Lazy Jacks from Catalina Direct

[Minnesail]

I'm thinking I'd probably like lazy Jacks, since they'd make taking the sail down by myself a bit easier.

Does anyone have the kit from Catalina Direct? Were you happy with it?

http://www.catalinadirect.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&product_ID=1749&ParentCat=29

 

[Stu Jackson]

Neither my C22 or C25 had LJs. I never felt the need for them, since it was pretty easy to grab the leach and pull it back. On our C34 they're indispensable. It's always a good idea if you feel like you would benefit from them. The trick to raising the sail is to move only one side forward (many move both - more work) and then cock the boat off to one side so when raising the main it blows over just a bit.

Their kit looks fine, but you may figure out a way to DIY with hardware and a couple of blocks.

If not, buy them from this website, they're our hosts!

 

[Ken]

One thought

A royal PIA on a C22

 

[watercolors II]

All for one time use

I sometimes sail on 2 twin 28 footers, one has the lazy jacks and the other doesn’t. Even at 28 feet the boat without the lazy jacks takes less work than the one with. All that extra work uncovering and replacing the sailcover, repositioning the jacks under sail and resetting when lowering, when I can’t handle a 100 to 150 square foot sail is when I’m too weak or old for sailing!

 

[kito]

I have been looking at Lazy Jack systems myself. I came across a cheap DIY idea that sounds like it would work great. The guy attached 3/8" bungee cord to each side of the boom with a loop in the middle of each. He ran a line on each side of the mast through a block. When he wants to drop sail, he attaches the lines to each bungee loop and pulls the bungees up to collect the sail. Sounds like a great idea since no lazy jack lines in the way and rubbing on the sail. Plus you can still use a boom tent if you want. I believe I would still want a topping lift though.

 

[Minnesail]

OK, so it's just not needed at this size?

I've never really sailed a boat this size. I've sailed several 30+ boats and several little dinghies, and it seems that I can get the sail put away quicker on a 39' with lazy jacks and a stack pack than on a Capri 16.5 where you have pull the bolt rope out and roll up the sail.

But the consensus is that at this size (with sail slugs rather than a bolt rope) it's easier to guide it by hand to the boom and throw a cover over it than it is to mess with lazy jacks?

 

[jrowan]

I have been looking at Lazy Jack systems myself. I came across a cheap DIY idea that sounds like it would work great. The guy attached 3/8" bungee cord to each side of the boom with a loop in the middle of each. He ran a line on each side of the mast through a block. When he wants to drop sail, he attaches the lines to each bungee loop and pulls the bungees up to collect the sail. Sounds like a great idea since no lazy jack lines in the way and rubbing on the sail. Plus you can still use a boom tent if you want. I believe I would still want a topping lift though.

Be careful to avoid letting any standard bungee cords anywhere near your sails. All bungee cords use steel hooks & coiled metal ends that can & will rust in the marine environment. The rust will stain any sail cloth that it touches & leave permanent rust marks. This is usually where rust stains come from on sails. Always use all fabric sail ties when tying up & securing sails to avoid the rust stains of evil bungee cords. I speak from 30 years of sailing experience & I wish those cords were illegal.

 

[kito]

Be careful to avoid letting any standard bungee cords anywhere near your sails. All bungee cords use steel hooks & coiled metal ends that can & will rust in the marine environment. The rust will stain any sail cloth that it touches & leave permanent rust marks. This is usually where rust stains come from on sails. Always use all fabric sail ties when tying up & securing sails to avoid the rust stains of evil bungee cords. I speak from 30 years of sailing experience & I wish those cords were illegal.

Yes. I was meaning just the cord tied to eye straps on both ends of the boom on both sides.......no bungee hooks.