Cruising Sailors Forum Archive

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• I've never sailed a boat with Lazy Jacks. What do I need to know?
  • well..
  • if you decide to buy
  • Will your new sail have battens?
  • Look at the simple, inexpensive, effective Harken kit.
    • The price at Defender has gone up a lot in 20 plus years!
  • EZ-JAX
  • Always had a problem with mine.
    • Oops, saw that only your top batten was full
  • My system.
  • I sailed for years without lazy jacks on my boat, only got around to rigging them last year...
    • ditch the blocks.
      • Good case for my battenless Main.
      • I still like to have the option of hoisting the main with the jacks deployed...
        • I always hoist with the jacks deployed
          • That's funny because I hardly ever
          • I usually stow one side before raising.
          • As my dad used to say ...
            • Your dad was right. You have to know when to stop designing, and start mocking things up.
              • I was never good at either.
      • diagram
  • The only thing I might add to the rest
  • This info is a huge help. Several mistakes have been averted,
    • So what details will change?
      • I'll attach blocks to the spreaders instead of the mast.
        • Blocks on spreaders sounds good, But...
          • that might be wise.
          • How much weight/force are we talking about?
            • If you have a topping lift
              • I do have a topping lift that will surely remain.
                • Too bad. Our Garhauer ridgid was a wonderful addition
                  • I've never seen one mounted on a wood spar.
                    • AHHHHH! $$$$$
                    • I don't know. Mine is SS and I don't think
          • You could also add...
          • Low load
  • Agree with Al S, Steve and Jon E with one exception
  • Been through a few iterations...
    • PS. Here is a link to these little blocks...
  • I've never had a problem with chafe
  • I made mine from 3/16" Sta-Set
  • Tom: Is you main going to be loose footed?
    • Not at this point. The sail is not yet started,
      • My new mainsail with full battens works fine with the original bronze mast track.
        • That's interesting, Paul. My sailmaker thinks I'll have problems.
          • No, he just asked if I wanted full battens
            • Who built your sail,Paul?
              • Jan Pedersen at Bayview Rigging and Sails
                • Glad you chimed in, Paul. I think I'm going full batten.
                  • You'll love the full battens with all the light air sailing you do.
                    • I'm really looking forward to it. Thanks for the help, Paul.
          • I don't know what the big deal with fully battenes mains are? I've
            • There is a big safety advantage
              • That's a good and very well established point.
        • I think that they a set-up where you can use a batt slide on a conventional track.
      • I always regretted not getting the main I wanted
      • +1 on the full battens
      • The sail shape is better. I don't see why not?
        • I have to start from scratch rigging a reefing system.
          • In that case, why wouldn't you use the loose footed main?
            • Habit?
              • Yes, it's moved from rain to sleet to snow...but back to booms
                • I like a loose footed main
                  • I just noticed I had a reef in the main
                    • Am I loosing my memory? I though we
                      • Left Ft. Lauderdale for Ca. in early 2005. Left Ca. with the HaHa in 2007
                • I'm looking into it and have asked the sail maker what he thinks with my boom.
                  • Answer; "There is no downside to a loose footed main".
                    • What about the classic look?
                      • He did this main on a friends 60's Aage Neilsen.
                        • Here's a closer photo.
                          • That loose material looks wrong
                    • One possible downside
                      • Outhaul with big mechanical advantage.
      • Going loose foot.
        • We have a spectra strap (with velcro laminated)
          • Do you guys have pics? I don't understand what you're describing.
            • The outhaul pull the sail back; and, a strop keeps the clew close to the boom (i.e., not rising up)
              • Good use of the word.
                • I have won't to able to us another word...
          • Ditto, works great and is as simple as it gets.
          • Tom won't need a strap for the clew
  • Stowing the lazy jacks and the mainsail cover
    • Dutchman
  • DIY Lazy Jacks