I currently have a Dutchman set up and would like to hear from anyone that has experience with the stack pak (I think that is a trade mark term)Pros cons. I like the idea of the sail cover. Do you need-recommend a solid vang? Thanks
- Status
Luv mine!
Rick,
I assume you're referring to the Doyle Stak Pak system - I have one on my Catalina 30 (was on there when I purchased 3 years ago) and have few complaints. With full batten main, hoisting the main can be a nuisance if the helmsman isn't paying attention (keeping battens between the lazy jack lines) but dropping the main is a snap - release the halyard clutch and main drops (properly flaked) into the stak pak cover within seconds. Zip the sail cover and you're done.
I'm not experienced enough to comment on any possible degradation of sail shape, but since I cruise and not race (and satisfied with SOG relative to wind speed)the convenience is worth a few tenths of knots (if indeed that happens). I highly recommend them!
Rick,
I assume you're referring to the Doyle Stak Pak system - I have one on my Catalina 30 (was on there when I purchased 3 years ago) and have few complaints. With full batten main, hoisting the main can be a nuisance if the helmsman isn't paying attention (keeping battens between the lazy jack lines) but dropping the main is a snap - release the halyard clutch and main drops (properly flaked) into the stak pak cover within seconds. Zip the sail cover and you're done.
I'm not experienced enough to comment on any possible degradation of sail shape, but since I cruise and not race (and satisfied with SOG relative to wind speed)the convenience is worth a few tenths of knots (if indeed that happens). I highly recommend them!
Lazy Jacks
The Dutchman system works great, but on sails with a lot of roach to the leech you need to be sure to hoist the sail on the correct tack (which depends on which side the first grommet of the sail has the monofilament run through)
A better way (?) is a set of lazy jacks that retracts so that they can be stored while the mainsail is covered(no holes in the cover to let UV in) and while the sail is raised (no batten problems). Then the jacks are deployed for dropping the sail.
Make the lazy jacks of dyneema line and no blocks or rings are there to chafe the sail.
The Dutchman system works great, but on sails with a lot of roach to the leech you need to be sure to hoist the sail on the correct tack (which depends on which side the first grommet of the sail has the monofilament run through)
A better way (?) is a set of lazy jacks that retracts so that they can be stored while the mainsail is covered(no holes in the cover to let UV in) and while the sail is raised (no batten problems). Then the jacks are deployed for dropping the sail.
Make the lazy jacks of dyneema line and no blocks or rings are there to chafe the sail.
Mack Pack
I put a Mack Pack on this spring & so far love it. A blessing for single handing. Nice folks to work with too. Pearson 34.
I put a Mack Pack on this spring & so far love it. A blessing for single handing. Nice folks to work with too. Pearson 34.
Love It!
I have the Neil Pryde version of a "Stack Pack" on my Beneteau 361. It tames a traditional mainsail the way a roller furler tames a genoa. I don't ever want to sail a big boat without one. It will never jam like a furling main and you can keep your full roach and normal battens to maximize boat speed (unlike a furling main). On my previous boat with a traditional removable sail cover, I found that I was sailing with the genoa only on many days because I didn't want to fool with the main. The Stack Pack makes it so easy, I am much more likely to sail..and sail with both sails. When the day is done, my main drops straight into the cover and I zip it up. I keep wondering "Why didn't someone think of this before?"
I do have a solid vang (but I also have a topping lift). I suppose that is like wearing a belt and suspenders.
I have the Neil Pryde version of a "Stack Pack" on my Beneteau 361. It tames a traditional mainsail the way a roller furler tames a genoa. I don't ever want to sail a big boat without one. It will never jam like a furling main and you can keep your full roach and normal battens to maximize boat speed (unlike a furling main). On my previous boat with a traditional removable sail cover, I found that I was sailing with the genoa only on many days because I didn't want to fool with the main. The Stack Pack makes it so easy, I am much more likely to sail..and sail with both sails. When the day is done, my main drops straight into the cover and I zip it up. I keep wondering "Why didn't someone think of this before?"
I do have a solid vang (but I also have a topping lift). I suppose that is like wearing a belt and suspenders.
Tossed It!
