Sailing inyourfootsteps.com

Easier mainsail furling

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What is the issue?
Furling a large mainsail, or even a reefed one, is a major daily sailing chore.

Why address this?
Any simplification of this task will make the sailing life dramatically simpler and more pleasurable. Plus anything that makes reef implementing easier will make a timely reef more likely.

How to address this?
Implement ‘lazyjack’ furling on the mainsail to automatically control the sail as it comes down - see figure 1.

Lazyjack furling has been with us since the ancient Chinese discovered it and is a well known and widely used automated furling approach in sailing today. The few extra light rigging lines involved are well worth accepting for the convenience it offers.

As seen in figure 1 the lazyjack lines are fitted to both sides of the mainsail, running from a point just above the masts mid-point through a well rounded and softened pair of eyelets that will not cause main sail chafe. Lazyjack control is typically via a downhaul from a top line secured to a mast mounted jamming cleat.

A UV protective sail cover can be integrated into the system to enable the sail to be covered away once lowered as presented in figure 2 and 3.

With thanks to:
Michael Harpur, Yacht Obsession.

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