I have decided to get a new mainsail cover. Does anyone have any experience with Stackpack type covers?
Jerome Bertuglia
NS30C 269
Stonington, CT
Yes and they are super cool, extremely convenient. That and a mainsail fast track make sailing a breeze. An electric winch is a bonus as well!
Andy
I purchased a white Sunbrella Doyle StackPack in 2010 with a new main here in California. Was very happy with it until it started to fall part from sun, UV exacerbated by Pacific ocean salty fog, wind and rain . I found out later that I should have ordered the blue canvas Sunbrella material b c that is SO much more UV resistant. Also, they do catch the rain so drainage is a problem. Best if you can open it up regularly, raise the main and drain the water out…
I’ve been very happy with the Stack-pak style cover that was made for me by Allison (Butch) Miller, ANmiller03@aol.com, 410-271-2540, Island Home Services, LLC, 110 Bentons Pleasure Dr, Chester, MD 21619.
– Bob
Solar Wind
Nonsuch 26C #143
Saw Michael Jabara’s post just after mine. Should’ve mentioned that Butch Miller’s version has not admitted any rain water, but he also put drain-hole grommets on the underside for me just in case.
Darker Sunbrella colors are hotter, but definitely resist UV better. Also hide dirt better.
– Bob
Solar Wind
Nonsuch 26C #143
Hi Bob,
Is your cover attached to your sail?
Jerome Bertuglia
NS30C 269
Stonington, CT
I am assuming that they use a zipper to close. I am wondering how the leech reef lines are dealt with? The Doyle Stackpacks on conventional booms are sewn to the sail, so that they will lay flat against the sail when raised. What is typically done for Nonsuch?
Jerome Bertuglia
NS30C 269
Stonington, CT
The front zipper goes 2/3 back from the mast and rear 1/3 forward from the clew. The leach lines stay in between when zipped up…
Think pea pod or banana skin with the sail nestled inside. Two zippers a long one from about the hatch to mast and a shorter one to the clew. Reef lines exit between zippers.
Two zippers meet at the reef line entrance.
Not a good picture attached but will give you an idea.
Drain hole picture attached also.
These sail covers were designed by the Solomons Nonsuch Fleet seven or eight years ago. We brought Butch Miller in for discussion. Butch is a well known Cat Boater. He enhanced our design and we purchased five of them for four 22s and one 26. When I bought my 30 the first order of business was to replace a perfectly good traditional cover with a zipper top (that’s what we call them here).
It’s sailing season and Butch’s priority is sailing, so if you want one you best start talking to him now. He’s a good guy.
Cheers.
Butch
Butch Garren
Nonsuch 30, #196
Whiskers II,
Solomons, MD
Sounds like this is the way to go. Thanks for the photo and all the info.
Jerome Bertuglia
Purr Diem
NS30C 269
Stonington, CT
(attachments)
We actually have four zippers in our cover. The forward one goes half way to the 2nd reef line entrance and the next one goes to the the 2nd reef line. The 3rd zipper goes between the 2nd and 1st reef lines and the 4th zipper goes from the clew to the 1st reef line. I hope that is clear. There is actually another short zipper that comes from the mast and down past the headboard. We also have a mesh sown into the bottom of the cover so that any rain will drain out and we get good air circulation as well. We leave our sail on during the Vancouver Island ‘winter’ and have never had a mildew issue.
Got my new “Chesapeake Bay Zipper top” cover by Butch Miller installed today…I don’t give a fig about aerodynamics (I’ve already sacrificed speed with my basic equipment 2 blade prop, and my basic crosscut dacron sail)…no more struggling with the 20 ft. snake at the end of the day. That’s what single handing is all about.
Joe
C26 #156
SEA HORSE
I have the Doyle stackpack on my 36, it zippers to the sail and lays flat while sailing, has some weep holes at the bottom of the cover so water will drain which it does only ok. It is in the dark navy color sunbrella stitched with the tenara (sp?) UV resistant thread, the only problem I’ve experienced is the UV degradation of the zipper near the mast from some exposure. there is a detachable piece that wraps around the mast at the front as well. I’ve owned this boat for 7 years and it has held up well, I’m not sure how old it is. I highly recommend it, saves time and easy to use. Jerome I keep my boat at the Thame Yacht Club on the Thames in New London, I will be sailing tomorrow (SAT.) providing there is wind, you are welcome to take a look at it if you’d like, and join me for a sail. I’m in the directory.
Steve Currier
NS36 41
CAPER
New London, CT.
Hi Steve,
I would enjoy the opportunity to sail with you tomorrow. Unfortunately we are having guests on Purr Diem tomorrow. Can we make it another time?
Jerome Bertuglia
NS30C 269
Stonington, CT
Two zippers meet at the reef line entrance.
Not a good picture attached but will give you an idea.
Drain hole picture attached also.
These sail covers were designed by the Solomons Nonsuch Fleet seven or eight years ago. We brought Butch Miller in for discussion. Butch is a well known Cat Boater. He enhanced our design and we purchased five of them for four 22s and one 26. When I bought my 30 the first order of business was to replace a perfectly good traditional cover with a zipper top (that’s what we call them here).
It’s sailing season and Butch’s priority is sailing, so if you want one you best start talking to him now. He’s a good guy.
Cheers.
Butch
Butch Garren
Nonsuch 30, #196
Whiskers II,
Solomons, MD
James,
This is the contact:
Allison “Butch” Miller [anmiller03@aol.com]
410 271 2540
110 Bentons Pleasure dr
Chester MD 21619
My name is Butch also.
Butch Garren
Nonsuch 30, #196
Whiskers II,
Solomons, MD
Here are a couple of pictures of how the sail cover design built by Allison “Butch” Miller looks when the sail is up.
This is the design that Butch Garren referred to – similar ones are on his boat and several others in the Solomons fleet, and apparently one was just delivered to Joe Weinbrecht.
As others have pointed out, this design is not as aerodynamic as the North or Mack stack-packs that are integrated with the sail, and lie flat against it when the sail’s up.
They are, however, considerably less expensive, and make maintenance of both the sail and the cover far more convenient when it’s time to remove them.
Despite the resemblance to H.G. Wells’ Invisible Man, the person appearing in one of the pictures is actually me.
(COVID-19 is not a significant risk while singlehanding on Santa Monica Bay. However, sunburn is. It turns out that a mask is a reasonable Plan B if you forgot your sunscreen.)
– Bob
Solar Wind
Nonsuch 26C, #143
Bob,
I’m sure you realize that you are giving up another .0135 kts with each fender you leave hanging on your safety lines. Tsk, tsk, tsk 
Joe
C26
Sea Horse
Oh.
Dear me.
I’d been justifying it to myself under the belief that the loss was only .0134 kts per fender.
How embarrassing.
– Bob
Solar Wind
Nonsuch 26C #143