About to begin installing a homemade lazy jacks system on a H31 with an ~11 ft. boom. I would love hearing from those who have done this so as to avoid mistakes. I am considering a system which can be pulled forward and lashed to the mast/boom for sailing (see link). Can't decide if I need a 3 or 4 legged system. Any help really appreciated......Gary
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Lazy Jacks
Check out www.bartonmarine.com. Click under New Products and then Lazy Jacks. You will see the systems they sell but more important the installation instructions, which should give you some good ideas about installing your system. You're gonna love these things, especially if you singlehand.
Check out www.bartonmarine.com. Click under New Products and then Lazy Jacks. You will see the systems they sell but more important the installation instructions, which should give you some good ideas about installing your system. You're gonna love these things, especially if you singlehand.
lazy jacks
I just set up my M25 with some, homemade of course. Since I keep the boat on the trailer, I needed a system that was easily set up and taken off/down. I used 3/8 inch 3-braid rope to make the "top" part of the jacks and attached it where my side stays come off the mast. As for the "lower" part of the jacks, I used 3/8 inch shock cord to give the system some flex as I didn't want to have to retract it while sailing. I held the shock cord in place with duck tape on the boom while I figured out where the best placement would be, then attached eyelets in these places (it is a 3 leg system). I attached each leg of the system to the eyelets with bungie cord ends. That way, I can take it off to demast the boat. The entire system is can tied to the mast when trailering. I have only sailed a few times since I installed it and it seems to work well, sail shape is affected a little but I am not one to worry about that too much. I can post pix if you would like me to. Chris M25 Chara
I just set up my M25 with some, homemade of course. Since I keep the boat on the trailer, I needed a system that was easily set up and taken off/down. I used 3/8 inch 3-braid rope to make the "top" part of the jacks and attached it where my side stays come off the mast. As for the "lower" part of the jacks, I used 3/8 inch shock cord to give the system some flex as I didn't want to have to retract it while sailing. I held the shock cord in place with duck tape on the boom while I figured out where the best placement would be, then attached eyelets in these places (it is a 3 leg system). I attached each leg of the system to the eyelets with bungie cord ends. That way, I can take it off to demast the boat. The entire system is can tied to the mast when trailering. I have only sailed a few times since I installed it and it seems to work well, sail shape is affected a little but I am not one to worry about that too much. I can post pix if you would like me to. Chris M25 Chara
Lazy Jack Rig reply
Lazy Jacks shouldn't need 3/8" line. a good 3/16" dacron line should be sufficient, thread the system through a couple of harken dinghy blocks mounted high on the mast port and starboard, and cleated near the base of the mast. Thart way the whole system can be cleared while sailing. Lazy jacks are convenient, but can be a problem. One major complaint I have is that with a fully battened mainsail, the battens tend to catch in the lazy jack rigging when raising the sail.
Lazy Jacks shouldn't need 3/8" line. a good 3/16" dacron line should be sufficient, thread the system through a couple of harken dinghy blocks mounted high on the mast port and starboard, and cleated near the base of the mast. Thart way the whole system can be cleared while sailing. Lazy jacks are convenient, but can be a problem. One major complaint I have is that with a fully battened mainsail, the battens tend to catch in the lazy jack rigging when raising the sail.
Homemade Lazy Jacks
I made a 4 leg set (2 per side) a few years ago and I'm very happy the way they turned out. I used lightweight vinyl coated cable for the top portion with 1-1/8 dia Harken blocks swaged on the lower ends and the upper end attached to the mast with padeyes. One continous piece of 1/4 dia line is used for the lower section, with a Lance Cleat on the boom for adjustment. Our main halyard is at the mast, so I positioned the Lance Cleat at the forward part of the boom. If your main halyard is lead aft to the cockpit, you can mount the adjustment cleat on the aft portion of the boom to make it accesable from the cockpit. We also have an 11 ft. boom (with a 40' "P") and I don't think the added complication of 6 legs would be worth it.
