Regardless of which type you may have on your boat, what's your favorite mainsail flaking system? The venerable Dutchman, the cradling Lazy-Jack style, or the Stack-Pak-type system that is an all-in-one cradle and sail cover? Or, do you find any and all of those systems for wimps? Write about your favorite flake here, then vote in this week's Quick Quiz at the bottom of the home page.
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Miles
Love/hate relationship...
With my lazy jacks. The battens always hangup on them when raising the sail but with a little fooling around you can get them unhooked. When dropping the main I get a perfect flaking job maybe 1 time in 10, most of the time it needs a little touchup work. Much better than dumping the sail all over the place especially when short handed though...
With my lazy jacks. The battens always hangup on them when raising the sail but with a little fooling around you can get them unhooked. When dropping the main I get a perfect flaking job maybe 1 time in 10, most of the time it needs a little touchup work. Much better than dumping the sail all over the place especially when short handed though...
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Keith
Rolled then, flake now
When I owned a race boat, I rolled the main up and stored it below, never had any creases in it. But now on my cruiser I do a half-ass, rollup the mess, and strap it to the boom with a gasket as I enter the harbor. Once in the slip I flake it manually on the boom, takes just a few minutes. I have a Cat 38 that I single hand quite a lot, I just let Otto drive while I do all the work. KF2
When I owned a race boat, I rolled the main up and stored it below, never had any creases in it. But now on my cruiser I do a half-ass, rollup the mess, and strap it to the boom with a gasket as I enter the harbor. Once in the slip I flake it manually on the boom, takes just a few minutes. I have a Cat 38 that I single hand quite a lot, I just let Otto drive while I do all the work. KF2
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Don H.
Dutchman Flaking on H37.5
I have sailed my Hunter Legend 37.5 for six years and over 18,000 nautical miles with the Dutchman flaking system. When I bought the boat, it was four years old and the previous owner had not used the Dutchman system properly. I think the battens in the original equipment UK mainsail were too flimsy. Although it kept the mainsail from falling into the cockpit, it would never drop smoothly and always required a lot of extra effort to flake properly. A year ago, I bought a new mainsail and it was set up properly with the Dutchman system so that it flakes down on the boom without extra effort. I also had the sailmaker build the new mainsail with Battcar batten slides. I have found that sail ties are not required with the new sail, Battcar slides and Dutchman system. The Dutchman lines plus the sailcover keep it in place.
I have sailed my Hunter Legend 37.5 for six years and over 18,000 nautical miles with the Dutchman flaking system. When I bought the boat, it was four years old and the previous owner had not used the Dutchman system properly. I think the battens in the original equipment UK mainsail were too flimsy. Although it kept the mainsail from falling into the cockpit, it would never drop smoothly and always required a lot of extra effort to flake properly. A year ago, I bought a new mainsail and it was set up properly with the Dutchman system so that it flakes down on the boom without extra effort. I also had the sailmaker build the new mainsail with Battcar batten slides. I have found that sail ties are not required with the new sail, Battcar slides and Dutchman system. The Dutchman lines plus the sailcover keep it in place.
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TOMMY MCNAMARA
sail
I am new at sailing and its technical words for various parts af a sailboat and am trying to loin [ny].Am I correct in assuming that you are talking about what with my new 450 is a furling main.
I am new at sailing and its technical words for various parts af a sailboat and am trying to loin [ny].Am I correct in assuming that you are talking about what with my new 450 is a furling main.
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Don Alexander
My System
Looked at all the proprietary systems and am acutely aware of their shortcomings. Sail mostly single handed (H376) Made my own integrated sail coat and lazy jacks. the BIG difference is my lazy jacks attach to the sail coat about 18" ahead of the batten ends and then go STRAIGHT UP to the topping lift. No hang ups going up or down. Regards, Don
Looked at all the proprietary systems and am acutely aware of their shortcomings. Sail mostly single handed (H376) Made my own integrated sail coat and lazy jacks. the BIG difference is my lazy jacks attach to the sail coat about 18" ahead of the batten ends and then go STRAIGHT UP to the topping lift. No hang ups going up or down. Regards, Don
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Justin - O'day Owners' Web
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Rob Rich
I'm jealous of you all, and especially McNamara
Anyone know of any good sites that have info for building a good flaking system for a C-27 with standard main? Thanks in advance! Rob
Anyone know of any good sites that have info for building a good flaking system for a C-27 with standard main? Thanks in advance! Rob
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Carlitos
By Hand
Wimps, I allways have to do it by hand since I dont have any kind of system. It only takes a minute or two, but Ill love to be a wimp myself and get a flaking system. Carlitos Non-Flaker
Wimps, I allways have to do it by hand since I dont have any kind of system. It only takes a minute or two, but Ill love to be a wimp myself and get a flaking system. Carlitos Non-Flaker
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Don Alexander
Neat Idea!
