What are lazy jacks? Re: lines aft on OD 25

[David]

You will have to excuse my lack of knowledge. What are lazy jacks? How would they help me lower the main sail? And why would the winch help my boat go faster? I know this may seem elementary, but please enlighten me. Thank you! -David

 

[Dave]

Lazy Jacks

Dave,Lazy jacks are lines running from partway up your mast to either side of your boom. they hold the mainsail when you lower it so it is contained and not flailing around. Personally I think they are a waste of money and a chafing source on your sail.Which winch are you referring to? Most small boats have five winches. Two for the jib or genoa sheets, one for the mainsail halyard, one for the jib or genoa halyard, and one for the mainsheet. The two halyard winches just let you tighten the luff of the sail and help make the sail shape efficient. The mainsheet trims your sail be adjusting the boom position to the proper angle to the wind. The jib or genoa winches are used to adjust the position of the jib or genoa relative to the wind direction.Don't be afraid to ask, we all started out at one time or another.dave

 

[Mike]

I think you are referring to the main halyard winc

If I remember the "lines aft" post, it referred to a winch on the cabin top, which I assume is the one you are referring to. That winch is there to help you raise the mainsail. Most boats (especially small boats) back when had the main halyard winch mounted on the mast. This allowed for a direct force on the halyard. If you lead your halyards aft to the cockpit so you can raise and lower your sails without leaving the security of that space, your mast-mounted winch becomes mostly useless. Several owners have noted that they have repositioned their main winch on the cabin top when they have lead their halyards aft. The position of the winch has nothing to do with the speed of the boat, except that if you can tighten the halyard, you gain extra contol over the sail shape and hopefully get more speed. On a smaller boat like the O'day 25, you may not even need the winch. On my 23, I only use it some of the time, and almost never need to resort to the handle.