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lazyjacks and reefing mainsail

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RonE
1st Mate

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USA
37 Posts

Initially Posted - 08/09/2008 : 07:51:32

I never seem to get the mainsail flaked properly the first time and always have to redo when in the slip. I read that the lazyjack system helps and does not interfeere with reefing or sailing. Anyone have experience and can advise? I singlehand a lot and look for any way to make my 54 year old life easier. RonE

RonE

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britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

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

Ron,
Been there! Check out the other forums (general, c25 and c250) you'll find plenty of posts on the subject, also check the tech tips link on the left.

Let us know how things work out.

Paul

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RonE
1st Mate

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USA
37 Posts

Response Posted - 08/11/2008 : 04:36:22

I cannot find the postings that you are referring to. They may be so old that they were deleted. Please help. RonE

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Ericson33
Admiral

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USA
892 Posts

Response Posted - 08/12/2008 : 18:22:11

Ron
We had lazyjacks on our Capri and took them off. They were made from Harken, two wires running mid boom up to the mast and an assortment of smaller lines and blocks. The reason I took them off was that when raising the main it would always get tangled into the lines making raising the main a real pain in the butt.

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leebitts
Navigator

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USA
122 Posts

Response Posted - 08/13/2008 : 19:32:24

I had ocassion this weekend to try some of the things I've done to the boat to make it single / limited handed. My intention of the boat when purchased was two fold. Race, with me and appropriate crew, and day sail with my wife and handicapped daughter. My wife while quite capable and having been a great first mate when we sailed on the ocean some years back has declared she wants to go for nothing more than boat rides. This weekend, we had my wife, daughter, wife's sister and her husband on the boat. The wind never went over 12 knots and no one did anything except me. Here's what I had done:

1. Install roller furling system and fit my 110% jib to properly fit it. My sister inlaw was fixated on the gps whch was showing a pretty consistent 5.4 to 6.1 going to windward with no healing.
2. Purchased new main with slugs instead of the bolt rope on my racing main.
3. Fabricated an aluminimum gateway gizmo so that the slugs would stay on and allow the sail to come all the way down to the boom.
4. Installed a boom kicker. This acts like a topping lift and keeps the boom in the air while raising and lowering the main. It fits nicely between the boom and the mast, forward of the boom vang.

I attach the halyard to the head of the main at the dock before leaving. Leave the dock, get out of the channel, put the motor in neutral, remove the main sail ties, loosen the main sheet, raise the main, head off and pop out the jib. Off we go. When coming in, roll up the jib, fire up the motor (keeping it in neutral), drop the main, pulling it aft, attach 2 ties (one aft and one amidship). Get to dock, neaten up.

I think that lazy jacks would make the whole process too complicated.

This is a really cool boat

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Scott121
Deckhand

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16 Posts

Response Posted - 09/10/2009 : 21:54:24

Hi Charlie (Leebitts),
Can you describe the "gateway gizmo" you made to keep the slugs in your main from coming out of the mast? I just had slugs put on an old main, but as you know the slot for the bolt rope to go into the mast is pretty high compared to the boom. I have some ideas in my head, but it would be nice to hear from someone who has already worked out a solution.
Thanks,
Scott

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abraxis
1st Mate

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USA
49 Posts

Response Posted - 09/11/2009 : 11:12:37

I too added a Lazy Jack system and fastened it to the mast after getting to my slip. Only used it to drop sail as system affected sail shape. My previous boat was a HUNTER LEGEND 37 and Lazy Jacks made life sooo much easier with the huge main both to raise and lower. Also moved Lazy Jacks to mast once sail raised
After about a month on my Capri,I removed it permanantly as I found it more bother than it was worth. Real easy to put a couple of ties on after dropping.
Like LEEBITTS, I also put on slugs in place of bolt rope w / aluminum gate. It made hoisting and dropping a lot easier.
Ditto on Boom Kicker.

Have Fun.

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Turk
Admiral

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USA
736 Posts

Response Posted - 09/19/2009 : 04:58:45

http://www.sailcare.com/sailcradle.shtml

I installed this system years ago and have praised it every time I go out. It is based on high quality bungees and the whole system comes off the boom and attaches out of the way on the mast. It is also very inexpensive and - replaceable parts are available (haven't needed any) for practically nothing. You can drop and flake the sail as fast as it comes down and in high wind.

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leebitts
Navigator

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USA
122 Posts

Response Posted - 09/22/2009 : 09:31:24

Hi Scott
The gateway gizmo that I made is pretty primative but very effective. I used 2 pieces of aluminum (about 3/16 thick). I bought the aluminum stock at Home Depot. It is a right angle. With a piece of round wood, and a rubber mallet I was able to get the right angle to be a bit more graceful. I then drilled and cut 4 slots in the side and drilled and tapped 4 holes in the mast that work with the slot. There is one of these pieces on each side of the mast. When I am using my racing main, I back off the screws and open the gate its full side position and secure the screws. When I want to use my cruising main, I back off the screws, put the slugs in, then close the gate and secure the screws. I'll be on the boat this coming weekend and can take a picture of that is of value.

Charlie

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piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 09/25/2009 : 14:08:41

Ron, I have Lazy-Jacks on my C250 and love them. They are great when sailing solo and do not interfere with reefing or sailing. But I still have to flake the mainsail even though it does a pretty good job. Have you made any decisions yet?
Steve A

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.