[C320-list] Dutchman Line

[Dean Vermeire]

Hi Gary,

You can purchase monofilament line from a number of places.  I just buy 
it from MVB / Dutchmar here: 
http://dutchmar.com/products/sail-flaking-products/mono-control-line/

Dean Vermeire

On 6/8/2015 9:26 AM, Gary Magnuson wrote:
> Thanks Jeff for re-posting!   I don't remember ever seeing this Tip 
> and I have owned Time A Weigh for 7 years all ready.  I have never 
> touched them. Heading to the boat for the first time this season later 
> this week and will definitely address this as a priority.
>  I am also looking for a source for new Dutchman line.  One broke 
> while bending on the sails.  Last repair I used string Trimmer 
> replacement line, but this year, all of the string trimmer line seems 
> to be color coded....
>
> Thanks for the great resource and commentary!
> Gary
> #205
>
> On 6/8/2015 8:46 AM, Jeff Hare wrote:
>> Hi All,
>>
>> With a number of new owners on the list this year, it's time to 
>> re-broadcast
>> the important annual Mast Step Block maintenance tip.  I can't 
>> remember if
>> the newer MKII mast steps are the same as the older ones, so someone 
>> else
>> can comment there.
>>
>> Apologies for those who've heard this before, but it's important and not
>> always very obvious.
>>
>> The turning blocks attached to the base of the mast have SS studs 
>> that screw
>> into a SS nut that slides into a slot under the mast step. Since the nut
>> and the stud are Stainless, and the mast step is Aluminum, the studs 
>> will
>> corrode against the mast step plate and freeze up, faster in salt water.
>>
>> They need to be able to turn freely to keep from being bent under 
>> load.  I
>> suggest you unscrew each block (counter clockwise of course), and 
>> slide the
>> nut out of the slot with a screwdriver.  Coat the stud and threads 
>> and the
>> whole nut with "TefGel" anti-sieze/anti-corrosion grease and 
>> reinstall them.
>> Without doing this they will corrode and freeze up and may require 
>> removing
>> the mast and mast step to fix them!   After that, liberally spray the
>> bearings of each block with "Sail Kote" or your favorite dry lube.
>>
>>
>> To do this simple maintenance job, you do not have to have to remove 
>> any of
>> the lines, just loosen the lines to provide some slack.   When you screw
>> them back in, screw them in all the way with your fingers until they 
>> stop
>> then UNSCREW them one full turn.  This allows the blocks to pivot 
>> easily and
>> stay fair to the pull of the line.
>>
>>
>> I didn't do this last year (maybe it's been 2 years?) and one of them 
>> was
>> right on the edge of being frozen up.  Took a bit of effort to get it 
>> freed
>> up.  I saw serious case on a C380 where the owner snugged up all the 
>> studs
>> so that they didn't pivot at all and under load, some of the Garhauer 
>> blocks
>> bent because they couldn't swivel to align with the rope under 
>> tension.  On
>> top of that, most of the studs had corroded solid to the mast step.  The
>> mast had to be pulled, the step removed and the studs had to be 
>> removed by a
>> machine shop.  This was on a boat only 4 years old.  Don't let this 
>> happen
>> to you! :)
>>
>> -Jeff Hare
>>
>> #809
>>
>>
>>
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