A Trip North
Patrick, you need to come to PC and bring your camera, save us both a lot of typing. Retractable lazy jacks: Locate two small cheek blocks (port and stb on the mast)just below the second set of spreaders. Install two cleats (plastic for this) on the mast port and stb where the bottom of the boom intersects the mast. Install 4 ss eye straps along the bottom of the boom (spacing after I measure them). Getting the lengths of the webs ect is a cut and try process but the concept is as follows: The lazy jacks are normally stored along the boom, around the plastic cleats and up the lower portion of the mast. From the first web( one closest to the mast) a line runs up through the cheek blocks and back to the plastic cleats terminating with a couple of feet of shock cord. During normal sailing the lazy jacks are stored along the boom around the cleat and up the mast(out of the way). When time to lower the main the jacks are set up by releasing them from the cleats and taking up the slack line going up to the cheek block. Lower and secure the main. Release the jack hoisting line and restore the lazy jacks to the stored position. It sounds complicated but it works like a charm, it works with a standard sail cover, and they are not in the way when hoisting the main. I have a full batten main, and wouldn't consider any other scheme. It takes more time to walk from the cockpit to the mast than it does to set up the jacks. I will try to get some pictures next trip to the boat. Not only will you have a better set up than any commercial product, but the total cost is probably less than $50.
