Stack Pack or Mack Pack?

[Derek Rowell]

Puting the sail to bed with a large bimini over a center cockpit is a royal PITA. I've been thinking about installing a lazy-jack system with built-in sail cover such as Doyle's Stack-Pack or Mack Sail's Mack-Pack. I would be interested in comments on the two systems (or any alternative). I currently have an ancient Dutchman system, and zipping the sall cover around the lines on top of the bimini is no fun at all *grrThanks,Derek

 

[Rick D]

No Free Lunch

Same deal on my 40.5 Legend. Bimini and dodger up most of the time. I used to fight all the time getting the zipper done on my Doyle Stack-Pack. I finally went to a regular sail cover and retracting lazy jacks. For the price, I'd double it and go to a furling boom, or just make it the last thing you do before cocktails, and keep living with it. Rick D.

 

[Big Windy]

Dutchman

My C320 has a bimini and a dodger, and I use a Dutchman system. It seems to be a lot easier if I tighten the main sheet, then pull the boom to either side with the traveller (and secure it)...thus keeping it away from the bimini and dodger. This makes it relatively easy to reach the cover snaps to secure it when covering the sail.

 

[jmcclain]

Dutchman System

Having used both the Dutchman flaking system and lazy jacks, I would think twice before abandoning the dutchman. Check with your sailmaker. Tell him what your concerns are. It is possible to install a modified stack-pak type cover with top zippers for use with a dutchman. Swing your boom to the side for access to reach the zipper.Jon

 

[Chris]

Reefing

Derek,Becareful how each system affects your sail. I've seen a Stack Pack that covers reefing gromets. Its a tradeoff you may have to decide you want or not ...Chris

 

[Crackerjoc]

I've had the Mack Pack . . .

for two years now and am very happy with it. I have a Vision 32 with a 16' boom and understand your problems. Its not a cure all, as you still need to tuck the leach of the sail into the end of the Mack Pack, but overall, its very easy to use.

 

[Bob]

Stack Pack - Not pleased

My 1988 Catalina 30 when purchased last year came with the stack pack/lazy jack system and at times I just wished I went back to the good ole sail drop, flake, bungee and sail cover routine. The greatest problem I have is getting the sail raised and lowered without getting the battens stuck in the lazy jack rigging. Sure, you have to point dead in the wind, have a crew member up at the mast helping to guide and flake the sail in and out of its neat little zippered storage pocket, but its not always a perfect world with these set ups. In high winds if your not steady dead ahead, it gets messy. Many have said that the lazy jacks can be adjusted to eliminate the aforementioned problem of "batten wedge", but that would be a lot of deck time for a crew for all these adjustments. Since it is already on the boat, I will live with it, but the claimed convenience of these systems is more work then they are worth. Unless of course I am doing something totally wrong, of which further tutoring would be greatly appreciated.RegardsBobLake Lanier, GA

 

[Joe]

I am a stack pack believer

I have had a stack pack on my last two boats. As with any system on a boat, there are always trade offs. I single hand my current boat (39') much of the time and find that the occasional hickups of raising the sail are more than made up by not having to put up with a huge pile of canvas when I drop the sail. With minor adjustments, the sail raising issues can be minimized. I have yet to figure out how to deal with the pile of canvas that comes when dropping the main when operating in single hand or limited crew mode.

 

[Steve Dion]

Dutchman!

Derek:Check out the Dutchman system. This is our second one and we love it. Once it is properly adjusted you can just forget it.