[C320-list] Frustrated with the Dutchman system

[Jeffrey Hare]

Hi Ken,

  That's something that always takes me a few minutes to get straightened
out each season.. :) 

  I can't say whether a swivel would fix it, but I don't see why it
wouldn't.  

My theory is that the twisting problem has more to do with the condition and
type of topping lift halyard, than the dutchman itself.  My topping lift
used to twist different amounts depending on the load, which caused the
dutchman block at the top to rotate.  Now, it's old enough that it doesn't
seem to do that anymore.

I can usually count the number of turns needed to undo the twist, drop the
topping lift, untie/rotate the block/reattach and be done with it after a
few tries.  Never solved it in under 3 or 4 attempts however.  :)

If you do try a swivel, see that you don't end up pulling the shackles up
into the shiev at the top of the mast because they're pretty fragile. Or if
you're replacing the block itself with a swivel version, shorten the
dutchman clothes-line a couple of inches to keep the block and knot out of
the shives.  Mine  comes too close to the top of the mast for my tastes.

Just a few thoughts..
-Jeff

-----Original Message-----
From: K L [mailto:sfca33 at hotmail.com]
Sent: Monday, February 19, 2007 11:39 AM
To: c320-list at catalina320.com
Subject: [C320-list] Frustrated with the Dutchman system

I spent about two hours yesterday trying, unsuccessfully,  to adjust my
Dutchman system so that there wasn't any twist in the topping lift. Last
year I even spent more time, I even took the whole thing apart and laid it
out on the dock. My experience is that no matter what you do the twisting
returns. This is very frustrating and makes me want to switch to lazy jacks
which I had on a C 30.

My question is this: has anyone changed the block on the Dutchman to one
that swivels? I keep looking at the twisted line and wondering why it didn't
come with a swivel block. Has anyone switched the block and found that it
helped. Maybe it would just make things worse?

Thanks for your advice,
Ken Danko
Grace, #802