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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

Lazy Jacks

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Navy1
Navigator

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USA
126 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/07/2008 : 19:10:52

Hi sailors, I want to get a "lazy jack" settup for my 2004 250WB. Is there a prolem with these, such as wear on the mainsail, or anything else I should worry about if I put one on my mast and boom? Is there any particular model that would work best on my boat?
p.s. My condolences to all you sailors in the Wisconsin, Minnesota area who are landlocked and getting a worse case of "cabin fever" like I am in this terrible winter we are having. Luckily I have been making lots of new projects for my sailboat in my woodworking shop. Just don't give me any more ideas for my sailboat to make, as I have enough to install this sring already. ha ha Thanks - Navy Too

Roger Richter

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 03/07/2008 : 20:34:40

Rodger,

This was just recently discussed at some length. Take a look at this thread.

http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=17120&SearchTerms=Lazy,Jacks

Edited by - on

Al
Captain

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USA
269 Posts

Response Posted - 03/07/2008 : 22:19:47

I've always been intrigued by the E-Z-JAX system http://www.ezjax.com/. It's on my one-of-these-days list...

Edited by - on

AADIVER
Admiral

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USA
966 Posts

Response Posted - 03/07/2008 : 23:06:02

Here's my do-it-myself lazy jack system; total cost under 15 bucks. The lines are threaded through small blocks on the bottom of the spreaders, about 18" out from the mast, then run down and secured on a cleat at the boom tack, front of the mast. Real easy installation using a MastMate to climb to the spreaders and attach the blocks. Hey, if I can do it at 75, ANYBODY can do it.

Edited by - AADIVER on 03/07/2008 23:19:43

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 03/08/2008 : 09:09:01

Here is the one I dream about. [url="http://www.thesailingchannel.com/ussbs05/videos/dutchman_ussbs05.htm"]Dutchman[/url]

Frank, that is a nice job!

I didn't enter the fray about this topic on the General forum, getting too opinionated over there. Personally, I like anything that can make the setup and takedown process of sailing easier because it will result in us going sailing more often. I think a sail flaking system fits the bill just fine. There are several, including home-made, solutions available.

Edited by - on

frog0911
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1349 Posts

Response Posted - 03/08/2008 : 09:37:29

Dutchman, one of the General's requirements to purchase the new boat. I have to admit, the General was "RIGHT ON" on this one.

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Navy1
Navigator

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USA
126 Posts

Response Posted - 03/08/2008 : 11:15:02

Well, thanks for everybody replying to my question. I guess at this point I am undecided and will postpone the "lazy jacks" for a later retrofit. Since I will be doing a lot of "trailer sailing" to different lakes and rivers this summer, I don't really want more things to deal with right now, regarding stepping the mast, and getting the boat in and out of the water. If I had my boat in the water all the time at the same slip, I would probably go for the "lazy jacks" now. Roger (Navy Too)

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 03/08/2008 : 12:05:59

Frog, I assume you got model "A." Correct? Do you know the exact kit # you got? I am quite interested in this.

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Steve Blackburn
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1091 Posts

Response Posted - 03/08/2008 : 13:15:52

I'm with Frank. Why the heck pay $200+ for a few lines running down the sails?

The Dutchman is pretty cool too. But I would install this on my next bigger boat.

Here's a picture of a lazy jack setup:

]

What about a Lazy Bag with a a zipper on top? Take the sail down and zip it up.

Edited by - Steve Blackburn on 03/08/2008 13:42:00

frog0911
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1349 Posts

Response Posted - 03/08/2008 : 19:49:17

I have the Dutchman system C with the continuous topping lift set up as a haylard topping lift. There is no part number, but a separate sheet for the catalnia came with the manual. Catalina gets them from Martinus Van Breems Inc., 54a Beach Road, Norwalk, CT. 06855.
Phone - 203-838-0375 Fax. - 203-838-0377
I think I would call Catalina Yachts and purchase it from them. If you go the Dutchman route you will need your sail modified at additional costs.
IMHO a home flaking system would be the way to go until you need a mainsail replacement. Then I would order from Cartalina the works. The main will come in the bag with the system already installed so all you have to do is put it on the boat.

Edited by - on

jfesi
Navigator

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USA
101 Posts

Response Posted - 03/09/2008 : 10:09:46

We added the Doyle Stack Pack system to our main. Then we put a Garhauer rigid vang on and removed the backstay. The Stack Pack is great. After you get it set the first time you never need to adjust it again!
We ran the control for the rigid vang back to the cockpit. Our main is so easy to set in all types of wind now, and it gets put away even easier.

Veliero
Catalina 250WK
#713

Edited by - on

britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 03/09/2008 : 13:51:34

Steve the 2nd graphic that you show is interesting.

