I'm replacing the original set of sails. The cost of making the main receptive to the Dutchman system is running about $750. So far I haven't been that impressed with the Dutchman system and am considering converting to the Lazy Jack system. Is there a better alternative?
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
I'm on my second one!
Geo: I am on my second Dutchman. While they are more expensive, they are easier to deal with then a lazy jack system. You never need to worry about battens hanging up. Once it is properly positioned it is a snap. I would not consider having lazy jacks after messing with them on some other boats.
Geo: I am on my second Dutchman. While they are more expensive, they are easier to deal with then a lazy jack system. You never need to worry about battens hanging up. Once it is properly positioned it is a snap. I would not consider having lazy jacks after messing with them on some other boats.
D
David Ochoa
I switched
My H376 came with the Dutchman Flaking system and like you I was not impressed. The Hunter manual came with procedures for adjusting the system but it just never worked as I expected. Then I noticed that newer Hunters built sometime after mine (1997) had gone back to the lazy jack system, I wonder why? I agree with Geo about lazy jacks, only if they are not installed correctly. Most riggers want to connect the system to the mast giving you a very narrow slot to raise the main and the battens will hang on the pulleys, even dead into the wind. I had my rigger install the system the way Hunter does, attach it to the upper spreaders, I have at least a 2 1/2 to 3 foot slot to raise the main instead of a slot the width of the mast, haven't hung a batten yet! It's also easier to remove the mainsail now when I need to. You just have to invest in redoing the sail cover.
My H376 came with the Dutchman Flaking system and like you I was not impressed. The Hunter manual came with procedures for adjusting the system but it just never worked as I expected. Then I noticed that newer Hunters built sometime after mine (1997) had gone back to the lazy jack system, I wonder why? I agree with Geo about lazy jacks, only if they are not installed correctly. Most riggers want to connect the system to the mast giving you a very narrow slot to raise the main and the battens will hang on the pulleys, even dead into the wind. I had my rigger install the system the way Hunter does, attach it to the upper spreaders, I have at least a 2 1/2 to 3 foot slot to raise the main instead of a slot the width of the mast, haven't hung a batten yet! It's also easier to remove the mainsail now when I need to. You just have to invest in redoing the sail cover.
T
Tony
Dutchman
I had the Dutchman system on our '97 376 and we were very pleased with it. Yes it has to be set up correctly. Each winter I left the lines in the mainsail and all hardware in position on the backstay. This way it did not need to be tuned in the spring. It did not matter how fast the main came down and you 376 owners know that was slow sometimes but it always flaked correctly and if I did not have in-mast furling now I would have the Dutchman to handle the mainsail, Its quite a lot of sail with the roach. Tony
I had the Dutchman system on our '97 376 and we were very pleased with it. Yes it has to be set up correctly. Each winter I left the lines in the mainsail and all hardware in position on the backstay. This way it did not need to be tuned in the spring. It did not matter how fast the main came down and you 376 owners know that was slow sometimes but it always flaked correctly and if I did not have in-mast furling now I would have the Dutchman to handle the mainsail, Its quite a lot of sail with the roach. Tony
R
Rick Sylvester
I've never understood fixed lazy jacks
They hang up the sail going up and they just plain look bad. For the cost of 2 cheek blocks, 2 small cleats and more line they can be retractable. Ours take 60 seconds to deploy and stow, are out of the way when not needed and are pretty much idiot proof (a good thing for me.) Oh yeah, they're cheap (make 'em yourself.) No mods needed on the main cover either. Had ours for 5 years now and I wouldn't have anything else. Never had Dutchman but they seem great when they work (though pricey) and a PITA when they don't.
They hang up the sail going up and they just plain look bad. For the cost of 2 cheek blocks, 2 small cleats and more line they can be retractable. Ours take 60 seconds to deploy and stow, are out of the way when not needed and are pretty much idiot proof (a good thing for me.) Oh yeah, they're cheap (make 'em yourself.) No mods needed on the main cover either. Had ours for 5 years now and I wouldn't have anything else. Never had Dutchman but they seem great when they work (though pricey) and a PITA when they don't.
Also consider a Doyle Stack Pac, or Mac Pak
On my Hunter 37, Im going with the Doyle stack Pack. Its a sail with an integral sail pack and a lazy jack system. No need to mess with a seperate sail cover. Mack Pack is similar, its not integral to the sail but it will work with any existing sail system.
On my Hunter 37, Im going with the Doyle stack Pack. Its a sail with an integral sail pack and a lazy jack system. No need to mess with a seperate sail cover. Mack Pack is similar, its not integral to the sail but it will work with any existing sail system.
Dutchman is the way to go.
Our 37.5 has the Dutchman system, and we own a catamaran in Florida with Lazy Jacks. I really hate the lazy jack system. In two years we haven't learned to avoid hanging up the main on the hoist. If the wind shifts or the boat falls a little off the wind, the sail has to be lowered some to free it. What a pain in the ..., especially if the wind is really howling. Our Dutchman system is very forgiving on the hoist and keeps the main neatly flaked on the boom. Most of the time we don't have to make any fold adjustments or anything. We love it, and feel it is worth the money.
Our 37.5 has the Dutchman system, and we own a catamaran in Florida with Lazy Jacks. I really hate the lazy jack system. In two years we haven't learned to avoid hanging up the main on the hoist. If the wind shifts or the boat falls a little off the wind, the sail has to be lowered some to free it. What a pain in the ..., especially if the wind is really howling. Our Dutchman system is very forgiving on the hoist and keeps the main neatly flaked on the boom. Most of the time we don't have to make any fold adjustments or anything. We love it, and feel it is worth the money.
M
mark Juetten
Went to lazy jacks
We had the dutchman system on our 376 but always had trouble with the battens hanging up on the topping lift. Have lazy jacks now but still get occassional hangup. perhaps our dutchman was not rigged properly? Insight please.
We had the dutchman system on our 376 but always had trouble with the battens hanging up on the topping lift. Have lazy jacks now but still get occassional hangup. perhaps our dutchman was not rigged properly? Insight please.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.