SailNet Community banner
  • SailNet is a forum community dedicated to Sailing enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about sailing, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, repairs, reviews, maintenance, and more!

pics of sail covers made for lazy jack systems?

15K views 64 replies 18 participants last post by  christian.hess 
#1 ·
hey guys if you have pics of your sail covers for mains with lazy jack systems that tie into the boom that would be great

I need to make a main cover...down here

my boom has 2 sheaves at 1/3rd and 2/3rds the way down the boom...

thanks
 
#3 ·
These can be made two ways. One, as Stumble describes, where the lazy jacks terminate on the boom and the horse blanket has cut outs for the lazy jacks. This cover is removed prior to sailing. The other method is to create a lazy trough that stays on the boom. The lazy jacks hold the trough up, the top of the trough has a full length batten for support. Most troughs are built so they can be lowered and rolled so they are out of the way. The lazy jacks can then be attached to the boom or pulled forward out of the way. I can post pictures of the later style, this is what we use, setting and storing the main is then quick and ease. The top zipper can be on a continuous loop so its easy to zip. Our main halyard also lives on the headboard, its pulled back so it doesn't touch the spar.
 
#7 ·
please do post pics! I think I saw what your talking about...are the sides stowable on the boom? I like the batten ideas...

I do not like the big stak paks and the like(look like big triangles) since they take waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too much area while in use and mess with the airlflow for the first 2 or 3 feet off the boom:)
 
#4 ·
Chris,

Congrats on the new addition. I hope all went and everybody is happy. I also wish you many sleepless nights, right of passage and all!

Ah, but this a sailing thing. SailboatOwners.com has a member called Sumner. He and his wife Ruth do some bang up mods with fabric. For their Mac 25 and Endeavor 32 (I think). Sum posts some great instructional photos of his projects, one of which was a stack pack. Try contacting him. I'm sure he'd love to help. You can also get hold of him at purplesagetradingpost.com. They have all sorts of their suff on their site.

When it comes to sewing, straps, buckles and the like, consider SailRite.com. You'll find everything you need, including kits and instructional videos.

Don
 
#8 ·
Why not configure your jacks so they can be pulled forward and stowed at the mast when not in use?
That is what I do. It also makes raising the main trivial - raise the sail and then pull the lazy jacks back up.
 
#6 ·
thanks guys...I have seen many systems that I wasnt up to date with particularily the stack pack, easy jack and all sorts of jacks that help stow the sail etc...

my primary goal is to not modify the existing system since its in fine condition...in fact it will be my first system like this, I have always had smaller boats that never needed them...

so simply some slits?

I heard of some guys just losening the lazy jacks when cover the sail and then tightening them up after removal?

is that about as simple as it gets?

thanks for all the links
going on google images shows a LOT of ideas, in boom, removable etc...I was just looking for ideally some real life pics from you guys with maybe better angles and ideas so making one wouldnt be too tedious down here

this is my boom system:


the triangles go up to points on the mast and there are lines going down to little cleats...

simple lazy jacks right?

thanks
 
#10 ·
This is mine.
It is based on a Mack stack pack. As you can see the lazy jacks run through grommets near the top of the side pieces. This helps stop things flapping even when the lazy jacks are slackened off and led forward. The zip on the top has a continuous line which means it can be undone standing at the mast and helps when it needs to be zipped up. The sides are attached to the mast with two turnbuckles and a hook per side.

I am happy with it and if it wears out will get it copied without change. I have thought about battens but see no real advantage.
 
#11 ·
I like the Doyle StackPak cover, but it's part of the sail. The way it works, there is a membrane from the sail to the cover, that with the sail raised, pulls the cover tight to the sail. It also allows me to pull the lazy jacks forward for raising the sail. The lazy jacks terminate at the top of the cover, rather than on the boom.

Not sure what boat this is on, but it gives you an idea of it.

 
  • Like
Reactions: christian.hess
#12 ·
Hey,

Here is mine.


I have found out it was made by Sail care and is called the Sail Cradle or something like that.

Sail Care Lazy Jack Kits - Lazy Jacks - Mainsail Handling - Sailboat Hardware & Rigging - Downwind Marine

The kit states that you don't HAVE to modify the sail cover, but my O'day came a sail cover that had been modified (as mentioned, just some slits with zippers) and I find it easier to use that way.

I found it affordable, easy to use, and works well. My O'day came with it and I like it so much I have purchased one for my C&C.

Barry
 

Attachments

#13 · (Edited)
The sail cover wraps around the sail and under the boom....lacings are under the boom. Lazy jacks are slacked while the cover goes on and then tightened.
Simple, but it does take a few minutes to get it on and off and when it's off you need a place to stow it. A friend keeps telling me to get a stack pack, but I like being able to get the sail cover completely off the boom.
 

