I have the North Sail version, love it. Just as with lazy jacks, you have to watch the battens as you hoist the sail but if you are into the wind and keep the sheet loose it works very well. I use it single handed all the time.
—
Neil Roach
"Crewless"
1992 36, Mark I
Hull # 1174
Seattle
Many folks complain about full battens getting caught up when raising the mainsail. They then spend a lot of time moving BOTH sides of the lazy jacks to the mast.
We developed an easier way with our lazy jacks.
We have a small cleat on the forward starboard side of the boom. When we put the halyard on the headboard, we move ONLY the starboard side of the lazy jacks forward and snug them under the forward side of the horn of this cleat.
Then, when we raise the mainsail, instead of going exactly head to wind, we bear off a tad to starboard so the wind is coming from the port side of the bow.
We then raise the mainsail and it doesn't get hooked on the lazy jacks even though the port side jacks are still there.
Been working for 13 years.
Yes, we have to go forward again to unhook the starboard lazy jack for dousing the sail if I forget to do it right when the main is raised, but there's never any hurry. The drill is: after the main is raised, I unhook that starboard lazy jack, so they're both ready to go when we drop the sails at the end of the day.
So, for those of you with lazy jacks, consider doing only one side.
We were thinking of getting a stack pack as well when we change the sails on our boat. Not having replaced the sails yet, we have replaced the main halyard, and adjusted the Dutchman. That sail now drops like a dream and as slick as eel snot. Even in wind shifts when we are slightly off the wind.
IMHO, the only advantage to the stack pack is the ease of stowing the sail in the canvas. I don't mind going forward to tie the sails or put the cover on.
—
Robert Trinkle
Troubador, 1995 C36 MKII #1433, SR/WK
Universal M35A
Kinsale Harbor Marina
Kinsale, VA
[QUOTE=willkaul;15222]What's anyone's experience with stack packs? I have a 1990 Catalina 36 and thinking about one.[/QUOTE]
I have a MackPack sourced from a C36 member. Its one of the best improvements I've made to my boat.
I highly recommend them, and they are priced very competitvely.
Bill Boggs
s/v Palmetto Moon
1991 C36, Hull 1128
Herrington Harbor South
Chesapeake Bay
I have the North Sail version, love it. Just as with lazy jacks, you have to watch the battens as you hoist the sail but if you are into the wind and keep the sheet loose it works very well. I use it single handed all the time.
Neil Roach
"Crewless"
1992 36, Mark I
Hull # 1174
Seattle
For when you may get the stack pack:
Lazy Jack Trick
Many folks complain about full battens getting caught up when raising the mainsail. They then spend a lot of time moving BOTH sides of the lazy jacks to the mast.
We developed an easier way with our lazy jacks.
We have a small cleat on the forward starboard side of the boom. When we put the halyard on the headboard, we move ONLY the starboard side of the lazy jacks forward and snug them under the forward side of the horn of this cleat.
Then, when we raise the mainsail, instead of going exactly head to wind, we bear off a tad to starboard so the wind is coming from the port side of the bow.
We then raise the mainsail and it doesn't get hooked on the lazy jacks even though the port side jacks are still there.
Been working for 13 years.
Yes, we have to go forward again to unhook the starboard lazy jack for dousing the sail if I forget to do it right when the main is raised, but there's never any hurry. The drill is: after the main is raised, I unhook that starboard lazy jack, so they're both ready to go when we drop the sails at the end of the day.
So, for those of you with lazy jacks, consider doing only one side.
Your boat, your choice.
Stu Jackson, C34IA Secretary, C34 #224, 1986, SR/FK, M25 engine, Rocna 10 (22#)
We were thinking of getting a stack pack as well when we change the sails on our boat. Not having replaced the sails yet, we have replaced the main halyard, and adjusted the Dutchman. That sail now drops like a dream and as slick as eel snot. Even in wind shifts when we are slightly off the wind.
IMHO, the only advantage to the stack pack is the ease of stowing the sail in the canvas. I don't mind going forward to tie the sails or put the cover on.
Robert Trinkle
Troubador, 1995 C36 MKII #1433, SR/WK
Universal M35A
Kinsale Harbor Marina
Kinsale, VA