[C320-list] Dutchman Flaking System

[Scott Thompson]

I'm a fan too, and agree that tightening up the lines properly is the 
key.  They need to be (a) tight and (b) parallel to the mast when you 
drop the sail.  This requires a bit of work setting up the topping lift 
and marking it in the right place for dropping the main.  But once 
that's done you can just put it at the sweet spot, snug the vang (if 
necessary to tighten the lines), go head to wind, and dump the halyard. 
  Using autopilot to keep the boat head to wind, I can drop the main, 
flake it, and secure with sail ties working solo in about one minute 
with the system.

BTW, works best with full-batten mainsail.

Also, my boat came with the continuous loop topping lift system, but 
switched to the single line system when we bought a new sail.  I've 
regretted that change.  The continuous loop system lets you relax the 
Dutchman lines while still supporting the boom with the topping lift. 
So you don't need slits/zippers in your cover, the main stays cleaner 
and dryer with less chafe from the Dutchman lines while stowed, and the 
cover is easier to put on and take off.

Jim Sweet wrote:
> 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
>>> > >
>>> >
>>>
>>>
>>
> 
> 

-- 
Scott Thompson
Surprise, #653