[C320-list] Dutchman versus stack pack?

[Rod Boer]

Hi Jeff,

What you describe is exactly the way I have handled the Dutchman during the previous nineteen  years.  My wife would take helm, keep it into the wind, then I would release the main halyard and then stand on it while letting it down with my foot while putting the ties on the sail.  Several years ago I installed an autopilot that would handle 20,000 lb sailboat, so that isn't an issue. This was acceptable in the past except when the seas were heavy and I was up on the deck dropping the sail.  I am not getting any younger and do this on autopilot with high winds or nasty weather just isn't acceptable.  As of September I will be 74 and I have been lowering my risks on everything.  Everything that I have heard about the stack pack or the other similar solutions has been good and safer for me. 

Rod
Odyssey #688
Rock Hall on the Chesapeake  

-----Original Message-----
From: C320-list [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Jeff Hare
Sent: Tuesday, June 25, 2019 10:51 AM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Dutchman versus stack pack?

Why don't you simply point the boat into the wind, set your autopilot to hold this wind angle (wind vane mode) and have the boat stay into the wind on its own and skip the monkey moves?  :)

Stack Pack is nice if you like that sort of thing.  Dutchman works absolutely perfectly for us since I control the drop of the sail at the mast by simply stepping on the halyard and flake it side to side at the mast as it drops.  Then pop 2 sail ties on and I'm back in the cockpit in no time.  The one single enhancement I'd make would be a small rope clutch on the mast so that I could lock the halyard, release the cabin top rope clutch and then go to the mast and do the whole drop.  

Today if I have an assistant, they release the clutch but hold the halyard until I get to the mast and step on the halyard.  Then I've got it the rest of the way down.

-Jeff

-----Original Message-----
From: C320-list <c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com> On Behalf Of Don Johnson
Sent: Tuesday, June 25, 2019 10:07 AM
To: Catalina 320 List Posting <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Dutchman versus stack pack?

I agree with all of the positive statements made about changing to a Stack Pack system.  While I haven’t done it much lately, I used to single hand the boat periodically, and I’m pretty sure I looked like a monkey jumping back and forth between the helm and the sail trying to keep the boat into the wind while managing the sail down, and not doing a very good job of it!  I had Doyle Sails make a Stack Pack, and it changed everything!  VERY easy to point the boat into the wind, drop the sail in seconds and done!  One of the best changes I have made.

Don Johnson
1994 Hull 53
Alamitos Bay, Long Beach Ca

> On Jun 24, 2019, at 5:18 PM, Mark Hagerty <mark at thehagertys.org> wrote:
> 
> I have a 1996 320 that I purchased 3 years ago with the Dutchman 
> system. I was elated that it had the system and did my level best to 
> embrace it. It’s a persnickety solution (I know there are those who 
> will disagree) and over the winter I ditched the Dutchman and had 
> Chesapeake Sailmakers put together a stack pack for me. I LOVE IT!
> Sail comes down fast and into the stack pack. Zip it closed and you’re 
> done. No more sail ties, reflaking, etc. I wouldn’t go back
> 
>> On Jun 24, 2019, at 7:48 PM, Rod Boer <rod.boer1 at verizon.net> wrote:
>> 
>> All,
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> I have been sailing my C320, Odyssey for about 20 years. I originally 
>> took delivery with the Dutchman installed and have basically been 
>> happy with it but now I sail single handed probably 95% of the time.
>> This year between setup and sailing the Dutchman has been a pain in 
>> the butt. The boat in the slip next to mine is a Beneteau 393 which I 
>> race on with the owner and a couple of other guys. The owner had a 
>> stack pack put on it before delivery and is very happy with it.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> During the spring launch it is much easier putting the sail on that 
>> boat than it is on the C320.  I am considering a stack pack and am 
>> interested others experiences with this sail approach.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Odyssey, 688
>> 
>> Chesapeak Bay
>> 
>> 
>