Stack pack for 322 oday

[Gzito]

Any thoughts : I'm considering a sail cover cradle /stack pack for my main sail. It's similar to a stack pack except it dose not get sown into the foot of the main sail.
The 322 has a large main and it would be great to lower it into its sail cover and zip it up.

 

[Capt jgw]

Check out Sailrite.com, they have a kit for one and a great free video on how to put it together. Even if you don't plan on making it yourself, the video will show you what it's all about. I have one on my Columbia 36 and love it. When you douse the sail it just falls into the pack. The stronger the wind the better it works, the flogging shakes the slides loose so it comes down easier. In light air it needs a little help, I tied the free end of the halyard the the head board as a downhaul to pull it down if needed.

 

[Gzito]

Thanks joe
It's in that strong wind when I wish I had it. Glad to hear how happy you are with it.

 

[SailormanDan]

I have a Salirite LZ-1 and built my sailpack, bimini and some other smaller projects. Went to a loose-footed main from Bacon Sails this spring.

I like the convenience of not having all the sail cloth crowding the deck when you lower the main. The lazyjacks take a little to get used to get the battens up past them, but they hold the sail nicely when you take it down.

Gary at Bacon Sails said the shock cords that are suggested to hold the lazyjacks open are a trade-off. I got crazy and built a frame from PVC pipe, this is the first season for it, so I can't say if it was a good idea or not, but it does hold it open.

Dan

 

[Gzito]

The few people I've spoke with that had one all agree they love it. I'm not able to build it myself so I will hire Doyle sailmakers to make it. Another feature I learned what Doyle does is sew into the interior of the sail cover pack a Dacron liner to keep your main from chaffing the sunbrella material and makes it a little sturdier.
Thanks for the feed back.

 

[Ron20324]

... The lazyjacks take a little to get used to get the battens up past them, ... but it does hold it open.... Dan

Maybe move the upper end of the lazy jacks farther out to clear the battens?

 

[Capt jgw]

Right. First year I had the top blocks on the mast and the battens would get stuck. Moved them to about six inches out the spreaders and it was much better.

 

[Tally Ho]

I bought a Mack Pack from Mack Sails over the winter and installed it on my O322 this spring. You do not need to cut slits in the sail or sew it on. They have anew installation method that slips under the sail/bolt rope when you bend on the sail. Very easy installation, but you do need to drill and tap a few holes for the hardware. I got the optional bracket for the end of the boom, which keeps the cover tight and makes for a clean looking application.

I really love it, and it makes dropping the sail a 1-man job now.


Greg

 

[Pat]

I have a stack pak by Doyle Marblehead....one of the best, if not the best thing I have purchased....I agree with Ron above on spreading open the stack pak enough to allow it to go up without getting caught on the battens....what I finally realized would solve the issue is to have the boom dead level using the topping lift so the slot is opened up, thereby allowing the sail to go right up....it is so slick....which I would have had that dream sooner. If this doesn't make sense, then reply back to me or contact me in
Wichita, Kansas and I'll explain...They also re-cut my 130 genoa and it is a dream too.
Good luck! Patrick Coulter

 

[Gzito]

Thanks it's great to hear from everyone.
Greg did you need to modify the main sail at all?
My main sail is not loose footed but will be when the sail cradle is slipped into the boom.

 

[SailormanDan]

Maybe move the upper end of the lazy jacks farther out to clear the battens?

Sounds like that's what I get for following the instructions. I may look at moving them out the spreaders at some point, one more thing to put on the list.

Sailrites's fix is to run shock cord from the lazyjacks out to the shrouds, which seemed like a hassle, so I skipped it. I like the idea of just moving the attachment points for the lazyjacks out the spreaders.

Not a huge problem to use them now, just have to get the sail in the center and be quick about it when you haul them up.
Dan

 

[SailormanDan]

Thanks it's great to hear from everyone.
Greg did you need to modify the main sail at all?
My main sail is not loose footed but will be when the sail cradle is slipped into the boom.

I took a hot knife and cut slits just above the bolt rope in line with the straps that hold the two bottom sides together, the dacron of the sails just melts like rope does. My new main is loose-footed so I don't have to worry about it now.

 

[Tally Ho]

Thanks it's great to hear from everyone. Greg did you need to modify the main sail at all? My main sail is not loose footed but will be when the sail cradle is slipped into the boom.

no, no modification required to the main sail. Just tell them you have a bolt rope foot.

I have small battens on my mainsail and have had issues raising the sail. My old boat had full battens and the first one would catch in my lazy jacks sometimes.

Greg