What kind of flake are you?

[SailboatOwners.com]

Mainsail flaking systems have been around a long time.

The oyster dredging sailboats of the Chesapeake Bay, bugeyes and skipjacks, had huge sail plans. Combined with the changeable conditions on the bay, boats had to reef quickly and with a small crew. The rigging they used to control the main became known as "lazy jacks": British sailors being known as Jack tars, the name referenced the reduction of manpower and effort that lazy jacks provide.

What's your favorite flaking system for your modern yacht? The classic Lazy Jack setup, the newer, simpler Dutchman system, or the all-in-one Stack Pack type made by some sail lofts.

Or, do you prefer the simplest of flaking systems... four hands and some bungee cords?

Tell us what kind of flake you are, then vote in the Quick Quiz on the home page.

 

[sailortonyb Allied Mistress 39]

Lazy Jacks

The only system I have ever used was Lazy Jacks that I made myself. They work great, short handed or not. I highly recommend them. Fast and easy to make.
I have not used any other system so I cannot comment on them.

Tony B

 

[Ctskip]

I do it the old way

By hand and some cords. Lower the sail and wrap a bungee around the boom in two places so i can see where I'm going, then when settled in, I'll start my flaking system. I work from the back to the front. Then cover. It ain't pretty but I haven't noticed anything different when I raise the sail the next trip. It all works for me. Maybe the sail takes a beating and I might lose some sail life but, I'd like to think my time is worth something.
Keep it up,
Ctskip

 

[Bill B281 Dragonfly]

I'm no Flake

In-mast furling

 

[Scott]

No aids ...

I just flake it and bundle it with a couple of light weight bungies at the aft end and a sail tie near the mast. Then I pull the sail cover over it and snap it shut. But our boat is small and manageable at 27'. It can be a nuisance and I think that I would prefer the type of system on the Tarten Yachts where the boom gathers everything when you drop the sail and then you just zip up the cover.

We hank our head sail as well. Putting the sails away is not a pleasant task when the sun is real hot as it has been the last week or so. In cool weather, I don't mind the activity at all. In fact, I kind of like it. When it is really brisk, it is actually something I enjoy.

 

[Ed Weber]

Use reef lines to flake

On our Hunter 34 we use the reefing lines to pull the sail on top of the boom and then tie with sail ties. The reefing lines work well enough that I am not going to add lazy jacks. On boats with Lazy Jacks I have found that they get in the way of using the sail cover, or otherwise foul other sailing gear.

 

[william]

Lazy Jacks

My boat came equiped with them, no complaints, which is more that I can say about the admiral and 3 year old.

 

[Brian D]

Don't have a flaking system

However, I would like to put one on the boat. Probably a Lazy Jack system.

 

[Billy]

Old school

I'm a little old school. No systems just sail ties four. I've been sailing for fifty years ( EE'gads!) and have owned my current boat a C&C 39 since 1993. I race , cruise and daysail and see no reason what so ever to change what I'm doing. It's easy enough and has nothing to maintain or break. The mainsail is made of mylar, pentex and dacron taffetta and took about a year before it's memory started to help the process, now it almost stacks itself except for the first four flakes. My main halyard is at the base of the mast instead of aft which for me makes it easier to singlehand counter to everything else you read.

 

[Rene']

Tried and True

We sail a Cabo Rico 34 with a long low aspect sail plan. The boom on the mainsail is about 16 feet long. We just heat to wind and lower the sail. I start at the back pulling the leach back, and putting in a "flake" about one foot on each side of the boom. Then I put sail ties webbing, not bungees to secure the sail.
We dont like anything to rub or chafe on the sails. Once the sail is "flaked" we put on the sail cover.

 

[Glenn]

Simpler Dutchman system?

My 84 C30 has the Dutchman flaking. I fine it is simpler in theory only. I have had the boat for about 5 years, it has new mast, rigging and sails about 7 years ago. I believe there are too many adjustments that need to be made in order for the leach of the main to have the proper curve without the filaments interferring. The topping lift should be eased about 9" to 12", but I have found that the topping lift needs to be rotated some so the filaments do not interfer. I have not used the Lazy Jacks, but suspect they might be easier.

 

[Ken]

;D My Evolution

I started out with the common flaking over the boom but when I got into my serious racing sails it was always roll the main. Now my new boat a used Beneteau First 345 it came with a Doyle stack pack and that is so simple to use now my next main will be equipped with it as well. I do a lot of shorthanded and singlehanded sailing and try rolling a racing main alone in a stiff breeze....
Now I just flip open the stopper and tuck it in a bit and zip it up...
Ahh the sweet simplicity of a cruiser
Ken, Sail Away,

 

[seadaddler]

Lazy Jacks

I now have INMAST but when I had batten sails
I found using retractable Lazy Jacks worked
really great especially when singled handed,
and they were easy to retract out of the way.
Nick

 

[sail aweigh]

Lazy Jacks

I used to just tie it with 4 ties, but now I installed the jacks this summer and I don't know how I did without them. IP 31 "AWEIGH" Dan..

 

[dixon hemphill]

Lazy Jacks

I want to make some lazy jacks like Tony B did.

Hopefully he can tell me how he made them

 

[Bob Todd]

Lazyjacks are a must for my boat...

...can't drop the sail into nothing!

Cheers,

Bob

 

[Recess]

Short video

Short video about making Lazy Jacks. I am completely unfamiliar with the use of them.

 

[Brian D]

At one time...

There was a discussion on Lazy Jacks. Someone posted a link to a website that had instructions on how to build your own. Granted, it doesn't take much to figure out. Just look at any commercial design and I think one can ascertain how it is done.

However, I wish I could find that link again. I tried searching the archives but could not find it.

 

[caguy]

Brian, here is the installation manual,

It is more like a do it yourself guide. The components are pretty in expensive and common.
For a 27' boat you may want to add one more tier.

Frank

 

[Kevin]

Hey what about roller furling

thar's what I use