Lazy Jacks why so high up mast?

[bartpkelly]

I have two blocks below my lower of two spreaders on the mast, one block each side . Nothing is attached and I thought they were part of an old Lazy Jack system. They seem low however as most say to go above the spreaders. If I get a system that I can retract and tie against the mast when raising, is there a need to go that high up? Won't the sail fall in line and flake even if the line isn't going as high as above the first spreaders?

 

[Tally Ho]

I have a Mack Pack with integral lazy jacks. I only have a single spreader on my mast, and Mack Sails suggested I put the blocks 10 feet or so above the spreaders. Maybe it has something to do with the geometry of the various legs of the jacks. On my 32 foot boat, I have 3 legs…



Greg

 

[dlochner]

If the lazy jacks are too low, the top of the sail can fall outside the lazy jacks, which sort of goes against the purpose of having lazy jacks. This is particularly problematic if the sail has full battens at top of the sail.

 

[jssailem]

I think 30-40% up the mast (to the low spreader is fine. You need a decent triangle formed by the jacklines. This means it is more critical that the lines are connected close enough to the end of the boom than high on the mast. Some folks put them on the spreader, mine are on the mast. They work just fine. Give your current set up a try. Raise and lower the sail a few times. If they work great go sailing. If not working inspect and make what modifications that are needed. Then go sailing.

 

[jssailem]

Ps

Welcome to the forum and welcome to Everett. Are you out near the river? I can understand your docking concerns.

 

[bartpkelly]

Thank you jssailem, I will give them a go as is and see what happens. I'm over in North Docks on J-Slip, wind blows me pretty bad into my neighbor returning after summer day sailing. However, that will only make me better ... I hope.
Thank you for your reply.