Terry B 71 Posted February 21, 2011 Share Posted February 21, 2011 Hi all, I've decided I want lazy jacks installed on my yacht. I've had a quick flick thru Fosters/Burnsco web sites - but I can't see anything called lazy jacks. I assume (I assume a lot - gets me into all sorts of trouble - but I'm incurable) that's because there's no "1 size fits all" system??? I've seen various websites over the years explaining how to install them yourself................ hmmmm? Any thoughts?? Guidance?? Specialist lazy jack installers of your acquaintance ??? Thanks (again) in advance................ Link to post Share on other sites
Farrari 4 Posted February 21, 2011 Share Posted February 21, 2011 I had lazy jacks on my Tracker and it was a very simple setup. All it had was three attachment points on the boom per side and one per side on the spreaders. The back two points on the boom had a loop of 8mm nylon. This in turn had an eye threaded through it and tied off to the front boom point by another piece of 8mm nylon. This latter one had another eye threaded through it that was taken up to a small block on the spreader and back down to a T-cleat on the mast. Ditto for the other side. You could do it yourself or pay for a rigger to do it. It certainly makes taking sails down a non event when you a crewing (or cruising) short handed. I'll try and draw a picture and post it a bit later if you like. Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted February 21, 2011 Share Posted February 21, 2011 I assume (I assume a lot - gets me into all sorts of trouble - but I'm incurable) that's because there's no "1 size fits all" system??? Correct, it's each to their own sort of thing. There are many variations on the same theme when talking just how to rig a set. All pretty simple and no way should you need a second mortgage. I'll race F to see if I can find a decent drawing. Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted February 21, 2011 Share Posted February 21, 2011 I win Suss here and it shows them sort of OK. It appears a buy-able item (in the US) but make your own, it's knot hard..... nor needs to be quite as fancy as that website. http://www.ezjax.com Below is another, again slightly more complex than you probably need but does show the basics well. Link to post Share on other sites
Farrari 4 Posted February 21, 2011 Share Posted February 21, 2011 yep KM you win, but mine is hand crafted Here's what I had on my Tracker. I'm assuming the offset on the mast was to reduce mast weakness. Link to post Share on other sites
Murky 1 Posted February 21, 2011 Share Posted February 21, 2011 Nice. Terry B, if you widen your search beyond the NZ websites, you will find quite a bit of info (e.g. Harken website). The only thing to bear in mind is that their core business is selling marine hardware! You will definitely need some saddles, a couple of cleats and a pair of blocks up the mast beneath the spreaders. Beyond that, rings or spliced thimbles give a nice finish but I have seen bowlines work just as well. And at the risk of being proven wrong, I would say it is one of those situations where line with a bit of spring to it can be a bonus i.e. no need to invest in something high-tech and non-stretch. Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted February 21, 2011 Share Posted February 21, 2011 yep KM you win, but mine is hand crafted And a better layout as well As much as I'd like to deal to Murky all I can go with the the bowlines bit. Hard lump + sail rubbing on it = knot the best. Splicing is tidier even if it does take a smidgen longer. Instead of saddles on the boom you can use those plastic hook like things often seen on the back of ute that holds the cover on. Using those means it's easy to 'unhook' the lines and run them up to your mast so there are no strings over the sails. All depends on how much of a racing bent you have I suppose. Link to post Share on other sites
darkside 61 Posted February 21, 2011 Share Posted February 21, 2011 Yep what Knot Me said. Getting them out of the way while raising the sail is important. Instead of having the lower end fastening to the boom I tied them to a heavy bungy (12mm?) under the boom with a hook on to the mainsheet anchor point at the back of the boom. Then when you want to raise the sail, unhook the clip and let it go. The whole kaboodle ends up under the gooseneck or vang and out of the way of the sail while you raise it. When you need the lazy jacks just clip it back on. Link to post Share on other sites
Farrari 4 Posted February 21, 2011 Share Posted February 21, 2011 Mine stay up most of the time when cruising. Occasionally I would pull them forward at night time as they used to slap up against the mast with a bit of wind. Link to post Share on other sites
grant 40 Posted February 21, 2011 Share Posted February 21, 2011 i have seen another system where the line from the mast was fixed and you just tightened a line on the boom, seemed to be very nifty and simple. but... i couldn't quite get my head around how it worked to draw a picture and the boat has gone cruising for a while so can't check. anyone have a vague idea what i'm talking about that could draw it? Link to post Share on other sites
