Has anyone used Mack Sails for a new mains'l? What did you thiink of the quality and service? Were you completely satisfied? Would you do anything different when ordering from them? Thanks for your help....
Dave Stump
Mack Sails ? ? ?
Moderator: Jim Walsh
-
Warren Kaplan
Re: Mack Sails ? ? ?
Dave,D. Stump, Hanalei wrote: Has anyone used Mack Sails for a new mains'l? What did you thiink of the quality and service? Were you completely satisfied? Would you do anything different when ordering from them? Thanks for your help....
Dave Stump
I "personally" never used Mack Sails but last year I spent one entire week crewing on a Beneteau 38 sailing from Ft. Lauderdale to Key Largo and back again. That boat had a relatively new Mack mainsail. The very experienced captain/owner, who sailed with us, said he liked the sail quite a bit. Its a Florida loft if I remember correctly. Ft Lauderdale and another loft in Stewart, Florida. Sorry I can't be of more help.
Warren Kaplan
Setsail728@aol.com
-
john doyle
Re: Mack Sails ? ? ?
Dave, I had them build a main, genoa & storm jib for my Tarten 34 when I lived in Fl. Very pleased with them. Never used the storm jib though.D. Stump, Hanalei wrote: Has anyone used Mack Sails for a new mains'l? What did you thiink of the quality and service? Were you completely satisfied? Would you do anything different when ordering from them? Thanks for your help....
Dave Stump
John CD31 #18
redzeplin@yahoo.com
-
Bill Goldsmith
Re: Mack Sails ? ? ?
Capt. Stump,
In 2000 I had Mack Sails build me a new main, 135 genny and a Mack Pack sail cover. Second Chance came to me with the original sails (1980) that were blown out and starting to tear.
I checked with UK, North, Doyle and others at boat shows and over the phone and got some competitive quotes, but little interest in customer service. Also, they all kept pushing the high tech sails when all I wanted was a simple dacron cruising set of sails. Even though they offered to come bend the sails on, none offered to come measure the rig, leaving that to me. So having to measure for Mack wasn't a real drawback.
Someone on CDIE had mentioned Mack Sails a while back so I called them. I ended up speaking with Travis for 45 minutes in the first conversation about my options. One of my concerns was buying a sail from Florida. Travis assured me that if the sail didn't fit, I could return it UPS on their own account as many times as necessary to get it right. However, He also said that if I measured carefully according to their spec sheet, and the measurements passed their reality check (they keep specs on most production boats) then I probably would not need to return it.
I decided to give them the business and I am glad I did. The sails took about four to five weeks from order to delivery. The turnaround is probably faster this time of year (I did it in March/April 2000). Both sails fit perfectly the first time I bent them on. I had to make a slight modification on the sail track feed gate because the slides they used were slightly larger (longer) and heavier duty than the old ones--I just enlarged the opening length about 1/8" inch--that was it. My main has a shelf foot, which they advocate, but they will build a loose foot or a conventional foot as well.
I e-mailed them the artwork for the CD27 logo, which they cut out and installed. I got the logo from this website, enlarged it, and voila!
The main has two reef points that are very well reinforced. The headboard, clew cringle and tack cringle seem bulletproof.
To top it all off, I ordered their Mack Pack sail cover as well. It is actually a combination lazy jack/sail cover. When you douse the main you flake it right in to the Mack Pack, and zip it closed, just like a Stack Pack but at a fraction of the cost. Even better than a Stack Pack, you can roll the Mack Pack onto the boom and tie it off under sail if you wish.
The only glitch was that the Mack Pack came with one of the lazy jack sections way too short. They admitted their error and Fedexed me the correct line overnight.
All in all I had a good experience. These people actually believe in customer service and will talk with you on the phone at length. Plus, the guy you talk to actually helps build the sail, or at least can walk into the loft and check on it as it progresses. If I am ever in Stuart Fla, I will stop in and meet these folks.
Your MOST HUMBLE servant,
Bill Goldsmith
Captain Commanding s/v Second Chance
CD27 #173 (1980)
Sporting a "new" suit of sails (two seasons), and looking like new!
goldy@bestweb.net
In 2000 I had Mack Sails build me a new main, 135 genny and a Mack Pack sail cover. Second Chance came to me with the original sails (1980) that were blown out and starting to tear.