Just today I read of a sailor who put a small marker pen dot on the leach of the mainsail, centred in the positions where the saillay over the boom. When the dots line up the sail is perfectly flaked. Neat.
Just today I read of a sailor who put a small marker pen dot on the leach of the mainsail, centred in the positions where the saillay over the boom. When the dots line up the sail is perfectly flaked. Neat.
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pat Nannery
My boat had no lazyjacks, thats why he sold it !
Bought my boat last year from an older gentleman who had purchased lazyjacks but had not installed them.This model Hunter, 33.5, is a fractional rig with a big main. No jacks means that the sail is all over the boat when it is lowered.I am of the opinion that this was just too much for him to handle and as a result he sold it.
Bought my boat last year from an older gentleman who had purchased lazyjacks but had not installed them.This model Hunter, 33.5, is a fractional rig with a big main. No jacks means that the sail is all over the boat when it is lowered.I am of the opinion that this was just too much for him to handle and as a result he sold it.
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gary jensen
LOVE lazy jacks BUT-------
My 36 (that I sold last year) had lazy jacks and I swore by them-----UNTILL I bought my 380 with in mast furling main-------WOW!!!!
My 36 (that I sold last year) had lazy jacks and I swore by them-----UNTILL I bought my 380 with in mast furling main-------WOW!!!!
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John Allison
Lazy Jacs With Help
I currently have lazy jacs on my Hunter and have mixed emotions concerning them. They pose problems when raising the main (hung battens). Most of the time I keep them out of the way so they pose no problem to raising but then they are useless for lowering unless I go on deck to reset them. Would I get rid of them ..... no. When the seas are choppy and/or the wind is really up, they do serve the purpose of keeping the sail on board and they are a real help to the single-hander. As far as flaking goes, to achieve a good even flake, I still have to do it the old fashioned way when finally tied up at the dock. The Lazy Jacs provide a good catch basin but are no substitute for getting up on deck and flaking the main by hand.
I currently have lazy jacs on my Hunter and have mixed emotions concerning them. They pose problems when raising the main (hung battens). Most of the time I keep them out of the way so they pose no problem to raising but then they are useless for lowering unless I go on deck to reset them. Would I get rid of them ..... no. When the seas are choppy and/or the wind is really up, they do serve the purpose of keeping the sail on board and they are a real help to the single-hander. As far as flaking goes, to achieve a good even flake, I still have to do it the old fashioned way when finally tied up at the dock. The Lazy Jacs provide a good catch basin but are no substitute for getting up on deck and flaking the main by hand.
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ES
Love my Dutchman
I have a Dutchman system on my boat and love it. If you adjust it properly, break in your sail properly, (for the first 3 months or so NEVER let it flake the wrong way), it works almost perfectly. When stopping for lunch or a swim, I don't even have to put sail ties on.
I have a Dutchman system on my boat and love it. If you adjust it properly, break in your sail properly, (for the first 3 months or so NEVER let it flake the wrong way), it works almost perfectly. When stopping for lunch or a swim, I don't even have to put sail ties on.
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dennis
by hand
I have always hand flaked my sail onto the boom. I have helped friends with lazy jacks but I flake it as fast as they do on theirs. Lazy Jacks help some times. But I have never filled the cockpit, cabin or the drink.
I have always hand flaked my sail onto the boom. I have helped friends with lazy jacks but I flake it as fast as they do on theirs. Lazy Jacks help some times. But I have never filled the cockpit, cabin or the drink.
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Vick Vickery/Mac26S
Lazyjacks are easy!