When I put our lazyjacks system together, I pretty much used the concept in the 1st graphic. However, I put the blocks below the spreaders.
That has proven an issue, when lowering the sail it has the chance to catch on the lines before being gathered into them.

Raising the top block to above the stretchers would reduce that risk. My system does lay nicely when stowed, easily allowing the sail cover to be setup.
Having the line go back to then end of the boom as in pic #2 is what made me look more closely at the setup. I like being able to slacken off the lazyjack halyard and have the whole thing under control although I do need to reach aft and collect the top ring in order to pull it towards the gooseneck. Again, not an issue as I'm already on the cabin top if I'm setting up the sail cover.

Because we always trail the boat, my issues were: Make it easy to setup, make it easy to tear down, and make it work really well so that it's worth the effort.

I can't recall the cost of the 3/16" line, but it takes a lot and so is not an insignifcant part of the 'low cost' project.

Having said that, they are just sooooo cool! Turn into wind, and we can almost let the main halyard fly (release the clutch) and the sail will snuggle down pretty nicely.

We looked at the jack and bag concept, didn't like it, also that version where their are a number of plastic bars that turn up and out to catch the sail, not hot on them either.

Bonus! The admiral feels more secure knowing I don't have to climb upon the cabin top to manage the sail anymore. (although I sometimes wonder if there is a gleam in her eye when I'm slipping around up there and my risk of going overboard is increased

Paul

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 03/11/2008 : 07:54:32

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by jfesi
 Then we put a Garhauer rigid vang on and removed the backstay. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Is the backstay optional on a C250?

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John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 03/11/2008 : 09:27:35

It's not on my 250. I think he meant to say he removed his topping lift since that would be redundant to a rigid vang. I hope that's what he meant.

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 03/12/2008 : 23:52:39

Just got a quote from North Sails for a "B" Dutchman setup. $560 installed. I do like this system and will discuss with the Admiral. We have an anniversary coming up...

Edited by - Nautiduck on 03/12/2008 23:53:16

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 03/13/2008 : 07:44:41

Hey Nauti - Does $560 include the work on your sail? How difficult is it to change your main with a dutchman on? (We have a "racing set", and a "cruising set").

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frog0911
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1349 Posts

Response Posted - 03/13/2008 : 11:13:47

Randy, I would suggest you look into the "C" system unless you plan on modifying you mainsail cover. This would require cutting slits in it to accommodate the flaking lines. The "C" system has a jam cleat at the boom which allows you to adjust the clamps down, slacking the flaking lines and use your mainsail cover without modification.

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 03/13/2008 : 12:09:30

The $560 includes the whole works including the sail mods. Another $60 to create two zippered slots in the sail cover. Sadi they could do all the work in one day with two weeks notice.

For someone who switches sails I believe you would remove the system with the cruising sail, not move the system back and forth.

Frog, how difficult is it to raise and lower the setup each time you sail so that you don't have to do the cover mod? Also, the fellow said mast/boom put up and take down is not dificult but what is your view? We take the mast down/up about 4-5 times a year to go on trips to crusing grounds. Would the system be a bigger hassle than it is worth?

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frog0911
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1349 Posts

Response Posted - 03/14/2008 : 11:40:49

The clamps are on a clothes line type operation. All you do is take it loose from the jam cleat and pull them up to a mark on the clothes line and lock it in the cleat. To loosen the flaking just reverse the process.
Since it is a boom styled topping lift you will have to release the flaking lines from the sail pockets and pull them out of the sail. Then take the boom of the mast set on the deck and release the topping lift to drop the aft end. Then release the Dutchman continuous topping line from the boom line and take the boom and sail away. The Dutchman topping lift and flaking lines stay attached to the mast. You can figure an extra 10-20 minutes lowering the mast and 30-45 minutes raising.
If I were trailering the boat I would try and figure a way to attach boom sail and all to the mast once lower so I did not have to remove and install the flaking lines. They can be a pain getting locked into the sail pockets and God forbid you drop one of the screws that secures the plastic clamp to the flaking line. I remove both my sails once a year for cleaning so it is not a time problem for me.

Edited by - on

jfesi
Navigator

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USA
101 Posts

Response Posted - 03/14/2008 : 13:31:43

Sorry,

I screwed up! We did remove the Topping Lift and not the Back Stay. I need to keep this quite because I probably would have reprimanded my wife if she messed up the terminology while we were out sailing.

The Stack Pack cost just over $600.00 from Doyle's loft in Chicago. It's been a great system.

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John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 03/14/2008 : 14:37:26

My wife loves to remember the afternoon we spent when I didn't know port from starboard.

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