PDQ OWNERS FORUM

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

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.

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.

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.
Marc

Thanks all, we'll look at some more options too!

One advantage of only 2 lines is less snagging. Very few problems.

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.

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.

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.