Built my own lazyjack system for about 1/4 of the cost of a commercial one...easy to do & works great!
Built my own lazyjack system for about 1/4 of the cost of a commercial one...easy to do & works great!
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Rick
Hand Job!
Do not overlook Don Alexander's suggestion for easy hand flaking. I have been using this method for a couple of months and I am constantly amazed by how quickly and how neatly I can flake my main while underway. A couple of points. First, before you mark your sail you need to spend the time and effort to do the PERFECT flake job. (This will be the last time it will be a time-consuming chore). Go to the mast and alternate flake directions as the main comes down. Always remember whether the first flake goes port or starboard because all flaking will start from that direction from then on. Secondly, carefully run the flakes on the boom so that you can easily trace each fold from the mast to the leach and ensure that the size of the flakes is equal on both sides of the boom and that all wrinkles are out. Make this the most perfect flake job you have ever done. This took me 15 or 20 minutes and has saved me much more time than that already and will continue to save me time every time I flake. Third and finally, mark your leach (I used a Sharpie permanent marker) at each place where the leach crosses the boom. (I made a little X). You're done! The next time you drop your main (I just let it fall on deck and if the wind is light I don't even head up first) jump up on the cabin top, grab a handful of main at the leach and pull aft as you lay the first fold on the boom. (This is where you need to remember if the first fold goes port or starboard.) Alternate folds centering your mark on the boom as you go along. My main balances on my boom so well that sail ties are not necessary unless it is really windy. This really is a great help for single handing or anybody else because it just makes dropping & stowing the main easier.
Do not overlook Don Alexander's suggestion for easy hand flaking. I have been using this method for a couple of months and I am constantly amazed by how quickly and how neatly I can flake my main while underway. A couple of points. First, before you mark your sail you need to spend the time and effort to do the PERFECT flake job. (This will be the last time it will be a time-consuming chore). Go to the mast and alternate flake directions as the main comes down. Always remember whether the first flake goes port or starboard because all flaking will start from that direction from then on. Secondly, carefully run the flakes on the boom so that you can easily trace each fold from the mast to the leach and ensure that the size of the flakes is equal on both sides of the boom and that all wrinkles are out. Make this the most perfect flake job you have ever done. This took me 15 or 20 minutes and has saved me much more time than that already and will continue to save me time every time I flake. Third and finally, mark your leach (I used a Sharpie permanent marker) at each place where the leach crosses the boom. (I made a little X). You're done! The next time you drop your main (I just let it fall on deck and if the wind is light I don't even head up first) jump up on the cabin top, grab a handful of main at the leach and pull aft as you lay the first fold on the boom. (This is where you need to remember if the first fold goes port or starboard.) Alternate folds centering your mark on the boom as you go along. My main balances on my boom so well that sail ties are not necessary unless it is really windy. This really is a great help for single handing or anybody else because it just makes dropping & stowing the main easier.
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Matt Boulton
Just Been Down That Road
After my first summer with Andelain,our Catalina 36, I decided I definitely wanted to have some type of flaking system and obtained input from the denizens of the Catalina Sailnet thread. After compiling the responses and doing some research, I decided upon the E-Z Jax system, and in fact found a custom set under the Christmas tree this year (I was a very good boy). I chose E-Z Jax because of the positive feedback from current users, its relatively simple design, the ability to use my current sailcover, and its ability to retract to the mast and boom when not in use. We'll see how she works by early May!
After my first summer with Andelain,our Catalina 36, I decided I definitely wanted to have some type of flaking system and obtained input from the denizens of the Catalina Sailnet thread. After compiling the responses and doing some research, I decided upon the E-Z Jax system, and in fact found a custom set under the Christmas tree this year (I was a very good boy). I chose E-Z Jax because of the positive feedback from current users, its relatively simple design, the ability to use my current sailcover, and its ability to retract to the mast and boom when not in use. We'll see how she works by early May!
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Rob Rich
Nice Post Rick!
That was a great post - one of the reasons I read this website. Sometimes know how is a much more powerful substitute for gadgets. Rob
That was a great post - one of the reasons I read this website. Sometimes know how is a much more powerful substitute for gadgets. Rob
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