Mack or Stack Pack ?

IAMCCF

.
Jun 29, 2015
33
ODay 28 Quincy Yacht Club
Hi All,

I am looking into replacing my soot covered Mail Sail cover.
Anyone have thoughts on Mack or Stack Pack ?

Thanks,

Chris
 
Aug 2, 2009
651
Catalina 315 Muskegon
Seems to be tried & true technology. People seem to like either. I do like Mack. Got a complete set of sails for my previous boat from them, and got a new 135 genoa for my current boat.

I see you have an O'day 28. I have a Catalina 28, and for a sail that size, I couldn't justify the added expense and the added complication (although not too complicated) of having lazy jacks. I find my sail super easy to handle.

I have to admit though, that we don't currently have a dodger, so when I flake the sail, I'm able to lower the boom end down to the height of the lifelines, making the job easier. Maybe I'll change my mind if and when I get a dodger.

This hasn't been the least bit helpful, has it?
 

Pat

.
Jun 7, 2004
1,250
Oday 272LE Ninnescah Yacht Club, Wichita, Ks.
We have a Stack Pack on our O'Day 272...we bought it because I had bypass surgery in 1994 and putting the main away on a 105 degree afternoon in Kansas was not fun.....we had chartered in the BVI on boats with a stack pack so it is the only one
we were familiar with....so we ordered it from Doyle in Marblehead. Never one regret....I do find that it operates best when the aft end of the boom is raised a few inches which opens up the slot when raising the mainsail....doing this we never have an issue getting the main up....I would buy one again...lowering the main is also very easy....esp. with the brass snaps they put on the cover, makes it so there is no need to zipper it up until we're ready to go home or whatever....the sail cannot go up
or be affected by even the strongest gust of wind.....good luck
 
Nov 26, 2008
1,970
Endeavour 42 Cruisin
In case you haven't seen it, here is a video I produced for Mack on how to install a Mack Pack. Might be helpful.


There is also one on measuring for ordering.
 
Jan 7, 2011
5,594
Oday 322 East Chicago, IN
I went with the Mack Pack and really like it. They have installation options for loose-footed or bolt rope footed sails. I have a bolt rope, and did not want to cut any slits in my sail. Mack now has an option that works without cutting the slits.

The lazy jacks were pretty easy to install, but you do need to put some cheek blocks above the spreaders. The instructions were pretty easy to follow. Makes dropping the main a breeze, even single-handed. So much easier to drop the sail and zip up the cover.

Looks good too.

http://wcwebs.net/oday322/MackPack.htm
image.jpeg

Greg
 
  • Like
Likes: IAMCCF

IAMCCF

.
Jun 29, 2015
33
ODay 28 Quincy Yacht Club
I went with the Mack Pack and really like it. They have installation options for loose-footed or bolt rope footed sails. I have a bolt rope, and did not want to cut any slits in my sail. Mack now has an option that works without cutting the slits.

The lazy jacks were pretty easy to install, but you do need to put some cheek blocks above the spreaders. The instructions were pretty easy to follow. Makes dropping the main a breeze, even single-handed. So much easier to drop the sail and zip up the cover.

Looks good too.

http://wcwebs.net/oday322/MackPack.htm
View attachment 125423

Greg
Thaks for sharing!
 

TFrere

.
Oct 1, 2008
144
Morgan 382 Mandeville, LA
I had my local sailmaker design and build a stack pack for my Morgan 382. It has probably been the best addition to my boat from a sailing operational perspective. I also had them design the lazy jacks so they can be lowered to ease in raising my main and to prevent chafe to it while sailing. I raise the lazy jacks just before dropping the sail. Here is a photo from above with the stack pack unzipped as I am headed out for a day sail and a photo while sailing.
image.png
image.jpeg
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Likes: VanIslandGuy