I guess the stack pack would hurt performance if racing, also wondering about winter storage?
Thanks - Eric
Eric,
While the stack pack is very nice and has advantages, I decided against it because it’s attached to the sail. That adds weight getting the sail on and off the boat and would add complications when I eventually get a new sail.
I’m on my second top zip sail cover, the current one made by Butch Miller and I’m really happy with it.
Jim Cosgrove
FATE 30U #343
Galesville MD
Hi Guys,
If you don’t mind, I would like to jump in on this conversation. I had a new sail made at the end of this past season and was debating for a long time about whether to get a Stack Pack or conventional sailcover. I have had a case of Stack Pack envy for a couple of years. But, it has also been my ambition to strip the bottom and do some racing once I got a new sail. After speaking with 3 different sailmakers they were unanimous in the opinion that the boat would sail faster without it, so I decided not to get the Stack Pack. But I am interested in learning more about the Top Zip sailcover. Does it get removed when you are sailing?
Jerome Bertuglia
Purr Diem
NS30C 269
Stonington, CT
I am also interested in the top zip sail cover. Same question as Jerome. Also if it remains somehow attached to the sail cradle lines via fabric channels or some other means, does it interfere in any way with the performance of the sail? If it does indeed stay in place while you sail, do you zip it up to reduce the panels flapping about? My current bottom securing sail cover has worn through in several places due to chaffing on the cradle lines. I would think that running the cradle lines through some sort of positioning system on the underside of a top zip sail cover might reduce that chaffing. Even sewing chafing strips where the cradle lines run might be an idea?
Pat Furr
Bandolero
NS 26C
Charlotte, VT
Mack Sails has a picture of what it looks like NonSuch 26 http://macksails.com/mack-pack/
My sail cover does not have a zipper, it uses clips like you would see on a back pack on the bottom. I have also seen te metal twist post type clips, they work well.
I think part of the issue with sail covers is most are often too short,narrow and tight causing you to have to pull and push to get it on.
I am rarely in a rush when on the boat, so I take my time putting it on, but in a rush it’s a 5 minute job for one person.
As for boat speed with a sail pack, Hopefully Mark Powers has a sail pack… ")
I HIGHLY recommend the Boom Pack from H2O Sails. Harry O build one for me and the quality is unparalleled.
Capt Kevin McQuiston
ZenSoulSailor.com
I believe that a zip top cover acts as an air dam and to some extent compensates for
it’s non aerofoil shape. I have just got lazy and paid ~$2000 to have my home made
navy color cover copied in “mould green” to match the newly recovered dodger.
Dick Lane
NS26c Swoose
Port Townsend
We put on the Stack pack a couple years ago, it is sewn to the sail with a zipper so although i’ve never detached it, it would be easy to do so (ie. to remove the sail without the pack).
Can’t comment on performance but we do like to stay out till the sun dips over the horizon (Olympic mountains out here) and knowing all we have to do at the dock (in the dark) is pull a zipper back is a great deal easier than fumbling with the old cover.
The other reason we love the cover is it isn’t open at the bottom like our old one was so the otters have not made the sail into their hammock/apartment since it went on.
Will B
N30C Z Fat Cat #181
Bainbridge Island, WA.
Nope, no Stack Pack, Mack Pack or any knock off on La Reina.
One issue with any sail cover out here on the Wet Coast, and exacerbated by top loading sail bags of any make, is that rain will pool in any low spots on the top of the sail cover and then seep through the cover or zipper making the sail wet and encouraging the growth of black mould.
Mark Powers
Pat Furr,
Leda came with a (top zip) StackPack, which works very well. PM me if you’d like to take a look at it next season.
Julian Smith
Leda
N26C
Shelburne, VT
We are having our top zip cover replaced with the same. It has been on the boat since we got the boat in 2008. It is not attached to the sail but has tabs that go around the jack lines. The top has 4 zippers. One in front of the mast only used if the cover is removed. It stays closed while sailing and the cover gently settles around the mast. One aft of the mast about 18", a longer one to the second reef lines’ fourth from the second to the 1st reef lines. After the 1st reef lines the cover is held closed by a velcro flap. The entire length from mast to clew is covered with a velcro flap that keeps the rain out. We do not have problems with water ingress. The bottom is mesh with sections of sunbrella where the jack lines go. The jack lines are not attached to the foot of the sail.
