Lazy Jack Idea: Would it work?

[Andy Howard]

I currently have a standard Lazy Jack system on board which stows along the mast and boom, that I deploy after raising the mainsail.I'm thinking about moving the attatchment point up on the mast out to the intersection of the stays where the wires cross between the 1st and 2nd spreaders. This would move the Lazy jack lines about 2 feet away from the mast on either side and "should" allow me to raise the sail under most conditions without problems....I thinking I would need to use shock cord for the main line so the boom could swing freely and a simple shackle at the intersection of the stays. So what do you think? Will it put to much strain on the rigging?

 

[Gene]

Easier solution

On my 29.5, once at the marina, I just loosen the lazy jacks and hook them under the hooks at the mast that are used for reefing the main. Then, when I go out, I hoist the main with no lazy jacks in the way. Some time during the sail, I restore the lazy jacks to their working position, ready for dropping the main.

 

[Sam Lust]

Wide Jacks

Andy, I think your basic idea is good and will work for you. I can't see that the load imposed by the lazy jacks would put a whole lot of strain on the rigging. Mine are done in a similar manner, but with an older style rig I have just the one set of spreaders. I have small blocks mounted under the spreaders at about the mid point, which spreads the jacks enough to make life a bit easier when raising the sail.Mine are set up a bit different than most though. the jack webs are held up by a single line which goes up one side to the spreader, down the front of the mast to a small block, then up to the other spreader, then back down to the other web. The block at the front of the mast is at the end of a line which goes down to the base of the mast and then back to a clutch at the cockpit. That small block at the mast allows full side to side movement of the mast. The jacks are storred along the boom when the sail is covered, depolyed before the sail is un-stopped, and remain out but loose while sailing. I can drop the main into them at any time.For what it's worth,(probably not much) I call my jacks "Cheapo Jacks" because they cost me about $10.00 so far!

 

[Andy Howard]

That's a neat trick!

Thanks guys! I use my current jacks like Gene mentioned, I guess I'm such a lazy slob I'd like to have them up before I raise the sail. But I had completely forgot about the mainsail cover. I think I can incorporate what Sam is talking about.