Got to get those LazyJacks

[Terry]

Yes I know this topic has been covered somewhat previously because I did a search on it and found two threads on it that I read.
My interest was seriously piqued after watching that Alerion video that TT posted, the way that sail came down was just too cool, I just gotta be able to emulate that somehow. I saw a couple ideas posted, but the threads are well over a year old and I have to wonder if more sailors here have invested in some form of Lazyjacks since then and have new experience to share. I am not looking for anything too fancy and I am still willing to go up and put my blue sunbrella sail cover on once back at my slip. I just want to be able to pull that sail down in a hurry and have it secure enough to make it back into the marina which would not be that far since I would drop the sail just before reaching the breakwater. I suspect I may be required to hop up there and temporarily secure the sail with a couple of bobble bungees (the bungees with a little orange/blue ball on each end to loop over instead of hooks) then tie it more securely once in the marina. Perhaps there are systems that will eliminate this, I don't know. I am in the process of getting her rigged for singlehanded sailing, I got the autohelm, now I need lines aft and a quick way to douse those sails before going in. Is there also a system for the jib/genoa, mine are hank-ons and even though I plan to put in a downhaul, there is still the possibility that part of the sail could drag in the water. Any new ideas out there?

[Mork]

What you need is a stak pac. The main comes down into a long bag held up by lazy jacks. Then when you get in all you do is zip it up along the boom. Secondly get a furling jib/genoa. Lastly get furling jib/genoa. Oh one more thing get furling j............................


Mork aka Leon

[Frank C]

I have the CDI furler, so no downhaul needed. However, there are pretty slick solutions for rigging the downhaul so the sail absolutely remains on the foredeck. I think a diligent search might turn up a drawing or diagram (maybe by dealer Bill ??).

BTW, it seems to me that the Doyle StackPack is a comprehensive solution!
(read as: very expensive ... maybe a coupla' boatbucks? )

[ssichler]

I have Lazy Jacks installed by my dealer. Currently the setup doesn't work very well because I don't have a topping lift or Boomkicker installed which means the Lazy Jack line is supporting the boom making them too tight. Lazy Jacks need to be loose enough so they won't bind on the sail. With the rotating mast if they are too tight they bind on the track.

Not sure what video you are referring to but you probably won't get the same results since the Mac sail is so light it doesn't drop seem to want to drop without some assistance. On my Catalina 28 with Lazy Jacks and a heavier full-batten main the sail dropped and stacked pretty well.

[Terry]

ssichler:
The video I was refering to is within the 'Saing Videos' thread where TT posted pictures and videos. If you scroll down to them and click on the text it will bring up the video on the 'Alerion Express 28' a real fine daysailer. Since you don't know which video I am refering to you missed it, go back and watch it, it is worth it, nice boat. When they demonstrate the ease of mainsail (full battens) dropping it looks slick, that is what inspired me.

[Chip Hindes]

You didn't mention whether you had looked at this mod.

Although I posted it, it's not mine and I've never done it. It looks to me, though, like it's at least as good as some of the commercial versions of lazyjacks I've seen, and custom fit for the Mac 26. Also, I can't imagine it would cost much more than $100 compared to the cost of the Stack Pack previsouly mentioned.

For myself, at this point in my Mac ownership I just can't bear to sacrifice any more of the rather anemic performance by interposing still more claptrap into the airflow over the main. For the same reason I've been avoiding anything other than the stock reefing setup.

BTW, I've run into the original designer Ed Goodhue again through NETS, and though he's since purchased another, larger boat and sold his Mac, I'm sure he'd be happy to talk to anyone about the system he designed. PM me and I'll hook you up through email.

[ssichler]

ssichler:
The video I was refering to is within the 'Saing Videos' thread where TT posted pictures and videos. If you scroll down to them and click on the text it will bring up the video on the 'Alerion Express 28' a real fine daysailer. Since you don't know which video I am refering to you missed it, go back and watch it, it is worth it, nice boat. When they demonstrate the ease of mainsail (full battens) dropping it looks slick, that is what inspired me.

A heavier full-batten main would definitely make a difference. Since we are talking about spending your money, go for it;) I will have to make do for a while with the stock main since an autopilot and dodger are next on my list.

[KayakDan]

I have a modified version of Ed's lazyjacks on my M. Because they use bungee line,they give with the movement of the sail,and don't interfere with the airflow. I modified mine by using stainless caribiners where the lines off the mast meet the upper blocks. This way I can disconnect the lazy jacks at that point. The bottom section slack gets wrapped around a cleat on the boom,the top section gets bungeed to the reefing hook. This way I can put on the sail cover and the jacks stay neat. The whole setup is about $50.00. You will need to throw a tie or two around the sail when it's dropped,but it's much easier to deal with the sail.
I will be sailing with Ed next weekend,and I'll be interested to hear what he thinks of this setup. Ed is just an amazing guy!

[ssichler]

I found a better photo of how neatly my sail stacks... not


Anyone know if a sailmaker could add full battens to the stock main? Probably even if they could you would be better off putting the money towards a new main. I'm going to add a boom kicker this weekend and McLube the track to see if that helps with raising and lowering.

[mtc]

Great pics of your system.

Aren't you concerned that you may get imaled on the arms sticking out from the boom?

[mtc]

impaled

[Sloop John B]

Put a tether on your Mate and send her up there to stuff the main down into those lazy jacks, that is, to free all the hang up with the battens and a stubborn slug or two.

I have a 'sail caddy'. I stand on the galley sink and the back dinette seat and reach up to pull the main down. I whip a couple BWY cleat bungies around the mess and tell the mate to hit the ice cubes with a swift jab of the pick to bust them up enough to get some into my plastic cup.

[pokerrick1]

I just had Lazy Jacks installed on my M by my dealer (Inman in MDR, CA) for $300 - - -I think Capt Mike (the dealer) invented what I have and they work fine and I LOVE them.

Rick

[pokerrick1]

They NO NOT effect sail performance

Rick

[Catigale]

Blue Lazy Jacks are faster....