Can anyone provide some info about the Dutchman sail flaking system. I saw a boat with was wondering if weaving line through the mainsail affects the performance or causes premature wear on the cloth. Regards
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dutchman
when not flaking the sail, the dutchman's own topping lift can be slackened so the lines through the sail are also slackened and have no effect on the sail at all. the only negative we can relate about our duthcman system is the it was not cheap; otherwise, we love it. also, slackening the topping lift eliminates the need for a new sail cover, this thanks to clarke bassett of kappa sails.
when not flaking the sail, the dutchman's own topping lift can be slackened so the lines through the sail are also slackened and have no effect on the sail at all. the only negative we can relate about our duthcman system is the it was not cheap; otherwise, we love it. also, slackening the topping lift eliminates the need for a new sail cover, this thanks to clarke bassett of kappa sails.
No and No
I am on my second main sail now with a Dutchman sail flaking system. I do a lot of solo sailing on my Hunter 31 and its the only way to go, for me. I love it! You need a sailmaker to install the system. They layout where the control lines go through the sail and install the fairlead discs onto the sail. These discs prevent wear on the sail where the lines run. With the system installed you can drop the sail fast if needed and the sail stays on the boom. No jumping up on the cabin to tie down. You can wait till your back at the slip. Also works great for reefing the main. As for performance, the 1/4" holes in the sail where the control lines are does not reduce anything. Sails great. The first system cost around $500.00 installed the second a little less, used some of the old system. I used North Sails to install 14 miles up the road from me and Martinus Van Breems, Inc. (Dutchman) 54a Breach Road, Norwalk, CT 203.838.0375 is only 14 miles down the road from me.
I am on my second main sail now with a Dutchman sail flaking system. I do a lot of solo sailing on my Hunter 31 and its the only way to go, for me. I love it! You need a sailmaker to install the system. They layout where the control lines go through the sail and install the fairlead discs onto the sail. These discs prevent wear on the sail where the lines run. With the system installed you can drop the sail fast if needed and the sail stays on the boom. No jumping up on the cabin to tie down. You can wait till your back at the slip. Also works great for reefing the main. As for performance, the 1/4" holes in the sail where the control lines are does not reduce anything. Sails great. The first system cost around $500.00 installed the second a little less, used some of the old system. I used North Sails to install 14 miles up the road from me and Martinus Van Breems, Inc. (Dutchman) 54a Breach Road, Norwalk, CT 203.838.0375 is only 14 miles down the road from me.
Look carefully at the whole system
I think you are asking about the tension on the control lines. If you take a close look at the bottom of the control lines, you will see some fabric "pockets" which attach to the lines. When the sail drops, the weight of the sail pushes down on those points and that puts tension on the control line. Likewise, when you raise the sail, the control line tension is relieved so that the sail can fill without being restricted by the control lines. Properly set up, the topping lift does not require any adjustment for raising or lowering the sail. I have noticed that sometimes I do have to help the flaking a little for it to work smoothly. The system does require some infrequent but careful adjustment to work properly. If the lines are not vertical (or should I say parallel to the mast), they can cause the sail slides to jam and it becomes extremely difficult to raise the sail. With a full batten sail and misadjusted control lines, the forward pressure on the sail causes the slides nearby to twist and that creates a lot of friction.
I think you are asking about the tension on the control lines. If you take a close look at the bottom of the control lines, you will see some fabric "pockets" which attach to the lines. When the sail drops, the weight of the sail pushes down on those points and that puts tension on the control line. Likewise, when you raise the sail, the control line tension is relieved so that the sail can fill without being restricted by the control lines. Properly set up, the topping lift does not require any adjustment for raising or lowering the sail. I have noticed that sometimes I do have to help the flaking a little for it to work smoothly. The system does require some infrequent but careful adjustment to work properly. If the lines are not vertical (or should I say parallel to the mast), they can cause the sail slides to jam and it becomes extremely difficult to raise the sail. With a full batten sail and misadjusted control lines, the forward pressure on the sail causes the slides nearby to twist and that creates a lot of friction.
Not a Fan
On my H376:- Monofilament lines made black vertical lines on sail despite being slacked off whilst sailing. Sail cover needs three holes making it a nuisance to fit. Rain trickled down monofilaments making big black patches on sail. In my area these are NOT removable marks. Sail coming down did not always flake correctly making difficulties for single handers (me). Flaked sail droops down either side of boom making visibility difficult for helmsman. I ditched my Dutchman years ago and made a lazyjack system and sail cover. Vastly superior. Sorry - am not a fan of Dutchman.
On my H376:- Monofilament lines made black vertical lines on sail despite being slacked off whilst sailing. Sail cover needs three holes making it a nuisance to fit. Rain trickled down monofilaments making big black patches on sail. In my area these are NOT removable marks. Sail coming down did not always flake correctly making difficulties for single handers (me). Flaked sail droops down either side of boom making visibility difficult for helmsman. I ditched my Dutchman years ago and made a lazyjack system and sail cover. Vastly superior. Sorry - am not a fan of Dutchman.
dutchman
i repeat, if you slack the dutchman topping lift, there is no need for holes in the sail cover, and all these problems are elimanted.
i repeat, if you slack the dutchman topping lift, there is no need for holes in the sail cover, and all these problems are elimanted.
Phil, The Dutchman is Great!
Phil, I echo the opinion of Patrick Lombard. Our 1996 Beneteau 321 was equipped with the Dutchman by the original owner in 1997 by North sails. It has been adjusted once and one filament line was replaced in all those years. Can normally drop the main without worrying about sail ties in all but the strongest winds, then a few tucks and on with the sail cover at the slip. Best when installed with a new main. The sail will develop a memory and nearly flake itself on the boom. With an older relaxed main it may require a bit more attention but will never obstruct your view. There are no adverse effects on performance. The main was refurbished this spring and there was no apparent wear related to the Dutchman. As a frequent singlehander I think that it is great. It is more expensive than lazyjacks but(IMHO) it is worth every penny and then some. PS: No discoloration of the sail in 8 years. Jon
Phil, I echo the opinion of Patrick Lombard. Our 1996 Beneteau 321 was equipped with the Dutchman by the original owner in 1997 by North sails. It has been adjusted once and one filament line was replaced in all those years. Can normally drop the main without worrying about sail ties in all but the strongest winds, then a few tucks and on with the sail cover at the slip. Best when installed with a new main. The sail will develop a memory and nearly flake itself on the boom. With an older relaxed main it may require a bit more attention but will never obstruct your view. There are no adverse effects on performance. The main was refurbished this spring and there was no apparent wear related to the Dutchman. As a frequent singlehander I think that it is great. It is more expensive than lazyjacks but(IMHO) it is worth every penny and then some. PS: No discoloration of the sail in 8 years. Jon
Good Customer Service
I was rebuilding my original equiped Dutchman on 1985 C 36 and had a few questions on how to inexpensively upgrade my system. Called the Dutchman people and they gave me Martin's cell phone, call him and he is out transporting a yacht with his family - he spent 30 minutes with me right then and got everything worked out. Its nice to know you can call the owner of the company on his cell.
I was rebuilding my original equiped Dutchman on 1985 C 36 and had a few questions on how to inexpensively upgrade my system. Called the Dutchman people and they gave me Martin's cell phone, call him and he is out transporting a yacht with his family - he spent 30 minutes with me right then and got everything worked out. Its nice to know you can call the owner of the company on his cell.
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