When sailing the cover simply settles in the jack lines and does not interfere with the sail or flap around even in 25+ knots.
Does it effect performance?
Mark has always been able to out sail me but when Paul Shield was on the helm of Respite we were even with La Reina, neither boat had an advantage.
Rob Powers
Respite 26C #50
Sidney BC
I am thinking that if Respite had a removable sail cover she would have pulled away from us with Paul on the helm.
Mark Powers
Thank you Mark. I will add zip top cover to my standing list of excuses. 
Paul M
NS30U #211, Sandpiper
Cowichan Bay, B.C.
So when you are saying you are getting a zip cover does that mean you are using a local canvas guy?
Thanks Eric
NS 30U
Old Greenwich
HI Eric
We had a new sail built by North Sails (Nova Scotia) in 2014 and I got what they call a ‘Quick Cover’ made at the same time. It is a top zip cover which slings under the sail and is suspended by the cradle lines. It is heavy duty and very well crafted. I leave it on all sailing season. When stowed, there is a separate zip-on piece that joins the front ends of the cover around the mast. The idea of the stay-in-place top zip cover is fantastic - it has made it fast and easy to get ready to sail, and to stow the sail when finished. As others have pointed out, I preferred this to a Stack Pack as it is a separate piece from the sail - easier and lighter to handle when bending and unbending - and I have the option to remove it and replace with the stock cradles lines if was to enter a class race. (With our mixed fleet on Wednesday nights, each boat with a different handicap, I don’t really care about a little inefficiency given the amount of convenience this offers). As my wife Dawn is often in charge of getting the sail ready she appreciated the convenience of this cover enough to consider it a wedding anniversary gift. And so it was. Pics attached but these do not show the separate piece on front zipped in.
I would say this is probably one of the best improvements we have made to this boat in terms of ease of use - which means getting more use from the boat - for us aging sailors.
Cheers to all,
Greg Silver
Misty Cat 26C #121
Cape Breton, Nova Scotia
I have gone the SANDPIPER route, sort of. I had my standard sail cover slightly re-cut/improved and then ran several zippers along the top. I added a plethora of grommet holes at the front and back and bottom and have yet to try this “interesting” arrangement out. I’ll use pieces of line through the grommets to adjust and fiddle with the cover. My old sail cover was in solid shape so I’ve simply turned it into a zip top.
I do hope it works. The work (nicely done by Trident Sails in Mississauga) cost the princely sum of $260.00. However it works out, it’ll be easier and quicker than the old beat-yourself-up system of schlepping and sweating and bending and swatting flies, etc.
One more reason that I can’t wait until launch (whenever that will be).
Ernie A. in Toronto
I have a top zipping sail cover very similar to that pictured on Greg Silver’s boat MISTY CAT (See Dec. 14th below). While Greg’s was produced by North Sails I believe mine was a DIY conversion job by a previous owner. Instructions for such a conversion were posted on this site some time back. I am very happy with it and more than one owner has copied this conversion idea. However, there is some wind resistance & when I am about to participate in an important race I remove it and attach some bare cradle lines.
When I first purchased the boat I didn’t like how the sail cover would accordion backwards while under sail (see picture attached). I then purchased some bungee cord to cut to length and when I go sailing I run it around the mast and snap it on to the leading edge of the sail cover. It now pulls the sail cover forward to add a neat horizontal look to the boat (see picture). At dock I simply place the front piece around the mast and zip it in place (picture).
Herb G. Huber, MISTOFFELEES 30C#91 Lake Huron Nonsuch Association, Bridgeview Marina, Point Edward/Sarnia, Ontario
What a nice boat, Herb. And, that is very cool solution with the bungee cord. Very cool, indeed.
Ernie A. in Toronto
“Winter is the winter of my discontent”