Mack Packs

[Dave6330]

Does anyone have any recent experience with purchasing and installing a Mack Pack for their mainsails? I'm seriously considering this as an option to improve sail handling on our Omega 36 and would like to hear from someone who's gone down this road before me.

V/R

Dave

[Islander]

I bought and installed one last year on a 34" cat. I think it is one of the best things I've put on the boat, I'm more willing to put up the main because taking it down is so much less hassle.

It took me about half a day to install. You need to drill and tap for the lazyjacks up the mast and on the boom.

Cheers.

[Latitude9.5]

I have one I like it, it's like any of the lazy jack systems it just has a cover you don't have to fart around with... as far as Mack Sails, well I've got the impression they don't really want my business the last couple time's I've been in there.

[Dave6330]

Latitude: You weren't impressed with their service? I'm a long ways from Florida but if they have a rep for bad customer service, I'd be interested before I buy.

[colemj]

I have had very good experience with Mack Sails. I bought a MacPac second hand from another person and it was too short for my boom (I knew that before purchasing). Mac Sails quoted me a very modest price to add ~2' to it. They sent it back very quickly and when I received it, I found that they had replaced some hardware, reinforced some areas and sent me for free a couple of mounting hardware pieces I was missing because they were still mounted on the previous owner's mast. All no additional charge.

The unit itself works very well and makes lowering the sail effortless and tidy.

Mark

[Latitude9.5]

Originally Posted by Dave6330

Latitude: You weren't impressed with their service? I'm a long ways from Florida but if they have a rep for bad customer service, I'd be interested before I buy.

I don't really mean to give them a bad rap, but I'll give you a little background. First let me say I have known 3 people that have worked for Mack in the past, the PO of my boat worked there and replaced the main and genoa with mack sails. My staysail was in need of resewing so I drove to Mack (I am local) and wanted them to take a look, basically to tell me what it would cost and to make sure the luff was repairable. They basically told me they didn't have time to look at the sail and quoted me a new one, which was 175 square feet, only 4 oz and a cost of $1500, I asked them how long it would take to make it they said 2 months. I just got the impression they didn't need the work and my little staysail wasn't worth it if that's all I needed done. For the record, Doyle sails got back to me very quickly and I had him quote a new one, which was $1,000 with 9 oz fabric, when I dropped off the staysail he said "I can't make you a new sail, the one you have just needs to be resewn, I couldn't make you a new sail when your existing one is fine" $175 later it's done.

There work is top notch, I have no complaints with any work I've had them do in the past or anything I've bought from them and I am sure for what the mack pack costs and how little time it takes them to make it they'll be more then happy to take your money.

So to summarize I am in no way indicating that their work or quality of craftsmanship is anything other then excellent, I have gotten the impression with a couple past dealings they don't really want the small jobs, I dunno maybe it's just me they don't like LOL, like I said I do know 3 FORMER employees, so maybe I am guilty by association