Lazy Jacks

[BarryL]

Hello,I want to add a LAzy Jack to my boat, a 1986 Newport 28.Any comments on how easy or difficult installation is, oron how they work?I can get a Harken kit or a Schaeffer kit, is there any realdifference between the two?And lastly, my boat is 28'. The small kits are for boats 22-28and the medium for 29 or 30 and bigger. Will the small kit beOK for my boat or should I get the larger model?Thanks!Barry

 

[Michael Doran]

Am I lazy or what?

Maybe I am just lazy, or don't see the value in installing a Lazy Jacks system, but for me simple seems to be better. When I dowse the mainsail, I just point her into the wind, ease the sheet, drop the halyard, grab my lace line, jump up on the cabin roof, bowse up the sail on the boom, jump back into the cockpit, and tighten up and cleat the sheet. This all takes less than a coupla minutes single handed. When I get back to the Marina, it takes me another few minutes to flake the sail and put the cover on. I have done this in some pretty nasty air on my O'Day 25. For a bigger boat, I suppose it could be more of a challenge, but for mine I fail to see the need.

 

[Chris Burti]

You can make your own.

You don't need all those expensive blocks. A couple of stainless rings a half dozen SS eyes, a small cleat and about 100' of 1/4" Dacron line. There will be some extra line, but it's always useful to have aboard. You can substitute the eyes and rings for the blocks in the commercial kits. You are not hauling any substantial weight and simply don't need them. All you are doing is allowing the system to be adjusted and loosened when sailing to prevent chafe and snugged up into position when you want to drop the main. If you put your top eyes on the spreaders (instead of on the mast like I did) you may not even need to adjust them each time you raise and lower the main after you get it right the first time.Check out a system in use and you will easily see what you need to do.

 

[Ken Prichard]

Love mine

One of the best additions I made.I single hand a lot and I guess I'm not as nimble as Michael but before I had a lazy jack system I had sail all over the place.My kit is a Barton.I did the installation with no trouble but I did drop the mast to do it.I have full battens and have no problems raising as claimed by some.

 

[RobG]

Check out this site.

Illistrations are very clear to make your own as mentioned above. I'm going to do it over the winter.