Dutchman Sail Flaking System

[Robert Hoffman]

Has anyone had any experience with the Dutchman Sail Flaking System on a Hunter 260? I am curious if this interferes with stepping the mast. Any advice is appreciated.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

more time and question the need

There is alot of discussion on this matter re: 26 and 260. Most have used the lazy jacks which are cheaper and less work than a Dutchman.What most are trying to do is keep the sail from flopping over. On these boats, it is easy to tie up and also flake the main without lazy jacks. However, some tend to disagree and go for the lazy jacks.Dutchman is nice but it can get expensive to modify the mainsail and is a little more work on a small boat. Again, everyone has their own ideas which is good.Crazy Dave Condon

 

[John Pollitt]

Lazy Jacks

My H26 came with Lazy Jacks, and as I singlehand, I like having them. Simple to use, and no alteration to the sail.Fair windsJohn

 

[David]

Dutchman

I agree with Dave, the lazy jacks are easier and cheaper to work with. Rigging a trailerable at each launch with a Dutchman would be a real pain. Rigging it once a year on a larger boat was enough of a problem.

 

[Mark]

Lazy Jacks?

So just how well do they work on a 260?Does the sail neatly fold as she comes down?

 

[Steve Dion]

Would not consider it.

Mark:I would not consider it on a boat that you are stepping the mast on a regular basis. The Dutchman needs a slight adjustment and it would not be worth the trouble. If you where only launching and setting up the boat once or twice a season it may be worth the effort.The difference with a Dutchman vs Lazy Jacks is that the sail is almost perfectly flaked on the boom. It also contains the main on the boom (much like lazy jacks). The bigger the sail the more reason that you want one of these systems. They also are very helpful when one is single handing the boat.

 

[John Pollitt]

Mark

Keep in mind, I'd never used lazy jacks before, so I'm learning by experience. The sail pretty much comes down neatly, but I do usually "tidy it up" a bit before covering. Also, when I got the boat, the top and a middle slide on the sail were broken, so it didn't go up and down as well as could be. They can also be used as a topping lift. I'll try to post a photo of mine.