[C320-list] Dutchman Flaking System

[Jon Vez]

Warren,

I used to do the same as you to prepare my sail track for easy movement--I
believe I saw a story in PS suggesting that soapy water will only last
temporarily and attract dirt. So for the past several years I have simply
sprayed the lugs with McLube and sprayed inside the track as high as I can
reach from deck level. This has worked superbly and I've retired my
microfiber cleaning device. As for your aft line, it sounds like the line
was threaded incorrectly on those last two grommets. I've put a little mark
on each Dutchman grommet indicating which way the line should go in. The
only time I remove the line is when I have to replace it--all though for
some reason mine have never broken!

I also want to echo your thanks to Karl--I know we all appreciate his and
the other volunteers for all the work they do to make owning our boats that
much more enjoyable--and educational....

Regards,

Jon Vez
Solstice #582

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Warren Updike
Sent: Tuesday, December 14, 2010 5:40 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Dutchman Flaking System

Me too, WOW! Few threads generate this much response with the lovers and
haters about equal.  

One point not mentioned is the importance of having the sail properly
prepared for the Dutchman. We have the two line model and I suspect the sail
is not correctly prepared on the aft line.  The lowest cringle or fairlead
for the Dutchman does not properly drop my sail in the first two folds.
Otherwise, as long as you are dead on the wind, and the slides and track are
clean, the thing drops like a stone and stacks with only a few tugs and
pulls.  

I'd be more interested in how people maintain their slides and track; or,
what alternate track systems have been deployed and how they have served.
I've made a tracking cleaning device with a sail slug and a piece of
micro-fiber cloth.  I attach it to the main sheet with a downhaul and slide
it up and down the track with soapy water on it. It does improve the
situation.  What have others done?

Happy holidays to all of you.  Our boating life would be decidedly less rich
without this list and all of you that care to participate and pass on your
wealth of knowledge.

Finally, I want to say thank you to Karl M. for his long and stalwart
service as Commodore.  He has made a difference if judged only by the number
of contributions on our web site.  I pray that our next Commodore will be
half as committed to the effort.  Thanks, Karl. 

Warren & Pattie Updike
1994 C320 #62 "Warr de Mar"

-----Original Message-----
From: allan.field at verizon.net [mailto:allan.field at verizon.net] 
Sent: Tuesday, December 14, 2010 2:19 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Dutchman Flaking System

For what it's worth, Practical Sailor has evaluated all the sail flaking  
systems and gave the Dutchman the highest all-round score. We are replacing

our sails this winter and, after looking at everything out there, are  
staying with the Dutchman which we have always liked anyway.

Allan S Field
Sent via DROID X on Verizon Wireless

-----Original message-----
From: Jim Sweet <jamesweet at frontiernet.net>
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Sent: Tue, Dec 14, 2010 18:28:28 GMT+00:00
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Dutchman Flaking System

You have discovered the key to making the system work-tight lines.  I've had

the system on two boats now and it works great if the topping lift and guide

lines are tight.

Jim Sweet
TGIF (Thank God It Floats) 901
----- Original Message ----- From: "John Meyers" <jcmeyers7 at gmail.com>
To: <C320-List at catalina320.com>
Sent: Tuesday, December 14, 2010 1:02 PM
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Dutchman Flaking System


> Wow. what a lot of comments.
>
> I just bought my boat this year. It has the Dutchman and I was less than
> thrilled with it. That was until the last sail of the summer when I had >

the
> lines up tighter than usual. When I let loose the main halyard and the >  
main
> came quickly down and flaked better than if I had done it by hand. I can't
> wait for next season so see if does it againa and again.
>
> 406
> JohnM (another one)
>
> On Tue, Dec 14, 2010 at 10:44 AM, <sail-ability at sympatico.ca> wrote:
>
>>
>> I have the Dutchman and quite frankly I find it a pain in the butt, it
>> takes a lot of tweaking to get it to do what they show you at the boat
>> shows. When it croaks I'm going back to lazy jacks.
>> Cheers
>> JohnM
>> #574
>>
>> > From: resloat at comcast.net
>> > To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
>> > Date: Tue, 14 Dec 2010 08:43:05 -0600
>> > Subject: Re: [C320-list] Dutchman Flaking System
>>  >
>> >
>> > Bob Sloat
>> > ----- Original Message -----
>> > From: <LOCALJG at aol.com>
>> > To: <c320-list at catalina320.com>
>> > Sent: Monday, December 13, 2010 10:31 PM
>> > Subject: [C320-list] Dutchman Flaking System
>> >
>> >
>> > > If you have experience with the Dutchman Flaking System please let me
>> know
>> > > what you think of the system? It it useful or more trouble than its
>> > > worth?
>> > > Is rigging it a no brainer or is it a bear to get rigged correctly?
>> > >
>> > > What are the positives and negatives of the system?
>> > >
>> > > Thanks
>> > >
>> > > John G.
>> > > #329
>> > >
>> >
>>
>>
>