"Garland Gray II" wrote in message
news:7udef.2202$0h5.1602@dukeread10...
Hi Skip,
Thanks for the comments.
I assume it is the "lazy jacks-thru-the-grommets" that dictate that the
system is sold only with its own lazy jacks rather than trying to fit to
existing lazy jacks. Since I already have lazy jacks I've wondered how the
systemwould work w/o threading the 'jacks thru grommets, but
it sounds like you wouldn't think it'd work.
Keeping the sail from flopping over is a concern of mine also. It was
suggested to me to thread small blocks or even shackles or rings on the
topping lift, one for each batten. A light line is tied between each ring
and the end of each battenso that when the sail is dropped, the line is
tight. This would keep the battens closer to the boom.
I have done this only with the bottom batten, and I guess it helped, so I
should continue with the others.

I see no reason not to use your existing jacks. The MP has two grommets in
line with the jackline, near the top of the slab, allowing enough room for
the zipper to work. The line goes through the outside, top, then the
inside, bottom, coming out again. The knot I put in is in between the
grommets.

So, if you were making your own, just cut and sew everything other than the
grommets. Allow enough to have the zipper meet comfortably, and soap-mark
that line. Hold the sunbrella slab in position on a slab-stacked sail, with
the jacks tight, and mark the line the jacks take. Insert grommets, untie
jackline, thread, knot, retie jack, and you've done it.

As to your modus of keeping the sail upright, it's interesting to me -
sounds like a variation on the dutchman system. I'll have to give that a
look, as I'd rather not have to keep the jacks tight, or, conversely, when
the awning is up, try to figure out how to keep it up. Oh, dang. Forgot -
the topping lift would also have to be pulled forward, or the shade won't
fit. That, or I'd have to make two of them, complicating the anticipated
rolled-up storage against the front of the mast...

L8R

Skip

--
Morgan 461 #2
SV Flying Pig
http://tinyurl.com/384p2 The vessel as Tehamana, as we bought her

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you
didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail
away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore.
Dream. Discover." - Mark Twain