Stackaway for an Albin Vega

B

BarryLeat

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I am considering acquiring a mainsail stackaway, and eliminate a separate boom cover. (Yes,the mast/boom junction does requires a small cover I know) The boom for my Vega is of original Proctor manufacture (circa 1973) and I wonder whether the stackaway would fit with the mainsail bolt rope into the boom slot. Has any Vega owner out there been successful with the orignal boom and a stackaway or have they been forced to buy a new boom? If successful whose stackawy did you select? If not which boom is best for the Vega?
 
The bit of the stackpack that sits in the boom slot is normally sailcloth. Try putting your bolt rope into the slot when it's got a layer of sailcloth on it (eg your sailbag). It will almost certainly fit without a problem.
There are several designs that differ in the detail. Suggest you take a walk round a marina and check out the differences. Choose the details that you think are best then talk to any of the cover-makers for quotes to your spec.
 
You could make your mainsail loose-footed then you have no conflict. Makes the outhaul easier to use too.
 
BarryLeat said:
I am considering acquiring a mainsail stackaway, and eliminate a separate boom cover. (Yes,the mast/boom junction does requires a small cover I know) The boom for my Vega is of original Proctor manufacture (circa 1973) and I wonder whether the stackaway would fit with the mainsail bolt rope into the boom slot. Has any Vega owner out there been successful with the orignal boom and a stackaway or have they been forced to buy a new boom? If successful whose stackawy did you select? If not which boom is best for the Vega?
Click to expand...

We have the original boom on our Vega and I doubt if you could cram anything else in there as well as the boltrope. I suggest posting this on the Albin Vega forum or PM-ing Steve Birch (who posts on here).

- W
 
I have a stackpack on my Vega with a new mast/boom but also fitted one on my previous Vega with standard mast/boom combination. The piece of material that joins each side of the stackpack is very thin (but tough) and will slide with the bolt rope in the boom foot grove (you may need a spray of silicone).
If you want to make one then more than happy to let you see my one for measurements etc. If you want to buy one call Rod or Paul at Quayside Sails (Mention VAGB).

http://www.quaysails.com/

Hope this helps

Steve B
 
BarryLeat said:
I am considering acquiring a mainsail stackaway, and eliminate a separate boom cover. (Yes,the mast/boom junction does requires a small cover I know) The boom for my Vega is of original Proctor manufacture (circa 1973) and I wonder whether the stackaway would fit with the mainsail bolt rope into the boom slot. Has any Vega owner out there been successful with the orignal boom and a stackaway or have they been forced to buy a new boom? If successful whose stackawy did you select? If not which boom is best for the Vega?
Click to expand...

Hi Barry

I have a packaway fitted to an original boom. Fitting it is a bit of a struggle - I still haven't decided on the best method - either place packaway in position on the boom and slide the boltrope into it - or wrap the packaway around the boltrope and slide both into the boom together. I've used water as a lubricant, but maybe a silicon spray might be better.

I'll have a look for better photos.

I'm very happy with the kit from C&J Marine.



Mistral2005_CJMarine$2.jpg


Ash
 
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webcraft said:
.
Do you find the lazyjacks make it hard to reef off the wind?
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No, I don't find that they cause a problem.

My lazyjacks should be fixed further up the mast than at present. At the moment the lines are fitted using the spinaker pole uphaul on a 'temporary' basis.

Care is required when hoisting the sail to ensure that the batons don't get caught up in the lazylines. I have a system where I increase the length of the lines from the stowed position to hoisting and longer still when sailing.

Ash
 
BarryLeat said:
I am considering acquiring a mainsail stackaway, and eliminate a separate boom cover. (Yes,the mast/boom junction does requires a small cover I know) The boom for my Vega is of original Proctor manufacture (circa 1973) and I wonder whether the stackaway would fit with the mainsail bolt rope into the boom slot. Has any Vega owner out there been successful with the orignal boom and a stackaway or have they been forced to buy a new boom? If successful whose stackawy did you select? If not which boom is best for the Vega?
Click to expand...

On my Arpege I had a stackpack/stackaway made (for the original main) with a bolt rope built into it and converted the mainsail to loosefooted with a slug at the boom end. It work very well. The stackpack has transformed family and single handed cruising when reefing and lowering/making sail and I can't recommend them highly enough.

However I have since bought a new suit of sails and got another made to measure stackpack with a couple of design refinements (like a offset zip with a flap instead of a centreline zip. So my old stackpack and boom/mast junction cover is for sale (one seasons use) at a "make me an offer" price. The Arpege has quite a skinny mainsail (short boom) so it might work out on your Vega probably depends on the bolt rope diameter. PM me for details if it is of interest. Even if it is not interesting I can send you some photos and comments on the designs of the two stackpacks and explain what was changed and why.

In any case if you are going this route I would advise converting to loose footed - IF your boom is strong enough to take the extra strain. The Arpege was fairly generously equipped in the spars department - about the Vega I don't know.
 
PS. Regarding mounting the lines. I drilled and tapped a couple of small holes in each spreader about 6" outboard of the mast, an fixed a padeye with a small block - the Arpege spreaders are pretty hefty beasts but I don't know if i would want to do that on some of the more modern designs. It's nice because it opens the "gape" of the lines a bit to reduce batten hangups. However with the new stackpack (to be fitted at launch in the spring) my sailmaker has advised cheeckblocks on the mast 2 meters above the spreaders (on an 11m mast).

He says this will prevent sailors droop :rolleyes: - it takes a lot of tension at the moment to keep the back of the stackpack "up". The extra height will take the lines aft slightly which I'm worried will increase batten hangups on sail hoist plus the fact that the width between the lines will decrease slightly. But I must admit I am a bit nervous about hanging the boom and sail off the spreaders :eek: so it is probably a good idea from the rig integrity point of view (even tho the spreader ends are well wired (monel) to the caps.

I run the lines to a couple of small nylon cleats just below the gooseneck so I can adjust as needed for offwind sailing etc.

The other thing that goes very nicely with a stackpack is a rigid boom vang. I have fitted a Selden and it doesn't half save some fafing about with the topping lift.
 
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