[C320-list] Frustrated with the Dutchman system

[Doug Stieber]

dI have been plagued by the twist as well and have never got it out.  The
Dutchman seems more problematic than beneficial.  How bad can it be to just
take it off and flake the sail without the benefit of the guide lines?  I
know that the Dutchman manual says to not use a swivel block because it will
do no good, but I am going to try it this year anyway.  If it doesn't work,
I will throw the Dutchman away.

Doug Stieber
Second Chance #406

On 2/19/07, Warren Updike <wupdike at hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> Ken, I, too, had the same problem.  No matter how I rove the topping lift
> in the mast to remove the twist, it was always there.  Then it occured to me
> that the connection of the Dutchman line to the topping lift should be a
> swivel block -- Duh!! -- Why didn't I think of this before?  Why didn't
> Catalina think of it for me.  I think the block cost about $13.  Problem
> solved.
>
> Also, if your Dutchman line is stiff and holds it's mounted shape, it
> might perform better if you replaced it with new.
>
> I wish all my boat issues were as simple to solve.
>
> Warren & Pattie Updike
> C320, #62, 1994, "Warr De Mar"
> Frog Mortar Creek, Middle River
> Chesapeake Bay
>