Do any of you have a MackPack from Mack Sails in Florida ??

Hello All -

I am exploring options for a ziptop sail cover for MOUSTACHES, my NS22. I have already spoken to Butch Miller. He does great work but there is a complication as I’m in Canada. I will explore all of the many Canadian and local options. This query is strictly about the really nice looking MackPack covers, produced by Mack Sails in Stuart, Florida.

Soooo … do any of you Nonsuchers own one ?? On Mack’s web site, they show an NS26 with a blue cover. Sadly, I am not able to enlarge the shots. What really interests me is that the cover “ends” when it hits the mast - it does not wrap around the mast (or so I think). It, therefore, does not cover the choker tackle, the reefing lines, etc. And, there is no fabric to snag or abrade.

Many makers of these things have worked out various schemes that allow the cover to “slide smoothly” around the mast, as the sail changes tack, including when the sail is at 90+ to the mast e.g. on a dead run. The MackPack stops at the mast so what happens as the boom swings out ?? Does the cover get pulled or yanked on one side i.e. the boom swings to port … does the fabric on the starboard side of the mast get pulled or strained ??

Furthermore, I believe that the MackPack has to be attached to the mast in a few places. How is this done, on our boats, without drilling any holes ??

Does the MackPack STAY attached to mast when the sail is up ?? I guess it would have to otherwise the part of the cover in front of the cradle line (closest to the mast) would flop down and look like an unmade bed (or worse).

Of course, I could just put all these questions to Travis, down at Mack (and, likely I will) but I’d surely love to get any of your takes on these products before I ask the gent who builds them.

Thanks, in advance - stay healthy.

Ernie A. in Toronto

I have a Mack Pack on our 26 Classic and have been happy with it. The one issue with it has been the attachment at the mast. There are four nylon straps with buckles that go around the mast and buckle at the front but do not hold the cover securely when the cover is unzipped. This means that when we raise the sail the cover drops down and it sometimes gets caught up in the halyard block when raising the sail. One one or two occasions I have had to go forward to unjam it. That could be because I decided not to fasten the cover to the lazy jacks. I just let it fall below to the foot of the sail and cradled in the lazy jacks. I suspect if I attached it to the lazy jacks it would not collapse at the mast. Having said that, I am really happy with the quality of the Mack Pack, the ease of use, and the great service. I would highly recommend it. It is just so nice to be able to put the boat to bed easily and quickly after a sail and not have to wrestle with the sail cover.

Mark Nerenhausen
Penguin
26C. #174
Washington Island, WI