[C320-list] Dutchman adjustments and techniques

[Chris Burti]

I like ours a lot. I set the vang high enough to keep the boom off of our Bimini, then tighten the topping lift, head directly into the wind an let the main drop. 

The key is getting it adjusted at the dock. Both lines need to be parallel to each other and the mast. They are adjusted to each other with the connectors on the topping lift and to the mast by the cam cleat at the end of the boom. Eyeball the adjustment from about fifty feet down the dock. 

I had slots cut and zippers put into the sailcover so I never need to adjust it in use. 

I’ve had lazy jacks and find the Dutchman superior. Have never used a stacpack but they look like they create a lot of windage. 

Best Regards,
Chris Burti 
Commitment #867 (Currently at Hatteras Island)
Farmville, North Carolina

> On Oct 1, 2019, at 2:13 PM, Jack Brennan <jackbrennan at bellsouth.net> wrote:
> 
> 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
> 
> 
> Sent from Mail for Windows 10
>