[C320-list] Single Line Dutchman

[myron-welch at uiowa.edu]

Jeff,

I changed to the single line "A" Dutchman system last year and am very pleased 
with it.  I was having trouble with the adjustable line slipping in the cam 
cleat and also getting caught, always at the wrong time, in the backstay 
triangle plate.  I approached the Dutchman representative at Strictly Sail and 
explained my problem.  When he found that I had zippers in my sail cover, he 
immediately sold me the "B" kit, which was very inexpensive.  There are two new 
stops that clamp on your new line and a new slider that goes above each stop.  
You could probably figure a way to use the older parts.  He suggested a covered 
stainless line (like the lifelines) from the topping lift line to the end of the 
boom.  That was the biggest expense, but there is no stretch now, so the simple 
adjustment is more consistent.  I only have to slack the line when the sail is 
raised and pull it back to a marked point when dropping the sail.  The 
changeover was simple and has made the Dutchman much easier to use.

Myron Welch
Wind Instrument, #238
Iowa City, IA



Hi All,

 

   My dutchman line (the continuous loop line itself) has finally sprouted
so many puckers of the core out through the cover that the blocks snag and
don't run up/down very easily.

 

I've seen the single line version that essentially has a cable with fixed
blocks holding the mono-filament line.  No clothsline loop, no jam cleat, no
turning-blocks, just a line with the dutchman blocks fixed in position that
gets attached to the topping lift and run up to the top of the mast.

 

Rather than have a new closeline loop made, I'm considering just taking a
scrap of my old halyard, measuring off the positions of the blocks and
knotting the blocks in place.

 

Seems like then, all I'd have to do is ease the topping lift a little when
raising the sail, and tighten it up prior to dropping the sail. 

 

With the clothesline loop, I also have to do ease/tighten the topping lift
just a little, as well as running the dutchman blocks up/down.  

 

Sounds to me like I save one step when dropping the main.

 

Has anyone else converted the continuous loop dutchman to a single?  (I've
sailed with the single on a C380 and it seemed easier).

 

-JeffH