Pack-a-Main

[kac]

Does anyone have a good idea what the cost would be to convert a standard slab reefed main sail on a 2005 Bavaria 30 to lazy jack/pack-a-main/stack pack system.
Also is there any difference between the three or are they all the same thing.

 

[RobBrown]

The stack pack ( Pack a main ) has nothing to do with the reefing and is prefectly compatible with a slab-reefed mainsail. It is basically a big open topped sail bag with a zip into which you can drop the main and then zip it up, without the usual wrestling with the mainsail to flake it and then put on the sailties etc etc. The lazy jacks are side mounted cords which help keep the bag open and (usually) prevent the mainsail falling off the side of the boom. Bags of info on google or any one of the main sail makers websites. Kemps is good.

Some people make their own lazy jacks (search threads on this site for egs) and you can buy kits for both lazy jacks and stack packs (eg Barton) but sailmakers will do them also. I purchased mine from Crusader at the same time I got a new mainsail. I think the cost, 4 yrs ago was about £200 or so.

 

[PetiteFleur]

RobBrown has it in a nutshell. The 'stack pack'/sail cover is held up with attached Lazyjacks lines. The stack pack is threaded along the boom slot as you feed the sail foot in the groove. If you have a loose footed mainsail the stackpack has a rope sewn in to allow the stackpack to fix to the boom. The stackpack has a central zip to fully cover the folded sail. Also a seperate cover is supplied for the mast/gooseneck end.
Excellent system, I wouldn't be without one nowadays.

 

[The engineer]

Battens

Exactly in a nutshell, brilliant system, it is truly enhanced with a round batten along the top edge of either side of the "bag" running full length. This almost prevents any sail falling out.

 

[MoodySabre]

I just bought a new stackpack from Crusader and it was just over £300 - quite bulky to take a fully battened main. Lazyjacks - couiple of small blocks on the mast and some string or a Barton Kit.

I'd offer you my old, slighly world weary, stackpack with full length battens for peanuts but I'm not posting a 3 metre parcel!

 

[RichardTaylor]

Worth speaking with Quay Sails at Poole (no connection just a very satisfied customer) who should be able to help you.