We have a 1994 35.5 hunter legend with new sails and it has created a problem for us to the point where we would rather just head sail than fight with the main when lowering and putting the main cover back on...I would like to fix this by adding a mack pack or other brand system. My one concern is keeping the top of the canvas open so the sail does in fact slide itself into the pack..I have seen some that have fiberglas battens along the top and that looks good and others without any system to keep it open...some owners reporting the pack collapsing when the main is lowered and it ends up on top of the pack...any comments and your feedback on what you have is appreciated...thanks...craig
Mack Pack or Other Brand?
- Thread starter shavdog
- Start date
Here's a previous forum thread on it
https://forums.sailboatowners.com/index.php?threads/mack-or-stack-pack.179997/
https://forums.sailboatowners.com/index.php?threads/mack-or-stack-pack.179997/
We purchased a Quantum. After surveying mixed reviews on furling booms, we decided on the lower risk alternative. I do think it is very important to have it cut generously to work properly. I had one on this boat twenty years ago and hated it. I converted it to lazy Jack's but it got old as did I. The Quantum is a big improvement and the main does fall in it ok. There is some tidying up to do but it is modest. It does have battens. I did some minor customization to it for my convenience. There is a learning curve and some fiddling needed! One thing the rep told me was to loosen the bag supports about six inches before raising it and drop it in that same configuration. Then tighten it up before zipping it. I won't endorse one over another since there was twenty years between the two and that wouldn't be fair. Good luck!
I just bought a North Sails version of the combined lazy jacks and cover. I'm really happy with the lazy jacks, but the cover is a pain. It does have battens in the top, which holds it semi-rigid for a clean douse. It doesn't have a continuous zipper-pull rigged so I have to walk on tip-toes along the cabin roof to zip it up until I rig my own (what do you expect for only $1,500?). Also, the front closure does not adhere to the mast, and has a front closure that you need to unzip and remove before sailing, so it sags away from the boom when sailing. I fixed that with a couple bungees around the mast attached to the two front edges. The zippers were pretty cheap and the tolerances are tight, so one has already failed due to stress. The cover attaches to the boom by sliding a bolt-rope into the old tight-foot slide. Although there is room at the back for the first reef, I'd have to cut into it to rig a second reef. Considering I paid top-dollar, I think that it is difficult to use and I have to rig my own bungees and zipper-pulls to make it all work. Personally, I wish I had gone for the Mack Pack.
I had a Doyle stack-pack and replaced it with a Neil Pryde lazy-bag. Less expensive and I find it has more room and works better. It has an open foot that allows the sail to drain and breathe:
https://www.neilprydesails.com/component/docindexer/?task=download&id=41
https://www.neilprydesails.com/component/docindexer/?task=download&id=41
The booms are really long on the B&R rig boats. Getting the angle that the lazy jacks attach to the bag is critical. We had a stack pack made by one of the "internet" lofts and felt we would have been smarter had I gone to a local loft. The issue is that leech end of the bag somewhat collapes, even though a batten runs all the way across the top of the bag on each side. A vertical batten at the leech end of the boom could be a possible fix, but I think I'm going to just ebay/sell it when I get a new main sail made and have a new stack pack made that is designed specifically for the new sail.
1+ though on getting a Tides Track. Money well spent.
1+ though on getting a Tides Track. Money well spent.
The Neil Pryde Lazy Bag has a vertical batten at the boom end. Keeps the bag open.
The optional battens at Mack are $400.....I'm leaning to a Mack...think it will be around $1000...our boom on the 35.5 is 15ft 3inches....I need to call them and talk to them about the battens to see if that option is worth $400 to me...thanks for the replies..