Well, the first year with new boat has been great. It is almost time to take the sailm down and I am not what to do with Dutchman fishing line inside the sail. I plan to install new weed wacker line next year so do I remove the old line? Thanks Droopy
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Removing control Lines
You should replace the monofilament control lines on a regular schedule. I replace mine every two years. Before removing make note of which side of the sail the line enters from. That way when you feed the line through from top to bottom it will exit the sail on the correct side.
You should replace the monofilament control lines on a regular schedule. I replace mine every two years. Before removing make note of which side of the sail the line enters from. That way when you feed the line through from top to bottom it will exit the sail on the correct side.
Weed Wacker Line
The weed wacker line will not hold up as well as the original. I used my original line for three years with no problem.
The weed wacker line will not hold up as well as the original. I used my original line for three years with no problem.
Life Span
of about ten years. Then they break and it becomes a problem. You can gennerally get the lines from Dutchman free.
of about ten years. Then they break and it becomes a problem. You can gennerally get the lines from Dutchman free.
Thanks, how I take the line off?
I have the "C" type configuraton. Do I untie the thin line from the black boxes and then take the sail off with the line inside it? Thanks Jim
I have the "C" type configuraton. Do I untie the thin line from the black boxes and then take the sail off with the line inside it? Thanks Jim
I don't think there is an "approved" method
While the manual goes into detail about the install it is short on recommendations for removal. I just took the lines off at the boom and pulled them out. Do write down which way the line enters the topmost slot as if you get it backward you get to do it over again. Is is a real pain to do with all the sail flopping about.
While the manual goes into detail about the install it is short on recommendations for removal. I just took the lines off at the boom and pulled them out. Do write down which way the line enters the topmost slot as if you get it backward you get to do it over again. Is is a real pain to do with all the sail flopping about.
Oh yea the question
You just loosen the two bolts on each metal attachment points at the food of the sail. The line is just held in by friction and pulls right out.
You just loosen the two bolts on each metal attachment points at the food of the sail. The line is just held in by friction and pulls right out.
Fold the sytem with your sail
For the 3 years that I have had the system (on a Catalina 36), at the end of the season, I have folded it in with the sail. I have never removed it. My Dutchman system works well - I don't want to get into adjusting it from scratch. I take the main sail off, carefully keeping the Dutchman system from tangling (this is the hardest part). I lay the main sail out for folding complete with the Dutchman system as normally installed. I fold the sail in the traditional way (pulling slabs down to the foot), the Dutchman system comes with it. When you want to replace the control lines you can lay the system out and simply replace the system one line at a time with lines adjusted exactly the same as the ones you are removing.
For the 3 years that I have had the system (on a Catalina 36), at the end of the season, I have folded it in with the sail. I have never removed it. My Dutchman system works well - I don't want to get into adjusting it from scratch. I take the main sail off, carefully keeping the Dutchman system from tangling (this is the hardest part). I lay the main sail out for folding complete with the Dutchman system as normally installed. I fold the sail in the traditional way (pulling slabs down to the foot), the Dutchman system comes with it. When you want to replace the control lines you can lay the system out and simply replace the system one line at a time with lines adjusted exactly the same as the ones you are removing.
Weed Wacker Line?
I have heard this suggestion before, but a response that I have seen is that it isn't UV protected and may break very early in it's life. Further research may be required before you do that. Besides, WW line is smaller diameter and not as smooth as the supplied lines. Contact Dutchman for the replacement line. To Remove depaends on the type of systen that you have. Mine is fixed on the topping lift, so I simply loosen them at the foot of the sail and pull them out. Then capture the lines (I have 2) and secure them to the topping lift so they won't blow around during the cold months.
I have heard this suggestion before, but a response that I have seen is that it isn't UV protected and may break very early in it's life. Further research may be required before you do that. Besides, WW line is smaller diameter and not as smooth as the supplied lines. Contact Dutchman for the replacement line. To Remove depaends on the type of systen that you have. Mine is fixed on the topping lift, so I simply loosen them at the foot of the sail and pull them out. Then capture the lines (I have 2) and secure them to the topping lift so they won't blow around during the cold months.
free line
The owner of the company is playful. If you read the manual, he tells you he will give you replacement line free if you mention that the manual told you this. If you don't read the manual, you don't know this and he charges for the line. He likes people to read his manual. Replacing lines is simple and only needs to be done if you see that they are chaffing thru. The best thing to do end of season is to remove the line from the envelopes at the foot and pull them out of the sail. Its simple, as is the reinstallation of them in the spring. Allan
The owner of the company is playful. If you read the manual, he tells you he will give you replacement line free if you mention that the manual told you this. If you don't read the manual, you don't know this and he charges for the line. He likes people to read his manual. Replacing lines is simple and only needs to be done if you see that they are chaffing thru. The best thing to do end of season is to remove the line from the envelopes at the foot and pull them out of the sail. Its simple, as is the reinstallation of them in the spring. Allan
I have to admit...
...that I got my replacement lines for free. Right after I bought upgrade parts at the Newport Boat Show a few years ago, I asked to buy replacement line for the control lines. The Dutchman inventor just gave me the new lines. But if you ask, as the previous poster (Allan) suggests, he may give them to you. BTW, they are still in business. I just saw them at the Newport show two weeks ago.
...that I got my replacement lines for free. Right after I bought upgrade parts at the Newport Boat Show a few years ago, I asked to buy replacement line for the control lines. The Dutchman inventor just gave me the new lines. But if you ask, as the previous poster (Allan) suggests, he may give them to you. BTW, they are still in business. I just saw them at the Newport show two weeks ago.
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