I checked with UK, North, Doyle and others at boat shows and over the phone and got some competitive quotes, but little interest in customer service. Also, they all kept pushing the high tech sails when all I wanted was a simple dacron cruising set of sails. Even though they offered to come bend the sails on, none offered to come measure the rig, leaving that to me. So having to measure for Mack wasn't a real drawback.
Someone on CDIE had mentioned Mack Sails a while back so I called them. I ended up speaking with Travis for 45 minutes in the first conversation about my options. One of my concerns was buying a sail from Florida. Travis assured me that if the sail didn't fit, I could return it UPS on their own account as many times as necessary to get it right. However, He also said that if I measured carefully according to their spec sheet, and the measurements passed their reality check (they keep specs on most production boats) then I probably would not need to return it.
I decided to give them the business and I am glad I did. The sails took about four to five weeks from order to delivery. The turnaround is probably faster this time of year (I did it in March/April 2000). Both sails fit perfectly the first time I bent them on. I had to make a slight modification on the sail track feed gate because the slides they used were slightly larger (longer) and heavier duty than the old ones--I just enlarged the opening length about 1/8" inch--that was it. My main has a shelf foot, which they advocate, but they will build a loose foot or a conventional foot as well.
I e-mailed them the artwork for the CD27 logo, which they cut out and installed. I got the logo from this website, enlarged it, and voila!
The main has two reef points that are very well reinforced. The headboard, clew cringle and tack cringle seem bulletproof.
To top it all off, I ordered their Mack Pack sail cover as well. It is actually a combination lazy jack/sail cover. When you douse the main you flake it right in to the Mack Pack, and zip it closed, just like a Stack Pack but at a fraction of the cost. Even better than a Stack Pack, you can roll the Mack Pack onto the boom and tie it off under sail if you wish.
The only glitch was that the Mack Pack came with one of the lazy jack sections way too short. They admitted their error and Fedexed me the correct line overnight.
All in all I had a good experience. These people actually believe in customer service and will talk with you on the phone at length. Plus, the guy you talk to actually helps build the sail, or at least can walk into the loft and check on it as it progresses. If I am ever in Stuart Fla, I will stop in and meet these folks.
Your MOST HUMBLE servant,
Bill Goldsmith
Captain Commanding s/v Second Chance
CD27 #173 (1980)
Sporting a "new" suit of sails (two seasons), and looking like new!
D. Stump, Hanalei wrote: Has anyone used Mack Sails for a new mains'l? What did you thiink of the quality and service? Were you completely satisfied? Would you do anything different when ordering from them? Thanks for your help....
Dave Stump
goldy@bestweb.net
-
D. Stump, Hanalei
Re: Bill, ? ? ?
Captain Goldsmith,
Thank you Sir, that was just the kind of information I was looking for. Would you mind me asking what the approximate cost was for the main? And did you compare cost with the other lofts.
I want to replace the main with another EXACTLY like the original. Not loose footed, not mylar, not shelf footed. I don't want to have to play with a loose footed main. When I sail, I'm not usually in a hurry(don't believe the other Pirate Captains on this site!)well, most times not, but put a fleet together and ? ? ? ?
If you think of anything else, I would appreciate your comments.
Thank You!
Dave Stump
Thank you Sir, that was just the kind of information I was looking for. Would you mind me asking what the approximate cost was for the main? And did you compare cost with the other lofts.
I want to replace the main with another EXACTLY like the original. Not loose footed, not mylar, not shelf footed. I don't want to have to play with a loose footed main. When I sail, I'm not usually in a hurry(don't believe the other Pirate Captains on this site!)well, most times not, but put a fleet together and ? ? ? ?
If you think of anything else, I would appreciate your comments.
Thank You!
Dave Stump
-
Don Craig
New main for my Ty last year.
Excellent service and advice by phone and a competitive price (I live in Dallas). Very satisfied with the finished product, delivered as promised. I sent them my old sail for dimensions and slides.
D. Stump, Hanalei wrote: Has anyone used Mack Sails for a new mains'l? What did you thiink of the quality and service? Were you completely satisfied? Would you do anything different when ordering from them? Thanks for your help....
Dave Stump
-
Bill Goldsmith
Re: Bill, ? ? ?
