[C320-list] Dutchman adjustments and techniques

[Jack Brennan]

Hi all:

I just rebuilt my Dutchman system – new topping lift and fishing lines – and I’m in the process of adjusting it to make the mainsail flake as well as possible..

It occurs to me that many people hate this system and an equal number love it. The difference seems to be that those who love it have mastered the technique of adjusting and operating it, while the rest of us are just flubbing around and getting it half-right.

So my question is to those who love the Dutchman: How do you do it?

To date, with some success, I do it this way: I loosen the boom vang, tighten the topping lift as much as I can, then tighten the boom vang again before dropping the main. This seems to make the fishing lines as taut as possible for flaking.

Is there a better way that eliminates those steps? Some online sites seem to say you can just leave the topping lift adjusted at one height all of the time, but that doesn’t seem to work with my 320.

Thanks in advance.

Jack Brennan
Sonas, 1998 Catalina 320, no. 528
Terra Verde, Fl.
Dolphin Cruising Club of Tampa Ba


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