The primary role of Lazy Jacks, as I understand, is to catch the "sail spill" over the sides of the boom. So why are the top lifting points so high up the mast, midway between the spreaders and top is often reccomended. It would seem that all the action is down low at the boom and closer to the mast at that, or am I missing something? Appreciate the help, Brian. O'day 272LE
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Brian, these things are just a cradle. The higher
you put the top mount, the better they catch the main when you let it down. Of course, then the better they catch the main when you put it up. Aw, compromises. Just like the rest of our boats. The Dutchman System gets around the lifting problems (and lowering problems too) but they cost a lot more. And you have to modify your main too. Not so with lazy jacks. And you can work around the afore mentioned glitches with a little thought. Make them retractable. Look around, others have done so. Good Luck
you put the top mount, the better they catch the main when you let it down. Of course, then the better they catch the main when you put it up. Aw, compromises. Just like the rest of our boats. The Dutchman System gets around the lifting problems (and lowering problems too) but they cost a lot more. And you have to modify your main too. Not so with lazy jacks. And you can work around the afore mentioned glitches with a little thought. Make them retractable. Look around, others have done so. Good Luck
Lower Spreaders
Master Rigger Brion Toss and the Dashews both rig their Lazy Jacks from the lower spreaders. If you buy a UK stack pack they also rig it from the lower spreaders. Keeping the angle low means that the main clears the lines of the lazy jacks more quickly when being hoisted, with less chance to snag. About the only downside is that you probably want more than just two lines coming up from your boom to catch the sail.
Master Rigger Brion Toss and the Dashews both rig their Lazy Jacks from the lower spreaders. If you buy a UK stack pack they also rig it from the lower spreaders. Keeping the angle low means that the main clears the lines of the lazy jacks more quickly when being hoisted, with less chance to snag. About the only downside is that you probably want more than just two lines coming up from your boom to catch the sail.
Steve, I'll keep that in mind. New one are planed
for spring. I see where they would be simpler too.
for spring. I see where they would be simpler too.
From the spreader
For years I did mine from the spreader. It is an easy attachment point. The line goes from the spreader to a point about a third of the way back from the aft end of the boom. A second line is spliced into this about a third of the way up and leads to point about a quater of the way back from the forwrd end of the boom. This catches most of the sail so you can drop it quick and still see to sail, or motor. Lazy jacks aren't supposed to furl the sail, just allow you to collect it easily. You could splice in more lines. I see no point in going real high because there isn't much sail there. Really, the jacks only guide the sail down.
For years I did mine from the spreader. It is an easy attachment point. The line goes from the spreader to a point about a third of the way back from the aft end of the boom. A second line is spliced into this about a third of the way up and leads to point about a quater of the way back from the forwrd end of the boom. This catches most of the sail so you can drop it quick and still see to sail, or motor. Lazy jacks aren't supposed to furl the sail, just allow you to collect it easily. You could splice in more lines. I see no point in going real high because there isn't much sail there. Really, the jacks only guide the sail down.
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