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Installing a Lazy-Jack |
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click to see full size image
Blocks mounted about 2/3 the way up the mast, the upper portion is complete. click to see full size image
Lazy jack installed and deployed with the main sail up. click to see full size image
Lazy-Jack Stowed, lines run under and behind the cleat and pulled tight.
Lazy-Jack installed and stowed with the mainsail cover on. You barely know it's there. click to see full size image |
This project isn't too difficult, but you will need a means of getting up the mast. Before starting I spent some hours looking around the internet to see what other folks have done, then walked around the marina and checked out the other boats. I don't believe I saw two systems constructed the same way, so don't sweat the details. Do what works for you. I started by installing four stainless steel loops along the bottom of my boom where I want the the lines to terminate. (1st picture) I then tied off one end and ran the other loose end through the second loop. Then I hooked up the main halyard to the line and raised the halyard while pulling the line tight until it was the length, angle, and height above the boom that I wanted. Nothing scientific here, you know where your sail sits, adjust it until it looks like it will catch the aft portion of your sail. Do the same forward and if, like me, you are installing a 3 tier system, do it again for the top one. (2nd picture) Once you have the right length lines cut, go ahead and cut a second, identical set for the other side. It's time to go up the mast. I installed two small Harken blocks about 2/3 the way up the mast by drilling and riveting, one on either side on the aft quarter of the mast so the lines running down the length of the mast didn't interfere with the spreaders. Again, nothing scientific, it's about where they looked like they needed to be. Run the lines through the blocks then back down to the main deck. Down on the main deck I installed a couple of cleats about the level of the bottom of the boom directly below the blocks I installed above. Just drill, tap, then screw. These cleats will be used to stow and tie off your lazy-jack system in the raised and lowered positions. View the pictures to the left. The total package cost about $60 and a days labor. However, it took me two days, because my unreliable friends didn't show up to crank me up the mast until late in the day. It may be time to install mast steps... The best part of this installation is there are no modifications necessary to the main sail cover, everything tucks away neatly when not in use.
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