[C320-list] Modifying The Sail Cover to Accommodate Dutchman System

[Chris Burti]

To compliment Jeff's remarks, not debate them, we are in the mildew capital
of the world and it hasn't been an issue for us. We have the double line
system and before we had the slots put in, I marked the topping lift on
either side of the cam cleat with a Sharpie because I learned that when the
guide lines are perpendicular and taut, the Dutchman system works really
well as designed and when it is off a bit, much less so.

It is really a matter of choice and I'm  happy with the zippers and I also
i feel that they actually assist me in putting on the cover when the wind
is blowing because the guide lines help hold it on the boom. The first set
of slits were just Velcro and much less satisfactory.. Second set are much
as Jeff describes.

Fair winds,
Chris Burti
Commitment #867
Farmville, NC



On Mon, Dec 31, 2018 at 2:12 PM Jeff Hare <Catalina at thehares.com> wrote:

> I agree with Joe.  There are always tradeoffs.  Just make sure you're
> making the best ones you can.
>
> *I think* it's better to loosen them, put the sail cover on and then snug
> them just enough to straighten them up assuming you have the double
> clothesline version of the dutchman.
>
> If you cut slots, (depending on your region) rain will wick down the
> topping lift dutchman rope and runs down the monofilament lines washing all
> the dirt right along with it.  You'll end up with moisture and dirt trapped
> in the sail and encourage mildew in the folds of your sail.  If you're in
> CA or places where rain "isn't normally much of a thing", have at it,
> (again, in my opinion).
>
> We've been doing the dip-under/snug up thing for 17 years and will
> continue.  I've seen first hand with a C320 that was a few slips over from
> me with zippers installed that their sail got a lot of mildew and dirt in
> it that ours didn't get.  I suppose if you want a lot of draft stripes on
> your sail, this might be one way to achieve that.  LOL!
>
> When we've made new sail covers for people with the dutchman or other
> systems and want cutouts, we try to discourage it unless necessary for
> operational reasons.  I'm always happy to install them if that's what they
> really want because it's easy, but like to make it clear what's likely to
> happen (depending on your region).
>
> There are 2 versions of the Dutchman.  One with the single topping lift
> line and dutchman blocks attached at specific points, and the version with
> the adjustable double "clothes-line" topping lift.  We tried the single
> line topping lift version once and it sucked so we went back to the dual
> line version.  :)
>
> The single line version you have to *ease the topping lift* to accommodate
> the dip under (which does look messy) vs just running the blocks down a
> couple feet with the clothes line version.   With the "clothes line"
> version of the topping lift that I think is standard on the 320 I don't
> really get the time savings or need for zippers.  I think zippers in the
> sail cover break up the nice aesthetics in general and make it a little
> more difficult to install the sail cover.
>
> I've now made sail covers both ways, and they always look nicer at anchor
> without those zippers.  The one I'm making now, the customer changed their
> mind and don't want zippers after all.  But to each their own.
>
> If you have zippers installed, be sure they bind and reinforce the holes
> on the top or they'll do what Christian mentioned.  Also be sure that they
> install a wide enough UV protection flap over the zipper or they will
> bleach out in the sun and you'll end up with gray zipper tapes showing
> before long.
>
> Just my $.02 on the subject from the canvas maker perspective,
> -Jeff Hare
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: C320-list <c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com> On Behalf Of
> Joe Luciano
> Sent: Monday, December 31, 2018 12:45 PM
> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Modifying The Sail Cover to Accommodate Dutchman
> System
>
> I just let my Dutchman lines come out below the sail cover and I simply
> snug them up.  That’s the way the system originally came from Catalina.
> Works well enough for me.  I don’t need to have the adjusting line
> tensioned up to maintain a neat appearance.  While I would likely have the
> slits put in if I were to upgrade to a new cover, just not enough of an
> issue to worry about.
>
> Joe Luciano
> Second Wind
> 2005 Catalina 320
>
> > On Dec 31, 2018, at 9:37 AM, Christian <ccaper at gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> > My sail cover is altered for a Dutchman, but the previous owner didn't
> > line up the holes very well.  So the Dutchman filaments has been
> > tearing the cover at the seams.  This off season, I took the cover to
> > my local sailmaker (North Sails), and he moved the opening to better
> > align with the filaments, and installed a leather ridge  at the
> > opening (front and back), to reduce future tearing/chaffing.
> >
> > My sail cover has vertical zipper openings at each Dutchman filament
> > opening, with horizontal velcro at the flap around the holes for the
> > filaments to ensure the sails are not exposed to any sun, now along
> > with the leather around the lip at the front and back of the cover
> > opening, to prevent filament chaffing on the cover.  The velcro "flap"
> > is about an inch tall, 4" long, addition sewn on top of the cover, and
> > the opening.  The zipper stops just before this collar, with the
> > collar having the velcro on the inside, to get the snug fit and no UV
> penetration.
> >
> > Hope this helps on your design.
> >
> > Christian Caperton
> > C320 #138 "Canuck"
> > Monroe Harbor, Chicago, IL
> >
> > On Mon, Dec 31, 2018 at 11:25 AM Chris Burti <clburti at gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> >> Plastic zippers oriented like a trouser fly work best. We had Velcro
> >> on our first cover and they were not satisfactory.
> >>
> >> These are slits needed to fully take advantage of the Dutchman system.
> >> Love ours. Once you get the Dutchman adjusted properly you don't need
> >> to slacken it to put the cover on so you don't need to adjust it any
> >> more and it works very well single handing in any wind. Far better
> >> than the jack lines on our last boat.
> >>
> >> Chris Burti
> >> Commitment, #867
> >> Farmville, NC
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> On Mon, Dec 31, 2018 at 11:50 AM Gerald Rouillard
> >> <pearson39b at yahoo.com>
> >> wrote:
> >>
> >>> I have a Dutchman system, but the sail cover does not have openings
> >>> to accommodate the lines.  The previous owner simple slacked the
> >>> system and gathered the loosened lines underneath the cover when he
> >>> put it on the sail.  IT makes for a very messy process, so  I'm
> >>> going to modify the
> >> cover
> >>> to let me keep the lines up when the sail is stowed.  Just wondering
> >>> if anyone else has done this, and if they have any advice for me
> >>> before I
> >> tear
> >>> into it.  I have a Sailrite, walking foot sewing machine and some
> >>> time to work on it now, so any help would be appreciated,
> >>>
> >>> Thanks,
> >>> Sailor Jerry
> >>> Wind Song, Hull #283.
> >>>
> >>> Sent from my iPad
> >>>
> >>
>
>