I have lazy jacks on our boat but do not want to cut slits in the mainsail cover. Which would be the best way to clear the lazy jacks with the cover ? first idea: once the main is down and tied to the boom, bring the lazy jacks forward to the mast and secure them there (they will make a lot of noise slapping against the mast but my cover should fit better. second idea: once the main is down and tied to the boom, bring the lazy jacks aft along the boom inside the cover , the cover will fit and the lazy jacks will exit the cover at the end of the boom, and go to the mast from here. Thanks for any other ideas you may have. CM
Lazy jacks v. new main cover
- Thread starter cmorin
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Sounds like a lot of work..
Last season I replaced the canvas on my C30. The canvas guy slit the main sail cover on one side only and put a zipper on the slit. This is a lot easier to use than the old cover which was slit on both sides. I use a couple of sail ties on the main in addition to the lazy jacks. So I just wrap a loop or two around the lazyjacks which pulls them together at the top and then just zip up. It works great and sounds a lot easier than what you are describing.
Last season I replaced the canvas on my C30. The canvas guy slit the main sail cover on one side only and put a zipper on the slit. This is a lot easier to use than the old cover which was slit on both sides. I use a couple of sail ties on the main in addition to the lazy jacks. So I just wrap a loop or two around the lazyjacks which pulls them together at the top and then just zip up. It works great and sounds a lot easier than what you are describing.
seams simple
Cut the cover in half. Flip the cover over. The top is now the bottom. secure it to the mast boom permenently, one half on either side of the boom. Now when you drop your sails, the cover is right there. Most boaters end up with a 14' long (or however long your boom is) zipper on the boom, replacing the snaps and such they already have. I've seen covers with three zippers on it splitting the boom length into three parts.
Cut the cover in half. Flip the cover over. The top is now the bottom. secure it to the mast boom permenently, one half on either side of the boom. Now when you drop your sails, the cover is right there. Most boaters end up with a 14' long (or however long your boom is) zipper on the boom, replacing the snaps and such they already have. I've seen covers with three zippers on it splitting the boom length into three parts.
Your first idea is good.
See both EZJax and JiffyJax (links below). To keep the lines from slapping the mast (and keeping the marina awake all night), use bungie cords to your shrouds. Your second proposal is espoused by (I think) Lewmar. I personally prefer the EZJax / JiffyJax solution as it keeps the lines out of the way and tight to the mast both when you are hoisting the sail and when you are sailing. To incorporate this method of line control, you would need some way to attach the bottom forward corner of your lazy jacks to the mast. EZJax uses bungie cords with a plastic hook. Look at their sites for ideas. http://www.jiffyjax.com/ http://www.ezjax.com/ Steve Alchemist C-320 (happy owner of a pair fo EZJax)
See both EZJax and JiffyJax (links below). To keep the lines from slapping the mast (and keeping the marina awake all night), use bungie cords to your shrouds. Your second proposal is espoused by (I think) Lewmar. I personally prefer the EZJax / JiffyJax solution as it keeps the lines out of the way and tight to the mast both when you are hoisting the sail and when you are sailing. To incorporate this method of line control, you would need some way to attach the bottom forward corner of your lazy jacks to the mast. EZJax uses bungie cords with a plastic hook. Look at their sites for ideas. http://www.jiffyjax.com/ http://www.ezjax.com/ Steve Alchemist C-320 (happy owner of a pair fo EZJax)
bungies
I have brought my lazy jacks forward on my last two boats. Take a short bungie and hook one end to the lazy jack lines. Then hook the other end to the shrouds it takes about a minute and there is no slapping of lines.
I have brought my lazy jacks forward on my last two boats. Take a short bungie and hook one end to the lazy jack lines. Then hook the other end to the shrouds it takes about a minute and there is no slapping of lines.
Mack pack
You could get a Mack pack or convert your sailcover to the same idea as described in one of the posts here. The cover stays in place on the boom, the sail falls into the cover (thatis, between the two halves), the sides of the cover are pulled up and zipped along the top. The lazyjacks help hold the cover in place.
You could get a Mack pack or convert your sailcover to the same idea as described in one of the posts here. The cover stays in place on the boom, the sail falls into the cover (thatis, between the two halves), the sides of the cover are pulled up and zipped along the top. The lazyjacks help hold the cover in place.
What I did....
I just had a new mainsail cover made with lazy jack cutouts. I paid almost as much for the cutouts as the whole cover. I regret having this done, because I don't even use the cutouts now....this is why. One of the most useful mods I've ever installed is a permanantly mounted sail tie made of shock cord on the boom. It's so simple. Check out the link....third pic down. Once the main is secure in the ties, pull the lazy jacks back to the mast and cleat off. So...the lazy jacks are only used when the main is dropped, not during storage.
I just had a new mainsail cover made with lazy jack cutouts. I paid almost as much for the cutouts as the whole cover. I regret having this done, because I don't even use the cutouts now....this is why. One of the most useful mods I've ever installed is a permanantly mounted sail tie made of shock cord on the boom. It's so simple. Check out the link....third pic down. Once the main is secure in the ties, pull the lazy jacks back to the mast and cleat off. So...the lazy jacks are only used when the main is dropped, not during storage.
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