We have a Dutchman Main sail system on our new to us 2002 Catalina 310. I am wondering if any body has the experience with it and how they like it? Would it help to have a Harken Battcar System installed? Is it worth it?
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Harken Batcar System
Installed the Batcar System on my H37.5. The idea was to relieve some of the friction when it came to hoisting the sail. Am only realizing minimum results. The biggest advantage is that when it comes time to lowering the sail, it comes right down without having to pull on it. A great advantage in an emergency. Also, because of the way the sail is attached to the track there is almost no probality of the sail losing its connection as it would if a slug was to break. Also have the Dutchman Flaking System. The advantage is it allows the sail to flake on top of the boom. Very happy with both systems
Installed the Batcar System on my H37.5. The idea was to relieve some of the friction when it came to hoisting the sail. Am only realizing minimum results. The biggest advantage is that when it comes time to lowering the sail, it comes right down without having to pull on it. A great advantage in an emergency. Also, because of the way the sail is attached to the track there is almost no probality of the sail losing its connection as it would if a slug was to break. Also have the Dutchman Flaking System. The advantage is it allows the sail to flake on top of the boom. Very happy with both systems
Harken Battcar System
Wolf Randy has good observations. It is heavier on the luff of the mainsail, so it is a small bit harder to raise the mainsail, but the reduced friction pretty much evens that out. We have a lazy jack system, rather than Ducthman. It works just fine. The choice has nothing to do with your flaking system, but rather what you think would work for you for ease of sail management. Yes, sail slugs won't break, but the web strapping could, although less possible. There are 23 cotter pins with rings on our Harken system, which makes removing and reinstalling the mainsail quite a job. But I wouldn't trade it in, because when lubricated with Sailkote properly, the batt car system makes raising and lowering the sail the easiest and safest. The system was installed in our 1986 boat when we bought her from her one PO in 1998. We've had no trouble with it in six and a half years. Stu
Wolf Randy has good observations. It is heavier on the luff of the mainsail, so it is a small bit harder to raise the mainsail, but the reduced friction pretty much evens that out. We have a lazy jack system, rather than Ducthman. It works just fine. The choice has nothing to do with your flaking system, but rather what you think would work for you for ease of sail management. Yes, sail slugs won't break, but the web strapping could, although less possible. There are 23 cotter pins with rings on our Harken system, which makes removing and reinstalling the mainsail quite a job. But I wouldn't trade it in, because when lubricated with Sailkote properly, the batt car system makes raising and lowering the sail the easiest and safest. The system was installed in our 1986 boat when we bought her from her one PO in 1998. We've had no trouble with it in six and a half years. Stu
Dutchman
I have the Dutchman on my Catalina 320. Once the main sail is "trained" it works fine, although in heavy air it can be more difficult. The main should already be trained on your boat, unless the PO never sailed.
I have the Dutchman on my Catalina 320. Once the main sail is "trained" it works fine, although in heavy air it can be more difficult. The main should already be trained on your boat, unless the PO never sailed.
Reduced the halyard size.
Randy: I had a similar problem on my H'31. Batcars, Dutchman etc. The factory recommended a 1/2" main halyard, so I originally used Sta-SetX and it did not work very well. When I had the mast down this spring, I switched the sheaves and when with a 7/16" and it is like all the difference in the world!
Randy: I had a similar problem on my H'31. Batcars, Dutchman etc. The factory recommended a 1/2" main halyard, so I originally used Sta-SetX and it did not work very well. When I had the mast down this spring, I switched the sheaves and when with a 7/16" and it is like all the difference in the world!
Sometimes smaller working line size IS better
Steve You're right. We had 3/8 inch traveler control lines and they started to bind on the sheaves of the traveler. We originally went to this size for ease of handling. We went down in size to 5/16 and it's like someone put the roller bearings back in. What a difference and improvement. We've used Stay Set, not X, for our halyards, figuring that the difference in stretch was worth the ease of "handling" and softness through the blocks, etc. It works for us. Bigger is NOT necessarily better. And the material you use is very important. Many of our racers have done VERY different things, and it works for them. Your boat, your choices. Stu
Steve You're right. We had 3/8 inch traveler control lines and they started to bind on the sheaves of the traveler. We originally went to this size for ease of handling. We went down in size to 5/16 and it's like someone put the roller bearings back in. What a difference and improvement. We've used Stay Set, not X, for our halyards, figuring that the difference in stretch was worth the ease of "handling" and softness through the blocks, etc. It works for us. Bigger is NOT necessarily better. And the material you use is very important. Many of our racers have done VERY different things, and it works for them. Your boat, your choices. Stu
Battcars and lazy jacks.
Wolf, We had the battcar system on our IP 38 and really liked the way it performed. Raising the main didn't inprove that much but dropping the sail was much better that slugs. It also anchored the 4 full battens and prevented flexing wear at the luff/mast junction. The lazy jacks were retractable and allowed the use of a standard sail cover. They also were out of the way of the sail when retracted. These are not cheap systems but I would recommend the battcars for boats in heavy wind locations simply for the ease of dropping the main. Ray
Wolf, We had the battcar system on our IP 38 and really liked the way it performed. Raising the main didn't inprove that much but dropping the sail was much better that slugs. It also anchored the 4 full battens and prevented flexing wear at the luff/mast junction. The lazy jacks were retractable and allowed the use of a standard sail cover. They also were out of the way of the sail when retracted. These are not cheap systems but I would recommend the battcars for boats in heavy wind locations simply for the ease of dropping the main. Ray
I have Dutchman flaking with factory sails
and the standard nylon (or whatever) slugs. I find it very beneficial to spray them with "sailkote" or similar dry lube, especially helps it drop. If the nylon control lines are adjusted right it works well, helps if you get the first couple flakes down the right way then the rest follow.
and the standard nylon (or whatever) slugs. I find it very beneficial to spray them with "sailkote" or similar dry lube, especially helps it drop. If the nylon control lines are adjusted right it works well, helps if you get the first couple flakes down the right way then the rest follow.
Dutchman is great!
We have the Dutchman system on our B321 and find it outstanding. Once trained it works flawlessly. A few tugs here and there and on with the cover. I came within a day of ordering Harken bat slides to ease the job of raising the main, but decided to run the problem by the local North sail loft. They replaced 2 of the original slugs and fiddled with the halyard a bit. Now I can nearly raise the main by hand, using a winch for only the 4' or 5'. It comes down a bit easier, but you still have to go on deck to get the last 8' or so down. The cost was less than 10% of the cost of batslide system. Jon McClain s/v Parrot Tales, B321 Kemah, TX
We have the Dutchman system on our B321 and find it outstanding. Once trained it works flawlessly. A few tugs here and there and on with the cover. I came within a day of ordering Harken bat slides to ease the job of raising the main, but decided to run the problem by the local North sail loft. They replaced 2 of the original slugs and fiddled with the halyard a bit. Now I can nearly raise the main by hand, using a winch for only the 4' or 5'. It comes down a bit easier, but you still have to go on deck to get the last 8' or so down. The cost was less than 10% of the cost of batslide system. Jon McClain s/v Parrot Tales, B321 Kemah, TX
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