jssailem,
I agree charter boats you get what you get and most of the dockboys have no idea as to how to fine tune them and they are never directed to do so anyway.
I also agree they are pretty much cookie cutter designs and most do not know how to fine tune them. I have seen this often and have suggested to people ways to improve them for their boat, rarely do they actually do it.
With my Dutchman I don't have to move or adjust or tug anything, I sail solo a lot and to me this it a big deal, I pull the halyard or I dump the halyard nothing else.
As far as it capturing a sail, I again agree absolutely.
Tally Ho,
I think the packs are a big improvement for dropping the sail.
I can visualize how the full battens would help if thee lines are ran correctly, ,but then you say, you don't have many issues. I have been spoiled for over 20 years with essentially no issues, that is why I am so sold on it. I also think that for most DIY's it is more idiot proof, no disrespect, could not think of a better term. I have seen owners that had issues and were absolutely clueless as to how to resolve it or adjust it. I know that is not you, I have read may of your comments for a number of years and have a great respect for you, jssailem as well.
Love your Milwaukee by the way.
I have owned about a dozen different racing boats and so never considered them much, then as I aged out of hard core racing and got a cruising my second cruiser had it or I probably would had not gotten anything. I kind of liked hand flaking, it was a lot like taking the saddle off the horse after a days ride. But once I get the Dutchman it was off a little, I adjusted the upper connectors a bit, changed the line and put them at the proper tension and have not had an issue since so it has been a long and overwhelmingly positive experience for me.
I will say I have never had the opportunity to see or use one on a bigger boat (over 38'), so I can't say much about that but I would sure love to try it. Maybe it is not a good size for them. I have wondered why charter boats have never tried them. I can only think that they fear them getting lines torn from the credit card captains. Or perhaps it takes longer to remove sails in hurricane season. I would have thought that they had thought about it. They also do rob things from one boat to another more often than you might think, torn main? take one off of #???.
Thanks for the video as well,
Ken