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Lazy Jacks

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Created by BlueMoon > 9 months ago, 13 Nov 2020
BlueMoon
866 posts
13 Nov 2020 4:34AM
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Im looking to install Lazy Jacks, with 3 attachment legs on the boom, I'm deciding between either a cheek block attached possibly just below the spreaders (single spreader boat).
Or a static line with an eye spliced in either end then around the spreader, the forward leg then has a horn cleat about 18 inches or so aft of gooseneck, anyone got either of these set-ups, or a better design,
cheers

Ramona
NSW, 7737 posts
13 Nov 2020 8:01AM
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This is mine.



The halyard comes down through the side of the mast where it becomes a single line that leads to the rear of the cabin. Probably no need to go that high up the mast. On my previous yacht they were at the spreader. Just a single line around the mast and over the spreader and adjusted similar to your second choice. It's better to be able to control them from the cockpit though. I think a lot depends on whether you have a fully battened main or not. All I know is life is miserable with out lazyjacks.

Zzzzzz
513 posts
13 Nov 2020 5:05AM
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Select to expand quote
BlueMoon said..
Im looking to install Lazy Jacks, with 3 attachment legs on the boom, I'm deciding between either a cheek block attached possibly just below the spreaders (single spreader boat).
Or a static line with an eye spliced in either end then around the spreader, the forward leg then has a horn cleat about 18 inches or so aft of gooseneck, anyone got either of these set-ups, or a better design,
cheers


Didn't you like the junk rig topping lift lazy jack set up ?

samsturdy
NSW, 1659 posts
13 Nov 2020 11:32AM
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I put lazyjacks on my 28ft Santana. I only have single spreaders but like Ramona I put the blocks about a quarter of
the way along the spreader. The only slight problem I have is keeping the battens clear of the jacks when raising the
mainsail.

nswsailor
NSW, 1458 posts
13 Nov 2020 11:47AM
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Select to expand quote
BlueMoon said..
Im looking to install Lazy Jacks, with 3 attachment legs on the boom, I'm deciding between either a cheek block attached possibly just below the spreaders (single spreader boat).
Or a static line with an eye spliced in either end then around the spreader, the forward leg then has a horn cleat about 18 inches or so aft of gooseneck, anyone got either of these set-ups, or a better design,
cheers


Just go over to Seaka and see how its done mate.
I'll find the proportions for you or give you the dimensions off my sail bag.

Zzzzzz
513 posts
13 Nov 2020 10:11AM
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samsturdy said..
I put lazyjacks on my 28ft Santana. I only have single spreaders but like Ramona I put the blocks about a quarter of
the way along the spreader. The only slight problem I have is keeping the battens clear of the jacks when raising the
mainsail.


Sam can't you drop the lazy jacks while raising the sail ?

Achernar
QLD, 395 posts
13 Nov 2020 12:38PM
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Select to expand quote
Zzzzzz said..

samsturdy said..
I put lazyjacks on my 28ft Santana. I only have single spreaders but like Ramona I put the blocks about a quarter of
the way along the spreader. The only slight problem I have is keeping the battens clear of the jacks when raising the
mainsail.



Sam can't you drop the lazy jacks while raising the sail ?


I have the same problem. Its a minor problem which needs a careful eye when hoisting and a bit of shaking-out. The battens on the leech snag on the loops of the lazy jacks. I ease my lazy jacks off when hoisting the mainsail, but I don't see how lowering them further will help, unless you lower them all the way, but then you'd have other problems of loose lines all over the cabin roof.

garymalmgren
1363 posts
13 Nov 2020 11:23AM
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I don't see how lowering them further will help, unless you lower them all the way, but then you'd have other problems of loose lines all over the cabin roof.

Lazyjacks don't need to be lowered.
If they are independent. both or either can be slackened off and pulled in towards the mast.
If they are secured to the mast low enough, there is almost nothing to get fouled as the main is raised.


Gary

shaggybaxter
QLD, 2661 posts
13 Nov 2020 2:00PM
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garymalmgren said..
I don't see how lowering them further will help, unless you lower them all the way, but then you'd have other problems of loose lines all over the cabin roof.

Lazyjacks don't need to be lowered.
If they are independent. both or either can be slackened off and pulled in towards the mast.
If they are secured to the mast low enough, there is almost nothing to get fouled as the main is raised.


