Stack Pack advice?

[MedSailor]

I've decided I want a stack pack for the mizzen and possibly for the main as well. Of the sailmakers that are bidding to sell me a sail, none of them are readily able to quote me a stack pack system. My questions to the collective wisdom are:

Who would you suggest I get a quote from?

Does anyone have a ballpark estimate on what it should cost for a 11ft boom or a 18ft boom?

What features should I specify in mine? I've been eyeballing them and they don't all look the same to my untrained eye.

MedSailor

[gtod25]

Mack Pack

[Gene T]

I talked to UK about the ones they use, "lazy bag" I believe the call it. Cheap one not really recommended for $100/ft USD, the "good" quality one is $200/ft. Which begs the question - What cost for convenience?

Gene

[Omatako]

Stac Pac is a trade name belonging to Doyle Sails - try them.

[PBzeer]

I have the Doyle Stack Pack w/strong track (an extrusion placed in the mast slot). My experience with both the local Doyle loft and the product has been completely satisfactory. Not only did they thoroughly measure for the sail (almost 2 hours), as well as spend an evening going over cloth type, cloth weight, reef points and my intended cruising style and cruising grounds, they also installed it.

[JohnRPollard]

Med,

I almost got the Stackpack with our new main last year -- but went with conventional mainsail cover to save a modest amount. I sort of regret that decision now.

I'll echo that Doyle seems to offer good value in their sail products, and has a nice Stackpack system. I'd suggest that you at least give them a call, if only as a data point.

Good luck and let us know what you decide.

[sailingdog]

Why not make one yourself. IIRC, MMR made one for her Gemini 34 catamaran and posted fairly complete directions on doing so online. Sailrite even sells kits for doing this.

[Allanbc]

I have a Mack Pack on my main and it is really great. I would love to add one to my mizzen.

[xsboats]

I have Mack Packs on my main and mizzen. Combined with the Antal track system and full battens, they are a breeze to reef and hoist alone.

[josrulz]

We investigated this recently, and of course you can find the Mack Pack prices on their site. We also asked a local sailmaker in Annapolis, and the price was about the same as the Mack, in the $800 range for our 11 foot boom. We decided not to go that route at this time...not because their anything wrong with it, but because our budget is going to other things.

Of course, this isn't the full Doyle system with track, and it was for an existing sail. I'm sure a lot depends on how far you want to take it.

We also checked out the Sailrite kit, which looked pretty good too, though I would have wanted to modify it slightly in some spots. Of course, if you're doing it yourself, then you can do that!
-J