Click for larger image

Two Satisfied Mack Sailors

Dear Colin,

Thank you for getting the three standup blocks to me so promptly. I just returned from Kodiak and had a boisterous sail with two days of 32 knot winds and my new staysail performed excellently. It made all the difference. I was able to make good time, keep my boat on her feet and not have to worry about the 40 knot gusts. And I didn't have to go out on deck and get soaked and possibly thrown overboard. I'll be using my staysail a lot more now that it isn't so dangerous to employ, which also means I am going to be less anxious about sour weather. I can't wait until I am able to have you build me a new main and genoa. I am curious about how adding foam to Genoa makes it more efficient. I reef the Genoa I have now and I can flatten it pretty good or let it blossom out like a miniature spinnaker, which I really like. Does the foam add something different?

On the other hand, there are many days in Alaska when you're lucky to have any wind at all and all you can do is motor. As one writer put it, the weather in Alaska is "maniac depressive." it is either blowing like hell or absolutely still. Perhaps the foam would be useful for the three to four knot wind days. When I order my future sails, I'll be asking you about this.

I saw your ad in the latest Cruising World. Let me know if I can provide to a satisfied customer testimonial. I hope you get a lot of  business. It's nice having a "Mack Sails" around.

Yours truly.

I want to thank you very much for repairing and increasing the length of my Mack pack. I was surprised and, of course, pleased that there was no charge for this service.

My experience with far too many companies is that Customer Service is little more than words. You are not one of these companies.

I very much appreciate Custom Service that is real action. I can assure you that I will be a positive spokesman to all about the quality company that you are.

Thanks again and regards,

North Carolina Sailor

We've had a wonderful summer of sailing on M...S..., and have received numerous compliments on the sails, Mack Packs, and improved performance of the boat. We've even done a bit of racing. After a classic boat race one competitor (a sailmaker in Seattle) said he was really impressed with our sails. I'm also writing to discuss an asymmetrical spinnaker.

Hope all is well with you,
(Lovely wooden yacht from
Port Townsend)

Mack Sails,

     Just a thank you note to go along with the photo, so say how well I like my Mack Sails and appreciate your good service.
     I've just finished my 25th season of day chartering in the Virgin Islands national Park. It's the fourth year on the mizzen and the end of the first year on the main. The fit was perfect on both--- right out of the bag, the set was good and the power of the main excellent. The jib is a D... and due for replacement and I'll order one next season, from you.
     Of all the sails I've owned and sailed extensively in the past 30 years, I'm most pleased with my Mack Sails.

Thanks,
(St  Johns VI Charterer)

Just wanted to let you know that I'm very happy with my recent purchase of main sail, Strong Track and Mack Pack. I was especially impressed with the high level of quality, workmanship and features in the main. It has a nice shape and sails great! The Mack Pack combined with the Strong Track make raising and lowering the main a snap.

 I'd also like to thank you for your knowledgeable assistance and responsiveness during the entire purchasing process. Everything was shipped and received when promised. When I needed 2 new battens (due to my error), you shipped them immediately and I had them before the next weekend. I would not hesitate recommending Mack Sails.

My only problem now is that my genoa is looking awfully "baggy" next to the new main. The sail is probable 8 to 10 years old. Think there's anything you can do with it? Maybe when you get a chance you could send me an estimate for a new one (125 or 137 roller genoa - whatever sail weight you recommend).

New Jersey

Just got the word that it is now 7 in a row for UFO. Yesterday won by about 15 minutes, and today, the big race, came in first again. Congratulations on the great sails.

Thanks again,
(Caribbean racers)

I tried to find some used sails for a US Yacht 27 . . .I collected a list of used sail dealers and began contacting them. Even though I had my measurements for my boat the dealers were not very helpful and the inventory descriptions left a lot up to interpretation. So unless they are within driving range I would be skeptical.

I live outside Atlanta and went to the St. Petersburg boat show (Expo) in Florida. I met some used sail dealers I had talked to and my suspicions were confirmed. One I actually set up a meeting with and he didn't remember me at all. They all seemed pretty scatter brained. Like bad used car dealers.

