Lazy jacks question
- Thread starter Stephen OBrien
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Yes...
1. They look like training wheels. 2. They clutter an otherwise fine view. 3. Real men still flake by hand.
1. They look like training wheels. 2. They clutter an otherwise fine view. 3. Real men still flake by hand.
Lazy Jacks
I have them on my boat, but a PO had installed them. I have a full batten main, and honestly unless you are right into the wind and stay there precisly a batten usually gets caught. This means lowering the halyard and starting again, or a walk onto the deck. On the way back down, they are OK, but if I had my choice I would invest in a Doyle Stackpak.
I have them on my boat, but a PO had installed them. I have a full batten main, and honestly unless you are right into the wind and stay there precisly a batten usually gets caught. This means lowering the halyard and starting again, or a walk onto the deck. On the way back down, they are OK, but if I had my choice I would invest in a Doyle Stackpak.
Lazy Jacks
Dont mind Bill he must ride a Honda only problem is the battens get stuck at times bad weather and short handed great. Craig
Dont mind Bill he must ride a Honda only problem is the battens get stuck at times bad weather and short handed great. Craig
Using Lazy Jacks
Seems everyone complains about how they operate when the sail goes up, but NOT how great they are when the sail comes down. I didn't have them on my C25, and Bill is right. But the sail was handle-able. On our C34, I'm glad I have them, big sail, fully battened. Ya still gotta flake after it's down. Helpful hint(repeat): don't bother to retract BOTH sides of the jacks when raising the main, just do one side and cock you boat a bit off directly head into the wind, so the sail goes up on the side of the jacks you've moved. (singlehanders' trick - less work on deck). Also, if you raise the mainsail from the mast as you come aft, just take the jacks with you - one "side" fits all! (Sometimes I raise the main from the mast, other times from the cockpit.) We're also fortunate enough to have Harken Battcars on the track - that sure makes a difference. Stu
Seems everyone complains about how they operate when the sail goes up, but NOT how great they are when the sail comes down. I didn't have them on my C25, and Bill is right. But the sail was handle-able. On our C34, I'm glad I have them, big sail, fully battened. Ya still gotta flake after it's down. Helpful hint(repeat): don't bother to retract BOTH sides of the jacks when raising the main, just do one side and cock you boat a bit off directly head into the wind, so the sail goes up on the side of the jacks you've moved. (singlehanders' trick - less work on deck). Also, if you raise the mainsail from the mast as you come aft, just take the jacks with you - one "side" fits all! (Sometimes I raise the main from the mast, other times from the cockpit.) We're also fortunate enough to have Harken Battcars on the track - that sure makes a difference. Stu
Eazy-Jax
Downside with standard lazy jacks: 1. sometimes catch battens when raising 2. Sail chafe 3. need to be adjusted with changing topping lift adjustment 4. interefere with sail shape (if too tight), especially with loose footed mainsails at maximum camber settings. Dutchman system: all above except #1. Boom packs, etc.: #4 Take a look at "EZ-JAX" which store along the boom/mast when not in use .... all the above objections are removed http://www.ezjax.com/ If you're 'clever' you can make your own with small bullet blocks and parachute cord.
Downside with standard lazy jacks: 1. sometimes catch battens when raising 2. Sail chafe 3. need to be adjusted with changing topping lift adjustment 4. interefere with sail shape (if too tight), especially with loose footed mainsails at maximum camber settings. Dutchman system: all above except #1. Boom packs, etc.: #4 Take a look at "EZ-JAX" which store along the boom/mast when not in use .... all the above objections are removed http://www.ezjax.com/ If you're 'clever' you can make your own with small bullet blocks and parachute cord.
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