Stack Pack

[lee]

I added a stack pack to my Freedom 30. When they installed the stack pack they replaced the lazy jacks. the old lazy jacks supported the boom when the main halyard was on the sail, the new ones do not. When I talked to the stack pack company they suggested a topping lift for the boom and not thinking it through I agreed and added one. If your ahead of me...because of the shape of the sail the sail gets caught up in the topping lift when you try to tack (Unless there is allot of wind.)
So my question is, I've seen a bunch of Freedoms with stack packs. Anyone have a solution to supporting the boom?

[Camino]

Lee - I have a topping lift on my f35 P and I have a Mack Pack with their lazy jacks. The topping lift is original. With the mainsail hoisted the topping lift should be eased to avoid fouling and chaffing the upper mainsail. Can you ease the topping lift? In the Mack pack case the lazy jacks do support the boom and really my topping lift is not necessary except perhaps for an emergency main halyard jiffy-rig.

[JohnReinagel]

Hi Lee, my F32 has a boom kicker, works quite well as long as I remember not to lean too heavily on the boom. If set correctly it also add additional twist into the sail when the breeze is light.

[lee]

Camino: My topping lift is a Dyneema line that ties on to the end of the boom. How do you have it rigged to ease the line?

John; love the idea of a boom kicker but will have to look into the expense. Would love the cheaper solution right now

[Camino]

I’ll take a pic later this week and post it

[jrandall]

Hi Lee,

Curious about which brand of stack pack you went with and your overall level of satisfaction with your choice. I'm considering doing the same on my F30/32.

[lee]

Have a Doyle Sails Cradle cover. The only issues I had was supporting the boom. Still have not really resolved it. It is a little hard to get the sail up with the lazy jacks (have to hold the boat directly into the wind or the battens can get caught on them) but I would guess that is true of any lazy jack system just tougher with so many full battens. otherwise I think the quality and the ease of use is very good.

[kentmcl]

Camino, I also have an F 35 Pedrick but it did not come with a dedicated topping lift - the original lazy jacks served that purpose. I also installed a Mack Pack and now have the same problem as Lee - no usable topping lift. At least on my '95 P 35 the only sheaves at the masthead are for the main and flag halyards. I'd be interested in how yours is rigged as well, thanks.

[Camino]

I’ll correct myself (again!) - my topping lift may not be original as it’s not shown on the drawings in the manual, but does have the label “topping lift” printed in the boom, in the same font and style as my other labels.... The lazy jacks hold the boom just fine now with the Mack pack and earlier with the original lazy jack system. My topping life is attached to the mast head with a Shackle with the line extending down to about 4’ of the boom. Boom end has a single block with topping lift labeled line running out near the forward end of the boom, near the mast. Hauling on that line results in lifting the boom - which I don’t use. I’ll be back at the boat 12-3 and will take pics then( forgot last time!). Does that help

[kentmcl]

Yes, that helps a great deal, I get it now - thank you.

Although I'm getting along fine without one, there are two reasons I'd consider rigging one: (1) Since installing the Mack Pack, when I put the boat away i lead the main halyard back to the end of the boom and use it as a topping lift so i don't stress the lazy jacks (Mack Sails recommendation). My preference is to leave the main halyard rigged all season so I can secure it to the headboard semi-permanently. Taking the halyard on and off each time we sail, I am worried if that shackle ever pops open retrieving it will be a nightmare. (2) Couple of months ago I had to bring my main down in rolling seas and could have used a topping lift - the mack pack lazy jacks just don't have the leverage the original jacks had.