Hi all, I am new to the Macgregor X sailing, I have the lazy Jacks on and I wrestle with the battens constantly to get the sail up (but just found a great video on how to manage that. My question is about SAILING with the Jacks, my sail just doesn’t catch wind good because it’s forced agains the opposite side Jacks. Is there something I am missing? Also, with no end boom support, if I remove the Jacks what will hold my boom up? I appreciate any help. No question is a bad question, right?
Your lazy jacks should be moved out of the way while sailing. Depending on the design they may be pulled forward against the mast or down against the boom. This is usually accomplished by the judicious use of shock cord in the design. If you don't see how to do this, post some pictures and a more detailed description of your setup.
The boom is held up by the sail while you are sailing. When the sail is down or removed the boom is held up by a topping lift or boom kicker. The topping lift is a line that runs from near the top of the mast (usually from the hound where the back stay is attached) down to an attachment point near the end of the boom (often a cleat on the side). A boom kicker goes under the boom and runs from the base of the mast to an attachment point a couple of feet out on the bottom of the boom. Boom kickers are expensive. Topping lifts are dirt cheap.
Bill
2001 26X Simple Interest
Honda BF40D
"If I were in a hurry I would not have bought a sailboat." Me
Add a topping lift - a line (mine is 1/4 inch) from the end of the boom to the top of the mast.
HeavenBound wrote: ↑Tue Jul 06, 2021 7:11 am
Hi all, I am new to the Macgregor X sailing, I have the lazy Jacks on and I wrestle with the battens constantly to get the sail up (but just found a great video on how to manage that. My question is about SAILING with the Jacks, my sail just doesn’t catch wind good because it’s forced agains the opposite side Jacks. Is there something I am missing? Also, with no end boom support, if I remove the Jacks what will hold my boom up? I appreciate any help. No question is a bad question, right?
