Got a sewing machine?
Just went to the Mack Sails site to read up on the Mack Pack (never heard of it before) and discovered the following: 1. If you're the do-it-yourself type, it appears you could make the whole sail cover for about $65 (Sunbrella $20, Zipper $30, Fittings $15) 2. The Harken Lazy Jack system is available almost anywhere around $180 for a 34' boat. 1+2. Total DIY price: Less than $250? 3. Won't the zipper chafe the sail? 4. If you roll down the Mack Pack to keep the zipper off the sail and tie it to the boom, isn't that more trouble than a sail cover? 5. If you remove the forward end fitting from the mast, you will have to furl/roll the cover to keep it from banging on the mast under sail; unless, of course, you don't mind the banging. Suggestion: Actually time yourself from sail down to cover on. I am betting you will find it takes far less than 20 minutes. On the other hand, nifty rigs are cool, too! But for $540 I would buy, oh, a GPS, or a sextant, or refridgeration, or another set of custom berth sheets, or a used spinnaker, or, well, you get the idea. Let us know what you decide!
