lazy jacks

[dbruce85]

Here is a link for a DIY Lazy Jack system.
I only wish I had seen it a couple years ago when I had my mast down
DIY EZ-Jax

[Waltthesalt]

I put my fixed end on the spreaders about 10 in out and the adjustable end on the boom. (a smaller boat than yours) I also used round sailmakers thimbles for the eyes that the lower legs go thru. You don't want a sharp edge there that could chafe the sails. I've only heard bad things about running the adjusting lined intreior to the boom.

[starlightventure]

Ok, but how do you make the fancy braided loops in the rope ends that the steel rings are in ?

[PalmettoSailor]

Originally Posted by starlightventure

Ok, but how do you make the fancy braided loops in the rope ends that the steel rings are in ?

New England Ropes - Splicing Guide

[osirissail]

Originally Posted by dbruce85

Here is a link for a DIY Lazy Jack system.
I only wish I had seen it a couple years ago when I had my mast down
DIY EZ-Jax

- - It depends upon the length of your boom as to whether you need two, three or 4 lines terminating at the boom. You want enough "capture" lines at the boom to contain the sail on the boom and not allow it to fall between the lnes off the boom.
- - I would suggest though that you substitute the littlest blocks from Schaeffer or others - for the "rings." As you sail and use the system the "rings" will chafe through the other lines. The little blocks will allow the lines to move as necessary without any chafing.

[jmolan]

1/4" or 3/16" SK-75 (Dyneema, Spectra, Amsteel) is plenty slick enough you can eliminate the hard eyes or blocks in the lazy Jack system. Just a soft eye, made with a very simple double tuck brummell splice. It is one of the "soft solutions" that the super strong, super slick ropes can address.

I have just "built" a new topping lift from the same material. I used a new style eye for the block. Eliminate moving parts. This is the kind of tech. stuff that cruisers can use, most of it cam down through the race world....

I could not post photo's, so I attached them to the top URL below.

[osirissail]

- - I built my lazy jack system from Home Depot 1/4" nylon line $5 plus Schaeffer blocks @$14 each. Depending upon how big your boom is you can use the 2, 3, or 4 lines system which meands 4, 6, or 8 blocks. The little Schaeffers and the line all added up to about $100 plus or minus 30 bucks. My system has been in active use in the Caribbean sun for 10 years and still works fine. The commercial kits sold in boat stores start around $200 and go up to about $450 for the really big systems. It was another $100 for cloth and zipper to make the "bag" system for covering the sail. Of course, I did all the work and sewing myself with saved about $1,000 or enough to buy a Sailrite sewing machine which then enabled me to sew up bimini, hatch covers, awnings, and dozens of other canvas projects saving me mega thousands of dollars. You will have to learn how to do the stuff, but Sailrite has excellent guide books and instructional videos or you can get a book or two to read up on how to do it.

[firehoser75]

I have a simple lazy jack system on my boat. Just prior to raising the main, I slacken the lazy jacks and pull all of the legs forward to the mast where I "hook" them behind a cleat on the mast. I also take the slack out of the lines so that there is no slapping of loose lines on either the boom or mast. At that time I remove the sail ties as my wife starts to raise the sail. As soon as the last tie is off, I take over the "hard part" or finish raising to the top of the mast.
In this way, the jacks are not in the way to ever catch a batten, and have NO effect on sail trim on any point of sail.
Just prior to lowering the sail, I go forward to the mast to "reposition" and tighten the lazy jacks to catch the sail as it falls. After the sail ties are applied, I then put the sail cover on to protect the sail from the elements (read UV). The lazy jacks stay in place with the cover.
It does involve a (little) bit more work (tightening and loosening the lazy jacks), but it sure makes for easy sail handling (even in relatively big winds)!!

Hope this helps,
Tom

[Maineac38]

Sailing Dog!

Hey, dude! I read your description, on your blog, and I saw the drawing. Would it be imposing to ask you to post a couple of pix of the system? It would really help me out. Where are all the blocks? What size line? Does you main hang up on the jacks going up or downI''ve got a million questions. Sorry... Yours is a 238 ft boat. Ours is 38 ft. Does scaling it up create any unique challenges? Our main is big and hard to handle, even for two. And we've attempted flaking the main with several experienced sailors, on different events. I guess I'm looking for as much info as I can get. I dont' want to start drilling holes, untill I'm sure I've got it right.

Thanks, in advance, for any more advice you might offer.

Michael

[sailingdog]

Mike—

When I get down to the boat this weekend, I'll take some photos of the setup. I'd point out that I only have TWO blocks, which are located on the mast, and that the lazyjacks themselves are using stainless steel rigging rings.

As for what size line... I think it is a 3/16" line... and the main sail doesn't hang up on it at all, since I retract the lazy jacks once the mainsail is furled.

Scaling the system up isn't a big deal... the idea for mine came off a Cross 34 trimaran 20+ years ago.

Any other questions, let me know.

Originally Posted by Maineac38

Sailing Dog!

Hey, dude! I read your description, on your blog, and I saw the drawing. Would it be imposing to ask you to post a couple of pix of the system? It would really help me out. Where are all the blocks? What size line? Does you main hang up on the jacks going up or downI''ve got a million questions. Sorry... Yours is a 238 ft boat. Ours is 38 ft. Does scaling it up create any unique challenges? Our main is big and hard to handle, even for two. And we've attempted flaking the main with several experienced sailors, on different events. I guess I'm looking for as much info as I can get. I dont' want to start drilling holes, untill I'm sure I've got it right.

Thanks, in advance, for any more advice you might offer.

Michael