choosing the right lazy jacks

[Paul Strine]

We have just purchased new UK Tape drive sails, Our main sail is a full batten Batmain and is difficult for the crew to stow and i would like some advise on a efficient lazy jack system Harken,Schaeffer, Ect. that would pull back and not have to modify sailcover.

 

[Del Wiese]

alternative

I have a Legend 37 and use a system that I believe was developed by North Sails. My full batten main has loops sewn every 3-4 feet up the leech. I put SS rings through the topping lift (mine is line vs. wire) and each loop is connected to a ring with small line. The lengths of the lines are such that the sail is pulled tight as it lowers. The system works fairly well, I still have to flake it before tying it to the boom, but the lines keep the sail from falling to the deck and obstructing vision.

 

[Ed Schenck]

E-Z-Jacks?

Check out E-Z-Jacks on related link below. I ended up buying a clone from Sailnet, very similar but probably not as good. Had to drill lots of holes and use lots of rivets. The top mounting is about 6 feet above the spreaders. Fortunately my mast was horizontal when I installed mine. I lower the main from the mast so now the Admiral can see what's happening in the river in front of her!

 

[Paul Aubrecht]

I bought

I bought the Lazy Jack system from Schaeffer because I didnt have to modify my sailcover.It is a little more work but it is worth it.I mounted it to mu upper spreaders with the hardware they provide.Then before going sailing,I take the cover off the main and raise the Lazy Jacks.When I come back in,after the main is tied down to the boom,I loosen the Lazy Jack lines and they go under the Main sail cover.

 

[Sam Morris]

I Went With E-Z JAX

E-Z-Jax come tailored for your boat, instructions and all hardware, including splices in the braided line. See the attached link. The thumbnail shows the flaked sails after the sail ties have been attached and before the two E-Z-Jax systems were retracted to fit under the boom. The sail cover goes on with no modifications required. I costed out the material to build my own and based my make/buy decision on the fact that the E-Z-Jax cost me about $50 more than making my own, not counting my time to do the engineering and splices. I think the best system is the Dutchman System, but it would be more expensive. Here is the Dutchman Site: http://images.sailnet.com/dutchman/sailflaking/sfindex.htm.

 

[Doug T.]

Dutchman cost

I just got a quote from the dutchman people today for their 30-2 size system. A type A (which requires using a spare halyard that I don't have) is $310. The type B system, which does not require a halyard is $340.This is for a do-it-yourself installation. If you're leery of cutting holes in your sails for the grommets/fairleads, a sailmaker can do it for you. For a price.