If you are using Roger’s lazy jack system, you might want to
check your spars for chafe. I had been tying mine off at the goose neck
when underway and discovered that the thimbles have chafed off all the
awlgrip and have started to work on the spar…this after 4 months of
use. I am changing to using spliced eyes only…
Tom
PS: has anyone calculated the correct gross tonnage for our boats?
Tom Harrer
S/V Whitewings III
Hi Tom,
First, I don’t understand why you are tying them against the mast while
underway. The major advantage to the lazy jacks is that they support the
boom and the sails while reefing or dropping the sails. If the lazy jacks
are too taut to effect the sail shape, then loosen them at the cleat. I
only put the lazy jacks against the mast when I put up an awning. However,
it you are certain you want your lazy jacks against the mast while underway,
I think you should consider the following:
There are several possibilities causing your problem. The first thing I
suspect is the stainless steel thimbles are too large. For 1/4-inch nylon
three strand, I use 3/16-inch thimbles. This lets some nylon material
overlap slightly so the stainless does not contact the mast. Another
possible problem is the lazy jack are not pulled down tight enough if they
are chafing the mast. . If this is still a concern, consider nylon
thimbles instead of stainless. However, they will have to be replaced about
once a year because the rope will chafe through the bottom of the thimble.
If you use an eye splice you will find the lazy jacks are more difficult to
adjust and will soon chafe through the bottom of the spliced eye.
I hope this helps some Tom, if not let me know and I will try to explain
further.
For those of you that are having problems getting your sail head caught
under the lazy jacks while raising, I suggest you consider moving the top of
the lazy jacks to the intermediate shrouds. I tie mine down about 18-inches
from the mast tang. I attach the lazy jacks to the shroud with a double
rolling hitch then continue up to the mast tang to terminate the line. This
prevents the line from slipping down the shroud. If you want to test this
idea, just untie the lazy jacks at the mast and move them outside the
intermediate shroud to see how it works. Do not leave them in this position
too long because the line will chafe through where it passes over the
shroud.
Since I am rambling, I really like to use my lazy jacks as the topping lift.
To do this, I adjust the lazy jacks so the boom lifts above the boomgallows
when the sails are furled on the boom. To pull the boom into the gallows, I
use the main sheet. When the mainsheet is released, the boom should
immediately lift above the gallows. After the sails are up, the boom will
lift further, leaving some slack in the lazy jacks. If they are still too
taut so they interfere with the shape of the sail or while on a run, loosen
the lazy jack on the lee side.
If the lazy jacks are properly made and installed they can be easily moved
to the mast to put on the main sail cover or a sun awning. To do this, the
aftermost clip can be released from the short pigtail. Then all the lazy
jacks (one side at a time) can be moved forward to the mast. Here, attach
the clip to the highest thimble that can be reached. Then pull down on all
the lazy jacks equally. The nylon will stretch so they can be pulled down
taut to a cleat. The location of this cleat will determine the tautness of
the lazy jacks. Normally, existing whisker pole topping lifts, etc can be
used. To reinstall, just unclip from the thimble and walk the clip back to
the aft pig tail and you are back in business.
Sorry, didn’t mean to ramble on so but I am so happy with my lazy jacks and
the way they work I hate to thinks others out there could be unhappy with
theirs.
Roger
----- Original Message -----
From: Tom Harrer <whitewings@charter.net >
To: <bcc@yahoogroups.com >
Sent: Friday, January 10, 2003 7:34 AM
Subject: [bcc] Lazy Jack chafe
If you are using Roger’s lazy jack system, you might want to
check your spars for chafe. I had been tying mine off at the goose neck
when underway and discovered that the thimbles have chafed off all the
awlgrip and have started to work on the spar…this after 4 months of
use. I am changing to using spliced eyes only…Tom
PS: has anyone calculated the correct gross tonnage for our boats?
Tom Harrer
S/V Whitewings IIIBRISTOL CHANNEL CUTTER OWNERS ASSOCIATION
Mail List Home: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bcc
BCC Owners Home: http://www.geocities.com/bccowners
Post message: mailto:bcc@yahoogroups.com
Subscribe: mailto:bcc-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Unsubscribe: mailto:bcc-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
List owner: mailto:bcc-owner@yahoogroups.comYour use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
Tom:
I’ve used Roger’s design for two years now (1/4" 3 strand
line w/ 3/16" SS thimbles) and haven’t had any problems with chafe on
the spars. But, as Roger mentioned, I leave the lazy jacks in their
rigged position at all times when underway. I store them alongside
the mast in the same manner as he described in his post when in port
or if rigging a sun cover.
I adjust the lazy jacks to function as a topping lift also as
described in Roger’s email and have found this works very well.
While I have not yet detected any chafe on the mainsail from the
thimbles I have noted that during rolly conditions that the leeward
lazy jacks (even when loosened) do tend to slap the main when on a
beam reach or deeper, so I may put some chafe patches in the general
area.
Using the lazy jacks as the topping lift makes reefing a much
easier proposition. The four legs of the jacks do such a good job of
containing the sail that I have not yet needed to consider using
reefing ties. On occasion I have had the head/upper third of the
main get fouled in the jacks when attempting to reef. Typically this
is when I’m alone and have gone forward to the mast, the boat has
fallen off slightly. I suppose if I had a tides strong and the main
halyard/reefing lines led to the cockpit (like someone I know) this
would not be a problem. Maybe next year. In the meantime, I like
your suggestion Roger, of leading the top lazy jack line to the
intermediate shrouds. That should open up the top of the jacks while
providing the stacking function as the sail gets lower.
Happy New Year to All,
Pete
S/V TwoLoose
BCC115
p.s MY USCG Documentation lists, for what its worth, Gross tonnage
as 8