I made a 4 leg set (2 per side) a few years ago and I'm very happy the way they turned out. I used lightweight vinyl coated cable for the top portion with 1-1/8 dia Harken blocks swaged on the lower ends and the upper end attached to the mast with padeyes. One continous piece of 1/4 dia line is used for the lower section, with a Lance Cleat on the boom for adjustment. Our main halyard is at the mast, so I positioned the Lance Cleat at the forward part of the boom. If your main halyard is lead aft to the cockpit, you can mount the adjustment cleat on the aft portion of the boom to make it accesable from the cockpit. We also have an 11 ft. boom (with a 40' "P") and I don't think the added complication of 6 legs would be worth it.
Good Ideas....
I already have my small blocks on the upper spreaders and a pull line attached. I bought 1/4" 3 strand dacron line due to its ease of making eye splices. Thanks for the ideas and I'll post my results.
I already have my small blocks on the upper spreaders and a pull line attached. I bought 1/4" 3 strand dacron line due to its ease of making eye splices. Thanks for the ideas and I'll post my results.
How about on the topping lift
I think I'll make some that attach to the topping lift and when not in use, can be unclipped from under the boom and clipped at the back of the boom where the topping lift connects so the're out of the way.
I think I'll make some that attach to the topping lift and when not in use, can be unclipped from under the boom and clipped at the back of the boom where the topping lift connects so the're out of the way.
Attach to spreaders not mast
I've noticed that on B&R rigged Hunters the LJax are attached to the spreaders rather than the mast. This opens up the "slot" so the sail hangs up less going up and down. Take a look at this before you "squeeze" them onto your mast.
I've noticed that on B&R rigged Hunters the LJax are attached to the spreaders rather than the mast. This opens up the "slot" so the sail hangs up less going up and down. Take a look at this before you "squeeze" them onto your mast.
ez-jacks
I see a lot of replys and comments on the Lazy Jack system and thats good. How about some comments on the EZ-Jack system which by the way, I can't get them to answer multipule calls.
I see a lot of replys and comments on the Lazy Jack system and thats good. How about some comments on the EZ-Jack system which by the way, I can't get them to answer multipule calls.
Whew....what a job
Spent yesterday afternoon and all morning getting them on. Sheesh, not an easy job. I used the method shown in my original post. The biggest difficulty is making adjustments, as there are only 2 lines on each side which loop back and forth, over and up, around and down, etc...thru SS rings. Once adjusted though, they were exactly what I hoped for. The 3 leg system seemed a must. I think a 2 leg would have allowed the sail to fall in places. Will post pictures to add to this thread next trip. I recommed this method for a very functional system with very little investment. Probably around 75 bucks.
Spent yesterday afternoon and all morning getting them on. Sheesh, not an easy job. I used the method shown in my original post. The biggest difficulty is making adjustments, as there are only 2 lines on each side which loop back and forth, over and up, around and down, etc...thru SS rings. Once adjusted though, they were exactly what I hoped for. The 3 leg system seemed a must. I think a 2 leg would have allowed the sail to fall in places. Will post pictures to add to this thread next trip. I recommed this method for a very functional system with very little investment. Probably around 75 bucks.
Hey Don....
They are lines which span from the bottom of each side of the boom to the upper end of the mast. (see link on original post). They are hoisted before dropping the main and, when the main is dropped, they prevent the sail from falling off the boom. Some leave the lazy jacks up even while sailing, and others design them to be pulled forward and out of the way while sailing. It's just a convenience thing, very handy especially for singlehanded sailing.
They are lines which span from the bottom of each side of the boom to the upper end of the mast. (see link on original post). They are hoisted before dropping the main and, when the main is dropped, they prevent the sail from falling off the boom. Some leave the lazy jacks up even while sailing, and others design them to be pulled forward and out of the way while sailing. It's just a convenience thing, very handy especially for singlehanded sailing.
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