Lazy Jacks

[mainegrw]

I was wondering if anyone has installed lazy jacks. I have found that it is a necessity for my boat as I have to motor in and out of a harbor, and it is difficult to see with th sail flopping everywhere. I thought maybe I could tie off one end to the side stays and then install an eye on the underside of the boom at about the mid point. I am looking for an easy solution, and any ideas would be appreciated.
- Greg Maine

[algonquin]

My main concern about using a lazy jack system on a boat as light as a DS is that it adds weight and drag aloft. I usually let the main down slowly and drape the sail over the boom. First to one side then the other until the main is all the way down. Then I use a few short bungies to secure it along the boom. Brad

[talbot]

I'm interested in lazy jacks, too. You certainly wouldn't want them for racing, but I'm not sure the weight would significantly destabilize the boat. About a dozen years ago, a couple of Outward Bound instructors published an article in SAIL (or was it SAILING?) about taking a stock Cape Cod daysailer I on a voyage off the wilderness coast of eastern Canada. They rigged the CB trunk with a sliding rowing seat (their only alternative means of propulsion) and used a full-battened main with reef points and lazy jacks. They dealt with fairly rough seas and high winds, but didn't make any mention of problems with rig balance.

My plan is to use 1/8" on either side of the boom, coming through blocks on either side of the mast to a 3/16" halyard. We'll see.

[seandwyer]

Wow - that sounds like a really interesting story! If anyone knows of a way to find a digital copy that would be a fun read!

[talbot]

I looked online before I posted my last comment. I couldn't find it using a general Google search. Maybe something specific to SAIL or SAILING. I found the magazine in the cabin of a Catalina 38 we chartered up in Puget Sound, and I left it there when we got back to port. As I recall, the writers expressed more concern about being eaten by bears on shore than about the efficiency of their mainsail underway.

[Woden]

This season I installed Jiffy Jax. They work well, even single handed as I normally sail. I deploy them when I want to lower the sail and then store them at the mast after flaking the sail to the boom. I more in a slip and this helps me get the heavy coastal sail I have flaked on the boom.

Pete

[talbot]

Interesting. I checked out the web site. How many lines did you install on each side? Could you get away with just 2?

[Woden]

Sorry About the late post. I installed 3 lines on the boom. Works great
Pete