Single Line Reefing  Description of Lazyjacks on Cat  Nap  Posted By: GeorgeBoley, ex-Sun Cat  Our reefing technique on the Sun Cat is: if it looks like we'll need a reef, I'd rather put it in at the dock (or on the trailer).  Just pull the line, cleat it. If we need to reef on the water: heave to or come into the wind; ease the halyards, pull the  reefing line, and cleat it; pull the halyard to raise and set the sail. The lazy jacks keep the bottom of the sail under control,  so no need for sail ties. I can't think of anything I'd change on this set-up (and thanks again, Russ). I don't singlehand a lot; this takes just a few seconds with the two of us, a bit longer if I am by myself. Since that reefed  sail doesn't have far to go up and down the mast, I have also dropped the sail completely when singlehanding, then pulled  the reefing line, secured it, and raised the sail. The reefed main is comfortable from about 12 - 25 knots. Much above that  and it is more work than fun.  n the photo, my jacks are loosened all the way. So, it doesn’t look like there is much angle for the lines to catch the sail  when it is lowered. However, before you lower the sail, you tighten up the jacks all the say, so the line for the lazy jack  goes straight from the tang on the mast to the pad eye toward the end of the boom. It doesn't look like much angle, but  is plenty enough. In fact, I have NEVER had a problem with the gaff catching the jacks (horror stories on some boats).  I  This is saying something, too, because the day I was overpowered, trying to reef, I was all over the place, and everything  on the boat did exactly as it was designed to do. EYE was the weak link in THAT chain... First, you already know to hang the lazy jacks from the shroud tangs. Next, starting from the mast, the first (dark) spot you see is the cheek block (turning block). Next, where the extra line has been coiled and is hanging down is where the clam cleat goes. Lastly, furthest aft is where the pad eye goes on the bottom of the boom. Again here is the sequence of “events”: the line starts at a pad eye on the port side of the boom, opposite the turning block.  Then it goes up thru the port block (at the end of the lazy jack line from the mast. Then, aft thru the pad eye. Then, up  thru the starboard turning block and down thru the cheek block on the boom, then aft along the boom, thru the clam cleat. Mark, the CONTROLLING factor on this is the GAFF LENGTH. Looking at the photos, you would innately want to move  the lines further aft, to “catch” more sail. In actuality, the sail is “caught” perfectly as is. You don’t want that line far  enough aft that the gaff even THINKS about catching in those lazy jacks! Don’t laugh; gaffs have a mind of their own! I  have heard horror stories of some catboats getting the boom on one side of the mast while the gaff is on the OTHER  side....I didn't ask!! 've just finished scaling George's photo for placement of the Sun Cat’s lazy jacks. Because the wire from the tang in the  picture is relaxed, it was difficult to get an exact length on those wires, but it should be close. Here's what I got: I  Length of Wire from Mast Tang to its block = 9'-7” Distance along boom from the gooseneck to the Cheek block (closest block to the mast) = 3'-7” Distance along boom from the gooseneck to boom cradle eyestrap = 9' George may be able to tell us how accurate these estimates are but I think it's a good starting place when taping on the  blocks and testing. 29 ur Sun Cat has a jam cleat and a horn cleat on the boom. The set-up is approximately: line attached at the front  (tack) of the boom, up and through the grommet on the luff, back down to a turning block on the other side of the  boom; line lead back to the aft end of the boom, another turning block, up through the grommet on the leach, back down to  one more turning block, lead forward on the boom to the jam cleat and then secured with the horn cleat. Not sure of the  exact diameter of the line, but less than 1/4". The reefing can be done from the cockpit. O  Posted By: Jim B., Sun Cat 