Lazy Jacks

[Mel,]

I want to make a Lazy Jack system for my boat, but have never seen any in use. The pictures I've seen don't make it clear at least to me. Is the shock cord/line on both sides of the sail or only on one side, then wrapped over when the sail is down? It looks to me that it also could make a "cradle" or "web" on both sides for the sail to come down into. I have seen the links, and pictures of Lazy Jacks from this site.Thanks for any clarification anyone may give.

 

[Alan]

Lazy Jacks are setup on each side of the main and are independent of eachother (no shock cord). When not in use they can be slacked and moved to the sides of the mast. To deploy you simply pull the lines tight and drop the main. After tying the main down, the jacks are put back to the mast again. This way they are out of the way as you hoist.Hope this helps!!!

 

[Mel]

Thanks Alan

That will do it. Think I can put it together in a couple days.

 

[Ed Schenck]

Shock cord reference.

You may have seen "shock cord" referenced when researching lazy jacks. Mine are made of shock cord. Or at least a large part of them. It is what makes them easy to move from the mast to the boom and back, they stretch. They are set up so that when they are attached to the boom they are extremely tight. This is necessary because my main comes down fast and is heavy. As Alan points out there is one on each side of the mast/boom forming a cradle. In fact they are a brand named "Sail Cradle".

 

[Alan]

If

...you use solid line (that doesn't stretch) you simply make the line adjustable at the mast with a cam cleat. This way you can tension or slack it right at the mast.