I'm remote from my boat right now and doing some planning. I would like suggestions on making the mast attachment for lazy jacks. Will pop rivets cause problems with the internal halyards? Do I need to drill and tap and use machine screws? I probably have the same consideration for the boom with the internal reefing line. Ed, I?d like your thoughts.
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Use pop rivets.
I used a collar on the drill bit to make sure I did not cut a halyard in the mast or a reefing line in the boom. I have a heavy duty rivet gun and used some pretty hefty aluminum rivets, maybe 1/8" x 1/4"?. My mast was horizontal so I was able to test at the bottom to see if there was any protrusion to worry about. I concluded the inside of the rivet would not cut anything. I had all the pieces/parts for drilling and tapping but it seemed like overkill besides being a LOT more work.
I used a collar on the drill bit to make sure I did not cut a halyard in the mast or a reefing line in the boom. I have a heavy duty rivet gun and used some pretty hefty aluminum rivets, maybe 1/8" x 1/4"?. My mast was horizontal so I was able to test at the bottom to see if there was any protrusion to worry about. I concluded the inside of the rivet would not cut anything. I had all the pieces/parts for drilling and tapping but it seemed like overkill besides being a LOT more work.
installed Schaeffer lazy jacks
on our H36. I drilled and tapped all attached hardware to boom and mast. Can't remember size, think it may have been a no. 25 drill/tap. After 3 years have not had any problems with internal halyards/lines. As I recall, the SS machine screws were pretty short and would not likely extend far beyond the inner surface of the mast/boom. I preferred the Schaeffer lazy jack design because it does not require altering the sail cover and they work well to catch the sail. Mike s/v Charisma 82 H36
on our H36. I drilled and tapped all attached hardware to boom and mast. Can't remember size, think it may have been a no. 25 drill/tap. After 3 years have not had any problems with internal halyards/lines. As I recall, the SS machine screws were pretty short and would not likely extend far beyond the inner surface of the mast/boom. I preferred the Schaeffer lazy jack design because it does not require altering the sail cover and they work well to catch the sail. Mike s/v Charisma 82 H36
Drill and tap
I recently installed a version of Lazy jacks on my 37, and the directions said to use a drill and tap, and provided both in the proper size in the kit. A nice touch. Also was my first trip up the mast in a bosun's chair. An experienced friend helped me and we marked the spots (on boom and mast) with a pencil, used a pointed punch to start an indentation to prevent the drill bit from slipping, and then drilled slowly (using lubricating oil), Avoid putting lots of pressure so you don't punch through and damage internal wires or lines. The tap the holes. I used two drills to mak the job go faster: one for the drill bit, and one for the tap. When the holes were ready I put silicone over the top of the holes and on the machine bolts to create a waterproof seal, and tightened by hand. Looks good and feels secure... Sanders
I recently installed a version of Lazy jacks on my 37, and the directions said to use a drill and tap, and provided both in the proper size in the kit. A nice touch. Also was my first trip up the mast in a bosun's chair. An experienced friend helped me and we marked the spots (on boom and mast) with a pencil, used a pointed punch to start an indentation to prevent the drill bit from slipping, and then drilled slowly (using lubricating oil), Avoid putting lots of pressure so you don't punch through and damage internal wires or lines. The tap the holes. I used two drills to mak the job go faster: one for the drill bit, and one for the tap. When the holes were ready I put silicone over the top of the holes and on the machine bolts to create a waterproof seal, and tightened by hand. Looks good and feels secure... Sanders
thanks
Thanks for helpful ideas. I'm tending toward the tap and screw and a high trip up the mast in July.
Thanks for helpful ideas. I'm tending toward the tap and screw and a high trip up the mast in July.
I just installed retractable lazy jacks on my 1980 Hunter 36 using machine screws and a drill bit and hand tap supplied in the kit. The whole installation took less than 2 hours and that included drilling and tapping 20 holes for a total of 10 fittings (2 above the spreaders, 4 on the mast at the gooseneck and 4 on the boom)
What about a Dutchman system?
Does anybody have any experience with the Dutchman system on the Hunters?
Does anybody have any experience with the Dutchman system on the Hunters?
Love our new Dutchman
Had a Dutchman added this winter and it has been a great addition. Good review in Practical Sailor some time back
Had a Dutchman added this winter and it has been a great addition. Good review in Practical Sailor some time back
Dutchman is the best!
We are on our second Dutchman. Makes taming the main a dream. No worry about the battens fouling like on a lazy jack system.
We are on our second Dutchman. Makes taming the main a dream. No worry about the battens fouling like on a lazy jack system.
Lazy Jacks
I agree with Ed. We use pop rivets when installing the lazy jacks systems. Try to determine wall thickness of the mast and boom for better control of the rivet gun.
I agree with Ed. We use pop rivets when installing the lazy jacks systems. Try to determine wall thickness of the mast and boom for better control of the rivet gun.
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