We’re interested in replacing the sail cover for our NS36. We’re using an old cover given to us by the previous owner. It was made by North Sails, or so the logo says, with a zipper running the entire length on top and one in front of the mast. The bottom is essentially open, yet held together by long Velcro strips. To go sailing, we unzip the top of the cover, leaving the cover in place below; the reverse takes place when we lower the sail. I’ve seen some of the StackPacks, but as far as I know, they come with new sails and are integrated in some fashion.
We’re not ready to buy a new sail, but the zippers are no longer working, and the canvas is in poor shape. Are there any ready-made covers available? Do you have a better solution? Any comments and links would be very much appreciated.
Happy 4th to you too Thomas. I had a cover made with a zipper that runs all the way down the top allowing you to raise and lower the sail while leaving the cover in place. It takes less than a minute to prepare the sail for an outing and not much longer to put it all away. I don’t have photos but I know others have the same setup and may. The only drawback is that, if necessary, you have to thread the aft reef lines into place prior to raising the sail. For day sails around Seattle I don’t bother.
I had a Stack Pack which is integrated into the sail to provide better airflow when fully raised. The Dacron was disintegrating so I replaced it with a Mack Pack which is made of Sunbrella, does not integrate with the sail, cost less and provides the same sail cover function. Both the Stack Pack and Mack Pack provide two zippers which meet where the reef lines leave the sail cover.
Both are easy to use and provide good sail protection. If you race, you might prefer the Stack Pack.
I appreciate your reply. You’re cover seems to work the same way as ours. We’ll probably stick with the same design and just have a canvas shop make a copy of it.
I too am ready to buy a sail cover that doubles as a cradle and zips at the top. I’ve sent an email to Mack Pack asking them to call me for more information and delivery time. Perhaps there is an advantage in working together.
Just something to think about. Our top zippered sail cover stops at the mast and doesn’t go around the mast. There are drawstrings at the end to pull the cover closed around the sail folds. Less sail material to handle when you’re sailing.
Ron
Ron & Diane Schryver
“Alpha Waves” '87 NS30U #393
Georgian Bay Midland Ontario
I received a tan MackPack sail cover to try out on my N30U three years ago. It didn't match my dodger & Bimini color scheme but it worked well with two zippers and 3 straps to secure it to the mast. It is now for sale at $200. Pictures of it are available on the INA site.
Last year I had another made in cadet gray but made the mistake of going with a single zipper at the recommendation of someone who doesn't rig his reefing lines. One zipper works but if I were to do it over I'd go with the two zipper design.
I believe that two zippers are important for ease and speed of closing the cover.
Ed Strazzini
MANATEE, N30U #503
Deltaville, Va
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I received a tan MackPack sail cover to try out on my N30U three years ago. It didn’t match my dodger & Bimini color scheme but it worked well with two zippers and 3 straps to secure it to the mast. It is now for sale at $200. Pictures of it are available on the INA site.
Last year I had another made in cadet gray but made the mistake of going with a single zipper at the recommendation of someone who doesn’t rig his reefing lines. One zipper works but if I were to do it over I’d go with the two zipper design.
I believe that two zippers are important for ease and speed of closing the cover.
Ed Strazzini
MANATEE, N30U #503
Deltaville, Va
Group,
I have a mooring located in a harbor that often experiences a fair chop and/or rollers when the wind is from a certain direction. I have two lines coming off the mooring ball. My question is has anyone found a way to cut down on the hobby horsing effect of the boat? We have found that it really can become unpleasant and difficult to either take a nap or have a cocktail from all the bucking. This is serious! Even reducing it a little would be a help. Any ideas out there?
Turning a little green in CT…
Chris Carlisle
Nonsuch 30U. #386. Pippin
Rowayton, CT
Chris
I am certainly no expert on this topic but won’t let that stop me. Besides, you are right that it is serious if it actually mess with cocktail hour on a NS.
Concerto is also on a mooring ball (hence the awareness of the cocktail hour concern) but is in a harbor that is very sheltered for all but a very narrow wind direction, so we experience very little problem. However I think that the length of you mooring line could very much influence the motion (which I assume you mean as a vertical motion). It seems to me that you are hitting a resonant frequency for the motion which amplifies things and spills martinis. Perhaps experimenting with changing the mooring line lengths could avoid the resonance and calm things down. Just a suggestion to perhaps try.
I also use just a single line coming over one of the anchor rollers to the samson post. But, I don’t see why that would change your situation.
Good Luck
Fred Rachwitz
Concerto, NS 30 U #445
Harbor Springs, Michigan
Northern Lake Michigan
For what it's worth we went through this exercise ( replacing a sail bag cover on True Love NS 26) I really don't think size matters with our rather simple but functional design. Let me preface by saying we've had the Velcro track, the zippers and snaps on various places and on various covers. All recommended by canvas people. Fed up we worked with another Nonsucher who made a cover from our first prototype and then we improved on their second attempt.
Basically we put butterfly snaps ( my discriptive name rather than what they might be called commercially) every two feet from the throat to the tail end of the cover. The key however is to place these snaps about 5 inches back of the sewed edge so when putting the material together it creates an overlap. No Velcro . The bottom side of the cover has a heavy duty nylon web about 4 to 5 inches wide from the throat to the tail end in the event the sail gets wet. The web also allows for some limited air circulation. A nylon web with a "D" ring port and starboard is sewn at the right locations for your wishbone hangers right over this netting. The length of this web is determined by the amount of material you have to deal with. Without making this a thesis, think water run off. You don' want to create a crater where water sits on the top of cover. The other rather important snaps are located above and below the mast zipper. The reason for this (we sail with cover) is two-fold.. No pun intended. First, we put a snap above the zipper and one below the zipper. This provides some tension protection for the zipper, and secondly when you sail with the cover on you undue the zipper but attach one or two of the snaps being careful not to let the sumbrella come in friction contact with your halyard or reefing lines. The back side of the mast or the block side (deck level) has a "u" shaped cut out to allow for lines. The top of the throat has two flaps that have 3 feet of nylon ties attached to each opposing flap. Great for wrapping up the neck of our cover. The rear end of your cover should have the usual ties to be secured at the wishbone..works for us..
