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Conventional Sail Slugs
If using conventional sail slugs, make sure slugs are free to move below the gate.
Use mast gate plates so sail slugs stay in the mast groove. Contact your rigger.
Adjusting Lazy Jacks
The Lazy Jack may be set to proper tension at dock. Raise mainsail and make sure
adjusting line is uncleated at boom. Tighten mainsheet as tight as it will go to find
maximum distance that boom will be lowered while under sail. Next tighten adjusting
line and slack it off 2" (50 mm). The system should be set at a reasonable tension
so it will not interfere with sail shape, yet will contain the sail when lowered onto
the boom. Some further adjustment may be necessary.
Using Your Lazy Jacks - Precautions
Before sailing, make sure Lazy Jacks will not catch on spreaders. While at dock,
swing boom out so sail is against spreader tips. Try lifting boom and shaking to see if
Lazy Jack lines are apt to swing behind spreaders. When first sailing with Lazy Jacks,
look aloft while sailing downwind to see if Lazy Jacks catch behind spreaders. If they
get snagged while sailing, release snagged Lazy Jacks from behind spreader before
bringing mainsail in towards center. If this is not done, you risk breaking spreaders
as mainsheet is tensioned and mainsail moves toward the centerline.
If Lazy jacks are prone to snagging spreader tips, there are 2 solutions. The easiest is
to rig shock cords to pull Lazy Jacks forward out of way of spreader tips. Rig a length
of shock cord on each side of sail. Dead end shock cord at or near gooseneck and
run it up to blocks which are suspended from wires.
If this does not help, you will need to reposition Mast Tangs so they are lower on
mast and do not interfere with spreader tips.
Raising Sail
When hoisting sail, check to make sure the sail does not get caught in the Lazy Jacks.
The headboard or battens may catch between the mast and the Lazy Jacks or jam in
the angle between the lines. If the halyard is forced, this could result in a broken bat-
ten, ripped sail or damaged Lazy Jack. To avoid this, look aloft as you raise the main-
sail and stop if the sail gets caught. Also, make sure the boat is facing head-to-wind.
The sail is less apt to catch on the Lazy Jacks if the topping lift is used and the Lazy
Jacks are somewhat loose. This way they will deflect out of the way easier when the
sail makes contact with them.
