How does everyone lower their sails?

[Josh]

I'm curious, I was looking for ways to lower my sails, other then climbing up on the deck and pulling them down by hand. Ive seen lazyjack systems, and it almost looks like the boom was set up for one at a previous time. There's little blocks on it and cleats here and there.My questions are, was there a factory equip lazyjack? If not, is this an easy thing to create out of standard parts? Are there other ways to do this other then the lazyjack? The lazyjack is not only for lowering the sails, but for keeping the sail on the boom, correct?I had just thought about running another halyard up with the sail so I have something to pull it down quickly with. I'm looking at making my 22 a little more singlehanded. It's not bad now, but it would be nice to be able to do everything from the cockpit!Thanks,Josh

 

[mark stevens]

lowering sails

Lazzy jacks are available at most marine stores like West Marine and are not very difficult to install. I have them on my Oday 30 and wouldn't be without them,especially scince I frequently single hand. As for lowering: My main halyard is run aft to the cockpit through a block at the base of the mast then through a guide and then to a cleat. When I head into the wind to take the pressure off the sail I release the halyard and let gravity do the rest. My track is lubed with track lube also available at most stores. The lazy jacks keep the sails from falling off to the side while lowering. I add a bungy chord at the aft end once the sail is down. When I go foward to pick up my mooring I may help the sail down a little manually.

 

[Justin - O'day Owners' Web]

Lowering your sails

Josh -  I would defintiely consider adding lazy jacks to your boat, but I wouldn't buy a kit. You can make up the hardware you need at any boat store for a lot less than paying Harken to package it all for you. Its even cheaper if you use exactly the same blocks, etc!!Check out how they work at Harken.com - then build your own.Justin - O'day Owners' Web

 

[Josh]

What parts, how are they rigged?

Kay, I thought that would be a better route, but exactly what do I need and how does it get done? You know, what goes where? Any place on the net have a quick diagram?Thanks,Josh

 

[Rich]

you can do it from the cockpit, too

I haven't seen a real need for lazyjacks on my 22, as the sail is just so small. One thing which helped was making sure all my sail slugs are the nice, rounded end ones... someone had replaced several at one point with flat end slugs, and they would jam. Sailnet has stainless/plastic slided which come down like Indy cars. Lazyjacks on such a small boat, I think, would be needless cost and complication.To lower my sail, I turn into the wind, clip the boom to the rear stay, slide open the companionway so I can reach the halyard by standing on the bunks, and lower the sail. I keep three ball/bungee cords in my pocket, and flake the sail over the boom. It's really no problem, even in a bit of a blow. By the way, I would always drop the foresail first, as the boat will tend to round up, and not broach. Last time I took down the main this way, in chop and whitecaps, the boat was neatly self-sailing itself a bit upwind while I went about my business. Rich.