I took mine off my Catalina 30 and now its lying on the garage floor!!! I replaced it with a new mainsail cover. I was fed up with that zippered pouch, having to fetch it out while raising, flaking while stowing and the battens getting stuck in the lazy jacks. It came with the vessel and at first I was excited to have it, but it really was a pain. My wife and I have owned and sailed many sailboats together and we have no problems with sail ties and a cover.............you stay with what your comfortable with!
nuff said.
Bob
I took mine off my Catalina 30 and now its lying on the garage floor!!! I replaced it with a new mainsail cover. I was fed up with that zippered pouch, having to fetch it out while raising, flaking while stowing and the battens getting stuck in the lazy jacks. It came with the vessel and at first I was excited to have it, but it really was a pain. My wife and I have owned and sailed many sailboats together and we have no problems with sail ties and a cover.............you stay with what your comfortable with!
nuff said.
Bob
What's important to you?
I recently changed over to the stack pack from UK Sails, and miss some of the advantages that I had in the Dutchman. Two things you won't be able to do as easily with the UK Stack pack:
1. reef on a course other than head to wind.
2. Drop the main quickly without deploying the lazy jacks, if you secured them.
It is very nice not to wrangle the sailcover when the wind is kicking and the admiral loves the lack of the Dutchman line marks on the sail.
I'm not sure about a solid vang, but I did add a Boomkicker. That rocks for light wind performance and maintaining the best sail shape. With that you will still need a topping lift if you plan to use the boom to lift anything like an outboard. Come to think about it, when we were out of the bay and in six foot seas, the boom would fall more against the boomkicker. So for safety, you may still need one if you planned to be in any sort of seas and want to reef.
Cheers,
Brice
I recently changed over to the stack pack from UK Sails, and miss some of the advantages that I had in the Dutchman. Two things you won't be able to do as easily with the UK Stack pack:
1. reef on a course other than head to wind.
2. Drop the main quickly without deploying the lazy jacks, if you secured them.
It is very nice not to wrangle the sailcover when the wind is kicking and the admiral loves the lack of the Dutchman line marks on the sail.
I'm not sure about a solid vang, but I did add a Boomkicker. That rocks for light wind performance and maintaining the best sail shape. With that you will still need a topping lift if you plan to use the boom to lift anything like an outboard. Come to think about it, when we were out of the bay and in six foot seas, the boom would fall more against the boomkicker. So for safety, you may still need one if you planned to be in any sort of seas and want to reef.
Cheers,
Brice
Stack Pack
I have had a plain mainsail cover, and Dutchman on prior boats, and currently have a Stack pack on my Beneteau 323. In general I really like the stack pack, not worrying about storing the mainsail cover and fiddling with it in a blow. Raising the sail is really easy (as long as you pay attention to the battens not getting caught) lowering it also pretty easy, though I sometimes have to go forward and give it a tug. I prefer it to the Dutchman. The only real downsides I have found on the Stack Pack are that it seems to have a bit more windage than a tight sailcover, and I find that when the sail comes down, the reefing lines drop in the cockpit, threatening to hang the unwary. Not a big deal if you tell them. I have a solid vang, but I don't know if its essential.
I have had a plain mainsail cover, and Dutchman on prior boats, and currently have a Stack pack on my Beneteau 323. In general I really like the stack pack, not worrying about storing the mainsail cover and fiddling with it in a blow. Raising the sail is really easy (as long as you pay attention to the battens not getting caught) lowering it also pretty easy, though I sometimes have to go forward and give it a tug. I prefer it to the Dutchman. The only real downsides I have found on the Stack Pack are that it seems to have a bit more windage than a tight sailcover, and I find that when the sail comes down, the reefing lines drop in the cockpit, threatening to hang the unwary. Not a big deal if you tell them. I have a solid vang, but I don't know if its essential.
Thanks Guys
I just got back from the marina and helping a friend (that took 15 minutes) spent an hour looking at two different boats with stakpaks. (found online that UK calls it a lazypak) You've given some good points to consider and think about. Again thanks for all your responses.
RK
I just got back from the marina and helping a friend (that took 15 minutes) spent an hour looking at two different boats with stakpaks. (found online that UK calls it a lazypak) You've given some good points to consider and think about. Again thanks for all your responses.
RK
- Status