[Public-List] Lazy Jacks

[John Riley]

Robert Kirk wrote:
> Bill... Look at the Dutchman rig, much superior to lazy jacks in my
> humble opinion. I've had it rigged on my fully battened main for over
> 20 years with no problem. It also has the benefit (with the battens,
> of course) of keeping the sail in good shape.  Makes single handing
> easy (well, less awkward).
>
>    http://www.thesailingchannel.tv/ussbs05/videos/dutchman_ussbs05.htm
>

There is an article up on the noonsite.com,

http://www.noonsite.com/Members/webmaster/R2002-06-10-11

wherein the author outlines some of the equipment failures experienced
on a transatlantic during a rally cruise.  The Dutchman was specifically
mentioned with the following comment:

"Sail flaking system: The main sail had a new flaking system (Dutchman)
installed with monofilament guide lines and a set of plastic guides
glued into the sail. Several times the individual plastic guides came
loose from the sail and had to be reglued. At one point, the unattached
guide was not noticed for quite some time allowing the monofilament line
to "saw" through a few inches of sail material. The monofilament lines
also parted several times. This system is not suited for the inevitable
chafe of long distance cruising."

This may be an isolated case, or it may be that that final statement is
worth heeding, at least if offshore, long distance sailing is a goal.

-- 
John S. Riley
S/V Gaelic Sea
1972 Alberg 30 #521


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