Gary



I don't know if I like mine or not, my lazyjacks are my topping lift, so they're always on, under sail or at the dock.
To set the boom height you adjust the the lazyjack tie point on the sail bag closest to the mast, one per side.
I can undo one side to get the mainsail off and the boom is supported by the one lazyjack, but I drop both and have the boom on the cabintop so I've never really tested that theory.
If we're being supercompetitive I'll ease the lazyjacks in the light stuff to keep a nice shape in the main, but the boom lifts a few feet when the main gets hoisted, so they're slack enough for nearly all wind conditions without any interfering.
So its good for convenience and for not needing a topping lift, but a bit clumsy to adjust if you needed to do it lots.

When we hoist the main, we have the mainsheet and traveller eased and someone holding the back of the boom free-steering the lazyjacks clear of the battens going up.

BlueMoon
866 posts
13 Nov 2020 12:09PM
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Select to expand quote
Zzzzzz said..

BlueMoon said..
Im looking to install Lazy Jacks, with 3 attachment legs on the boom, I'm deciding between either a cheek block attached possibly just below the spreaders (single spreader boat).
Or a static line with an eye spliced in either end then around the spreader, the forward leg then has a horn cleat about 18 inches or so aft of gooseneck, anyone got either of these set-ups, or a better design,
cheers



Didn't you like the junk rig topping lift lazy jack set up ?


Thanks all, the LJ set up on my old junkette rig was great, but pretty beefy as it acted also as the topping lift, that held everything up including the timber battens, this one for my current sloop rig doesn't need to be anywhere near as beefy.
This set-up looks pretty good, I like the idea of the "sister clips" to remove the jacks and tie away from mast when moored, as I'm trying to eliminate any halyards slapping on mast, www.cruisingworld.com/photos/installing-lazy-jacks/
cheers

woko
NSW, 1769 posts
13 Nov 2020 3:37PM
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The halyards for my lazy jacks are made off on the pin rails, stops the mast slap. Old fashioned but works a treat

Stockie
NSW, 343 posts
13 Nov 2020 9:35PM
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If the Jack's are pivoting off the spreaders, and set outboard from the mast, they will loosen the Lee side and tighten on the weather side, automatically when the boom is trimmed out. Works nicely with a stack pack. My Rodkicker hold the boom up, so Jack's don't take that loading!

Zzzzzz
513 posts
13 Nov 2020 7:58PM
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BlueMoon said..

Zzzzzz said..


BlueMoon said..
Im looking to install Lazy Jacks, with 3 attachment legs on the boom, I'm deciding between either a cheek block attached possibly just below the spreaders (single spreader boat).
Or a static line with an eye spliced in either end then around the spreader, the forward leg then has a horn cleat about 18 inches or so aft of gooseneck, anyone got either of these set-ups, or a better design,
cheers




Didn't you like the junk rig topping lift lazy jack set up ?



Thanks all, the LJ set up on my old junkette rig was great, but pretty beefy as it acted also as the topping lift, that held everything up including the timber battens, this one for my current sloop rig doesn't need to be anywhere near as beefy.
This set-up looks pretty good, I like the idea of the "sister clips" to remove the jacks and tie away from mast when moored, as I'm trying to eliminate any halyards slapping on mast, www.cruisingworld.com/photos/installing-lazy-jacks/
cheers


Way to complicated and those sister clips with all that knotted rope looks ugly , I reckon if you have a look How the sail makers do the jacks from their sail bags with plastic rings and light line looks way better neat and light.
easy to go to heavy

lauriel
NSW, 19 posts
14 Nov 2020 10:00AM
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My sailbag and lazyjacks were made 6 years ago but were becoming harder to use. 2019 I changed to thin dynema and added low friction rings. Made useful improvement; sailbag still in good order.

Jolene
WA, 1622 posts
14 Nov 2020 7:37AM
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I know a bloke who only would have lazy jacks on one side of the boom.
A video on clearing the jacks

fishmonkey
NSW, 494 posts
14 Nov 2020 5:50PM
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if you get the lazy jack angles right the battens snagging need only be an issue when the sail is still very low on the mast...

rumblefish
TAS, 824 posts
15 Nov 2020 1:43PM
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Liros ropes (distributed by Deck Hardware) do a poly hollow rope designed specifically for lazy Jacks.
Being hollow you splice it like dyneema and it also has the added advantage of not making much noise when slapping on the mast.



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"Lazy Jacks" started by BlueMoon