Making a stackpack sail cover

[haroldsson]

Has anyone done this? I have some Sunbella Material and need help with the pattern for a stackpack sail cover. What material is used for the bit that slides in with the sail bolt rope along the boom?
Help please!

 

[Ruffles]

I used acrylic canvas for the bit that runs in the slot. But sail cloth would be better. The important thing is to sew in a separate strip of cloth, mainly so that the two seams ensure it runs on straight, but also in case it wears out.

Is your sail loose footed? If not you will find it a bit of a pain to fit at the beginning of the season. Worth it though.

I used plastic water pipe instead of battens to stiffen the thing. Saves a few quid. Theyve lasted 4 years so far.

I also used a velcro'd flap to seal the top. Bad idea - UV destroys velcro in no time. BTW you can get open ended zips from kayospruce to the nearest 10cm.

If you make the cover too loose water will pool on top.

You'll need a seperate cover to go round the mast and cover the luff.

Have fun!

 

[MoodySabre]

You don't have to have a separate bit round the mast and luff. I have and next time I won't. Designed like this it just needs a zip on the front
http://www.doylesails.com/cruising/images/stackpack.jpg

The middle bit on mine is nylon type fabric and slides easily.

 

[Ruffles]

That's rather a splendid vessel.

I've seen a few variations. One is to have the zip to one side which I imagine is less likely to let water in and easier to reach on a larger boat. I guess the top folds down inside when the sail is up. I pinched the idea where the slot for the reefing lines is a zip.

One disadvantage over a conventional cover is the lack of ventilation.

If you park your boat in Haslar it's a good idea to close off the leach end. I found a number of chocolate biscuit stuffed into ours. Apparently courtesy of the local corvidae population!

 

[fastjedi]

We made one for our Hunter Ranger 245 about 3 years ago. The materials came from Kayospruce Ltd in Fareham ... Acrylic Canvas, Sail Cloth (to go in the boom channel), 2x 3m lengths of contract battern, 3m of zip, webbing and S/S D rings for the lazy jacks.

We measured and made one cheap cloth from the market as a pattern first. The result was a better fit that most professional stack packs as we were able to spend more time measuring an testing.

Our sewing machine was upto smaller items like tiller covers and halyard bags ... we took the dodgers and stackpack to a local upholsterer/curtain maker to stitch together.