use a weight with light line attached to 'throw' over the spreader - then attach diagonal to pull up and over - make of to cleats SLACK .... doing each side of course AND remembering to pass under the boom !!

Now pull out under boom line to boom length and attach both ends etc. Now adjust over spreader diagonal lines ....

QED .....

 

[mirabriani]

"Learning all ze time"
Benny Hill 1970's 80's
cannot remember
as Jimi says I'm a dribbling wreck!

Regards Briani

 

[wiggy]

I have my lazy jacks set up so that boom sits supported by topping lift lower than it does when sailing (topping lift is slack and does not need to be loosened for sailing) the lazy jacks are tight when the boom is supported by topping lift. When you hoist the main boom lifts up topping lift loosens as does lazy jacks (home made), no wear no adjusting no hassle. Easy solution to fitting jacks at mast is to go above spreaders round mast and back down the other side, no blocks no expense and work a treat.

 

[JOHNOO]

Thats the correct way to rig lazy jacks. Even better if you have a fully battened mainsail. I have sailed 24000 miles with no chafe .