Jack Stays

[Tales]

I am planning to fit Jack Stays soon for offshore work.
Just wondered if anyone else has these fitted and a few details - pros and cons.
Cheers,
Tom

[karl010203]

Hey Tom,

I know it is very crude but I have run spectra braid as a make-shift jack stay before...

I know it is not normally the done thing as the flat jack stays dont roll under foot, etc, but I believe better than nothing it certainly has the strength without the stretch, and is some thought goes into chaffing etc it is not the worst thing to do. (I suspect others may have differing opinions however, which I respect)

Without having to make changes with attachment points etc I have some well situated and safe fastening points within the cockpit...

I have only used them a couple of times at night when alone on deck...



Karl

[Tales]

Hi Karl,
Thanks, I prefer the idea of Spectra myself. Others have told me of difficulty picking up and hooking on to the flat webbing with cold wet hands.
Could you give details of attachment points please?
Cheers,
Tom

[Maggsy]

I have stainless jack stays running the length of deck, they dont seem to trouble the feet at all and I haven't slipped on them yet. I also haven't used them yet so I am thinking about removing them until I am planning a decent trip.

I can't find a decent picture of how they are attached but I will try to take a photo soon.

Regards ... Maggsy

[karl010203]

Hey Tom

I dont have dedicated attachment points for the jack stay -- I use the cockpit cleats and the anchor bollard... this combined with a burke harness gives me access to all areas and not too much to be an issue.

http://www.whitworths.com.au/main_itemd ... lutePage=1

I am really lucky that there are lots of safe attachment points in the cockpit also... I have a flat bar on the pushpit - both sides that I think is about as good as it will get.

Sorry I have no photos and any picture I draw will be worthless but hope this helps

Karl

[Tales]

Thanks Fellas,
All good info - hate to reinvent the wheel!
Any more ideas welcome.
Cheers,
Tom

[Sombrero]

Re Jack Stays.
Somebody is trying to re-invent the wheel!
They are in fact called Jack lines! Or safety lines. Sombrero has them running on both sides of the deck from U bolts fixed through the deck near the rear mounts of the pulpit to U bolts inside bothsides of the pushpit. The lines themselves are high strength webbing similar to seat belt webbing but only about half the width. they lie flat and are secured at each end with a good old bowline I check their condition and my knots every now and then. I have used them, they work well, are easy to hook onto and don't cause any tripping problems. Wire would probably do the same job, but I prefer my friendly webbing as I often sail bare footed.
I am not one hundred percent positive, but I believe Jack stays fall into the same family as lazy jacks and runners. I am pretty sure that they have something to do with rigging. I will do some homework anyway.
No matter what they are called they are reassuring in heavy weather or when night sailing and they do help to keep dogs out of the water when used as a running lead!
John S. "SOMBRERO"

[karl010203]

Right you are - Jack lines, I think along the way we have all run with a hybrid of Lazy Jacks and Jack lines... ha ha... next up lazy lines

[Tales]

Thats great, thanks.
Have now formulated a plan from all the above.
Will let you know how it goes.
Cheers,
tom

[auriga]

i use the U bolts for the spinnaker sheets in combination with the anchor bollard, with a 9mm static rope as the strap. Does the job, havent had a problem with rolling underfoot yet..

just make sure your bolts are sufficiently backed up underneath if you plan to use such

dan