Lazy Jack Sail Handling

Lazy Jacks are the common name for a system of interconnected lines designed to keep the mainsail in check and dropping vertically into a neat pile on top of the boom.

Lazy Jack lines run from the mast to the boom (or stacking boom cover) to prevent a slab reefing mainsail from falling all over the deck as it is lowered on the halyard.

Lazy Jack lines may be used in conjunction with a purpose designed open top boom cover that creates a channel for accepting the mainsail flakes. The sail can then be enclosed with a zipped cover.

The LIROS Design Team has developed a light, strong, easy-to-splice rope especially for Lazy Jack Mainsail Control Lines.

LIROS Lazy Jack is the ideal line for guiding and controlling your mainsail drop.

LIROS Lazy Jack rope has been specifically designed for the purpose with two main properties in mind:

• Spliceable 12 strand hollowbraid construction - for neat multiple interconnections.
• High-Twist Spin-Dyed 100% High Denier polyester - for excellent abrasion and UV resistance

LIROS Lazy Jack Diameter Advisory

LIROS recommend 6mm diameter as the optimum size for most cruising yachts

6mm diameter is generally robust enough for all but the largest yachts and heaviest mainsails without causing too much windage or weight aloft.

8mm diameter is for the belt and braces approach to control large, heavyweight mainsails.

Use our Online Custom Build Tool to create your Lazy Jacks system, with all lines cut and spliced to length by the Jimmy Green Rigging Team.

LIROS Silver (Grey) Lazy Jack Rope, Article Number 01532, has a 12 plait compact, round, hollowbraid (meaning no core) construction, produced from LIROS special High-Twist Spin-Dyed 100% High Denier Polyester fibre.

LIROS Lazy Jack, Article Number 01532: Facts, Features and Plus Factors

• Colour: LIROS Silver (effectively a neutral, unobtrusive grey)
• 100% High Denier Polyester designed and manufactured by LIROS Ropes specifically for Lazy Jacks and associated applications
• Special High-Twist, Spin-Dyed Fibres
• 12 plait Hollowbraid (No core) Construction
• Firm, Round and Compact
• Lightweight
• Very high UV Resistance
• Excellent Wear Resistance
• Simple to splice
• LIROS Break Load - 6mm: 1100daN (converts to 1122kg), 8mm: 2200daN (converts to 2244kg)

LIROS Break Load Information

LIROS specify their manufacturer minimum break loads in Deka newtons = DaN

DaN = Deka newtons

1 Deka newton DaN actually = 1.01971621297793 (approximately 1.02) kg

Handily, it is good to know that when you read a LIROS figure in DaN, the more familiar kg equivalent is slightly higher