Lazy Jacks

[Walter Frank]

Any opinion's on the merits of various systems? I plan to install one this spring.

 

[Jim WIllis]

They catch on the battens?

I had them on my gulf 32 but took them off before my passage to HI ( but they may have been the early "jiffy" version that cannot be put out of the way). I put on batslides so that I could raise and lower the main without turning into the wind on ocean swells.Obviously guiding lines then caught on the sail battens.I do not find it a big nuisance gathering up the main.However when I replace this sail I might consider Dutchman, but again I do not think that you could bring down the main without going into the wind.

 

[Justin - O'day Owners' Web]

I love my jacks

Walter -I added lazy jacks this season and won't sail without them again unless on a racy boat with lots of crew to handle to main. The ability to drop the main by releasing the halyard and forgetting about while moving on to dealing with other issues is invaluable.I have a full batten main and don't have any meaningful problems with catching the sail. You just have to be a touch careful. I'd say the convenience more that outweighs the hassel.My jack are my own design consisting of two cheek blocks on the mast. A line runs from the cleats at the mast winch area up through each of the cheek blocks and terminates at the eye on a bullet block. The height of the bullet blocks is controlled by cleats at the mast. Another line, spliced to be continuous, run through a pad eye on the bottom of the boom at about 2/3 of the distance to the black band up through one bullet block, down under the boom forward where it is not attached to anything, back through the other bullet block and then through the pad eye. Works a treat.When I want to, I can realease the cleats at the mast, lower the bullet blocks and pull the whole mess out of the way - never done it though. Racing, cruising, reefing, unreefing - never had an issue.I won't go back.Justin - O'day Owners' Web

 

[Peter Brennan]

Just great

Lazy jacks are great. We installed them two seasons ago on our O'Day 37. Makes single handed sail handling a snap. For some reason, a previous owner had them installed and then removed them. Batens do catch when rasing the sail, but a little care manages the problem.

 

[Tom]

Lasy Jacks, El Cheapo

Hi,I made a cheap set of jacks for my H260 that have served well for several years. I posted a picture and instruction on the photo forum, link below.Fair winds,Tom

 

[Rick Webb]

Check The Archives in the Photo Forum

There are some pictures and a description of how to make them yourself. Mine did catch on one of the battens but when you remember which one and plan for it it is not a issue.