So I walked around and started getting bids from other new sailmakers. I was surprised that the new sails were only twice as much in many instances as the used sails. I was looking for a smaller headsail (less than 110%) than what I currently had and a genoa 120-150%. Got a lot of good information from the new sailmakers and they seemed to have there (sic) act together more.

I ended up buying a new 135% genoa from Mack Sails. They spent a lot of time with me helping decide just what I was looking for. I was then able to go back and see what was in the used sail inventories based on my decision and there just wasn't anything that was reasonable and close.

I talked to a lot of new sail folks and although the Mack folks seemed a little young (Travis Blain is 33, Colin Mack is 29, and Brad Mack is the old man at 62) they were very professional when they dealt with me. Some of the other new sail folks seemed a little cocky at times. I had also dealt with the N... Sails loft in my area not was not impressed at all...

Mack has a web page, but I would recommend just calling them by phone (800) 428-1384.

(Georgia E-mail)

Dear Mr. Mack:

     You made a sail for my Boston Whaler Squall a couple of weeks ago. I was the one with a purple panel and was shaped like a Sunfish.
     We have used it twice now and it works great. I am writing you to thank you for doing such a nice job. You were on time and the sail, the rigging job, and the sail bag were perfect. I always try to give the customer a little more than they expected it is obvious you work the same way.

At the end of March I got the main and I tried it a week later. It was just perfect. I fully recommend Mack Sails in my area.

Thanks,
(Central America)

I just wanted you to know the sail is great! It is all that I hoped for. I'm immensely pleased. I Have it up and the dimensions are perfect . . . I haven't sailed yet, but I can tell from the sail's shape and size it is going to give outstanding performance. The Profurl (you sent together with hardware) also operates as advertised.

Thank you,
Alaska Sailor

I will be showing all my Island Packet buddies my new mainsail handling system at the Island Packet Association rendezvous......I'm sure they will be most impressed.
Sincerely, (Texas)

Our old Tayana just sings! Last year our roller (genoa), this year our main...we walk away from everyone. We have great sails because of you, we tell everyone how great you are, you truly know your stuff and we appreciate you all a lot.
(North Carolina)

Reprinted from
SEVEN SEAS CRUISING ASSOCIATION
Bulletin, NO. 1996

....Our Hood in-mast furling mainsail jammed due to a combination of a broken lower swivel fitting and the captain's enthusiasm working the outhaul. He managed to pull about ten feet of rolled-up sail and luff rod out of the mast slot...The sail had to be cut away from the rod with a razor knife before the system could be repaired--we were the entertainment on the dock that day. Oh well, the sail was worn out anyway.

Our genoa was also worn out and tore during the passage north, so we bit the bullet and ordered new sails. Mack Sails made us excellent sails. The mainsail, staysail and miter cut genoa are heavy duty, triple stitched, nicely finished and set beautifully.........

Hey Travis:
Just wanted to drop you guys a note to let you know how much we enjoy your Mack Pack we installed on our Catalina 27 recently. It looks great and works great and really adds a lot to our enjoyment of sailing our boat. You can certainly be proud of your unique design. If you get any inquiries from people in the panhandle area, you are welcome to refer them to us for a recommendation and they can even come by and see what it looks like.

Thanks for supplying a great product and the support to back it up.
Sincerely, (Florida Panhandle) (E-mail)

Just a short note to let you know we tried out our new 110%, and are so pleased with it, that it is now our primary sail, and the 130% is now in semi-retirement.

Once again, thank you for your excellent service and quality work!
Montreal (E-mail)

Subject: COMPLIMENTS ON SAIL REPAIR AND TURN AROUND PERFORMANCE

Many thanks for the quick turn around on the mainsail repair and foot shortening for . . . . The four inch reduction along the foot made a good fit. The MACK sail stowage and recovery system, (Mack Pack) . . . is installed and performs according to your advertising literature and my expectations. It is a good investment for safety and efficiency for a sailing couple.

My next improvement project is riding sail for use at anchor. . . . The July Sail magazine has an article which recommends a riding sail for this type hull . . . (Mack Sails made the riding sail for the author)

Many thanks for the quick response on the sail repair. . . .
Best Regards, (Virginia)

Dear Mr. Mack:
I received my new mainsail yesterday
for my Allied Seabreeze...and it looks great.

Wishing you all a prosperous new year,
thank you very much.
(Chesapeake Bay)