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Lazy Jacks (any good)

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frich
Captain

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USA
418 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/19/2004 : 07:24:10

Now on to a new project, Lazy Jacks. With my mast being stepped and my wanting to single hand the boat are lazy jacks a good addition?

I have heard about them interfering with the mainsail. If I install them is the placement of the hardware critical? If so where does it go? I have heard people mention installing pieces on the spreaders and on the mast.

Thanks to all

Frank R
84 C25 Sk

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 04/19/2004 : 08:37:06

Frank,

I don't have Lazy Jacks yet because I'm still debating their worth, but here is a link to the [url="http://www.harken.com/mainsail/4058lzjk.pdf"]Harken 252 Lazy Jack Kit Manual[/url]. It's got a lot of information in it.

Good Luck.

Edited by - on

EricCS
1st Mate

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USA
40 Posts

Response Posted - 04/19/2004 : 09:05:32

Frank,

Based upon the feedback from this forum (Thanks guys!) when I first started upgrading my Catalina 25 I installed lazyjacks and self-steering.

I installed E-Z-Jax http://www.ezjax.com/ brand lazyjacks and have been very pleased with them. The patented "secret" to this brand is that they retract and don't chafe the mainsail at all. When retracted they're along the boom and mast, hooked into place at the goosneck. They also don't require any modification to the mainsail cover.

I got the cockpit-control option; the two lines run to clutches on the cabin-top, along with the main halyard.

HTH

Edited by - on

jwilliams
Captain

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USA
357 Posts

Response Posted - 04/19/2004 : 19:42:38

Frank,

I installed homemade EZ Jacks, just like the ones I saw at a boatshow and in the diagrams.

I found that on releasing the main halyard, I still had to go forward to pull the head of the main all the way down. It stopped about 3/4 of the way down. Also, the aft end of the main tended to fall out of the lines, so I still had to reach up and fit them into place.

In the end, I decided I could just as easily throw a couple of gaskets around the sail and wait until I got to the dock to stow it. I took the rig off.

To answer your questions about where to install the hardware, my cheek blocks were about 6 in. below the spreaders. The three lines per side were about 30 inches apart, starting 18 in from the mast. I also ran the deployment line to the cockpit. One stiff pull, and the lines deployed. Unfortunately, the stiff pull sometimes came from reefing or wind action, so deployment happened unexpectedly.

Granted, mine was a homemade system, even tho I followed the diagrams as exactly as possible. Maybe Eric's works flawlessly.

Jim Williams
Hey Jude C25fk 2958
SF Bay

Edited by - on

Shelby
Navigator

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USA
155 Posts

Response Posted - 04/20/2004 : 16:41:24

I have lazy jacks on Third S, and I don't think they buy me that much. They get in the way more than they help IMHO, especially when hauling the sail up. They also interfere when taking it down.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 04/20/2004 : 16:47:08

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted jwilliams
 I found that on releasing the main halyard, I still had to go forward to pull the head of the main all the way down. It stopped about 3/4 of the way down. Also, the aft end of the main tended to fall out of the lines, so I still had to reach up and fit them into place.

In the end, I decided I could just as easily throw a couple of gaskets around the sail and wait until I got to the dock to stow it. I took the rig off.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Shelby
 I have lazy jacks on Third S, and I don't think they buy me that much. They get in the way more than they help IMHO, especially when hauling the sail up. They also interfere when taking it down.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Comments like this over the years is what keeps the "Install Lazy Jacks" task at the very bottom of my annual to-do list, even though I'm primarily a singlehanded sailor.

Edited by - dlucier on 04/20/2004 16:48:16

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 04/20/2004 : 17:42:59

I don't think our little boats are the target market, so it does not surprise me that they do not work particularly well. My friend with an ODay 272 has them built into a sailcover... drop-zip.

Edited by - on

Bruce Baker
Captain

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USA
402 Posts

Response Posted - 04/21/2004 : 16:42:47

I've got a lazy-jacks kit that came with my boat. The kit is new in the box. I'll sell it for half price (whatever that is). It's from Sailnet.

Edited by - on

cjb
1st Mate

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USA
27 Posts

Response Posted - 04/21/2004 : 19:25:59

Installed lazy jacks from sailnet they look like they work great at the dock. You don't have to alter the sail cover at all. They stow at the mast very neatly. Will see how the work on the water
83TR/SK

Edited by - on

deastburn
Captain

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USA
334 Posts

Response Posted - 04/23/2004 : 00:46:00

I have lazy jacks I made for about 20 bucks, and they work great. The key to dropping the mainsail is to install a downhaul or dousing halyard. Mine is attached via a wire loop to the first sail slug below the headboard of the sail. It runs to the base of the mast and through blocks back to the cockpit through a rope clutch located next to the main halyard. This is also a good item to have when reefing single-handed. I have mine marked for position of the reef points (as is the main halyard).

Simple lazy jacks:

2 x 3/8" shockcord attached to padeyes on the mast either side of the spreaders (or a bit lower). Other end of both cords has small blocks. I run a continuous dacron line (1/4") from a cleat on the boom 1/3rd in from the clew of the sail, up over a block, down under the front of the mast, back up through the block on the other side of the sail, and back down to a padeye on the side of the boom.

With these and the dousing halyard, and well lubricated sailslugs, I can head up and have the main down in less than one minute. It virtually flakes itself. Neat!

Edited by - on

deastburn
Captain

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USA
334 Posts

Response Posted - 04/23/2004 : 00:48:27

Oops! I meant: "down under the front of the boom" (NOT mast). Sorry.

Edited by - on

frich
Captain

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USA
418 Posts

Response Posted - 04/23/2004 : 07:36:44

Dave do you have any photos or diagrams of this system?

Frank R
84 C25 SK

Edited by - on

frich
Captain

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USA
418 Posts

Response Posted - 04/23/2004 : 07:36:45

Dave do you have any photos or diagrams of this system?

Frank R
84 C25 SK

Edited by - on

gmcdent
1st Mate

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USA
41 Posts

Response Posted - 05/21/2004 : 23:31:41

Dave could you email me a picture. I really like the idea you have. gmcdent@aol.com

Thanks

Edited by - on

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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.