Lazy jack lines?

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Kassf
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Lazy jack lines?

Post by Kassf »

We just got our pdq 36 and want to order lazy jacks. I need to know the sail foot length to determine whether we need 3 or 4 lines. The boat is 5 hours away so I can't measure it. Can anyone tell me? Thanks
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thinwater
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Re: Lazy jack lines?

Post by thinwater »

About 14 feet.

I've seen them with 2, 3, and 4 lines. With full battens it is less than critical, not at all like un-battened sails, which need more lines. However, 2 is perhaps too few to make a neat stack. That said, I have 2 and I rather like it as a minimalist approach, reducing aerodynamic drag, weight, and complexity. I've never known the sail to blow out of them, either reefed or at anchor.
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Dan White
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Re: Lazy jack lines?

Post by Dan White »

On my 36, I have 2 primary lines on each side, which are split into 2 each, leaving 4 lines on a side. They are a huge pain in the a*s when hoisting, but I love them when dropping the main.
Marc Gershel
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Re: Lazy jack lines?

Post by Marc Gershel »

I hate lazy jacks. I've had a Dutchman system for 16 years. No hung up battens when hoisting. Can raise or lower without heading straight into the wind. Great if you singlehanded most of the time.
But I do envy those EZ stack pack sail covers. Can't do that with a Dutchman.
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Kassf
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Re: Lazy jack lines?

Post by Kassf »

Thanks all, we'll look at some more options too!
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thinwater
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Re: Lazy jack lines?

Post by thinwater »

One advantage of only 2 lines is less snagging. Very few problems.
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Kassf
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Re: Lazy jack lines?

Post by Kassf »

They're asking for the sail foot and luff dimensions to make the lazy jacks. Anyone know the answer? Our boat is six hours away.
Dan White
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Re: Lazy jack lines?

Post by Dan White »

My boom is 14ft, 4&1/4in from mast to end of boom.
The luff is 36ft, 1&1/2 inches
Mine is Hull # 96. I don't if your mast & boom are the same.
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Re: Lazy jack lines?

Post by thinwater »

Lazy jacks should be adjustable, but whether they need to be retractable is debated. I modified mine so that they could be retracted, but I virtually never bother.

http://sail-delmarva.blogspot.com/2012/ ... y-way.html

Retracted, they will never snag when raising the sail. But so long as I am into the wind, the never happens anyway, since I hoist while standing by the mast and can guide a few battens if I must. I know that many like to lead everything to the cockpit, but I don't see the advantages:
* More friction up and down.
* Can pull sail down when reefing, if needed (common, if reefing with the wind astern).
* Have to release the anti-slap lashing at the mast anyway.
* Have to go on-deck to remove or replace a few sail ties most days.
* Have to secure the sail cover.
* Less rope in the cockpit.
Just not a big deal, and I can fix any problems from there.

A matter of personal preference.
Writing full time since 2014.
"Rigging Modern Anchors,"Seaworthy Press, https://www.amazon.com/Rigging-Modern-A ... 1948494078
Book Store. http://sail-delmarva.blogspot.com/2017/ ... store.html
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