Do-it-Yourself Lazy Jacks ?

[wristwister]

Lazy jack systems seem pretty simple to me, and I'm not uinderstanding why the manufacturers charge what they do. In my ignorant mind, seems like I could rig up some line on an unused halyard and make my own.

Anyone else done this? Know of any websites, articles, whatever that provide tips for making your own lazy jack system?

Thanks

[senormechanico]

I did a search for make your own lazy jacks.
Lots of hits.

[GordMay]

DIY Lazy Jacks:
➥ Good Old Boat - Lazy-jacks: mainsail tamers article
➥ Lazy Jack
➥ Diagram for Lazyjack

[Sailnh]

I came to the same conclusion and made up a very usable lazy jack system for under $30 for my tartan 34c. It's been in use for 5 years and does the job nicely. I used nylon parachute line sold at most marine stores, two brass rings as the junction points where the lazy jacks split to the fore and aft of the boom. Two pad eyes on the under side of the boom to loop the lines. The top of the lazy jacks are tied to the spreaders along side the mast. This is a fixed system. I tried it first without the padeyes to test the position and concept. The loads are very light, so the light line seems to work fine.

[barnakiel]

We looked at what others had and copied. Total cost 5 USD.

barnie

[ozskipper]

Easy to make. VB cord, some saddles and a couple of light blocks.

Oh and rivits for the saddles.

Cheers
Oz

[Bloodhound]

Originally Posted by GordMay

DIY Lazy Jacks:
➥ Good Old Boat - Lazy-jacks: mainsail tamers article
➥ Lazy Jack
➥ Diagram for Lazyjack

In the Good Old Boat article I cannot decide whether the lines pass through the eye straps on the boom or each side is INDIVIDUALLY tied off to the eyestrap. The former would be neater with two fewer ties per leg, BUT then it would be possible to have the port and starboard sides unequal (unless one marked each of the two lines that attach to the mast cleat and was careful to always tie them both off at the marked position). So which is it?

Thanks for any help

Ralph