MacGregorSailors.com

Phil M wrote:How long does it take to set up and take down lazy Jacks? My setup and take down procedure already seems to be long enough. I have shied away from lazy Jacks for that reason.

Probably adds about 4-5 minutes.



The picture above was taken when I didn't have the final line, but some line just to see where I wanted things. If you look at the second arrow down from the top you can see a round ring. From the round ring down is one section and it stays attached to the sail-pack at all times.

It wasn't there in the picture but now there is a snap hook that connects to that round SS ring.



The line from the snap hook goes up to the spreader and then to turning blocks on the mast and down to cleats on each side of the mast that I added. When I remove the boom I unsnap at the top ring and bring the snap down and connect it to the mast and the rest of the lines stay with the sail-pack. So setup is, put the boom on and hold it up with the topping lift. Unsnap one end of the up-haul lines from the mast and un-cleat them. Then attach the end with the snap hook on it to the rings at the top of the lines that go to the sail-pack and pull them up and then re-cleat the lines (one side at a time). Not much too it really but it works great.

The last three pictures on the info page here ......

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner ... ng-21.html

... are the final configuration on the water. The ones above that were when I was determining line lengths.

Hope that helps,

Sumner

============================
1300 miles to the Bahamas and back -- 2015

The MacGregor 26-S

The Endeavour 37

Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Mac-Venture Links

I can certainly see where the combination of the lazyjack lines with the sail pack would be the perfect combination for lowering the Mainsail. Unfortunately my situation I also detach the spreaders for traveling. But I'm going to study your diagram a bit more to see if there is something there I can use.
Thanks for the suggestions.

Phil M wrote:I can certainly see where the combination of the lazyjack lines with the sail pack would be the perfect combination for lowering the Mainsail. Unfortunately my situation I also detach the spreaders for traveling. But I'm going to study your diagram a bit more to see if there is something there I can use.
Thanks for the suggestions.

Use turning blocks with quick release pins on them. They would then stay with the mast,

Sumner

============================
1300 miles to the Bahamas and back -- 2015

The MacGregor 26-S

The Endeavour 37

Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Mac-Venture Links

Phil M wrote:How long does it take to set up and take down lazy Jacks? My setup and take down procedure already seems to be long enough. I have shied away from lazy Jacks for that reason.

I put a shackle on the main line of the jacks and quick pins on the spreaders, I remove them too, it takes an extra 30secs per side and the main is already setup and ready on the boom. Unlike sumner i put my fairleads directly on the spreaders . A lot less time than unbagging and fitting the main each time.

kadet wrote:
I put a shackle on the main line of the jacks and quick pins on the spreaders, I remove them too, it takes an extra 30secs per side and the main is already setup and ready on the boom. Unlike sumner i put my fairleads directly on the spreaders . A lot less time than unbagging and fitting the main each time.

Sumner puts turning blocks on his spreaders which lead to fairleads on the mast which leads down to cleats on the mast. Whereas you (Kadet) put fairleads on the spreaders only? You both leave the main attached to the boom. Ease of use and relatively easy setup. Lazyjacks are apparently raised after the mast is set up, and are lowered before the mast is taken down. Hence the Shackles and quickpins. I'm starting to see the light here.

Phil M wrote:...Sumner puts turning blocks on his spreaders which lead to fairleads on the mast which leads down to cleats on the mast. Whereas you (Kadet) put fairleads on the spreaders only? ....

I think either can work but didn't want the spreaders taking the weight of the boom/main if I forgot to have the topping lift adjusted to the right length to prevent that. The spreaders might be fully capable of taking that load??

Here is a picture again of how the lazy-jack lines run at the spreader/mast area and a quote from my page on the lazy-jack installation...

Right before the trip I added the small cheek blocks to the mast (top arrows). Now there is virtually no downward load on the spreaders as the blocks there just hold the lazy jack lines out some. I don't think there was much load before since..

.... we use a topping lift (arrow) that supports the boom when the sail is down, but if I was to forget that line and not have it adjusted right the weight of the boom/sail would be on the lazy-jack lines. Now there is no worries that I'm putting a downward pull on the spreaders.

Once I set the length of the topping lift and the lazy-jack lines they usually aren't touched until the end of the trip when it is time to lower the mast. At night on anchor I pull the boom to one side and connect it to the port side of ...



... the forward solar panels to get it out of the way and to keep it from swinging around on anchor,

Sumner

============================
1300 miles to the Bahamas and back -- 2015

The MacGregor 26-S

The Endeavour 37

Trips to Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Mac-Venture Links

Whereas you (Kadet) put fairleads on the spreaders only?

Yep these in fact I have a boom kicker so no weight on spreaders.



Line runs from lazy jack cradle block with a shackle up to the spreader fairlead then down to a jam cleat on mast. I leave the line in place on the mast and spreader and the cradle attached to the boom. When disconnected from the jack cradle there is enough slack to allow the spreader to be unpinned and strapped along the mast out of the way. Boom sail and jack cradle are then stored as one below

kadet wrote: Boom sail and jack cradle are then stored as one below

Well, I also use a boomkicker. And your cradle (sail pack) is similar to Sumners? Sumner's sail pack is quite remarkable.

Both Sumner and Kadet, thanks for clarifying.

No sail pack for me Just jacks and a separate sail cover for me

The cradle I refer to is the 3 lines of the lazy jacks that hold the sail on the boom when it is flaked.

Hi Kadet,

Your LJ setup is pretty neat.....
What's the best size, type of line to buy?.... How much line would I need?

Do your fairlead on your spreaders need to be that far out?... I would prefer to use the spreader bracket as an anchor for my Fairlead.... Do you think that could work?

I guess you're using simple metal Fairleads on the underside of the boom?...Do those LJ lines just pass through and up the other side of the boom/sail?

Do you use the LJ lines to tie your Flaked Sail to the boom for storage?

Sorry about all the questions


All the best.
Neo

I used 4mm 16 braided bought a 25m roll on sale at Whitworths for like $25 years ago and still have bit left on the roll. I used Riley RM302 Bullet Blocks, 14mm x 6mm, for the jack cradle.

I have them that far out to prevent the battens jamming when raising the sail and so I don't have to slacken them to prevent interference when under sail. They are stanchion fairleads so can moved in and out till you find the sweet spot

Under the boom I just pop riveted on some stainless balustrade saddles to lead the lines through. The front inverted V is one piece of line for both sides lead through the saddles and a block each side. The rear line is a single piece that is tied to the front block and passes through a block that is shackled to the spreader lines. So there are two lines from the spreaders one line for the 2 parts of the front of the cradle and one line for the single rear part.

No the lazy jacks are just placed on top of the the flaked sail then the whole lot is sail tied with proper webbing straps with buckles.



I have a black sunbrella sail cover that I use for longer term storage.

If I get a chance I will try and take some photos tomorrow.

Thanks Kadet, great write-up ... Big Photo's for my small brain would be a big help too

Also, with the inverted V's. Would it be a good/bad idea to use bungee cord for those?

I have a copy of the Lazy Jack plan lay out with lengths & measurements for the

J

Highlander wrote:I have a copy of the Lazy Jack plan lay out with lengths & measurements for the

J

An electronic copy that can be posted?

Would it be a good/bad idea to use bungee cord for those?

No idea