One of the off-season projects I am considering is installing lazy jacks. I have heard mixed reviews regarding the benefits of having them. I am looking for a schematic that would show me exactly how they are rigged and how they operate.
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Lazy Jacks--Retractable
Doug, I don't have a schematic, but I do have retractable lazy jacks on my 335. They are very useful, particularly when singlehanding. However, I would strongly recommend the retractable kind as they can really get in the way otherwise. Good luck! Gary Wyngarden S/V Shibumi H335
Doug, I don't have a schematic, but I do have retractable lazy jacks on my 335. They are very useful, particularly when singlehanding. However, I would strongly recommend the retractable kind as they can really get in the way otherwise. Good luck! Gary Wyngarden S/V Shibumi H335
Retractable lazy jacks
Below is the link for the E-Z-JAX web site. I have no experience with them, but they claim that they're retractable
Below is the link for the E-Z-JAX web site. I have no experience with them, but they claim that they're retractable
Installed on my H34 2 years ago. Just do-it-yourself. The kits may have some benefits.. but these aren't rocket science.. just line and blocks. Take a look a boats, look at some drawings from wherever, and have at it..
The catalogs like West Marine...
..usually have good descriptive information. I installed the Shaeffer kit myself, and am pleased overall. The kit allows the jacks to be retracted, but after doing that every trip for a while, I quit that. Now, I just leave them a little slack all the time. I have them set just loose enough that they don't affect mainsail shape under sail, and they still do the job of taming the main when you drop it. On my 29.5, you only have to watch til the first (top) batten clears the jack lines as you raise the main, and then the rest of the roach is outside the jacks already and it's fine. The topping lift is more of a continual problem than the jacks.
..usually have good descriptive information. I installed the Shaeffer kit myself, and am pleased overall. The kit allows the jacks to be retracted, but after doing that every trip for a while, I quit that. Now, I just leave them a little slack all the time. I have them set just loose enough that they don't affect mainsail shape under sail, and they still do the job of taming the main when you drop it. On my 29.5, you only have to watch til the first (top) batten clears the jack lines as you raise the main, and then the rest of the roach is outside the jacks already and it's fine. The topping lift is more of a continual problem than the jacks.
Lazy jack dilemma.
Bought one(Link below) over a year ago and will finally install. My mast is down for the first time this winter. The retractable models like mine generally use a stretch cord and I wonder how long that lasts in the sun? If you make your own using blocks then they could be retractable withOUT using stretch cord. I think someone posted that exact thing on Photo Forum. Maybe some of the retractables use blocks instead of stretch cord. Either way I personally would want them out of the way while sailing. Money no object? Then 1) furling boom, 2) Dutchman, and 3) Doyle stack pack. Lazyjacks are definitely #4. While my mast is down I plan to fix that topping lift issue also. Will install a spare halyard that attaches to the topping lift. Then I can keep it tensioned. I know, I know, spend the bucks for a solid vang!
Bought one(Link below) over a year ago and will finally install. My mast is down for the first time this winter. The retractable models like mine generally use a stretch cord and I wonder how long that lasts in the sun? If you make your own using blocks then they could be retractable withOUT using stretch cord. I think someone posted that exact thing on Photo Forum. Maybe some of the retractables use blocks instead of stretch cord. Either way I personally would want them out of the way while sailing. Money no object? Then 1) furling boom, 2) Dutchman, and 3) Doyle stack pack. Lazyjacks are definitely #4. While my mast is down I plan to fix that topping lift issue also. Will install a spare halyard that attaches to the topping lift. Then I can keep it tensioned. I know, I know, spend the bucks for a solid vang!
You probably don't want to hear my opinion, but...
I also have a Hunter 31, and one of my great joys is furling and packing my mainsail. It's easy enough to do and I get great satisfaction out of the appearance of a properly stowed mainsail. Consider saving your money or diverting it to some other area of your boat. As we all know, boats are loaded with opportunities to spend. We charter often in the Virgin Islands on larger boats and then it seems that lazyjacks are an absolute necessity, but on the H31, I'd rather spend my money on something really essential (like port and starboard icemakers). Of course, I am basically a weekend sailor in a northeastern climate, so I only sail perhaps 30-50 days per year. If your usage is higher, then I guess the convenience of lazyjacks outweighs the cost and windage factor. I hope this helps you decide what's best for you. I enjoy these posts because you always get a broad spectrum of responses. Whatever you decide, let us know.
I also have a Hunter 31, and one of my great joys is furling and packing my mainsail. It's easy enough to do and I get great satisfaction out of the appearance of a properly stowed mainsail. Consider saving your money or diverting it to some other area of your boat. As we all know, boats are loaded with opportunities to spend. We charter often in the Virgin Islands on larger boats and then it seems that lazyjacks are an absolute necessity, but on the H31, I'd rather spend my money on something really essential (like port and starboard icemakers). Of course, I am basically a weekend sailor in a northeastern climate, so I only sail perhaps 30-50 days per year. If your usage is higher, then I guess the convenience of lazyjacks outweighs the cost and windage factor. I hope this helps you decide what's best for you. I enjoy these posts because you always get a broad spectrum of responses. Whatever you decide, let us know.
I had lazy jack on my old h23.5
and they where great when you lowered the mailsail so it didn't spill all over the place. But in raising the sail they always seemed to get in the way. The main I had had battens and they always seemed to the hung up on the lazy jacks, espically on a windy day.
and they where great when you lowered the mailsail so it didn't spill all over the place. But in raising the sail they always seemed to get in the way. The main I had had battens and they always seemed to the hung up on the lazy jacks, espically on a windy day.
I Love 'em!
We have 'em and love 'em. Make dropping the sails easy. To raise sail with them in place, just make sure you are heading into the wind, at least until you get past the 2nd batten. Then the sail won't catch the lines. If in port on a hot day or a rainy day, and you want to rig an awning of some type, just ease the LZ control line, wrap it with a bungie cord around the mast, and rig the awning. They work great..ESPECIALLY if you single-hand as I do, often.
We have 'em and love 'em. Make dropping the sails easy. To raise sail with them in place, just make sure you are heading into the wind, at least until you get past the 2nd batten. Then the sail won't catch the lines. If in port on a hot day or a rainy day, and you want to rig an awning of some type, just ease the LZ control line, wrap it with a bungie cord around the mast, and rig the awning. They work great..ESPECIALLY if you single-hand as I do, often.
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