Skip's Lazy Jack Setup

The lines are color coded in this description only for the purpose of making it easier to explain

First pop rivet four eye straps to the bottom of the boom. Position the aft most eye strap just a few inches forward of the clew of the mainsail. Then measure the distance from there to the mast. Divide that distance by 4 and space the remaining three eye straps along the boom using that result. (EXAMPLE: Assuming the aft most eye strap is ten feet from the mast. Ten divided by four equals two and a half. Space the remaining three eye straps two and a half feet apart.)

The brown line is spliced to the brown ring and runs up to a block located on the mast just below the spreader. From there it runs down the mast and is then secured to a cleat on the mast (alternately it could be run back to the cockpit). The red line is spliced to eye strap number 1 on the bottom of the boom. From there it runs up to and through the brown ring and is spliced to the red ring. The green line is spliced to eye strap number 2 on the bottom of the boom. From there it runs up to and through the red ring and is spliced to the green ring. The blue line is spliced to eye strap number 3 on the bottom of the boom. From there it runs through the green ring and is spliced to eye strap number 4 on the bottom of the boom. The black line is spliced to the brown ring and runs through the red and green rings and then passes through a ring which is secured near the boom's goose neck. The black line then runs down to a cleat on the mast (alternately it could be run back to the cockpit). This set up is duplicated on each side of the boom.

In front of the mast, the two brown lines are joined together. Actually, I use a single line to create both brown lines and then form an eye at the mid point. From that eye, I splice on a single line which leads down the front of the mast

To hoist, release the black line, pull down on the brown line and secure it to a cleat at the mast or in the cockpit.

To lower, release the brown line and pull in the black line and secure it to a cleat at the mast or in the cockpit.

Adjust the lengths of the red, green and blue lines so that when the lazy jacks are lowered, all lines will be pulled taught along the boom. The lengths of the brown and black will depend on how high the blocks near the spreaders are mounted.

I use 1/4 inch Sta-Set line for everything.

I use one inch stainless steel rings. I wanted the rings to be thick enough to give a relatively smooth transition for the line running through them.

The most important length setting is such that they all pull taught when retracted. Don't worry about their lengths when deployed (that will work out automatically).

When Sailing in heavy winds (which might get worse quickly), I often leave the lazy jacks deployed so that I can drop the main without having to wait to raise the lazy jacks. And if I decide to leave them hoisted while racing, I slack off the hoisting line enough so that the lines do not disturb sail shape. I single hand a LOT, so these have been a life saver in heavy winds.

I had concerns about the lines flapping against the mast and boom. But I have not had any noticeable problem with that. The upper blocks can be attached to the spreader rather than to the mast so that the lines along the mast are generally a good distance from the mast except where they either tie off or run through turning blocks.

Assuming that the system is set up perfectly, some things I have noticed myself are:

1. The sail will still have a tendency to fall off the boom near the outer end of the boom. I don't worry too much about that because it is only a small amount of sail. And as soon as I have time, I secure the sail to the boom with my sail ties. Remember, lazy jacks primary purpose is to keep the main sail from falling all over the deck and these do that quite well.
2. If you need to raise and lower the mast a lot, it helps if the brown line is attached to the brown ring with a carabineer. For lowering the mast, unclip both brown lines from their rings, then clip them to each other and hoist them to the pulleys at the spreaders and secure the hoisting line to a cleat on the mast. I use a boat hook to pull these lines down after raising the mast. Or you could either attach a small line to retrieve the lines after raising the mast or clip the carabineers to a pad eye lower on the mast..
3. After lowering the sail, do not pull the brown line forward of the bolt rope (luff of main sail). Leave them behind the bolt rope. That will make hoisting the main from the cockpit easier. When you remove the sail cover and get ready to hoist the main, make sure the brown lines are not forward of the bolt rope. I used to pull the brown line forward to the mast before putting on the sail cover. But then I had to remember to pull them aft of the bolt rope before hoisting.
4. The tighter you can pull on the hoisting line the better the lazy jacks will catch the leech of the sail when dousing. I usually center the boom with the mainsheet but keep the sheet somewhat slack. Then I hoist the lazy jacks as tight as I can until it lifts the boom a little ways. Then I snug up the down haul lines to add more tension to the lazy jacks.

I have installed this system on a Catalina 34, Catalina 30, Catalina 250, several Catalina 22s and a Gulf 29. And I know a Catalina 30 sailor in California who has it on his boat. He has also installed this system on many other boats. And many Catalina 22 sailors have installed this system on their boats.

© Skip Meisch.