Pearson Boats - Common Systems > Sails and Canvas

44th Annual Newport International Boat Show - New Sails

<< < (3/3)

Dolce_Vita:
I was at the Annapolis Sailboat Show yesterday, and the Mack Pack booth caught my eye.  The demonstrator explained some of the points that distinguish their system from others, particularly the fact that the lazy jacks attach to the boom instead of to the cover.

It looks like a really nice system!

Sea Haven:
Ed,

Yeah, it looks to be a great system.

In fact I wasn't even thinking about it when I was at the booth, being so focused on the sails themselves. It wasn't until after I got home and stumbled across it online that it occurred that I should look into it.
I don't have lazy jacks now and it appears the PO never had as well so I was planning to go with Harken or design my own, then I saw the Mack Packer.

After I saw the $$ savings by going with Mack, it became a no-brainer!

I'll give a report in the spring when up and running.

What's you thoughts on their sails? Quality etc...

"Sub" Ed

Alma:
Re: Lazy Jacks, Dutchman and others.

I have a North mainsail. I bought it new from Cruising Direct maybe eight years ago. I did the measuring and screwed it up only a little bit.
North fixed it for free and it is a great sail.

I WISH I had ordered a bigger roach and North recommended it, but I was afraid of chafing the leach on the topping lift.

Today I remove my topping lift while sailing. Crossing the backstay while tacking shouldn't be a problem. If this North mainsail would ever wear- I'd replace it with a big roach mainsail from Noth again. I'm that pleased. I bought a Genoa from a local sailmaker upon recommendation of a great sailor and their service was terrible. 'Suncover failed in two seasons and it was almost FIVE hundred dollars to replace. Needless to say I was disappointed...

Ever since day one I have faked the North mainsail sail the same exact way. In fact I wrote with a sharpie pen "top" on the first fold at the luff so I know I have it on the right track.
If I'm single-handed my autopilot keeps me into the wind.
There is no worry about folding the sail along the same folds every time. My sail is still crispy and fast today.

I fold at the first slug to the port side of the boom, then alternate back and forth at each slug. I pull the folds back as I go along and tie off with just two sail ties.
Now that the sail is "trained", and this happened over the first season, it wants to fall correctly on the boom and almost folds itself. It takes less than 40 seconds to drop the main!
The tell-tails line up down the center and it looks great.
It is shipshape and tight, so much so the sail cover seems oversize. When time to remove the sail for winter storage it is intact and compact.
I can remove it folded and it goes right into its bag with the same folds it had on the boom- Come Spring commissioning the mainsail glides right back onto the boom!

I have seen plenty of swearing at Dutchmen and Lazy Jacks from other sailors. And the adaptations to the sail cover are complex and wear out quickly.

When you're luck enough to have a brand new mainsail try this trick. It has worked very well for me.

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[*] Previous page