Marshy 30 Posted February 21, 2011 Share Posted February 21, 2011 Not hard to setup at all, Simple bowlines and thimbles work instead of blocks and chafe the sail less. Especially if you have plastic thimbles. There are 3 ways to layout the strings, see attached pictures Link to post Share on other sites
Marshy 30 Posted February 21, 2011 Share Posted February 21, 2011 i have seen another system where the line from the mast was fixed and you just tightened a line on the boom, seemed to be very nifty and simple. System is drawn below. The red line at the front is adjustable, let it off enough and the whole system can drag forward no problems at all. Its a bit harder to get "Lift" i.e. doesnt work with Stack Packs etc as well Link to post Share on other sites
wheels 543 Posted February 21, 2011 Share Posted February 21, 2011 Mine is controlled from the mast. I have a couple of bungies in key locations that allow it to pull into the mast and boom when slack and to pull out in place when tentioned. If you find oplans on line, you will see that some of them give ratio's like 30% of the hight of the mast and blah blah. But in the end, you will actually get a good feel for it yourself in regards to the sail you have. The key point is that the main can easily get tangled up at the top of the sail. So you need to position the lazy jacks to suit and stop that from happening. They really don't need to be too complecated like some plans you will come across on line. If you have battens, then it doesn't take much to contain the sail and the KISS aproach is the better. Link to post Share on other sites
TimW 1 Posted February 21, 2011 Share Posted February 21, 2011 yep KM you win, but mine is hand crafted Here's what I had on my Tracker. I'm assuming the offset on the mast was to reduce mast weakness. The drawn layout from Farrari is greatly improved by putting the fixed loop part at the back of the boom and the adjustable bit at the front, because when not in use as lazy jacks, the rope can be tied to the gooseneck and it is out of the way. Where as , as drawn it can't be taken out of the way. Link to post Share on other sites
Farrari 4 Posted February 21, 2011 Share Posted February 21, 2011 The diagram was drawn from a rapidly deteriorating memory so it could have been the other way around. I was able to tie it off up at the gooseneck when not in use. Link to post Share on other sites
smithy09 50 Posted February 21, 2011 Share Posted February 21, 2011 After leaving the lazy jacks tied back ('cos real men don't need them) on the Marshall and then trying to wrestle the main onto the boom while approaching the wharf at the bottom of Queen St on Sunday afternoon, and at the same time that humungous cruise liner deciding to leave, and the other half yelling at me from the wheel, I will use them next time!! What a twat! Link to post Share on other sites
Terry B 71 Posted February 21, 2011 Author Share Posted February 21, 2011 Thanks guys. Yep, I've had a look over the years at all sorts of websites/books etc and there is a lot of info out there. Just wanted a "kiwi" perspective! Got a couple of things to organise on the boat this weekend then next week I'll 'ave a go at the (cheaper) version of lazy jacks. I've just seen a boat of similar size to mine with lazy jacks - and they go forward to the mast when not in use. I'll tap the owner on the shoulder and ask him how well they work - then I'll just copy them!! He's only 1 finger from what will be my new one on Saturday............easy to measure up/photograph etc and copy. Thanks again all............ Link to post Share on other sites
tuffyluffy 76 Posted February 22, 2011 Share Posted February 22, 2011 After leaving the lazy jacks tied back ('cos real men don't need them) on the Marshall and then trying to wrestle the main onto the boom while approaching the wharf at the bottom of Queen St on Sunday afternoon, and at the same time that humungous cruise liner deciding to leave, and the other half yelling at me from the wheel, I will use them next time!! What a twat! Yep, forty footer mainsails are a whole heap bigger than you think they are huh! Been there, done that and got the tee-shirt, and some lazy jacks Link to post Share on other sites
Grinna 2 Posted February 22, 2011 Share Posted February 22, 2011 We've got batt cars and a stack pack. While it can be a little bit of a pain at times raising the mainsail, reefing and dropping the main is an absolute doddle. Of course, we're a dedicated cruising boat ... no racing aspirations at all. Link to post Share on other sites
Murky 1 Posted February 22, 2011 Share Posted February 22, 2011 We've got batt cars Good for you, they must be a ton of fun to play with. No-one ever wants to be Robin though, do they? Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.