Excellent video and point of view on mainsail handling. On my C & C 32, I preferred to not having lazy jacks. I discovered a neat way to take down the main in a completely controlled manner for the cockpit in any wind or weather...! As I slowly lowered the main letting out the main halyard, I pulled on the 1st and 2nd reefing lines until each reached the tight point on the boom. It prevents the uncontrolled drop of the main and the excessive flopping of the main as it goes down in the frequent heavy winds that we have in Newfoundland. The rest of the main above the 2nd reef is much smaller and very controllable manually. I then, strap the main onto the boom standing on top deck with 3 straps. I finish off and tidy up the sail storage as I motor in to the marina. As a solo sailor, this technique is very convenient and safe.

I know that I am quite late to this discussion, but I am a bit new to the sport (2 years now) and dropping the main sail on my boat is by far the most work I do all day when sailing single handed. I have an older boat (1965 Pearson Vanguard) with a roller boom to reef the main sail. No lazy jacks or stack pack - just me heading slowly into the wind with an auto-helm and man-handling my big main sail. Normally I sail late into the day and I have a nice breeze bringing me in almost all the way back to the marina entrance directly down wind in a long channel between shallow lake beds. I have to turn my boat 180 degrees and head back out slowly while dropping the main and wrestling with getting it all tied down. This is a little unwanted panic session that makes for a stressed end to an otherwise nice relaxing day. I've tried dropping the main sail out in open water first and then just coming in on the Genoa and this is okay, but when taking this approach I typically furl in the Genoa first just to keep it from luffing all over the place, head into the wind and wrestle in the main sail and then unfurl the Genoa and ride the breeze into the marina entrance and then furl the Genoa again - I know that this sounds like a bunch of complaining, but I really like to relax when I finish my day in a super tranquil state of mind and not do all of this work right up to the end of my sail and then have to secure the boat in my slip, get unloaded, put on all the covers.... makes me tired just thinking about it all. I've actually designed a special set of lazy jacks which will also allow me to reef with the furling boom (I do reef my sails every few times I sail as we get a lot of gusting winds) - but I haven't installed them because I agree with your approach - keep it simple. My boat is very simple and I like it that way, but I would like to have a more controlled way of dealing with the main sail and since I can't take your patron's advise of pulling down on the reefing lines I am asking for your suggestions. Sorry, I know you are probably tired just reading all of this. Thanks in advance for any further tips, etc. I still feel lucky to have my old boat, but I can't help being a little envious of the modern set ups. I am 65 years old and enjoy being on the water tremendously. Thanks again for any tips.

After getting a boat with lazy jacks i fluffed around a few times snagging them. Now, after sailing and before i put the cover on I just hook them round the horns. Raise the sail next time Im out unhook the jacks when i am heading back. I love having them for single handing.

Interesting stuff. My requirement is purely for the sail-drop, and to be able to have a pot of tea and a butty in peace. You will appreciate why when I tell you what the boat is. An 11' Gull.

Nice video. Very informative. Thanks.

i just bought a boat with some sort of lazy jack system on it that i havent figured out yet, blocks on the spreaders lines with rings on them coming down and more lines with rings on them on the boom. i havent raised the mast yet so im still unsure how its going to work out, might remove them if its not figured out before launch day

Good video, but I wish you would show rather than tell.