Dave,
I don't remember exactly, especially since I paid for all the work together, but I believe the main alone was about $1,300. I do recall that it was in the middle of the various "boat show" quotes, definitely not the cheapest but not the most expensive either. But very competitive since it was not a "boat show" price, but their regular price.
Bill
goldy@bestweb.net
I don't remember exactly, especially since I paid for all the work together, but I believe the main alone was about $1,300. I do recall that it was in the middle of the various "boat show" quotes, definitely not the cheapest but not the most expensive either. But very competitive since it was not a "boat show" price, but their regular price.
Bill
D. Stump, Hanalei wrote: Captain Goldsmith,
Thank you Sir, that was just the kind of information I was looking for. Would you mind me asking what the approximate cost was for the main? And did you compare cost with the other lofts.
I want to replace the main with another EXACTLY like the original. Not loose footed, not mylar, not shelf footed. I don't want to have to play with a loose footed main. When I sail, I'm not usually in a hurry(don't believe the other Pirate Captains on this site!)well, most times not, but put a fleet together and ? ? ? ?
If you think of anything else, I would appreciate your comments.
Thank You!
Dave Stump
goldy@bestweb.net
-
D. Stump, Hanalei
Re: Good idea ! !
Don,
Good idea sending them the old sail, I may do the same if I decide to use them. Thank yoy.
D. Stump
Good idea sending them the old sail, I may do the same if I decide to use them. Thank yoy.
D. Stump
-
Catherine Monaghan
Any sails
Dave,
The dimensions you need are definitely in the owner's manual, no need to measure anything. I highly recommend copying that page from your manual and taking it with you to a boat show. Visit the booths of as many sail lofts as you can so that you can make comparisons and actually see and touch their products, ask questions, and get quotes before you make a decision.
Anyway, the dimensions you need for the mainsail are for the "P" and "E". Look them up in your manual.
By the way, all of Realization's sails are UK. We use the City Island (Bronx, NY) loft. They were very helpful and provided excellent service -- even hand delivered our new spinnaker. We also went out on the boat with the sailmaker and he showed us how to setup and use our new sail.
So make sure you get yourself to a boatshow this Fall or Winter. I recommend SailExpo in Atlantic City, NJ since it doesn't interfere with the sailing season (it's usually in January of February). I'm sure you'll find a sailmaker and a product to suit your needs and your budget.
Cathy
catherine_monaghan@merck.com
CD32 Realization, #3
Rahway, NJ
Raritan Bay
catherine_monaghan@merck.com
The dimensions you need are definitely in the owner's manual, no need to measure anything. I highly recommend copying that page from your manual and taking it with you to a boat show. Visit the booths of as many sail lofts as you can so that you can make comparisons and actually see and touch their products, ask questions, and get quotes before you make a decision.
Anyway, the dimensions you need for the mainsail are for the "P" and "E". Look them up in your manual.
By the way, all of Realization's sails are UK. We use the City Island (Bronx, NY) loft. They were very helpful and provided excellent service -- even hand delivered our new spinnaker. We also went out on the boat with the sailmaker and he showed us how to setup and use our new sail.
So make sure you get yourself to a boatshow this Fall or Winter. I recommend SailExpo in Atlantic City, NJ since it doesn't interfere with the sailing season (it's usually in January of February). I'm sure you'll find a sailmaker and a product to suit your needs and your budget.
Cathy
catherine_monaghan@merck.com
CD32 Realization, #3
Rahway, NJ
Raritan Bay
D. Stump, Hanalei wrote: Has anyone used Mack Sails for a new mains'l? What did you thiink of the quality and service? Were you completely satisfied? Would you do anything different when ordering from them? Thanks for your help....
Dave Stump
catherine_monaghan@merck.com
-
Steve Ingmire
Re: Mack Sails ? ? ?
I have known the Mack family for many years,their buisness is very near mine. They are good people who do quality work. this is not a paid plug either. ( of coarse the next job they do on my CD27 I'll sure tell them about this note :^). Good Luck!!!!D. Stump, Hanalei wrote: Has anyone used Mack Sails for a new mains'l? What did you thiink of the quality and service? Were you completely satisfied? Would you do anything different when ordering from them? Thanks for your help....
Dave Stump
chiping@tcol.net