Lazy Jack Installation

[Paul M]

Hi All:

I need to install lazy jacks on my Morgan 41 OI. I have seen premade kits online but after watching a few YouTube videos, I think they could constructed prettily easily. Any advice or recommendations for tutorials?

[Blue Stocking]

Not difficult. 16 ft boom, mains attach to boom at 12 ft +_, self -adjusting drops at 8 ft and 4 ft. Worth investing in some good 5/16 braid and some brass cringle rings for guides.

[model 10]

I used 3'16" amsteel. Spliced eyes instead blocks. If I did it again I would figure out a way to move the upper block outward. Our battens get caught in the lines.

[Suijin]

Originally Posted by Guy

I used 3'16" amsteel. Spliced eyes instead blocks. If I did it again I would figure out a way to move the upper block outward. Our battens get caught in the lines.

One option is to put the block a foot out on the spreaders instead of the mast. This also helps prevent the lazy jacks wearing against the mast if/when they are stowed against it, particularly if they have rings or pulleys.

[model 10]

Originally Posted by Suijin

One option is to put the block a foot out on the spreaders instead of the mast. This also helps prevent the lazy jacks wearing against the mast if/when they are stowed against it, particularly if they have rings or pulleys.

That's a good idea. It also sounds like it could be done with one trip up the mast.

[kentobin]

Lots of good information on the web but I for some reason I've always kept a copy of this article:
Good Old Boat - Lazy-jacks: mainsail tamers article

[roverhi]

Home brewed mine with brass rings, two small cheek blocks on the mast, 6 strap eyes on boom, a couple of cheap plastic cleats on mast and about 200' of 1/4" line. Installed the cheek blocks about 1/2 way between spreaders and masthead. Used a design similar to this Nautos setup that I got from a now defunct website. When I install them on my new to me boat will loop the lines around the bottom of the boom instead of terminating on each side of the boom. NAUTOS 001 - LAZY JACK A - SMALL SIZE - COMPLETE SET OF BLOCKS & CLEAT | eBay

Stow the lazy jacks against the mast when not in use. Makes for cleaner air flow over the main. Just bring the LJ's forward and hook them under their cleat. No problem with chafe on the sail, boom or mast.

Don't like the tin foil hat antenna look of having the LJ's attached to the spreaders. Never try and hoist the sail with the LJ's deployed in any case. Also question how good they would be at corralling the sail with the angles of the lines being so acute.

[Suijin]

Originally Posted by roverhi

Don't like the tin foil hat antenna look of having the LJ's attached to the spreaders. Never try and hoist the sail with the LJ's deployed in any case. Also question how good they would be at corralling the sail with the angles of the lines being so acute.

Or not acute? It's a difference of what, 10 degrees? The only function of the lazy jacks is to keep the main on top of the boom when you lower it. Having the top attachments points wider by 1-2' doesn't change the necessary geometry in any meaningful way.

I had stainless rings in my lazy jacks when I bought the boat and they had scarred the mast from banging/rubbing against it when stowed.

FYI I hoist my main quite frequently with the lazy jacks deployed...and with a fully battened main as well. It's a lazy single-hander thing. Not getting the sail and battens hung up on the lines is about how the lazy jacks are designed and a bit of timing.

[Kokanee]

I used this system here.


Tips - Lazy Jacks


Simple, works well & stows away easily,