I’ve been thinking of going from 2 to possible 3 or 4 legs on my lazy jacks. I’m tired of the sail falling off the boom when it drops. I know I’m adding more potential issues for the battens getting caught in the LJs.
Has anyone modified the original system to accommodate the additional legs? The price for a full replacement kit seems at of all proportion to the cost of the components.
Pictures and/or diagrams will be greatly appreciated.
Our Mack Pack came with 4 legs. Trying to include picture. Not sure if it will appear.
Success! Let me know if you would like a diagram - I can scan and send over weekend.
Would greatly appreciate that. Thanks
I put the Mack Pack lines on my 39 Express 6 years ago. It works for me.
To get around the battens hanging up in the lazy jacks I added a topping lift to the forward mast. To put sails up I pull the lazy jacks forward and secure them in the cleats used for the Mack Pack. I leave them pulled back while sailing to avoid the chafe on the sail. The boom is supported at this point with the topping lift. With the lazy jack line out of the way I can run the sail up with a Winch Mate set on high speed. Putting the sails down I put the lazy jack line back in place, a simple job of pulling one line tight to a mark on the line, and relaxing the topping lift. I have a hard top so I just let the aft boom rest in the boom gallows so the topping lift is not required.
I have intended to put a rigid vang on the forward boom for a few years to get rid of the topping lift but…
Ed,
Sorry for delay. Finally a beautiful sailing weekend on Lake Erie. see diagram for 4 leg lazy jacks below. Glad to answer any questions - on line or off line (sailmonoh@gmail.com).
Lazy jacks.pdf (948 KB)