Lazy jacks, lazy bags - the terms are often used interchangeably, but even though they both help to recover the mainsail, they are different systems. Lazy jacks are the lines that are stretched between the mast and the main boom and guide the sail on the boom and hold it there when the halyard is released. The lazy bag is the bag that is permanently attached to the main boom. The sail can be quickly and conveniently packed into this bag. The system works in combination with the lazy jacks and is now standard on many yachts.
In addition to the advantages, the lazy jacks also make setting the sail more difficult, as the battens can get caught behind them. The lines in the sail also cause turbulence, not to mention the lazy bag, which covers a large part of the sail.
You can find out when the advantages outweigh the disadvantages and how to install the recovery aid correctly in the new YACHT 20/2021.
Michael Rinck
Redakteur Test & Technik
