[C320-list] Frustrated with the Dutchman system

[Joe Barrett]

Hi Ken, it is not hard at all to swap out the line that makes up the loop on
the Dutchman. Mine had some wear and I swapped it out in just a few minutes.
Lined it up carefully to make sure the line had no kinks and it has been
fine ever since. I also had my canvas guy sew in zippers for the two mono
lines so I never have to adjust the height of the cars.
Since I did that the only thing we have to remember is to always loosen the
topping lift when raising the main to avoid snapping the mono lines. We also
marked with marker where the topping lift exits the clutch where the topping
lift should be eased too so we don't ease too much and catch the topping
lift on the backstay which is a REAL pain when you are racing and are
approaching a lay line.
Joe Barrett

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com] On Behalf Of K L
Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2007 12:18 PM
To: c320-list at catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Frustrated with the Dutchman system

It has been interesting to read the varied opinions on the Dutchman. People
seem to love it or hate it.

Darrell said that a switch to a swivel block made it worse (or at least not
better) while Warren  reports that the swivel block solved the problem. I'm
going to swap the block I have for a swivel block and give that a try.

Lots of people said that they scrapped the system or are about to while Jeff
said that after a year he figured out how to use it efficiently. Someone
else suggested a video.

What is clear to me is that a hell of a lot of man hours have been spent in
trying to get the system to work the way it should. If a system takes a year
to figure out and/or requires special training with a video, then I wonder
if it's a good system. It seems to me that it should be easier.

One can't help but wonder if all those man hours spend trying to get the
Dutchman to work is more or fewer than the hours that would have been spent
flaking the sail with lazy jacks.

I have had both systems. For me, the total time working with the sail seems
to be about the same. But the difference is that with the Dutchman the time
is spent in frustration.

Ken Danko
#802, Grace

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