Here's my suggestion: mount a block on the mast right where the lazy jacks tie to. Then, swap the lazy jack line by a halyard rerouted to the base of the mast, where you can control the tension of the lazy jacks. With this simple contraption you can release the lazy jack halyard so that you can again collect the lazy jacks along the boom and along the mast (also while sailing! so that you improve the aerodynamics of your sail when under sail).
This is also what I do since it would not be possible to reach the stopper from the deck on my boat. I loosen the lazy jack halyards that are mounted to the mast in line with the gooseneck with preset stopper knots, and gather the lazy jacks and hook them to those cleats. This also helps on a marconi rig by leaving them. gathered while raising the sail so that the battens don’t foul on the lazy jacks.
Love your stick and fid illustration Patrick! And your brilliant solution to the reason most trailer sailors don't use lazy jacks. Your system kinda reminds me of what most sailors in slips North of the Murray St. Bridge use in Santa Cruz. They all need to lower their masts to get under that fixed bridge, and most have lazy jacks, so some very inventive solutions have been used.
Ah raising a mast alone on a catboat, such fun. Glad to see this out there and I will maybe apply some of this to my own boat. Will be looking at more of your content. Thank you!
I ended up doing a combination of your ideas and that used by Ayers Pond on their small catboats. Thanks again and I hope to see some more catboat content!
Any system that works is good. A system that has been in use for years on the Peep Hen 14 is pretty simple. You tie a light line to the gooseneck area , run it aft behind all the halyards and lazy jacks and then forward on the opposite side. As you lower the mast , take up on the line. Pulls all the slack to the mast or so. Developed by Ruben Trane who designed the Peep Hen and built it and the other " Hen " boats. All had masts on tabernacles for quick trailer launch and rigging. It's not as awkward as it sounds and I used to put my mast up and down out on the water regularly. Love a cat boat!
Here's my suggestion: mount a block on the mast right where the lazy jacks tie to. Then, swap the lazy jack line by a halyard rerouted to the base of the mast, where you can control the tension of the lazy jacks.
With this simple contraption you can release the lazy jack halyard so that you can again collect the lazy jacks along the boom and along the mast (also while sailing! so that you improve the aerodynamics of your sail when under sail).
This is also what I do since it would not be possible to reach the stopper from the deck on my boat. I loosen the lazy jack halyards that are mounted to the mast in line with the gooseneck with preset stopper knots, and gather the lazy jacks and hook them to those cleats. This also helps on a marconi rig by leaving them. gathered while raising the sail so that the battens don’t foul on the lazy jacks.
Very good idea and you explained very well ! Even with my little English I could understand very well. Thanks for sharing …. Greetings from Germany 🥂
I wanted to write the same thing.
Love your stick and fid illustration Patrick! And your brilliant solution to the reason most trailer sailors don't use lazy jacks. Your system kinda reminds me of what most sailors in slips North of the Murray St. Bridge use in Santa Cruz. They all need to lower their masts to get under that fixed bridge, and most have lazy jacks, so some very inventive solutions have been used.
Tenho um Cat Boat, saudações desde Brasil.
Patrick, nice simple solutions to a frustrating problem.
It was driving us mad!
Ah raising a mast alone on a catboat, such fun. Glad to see this out there and I will maybe apply some of this to my own boat. Will be looking at more of your content. Thank you!
I ended up doing a combination of your ideas and that used by Ayers Pond on their small catboats. Thanks again and I hope to see some more catboat content!
Any system that works is good. A system that has been in use for years on the Peep Hen 14 is pretty simple. You tie a light line to the gooseneck area , run it aft behind all the halyards and lazy jacks and then forward on the opposite side. As you lower the mast , take up on the line. Pulls all the slack to the mast or so. Developed by Ruben Trane who designed the Peep Hen and built it and the other " Hen " boats. All had masts on tabernacles for quick trailer launch and rigging. It's not as awkward as it sounds and I used to put my mast up and down out on the water regularly. Love a cat boat!
I dig retractable lazy jacks. I made mine retractable from the mast so they wouldn’t interfere with hoisting, sail shape or the cover.
Thanks, Waterlust! I’ve always been a fan of lazy jacks. Now, I have to figure out a way to adapt them to a leg o’ mutton rig. (Core Sound 17)
Easier def makes it more attractive to use the boat. Looks great!
Are you a member of the Catboat Association? Highly recommended.
Yes!
more sailing
NIce boat what is the total displacement with trailer and gear ? If you ever go to sell her let me know thanks
Boat is rated at 2500lbs, not sure about trailer weight.
here how it works ua-cam.com/video/HT6NpkHCl0s/v-deo.html
Nice system there!