Attachments

#17 ·
thanks for all the ideas guys

we have an imitation sumbrella fabric down here and upholsterers are everywhere so Ill see how cheap I can get one made down here!

thanks

christian
 
#18 ·
Christian,

I watched the sail maker spec the cover out. With the sail on he took girth measurements every two feet or so from the head of the furled sail to the end of the boom. From those measurements, the sail loft could make a paper pattern and from that the cover itself. It was very simple. If I was to do it again I'd have them leave a bit more slack -- make it a tad baggier.

Fastening the cover is done with a zipper on the leading edge of the mast (the cover goes all the way around the mast) with webbing and plastic snaps to reinforce the top edge, and lacings under the boom.
 
#19 ·
thanks man!

main is going on on monday so I can take more exact measurements...

the one thing I was having doubts on was the use of zippers or not since the big white ones used on canvas cant be had here...just the smaller white ones

I thought about grommets and just lace it up as a compromise and for the bottom use something like tie downs for the sails but sewn in every 8 inches or so

anywho

more pics welcome!
 
#22 ·
thanks luv4sailin

I just installed my main and covered it up temporarily with a cheap tarp

these are my measurements:

e is around 50inches
a or verticak height at mast is 44
l or the neck on top 17
b or overall length under boom is 178 inches
j or end of boom height is 12

the main is actually quite skinny and a bit short for the boom

btw the lazy jacks work great and I dont see any issues somply using a standard straight cover

honestly getting the slits at exactly the right spot might take some tweaking and Im in a hurry


well see what I get quoted for a simple cover down here

thanks
 
#23 ·
By E I mean the length of the boom. Mine is 12 feet and my UK sail cover system is built for a boom of that length or near it. I know most folks like the Stack Pack (Doyle) or Lazy Cradle (UK) systems, but I prefer to remove the cover from the boom completely when sailing, so I'm just getting a traditional sail cover again like I had for years.
 
#24 ·
jaja I was going by a cover diagram by mauri sail covers that showed e as the diagonal dimension of the flaked sail

anywhoo

the mast is just over 13 ft. long

thanks
 
#25 ·
My sail cover has slits and velcro where the lazy jacks tie under the boom. I keep the lazy jacks loose and use my main halyard as a back stay to jack up the boom when I'm in my slip. (I can explain this reasoning, if you like.)

It sounds like you're well on your way to getting this done, but if you want pictures of my setup, I could do that this weekend.
 
#26 ·
no please do...all I have done is take measurements and installed a temporary cover

I just want to keep this simple and low budget...

the lazy jack systems works just fine really...I dont think it will bother me much...

anybody else with pics would be greatly appreciated, even if its just your homemade covers...

thanks

ps I have a nice topping lift so the boom is always taught, honestly I love topping lifts and think all boats should come with them
 
#27 ·
I'd be happy to provide pics. Stand by...

My main is free-standing so there's no topping lift, but I run the main halyard back to the boom for this purpose and it works great. I've been told that the lazy jacks shouldn't hold the weight of the boom all the time, and I see places where the lazy jack lines have scored the boom and mast, so it must be good advice.
 
#28 ·
sounds great...yeah the lazy jacks are only holding the flaked sail

I can see where people would use them as a topping lift and that is a big no no

thanks guys!

christian
 
#29 ·
sounds great...yeah the lazy jacks are only holding the flaked sail

I can see where people would use them as a topping lift and that is a big no no
Really? Bummer.

I'm installing lazy jacks on my little boat this weekend and the kit explicitly says they can be used to hold the boom up.

Currently the boat uses a little short bit (pig tail?) across the split backstays to support the boom. I was hoping to get rid of that.
 
#33 ·
jajaja well it is a small boat so of that happens simply sail into the wind and losen the piggy tail

I quite like them, I think I have had 3 or 4 boats that had them, usually on smaller boats under 30ft...

in fact I still do a version of this by tying the end of the boom off to the backstay so I have less moevement in the wind or when a big gust comes in etc...so the boom stays fixed

a lose boom equals a lose cover a lose cover can go wayward and stuff can come off, lose etc..

I like a tight ship when stowed...no lose ends if you will
 
#34 ·
Yes, for sure that was from personal experience. When you forget (as we all do) just head to wind and unhook it from the boom. I also sail Cal20s, which have the pig tails. They work really great for keeping the boom from dropping on your head when the sails are down (these boats don't have lazy jacks), but dang, just don't forget to undo it when you shove off. It'll keep you close hauled and that's not a pretty feeling when you need to let the sail out....
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top