Lazy jack problem

[jackzimmerman]

We have a 1999 Hunter 380, just bought it late last year. We do not have in mast furling but we do have a lazy jack set up. However, the lazy jack pulleys (not sure what the correct term is) only cover maybe 60% of the boom length and when we drop the mainsail the other 40%, the aft portion, hangs and falls all over the place. Should there be another one or two series of lines and pulleys to cover the entire boom/sail that maybe are just not threaded through? Also, I have a heck of a time zippering the cover because the cover does not stay stationary at the end of the boom and I have trouble reaching it anyway because it is in the middle of the bimini. Can anyone share how they solved this problems? I'm thinking it must be common on this model. Thanks

Jack and Joanne Zimmerman

 

[Steve Dion]

Similar problem but worse. The boom on our Hunter Vision 36 is 18.5' long. We have a very similar problem. I suggest you just throw some ties over the aft end of the sail once it is on the boom.

If you want to fix it, you may want to look at one of the other Jack systems on the market. The idea of a retractable system makes a lot of sense to me. My battens get hung up on the lines when we raise the main (51' up the stick).

http://www.jiffyjax.com/index.html

Good luck!

 

[Alice A.]

We used to have the same problem on our Hunter 37.5, always fighting the aft end of the mainsail. No more problems since we bought a Doyle Cradle Cover. It drops into the cover and is completely controlled by the lazyjacks.

 

[jackzimmerman]

Thank Steve !!

 

[jackzimmerman]

Thanks Alice !!

 

[Steve Dion]

Cradle covers, stack packs etc are expensive. My boat has a 18.5' boom. Estimates for these type of covers are $100/ft.

I would like one, but considering that they do not last that long (zippers don't last long in the sun) and are expensive, I am going to find an alternative.

 

[Rick D]

Steve, I didn't read the rest of the threads, but as one who has tried a bunch of systems, and not thrilled with most, I agree. I had a StowPac clone system and it was just as PITA as my lazy jacks. After replacing the zipper twice, and learning an entire new obscenity vocabulary, I dumped it and went back to a standard sail cover and modified the cradle system to retractable lazy jacks. So far, the best of them all. Remember from sailing with me in LB?

 

[Steve Dion]

Rick:

No I don't remember. You just keep feeding me alcohol until everything is a blurrrr.

Yes I do remember and I am considering some type of an alternative to what I am presently doing.

I will probably need to analyse it over "several" bottles of red wine to determine the best alternative. <g>.

 

[Rick D]

I suggest a quality California red Zinfandel, as close to an indigenous west coast wine we will have (with apologies to to eastern Europe).

I understand your frustration. On my 32 Vision, the bigger problem was raising the main rather than dropping it. It was forever tangling the battens on the lazy jacks. My 40.5 was almost as bad and twice as bad dropping it (no doubt due to the mast bend).

Anyhow, this is a long way from perfect, but is at least less annoying than what I had before.

 

[Steve W]

I agree with Steve about the zippers going south after a while in the sun. I just had the North Quick Cover (their version of the Stack Pack) installed and one of the things I like about it is they put a zipper "flap" cover on the unit so that when the sail's down and the cover's zipped close, that flap covers the zipper so the sun doesn't degrage it at all.

 

[Gwyn]

Hi

I have just re-installed the lazy jacks on my H40 1985 after removing them for an Atlantic crossing.

The recommended distances for a three line system along the boom are 25%, 55% and 85% of the boom length, measured from the mast.

I always loosen the lazy jacks after hoisting the sail and tighten before dropping it. I do not have a stack pack but the sail come down nicely folded, if the boat is pointed directly into the wind, and ready for the sail ties and cover. It can be done by one person and probably takes the same time as a stack pack system.

Gwyn