Ensign Sailing Forum

Help...first time rigging and came across a set of...

Switch To Flat View Return to Forum

Search This Thread

John Foglesong

5/8/2025 1:04 PM

I have recently relocated the family ensign, Tango 2013, from lake Chautauqua to Eagle Creek in Indianapolis and we are getting ready to rig it for the first time (previously have always had the marina do it for us). While making sure I had all the lines etc. I came across this line that I have never seen before. Does anyone recognize this and/or know what it is for (picture attached)?

Looks like a line with several sliding blocks with zip ties extending from some...

Zeke Durica

5/8/2025 1:31 PM

I have no idea, but it looks important. Maybe a high-tech Jact stays?

zeke

Jeffrey Hagman

5/8/2025 1:43 PM

Those are lazy jacks for controlling the mainsail when lowered. They weave thru a sail when the sail is commissioned for the season. They are intended to "keep" it contained when it is lowered.

Jeffrey Hagman

5/8/2025 1:49 PM

Correction. Dutchman system

John Foglesong

5/8/2025 1:58 PM

Thanks all! Seems like that might be a lot of effort to setup for not a lot of benefit. Think I'll skip it again this year but let me know if anyone finds them really helpful / useful...

Cheers,

John

John Gall

5/8/2025 5:07 PM

They must not have been installed on the boat in the years when you sailed her. Otherwise you would know what they are.

They are an alternative to - and far superior IMO - lazy jacks. Had them on my cruising sailboat and would not have been without them. Simply go head to wind and drop the main - it folds neatly along the top of the boom like a roman shade.

Not good for Ensigns if you have a mooring cover, or if you want to take your main off the boom every time you sail/race. And you need to make special slits in a sailcover if you use one of those.

James Knape

5/9/2025 11:14 AM

Those are components to a Dutchman system. Its a patented system and its easy to find info on the web. An alternative to lazy jacks. They work very well , I have used them. But in my opinion on a small boat like an Ensign are not needed and take more time to set up than they are worth and require pulling out of the way to put the boat cover on. But they do work great once set up and if you sail often and have sail slugs it could be nice. If you sail with a bolt rope I do not think they would be much benefit

Return to Forum

Sponsor Number	URL address
Sponsor 1	https://www.quantumsails.com/en/default
Sponsor 2	http://www.triadtrailers.com/
Sponsor 3	http://www.ussailing.org
Sponsor 4	http://www.northsails.com
Sponsor 5	http://www.spectrumphotofg.com
Sponsor 6	http://www.defender.com
Sponsor 7	http://www.ensignspars.com
Sponsor 9	http://www.patterson-marine.com
Sponsor 10	https://stores.crsapparel.com/ensign_class/shop/home
Sponsor 11	https://zbloksun.com/

Ensign Sailing Forum

ENSIGN CLASS Sponsors