10 years ago I had a small disaster at sea. I was watching July 4th fireworks from offshore. When I started my engine, the belt on my sea water pump shredded into a million pieces. Didn't have a spare on-board. No problem - we can sail home. But without the engine I couldn't get the boat turned into the wind to easily raise the main and in the dark I didn't notice that a batton caught on my lazy jack and the sail ripped.
Problem, yes, but the CG hauled us in after limping back with the jib only.
Long story short, I attached a pair of low tension spring cord to the pulleys on the lazy jacks and attached the other end to my shroud just under the spreader. The clips are ok and the spring cord has to be replaced every year (requiring me to send somebody up the mast).
Is there a better way to keep the lazy jacks apart to avoid catching the batton?
Problem, yes, but the CG hauled us in after limping back with the jib only.
Long story short, I attached a pair of low tension spring cord to the pulleys on the lazy jacks and attached the other end to my shroud just under the spreader. The clips are ok and the spring cord has to be replaced every year (requiring me to send somebody up the mast).
Is there a better way to keep the lazy jacks apart to avoid catching the batton?