Lazy Jack - how to use?

[cyrusallen]

Hi, I haven''t used a lazy jack system before - would like to know key tips for raising and lowering the main, as well as sail handling underway. Thanks!

[HHJ]

The only issue I''m aware of is raising the main. If you have battens, be careful the top one or two don''t get caught in the lazy jack''s lines on the way up.

Mine are elastic and easily removed from the boom and stowed on the mast. I leave them in the stowed position until the main is raised, then deploy them so that they''re ready for arrival. That''s when they really prove their worth - making sailhandling in flaking the main much easier.

I''ve had no issues at all while sailing.

[WHOOSH]

I''d suggest folks take a look at the illustration and short discussion on this in Beth Leonard''s cruising handbook. Using the spreaders vs. the mast as the attachment point and the removeable nature of their arrangement makes good enough sense to me that I''m going to use this system. I think HHJ is on target when he points out they only serve a purpose when dropping the main (and perhaps mizzen, altho'' in sun country that usually falls on top of the bimini).

Jack

[Jeff_H]

Mounting lazy jacks on the spreaders is a really bad idea as it can put a lot of impact loading on the spreaders as the boom swings in a seaway. Eventually this will take a very serious toll and could bring down the rig.

Jeff

[WHOOSH]

...but only if they are left rigged in place. Lazy jacks are for dropping a sail in a seaway, not to serve as permanent running rigging. Again, note Beth Leonard''s description of their use on her & Evans'' circumnavigation.

Jack