The deeper I get into this Com-Pac Eclipse, the more I encounter things that I admire and things that have me scratching my head in wonder. I had a new mainsail made and while beginning the process of installing it I found that there isn't an enlarged cutout on the mast slot to remove the slugs for the old sail. This is a curiosity that I have never seen on the many sailboats I've worked on. Surely, partially lowering the mast is not required for a simple task such as replacing a broken slug? I am hoping that someone with more experience with this boat can explain the process if not the decision to design the boat in this manner.
It is designed to be quick to rig and un-rig at the ramp. Push all the slugs down below the hinge, lower the mast and pull the sail out. I don't believe it can be done any other way.
Fair Winds.
Vecordirector
EDIT: spelling
Thank you for your reply. I purchased this particular boat for its 18" draft and the very thin waters of the Vero Beach region of the Indian River Lagoon. My original preference was a Com-Pac 23 but my cautious nature and the shallow water around here convinced me to go with the Eclipse. I will use the centerboard when possible and deal with the resulting leeway. No big deal as I am not racing. To be clear, I do not want or need a trailer-sailor. That being the case, I will modify the mast to serve my needs and not adhere to what the designers intended. I will at most be dropping the mast once a year, perhaps less. I have looked it over, contemplated the results and see no problems with what I intend to do and how I will use the boat.
The first time I sailed my Eclipse it was in deep water on Lake Geneva, WI. I was experimenting and I didn't put the centerboard down in light wind and found no issue with pointing. The next time I put it down all the way and it made very little difference in light wind. As the wind picks up it and the boat heels it does make a difference it how the boat handles.
The boat has enough of a keel that it sails fine with the board up. I wouldn't stress it. Try it and see what you think.
Bryan aka Vectordirector
Thanks for the helpful tip Bryan. I installed my new mainsail and stack-pak today.
Beautiful. A fully battened square top should get the boat moving in light air. I can't make out the logo, is that a Mack design?
This sail is cut amazingly similar to the one on my Corsair Sprint 750. Just smaller. The luff on the sail is 32'.
I put simple lazy jacks on my Eclipse. Worked well.
My sail was the original and pretty decent considering it was 8 years old when I bought her. The boat showed that it hadn't been sailed much and I grabbed it quickly when it popped up for sale in Chicago. I'd been looking for one for a year.
The Eclipse is a great boat that does what is designed to do very well.
Fair Winds,
Bryan
Bryan,
I tried ordering from the Mack Sails loft in Stuart but they were very busy at the time and only quoted an OEM design since they made them for Com-Pac. I found this sail on a YouTube video out of Tasmania and that is where the sail was made by Jimmy's Sails and Canvas.