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A Dutchman system
A Dutchman system makes your main sail flaking easier. It uses 2 or 3 filament lines that run from your topping lift down to the boom, weaving in and out of your sail once or twice. When you drop the sail, the lines contain the sail and keep it from falling all over the cockpit. Now, the cutouts, refer to your main sail cover. If you have a Dutchman system you'll need 2 or three small holes in the top to accomodate the lines that drop from the topping lift. They're expensive little buggers!
A Dutchman system makes your main sail flaking easier. It uses 2 or 3 filament lines that run from your topping lift down to the boom, weaving in and out of your sail once or twice. When you drop the sail, the lines contain the sail and keep it from falling all over the cockpit. Now, the cutouts, refer to your main sail cover. If you have a Dutchman system you'll need 2 or three small holes in the top to accomodate the lines that drop from the topping lift. They're expensive little buggers!
It works great
The cut outs on my h42 on the cover are just slits for the two lines of the system that go to the topping lift. They go from the starboard side of the cover to the center of the cover, and has some built up sleeves that can go around the two fillament lines and tied tight. The slits have velcrow fasteners on that can be sealed up and you can barely tell that it isn't a solid cover then. The system works very well. The two fillament lines have only had to be replaced once in ten years and the boat is a 90' with hood sails and modified cover.
The cut outs on my h42 on the cover are just slits for the two lines of the system that go to the topping lift. They go from the starboard side of the cover to the center of the cover, and has some built up sleeves that can go around the two fillament lines and tied tight. The slits have velcrow fasteners on that can be sealed up and you can barely tell that it isn't a solid cover then. The system works very well. The two fillament lines have only had to be replaced once in ten years and the boat is a 90' with hood sails and modified cover.
Slits are not Needed
While having slits may look nicer at the dock you don't Need them. I didn't on my previous c28 and current c320. I simply lower the lines - not the topping lift itself - by pulling on the continous line secured by a block/cam cleat at the aft end of the mast that becomes part of your topping lift when you have a Dutchman system. This slackens the mono lines so they can be run out of the bottom of the sail cover where the twist fasteners secure the sail cover. Some may consider that un-sightly, but since they are clear and allmost invisible from 10 feet away it's no big deal to me. Stan "Christy Leigh" c320 #656
While having slits may look nicer at the dock you don't Need them. I didn't on my previous c28 and current c320. I simply lower the lines - not the topping lift itself - by pulling on the continous line secured by a block/cam cleat at the aft end of the mast that becomes part of your topping lift when you have a Dutchman system. This slackens the mono lines so they can be run out of the bottom of the sail cover where the twist fasteners secure the sail cover. Some may consider that un-sightly, but since they are clear and allmost invisible from 10 feet away it's no big deal to me. Stan "Christy Leigh" c320 #656
Depends on the system!
The Dutchman system comes with different configurations. The first one comes with a standard topping lift (single line) where the lines are attached and CANNOT be adjusted. Another option is to have a continous line lines that allows the lines to be routed through the sail cover at the aft end of the sail cover. I personally have this unit but it is a paint in the ass to say the least. Even if you have this system, the slits in the cover are MUCH easier to deal with (that is my opinion).
The Dutchman system comes with different configurations. The first one comes with a standard topping lift (single line) where the lines are attached and CANNOT be adjusted. Another option is to have a continous line lines that allows the lines to be routed through the sail cover at the aft end of the sail cover. I personally have this unit but it is a paint in the ass to say the least. Even if you have this system, the slits in the cover are MUCH easier to deal with (that is my opinion).
Fix the system !
I've never seen the non-adjustable Dutchman, but if I had one I would add a continuous line to run the mono lines from with a block at the top and a block/cam combo attached to the boom end at the bottom to make it adjustable. That would be a big improvment - slits or not. I don't understand why anyone would lower the mono lines 20 or more feet to run them out of the back of the sailcover. I guess that Would be a P.I.T.A. After I have sail tied the sail it takes me 10 seconds to reach up to the cam cleat and lower/slacken the mono lines a Few feet so I can run them out of the Bottom of the sail cover. It takes another 10 seconds to take up the slack before sail raising, but that total of 20 seconds P.I.T.A time is certainly worth it to me for the Fantastic job of sail handling the Dutchman sysem does - especially when single handing. Stan "Christy Leigh" c320 #656
I've never seen the non-adjustable Dutchman, but if I had one I would add a continuous line to run the mono lines from with a block at the top and a block/cam combo attached to the boom end at the bottom to make it adjustable. That would be a big improvment - slits or not. I don't understand why anyone would lower the mono lines 20 or more feet to run them out of the back of the sailcover. I guess that Would be a P.I.T.A. After I have sail tied the sail it takes me 10 seconds to reach up to the cam cleat and lower/slacken the mono lines a Few feet so I can run them out of the Bottom of the sail cover. It takes another 10 seconds to take up the slack before sail raising, but that total of 20 seconds P.I.T.A time is certainly worth it to me for the Fantastic job of sail handling the Dutchman sysem does - especially when single handing. Stan "Christy Leigh" c320 #656
I agree with Stan. I have the Dutchman and don't
have the slits in the mainsail cover. And everything works fine. Just raise and lower the adjustable continuous line to the Dutchman. Once mine is adjusted for the season I never have a problem at all . I am satisfied with the Dutchman. With that said, I probably would get the zipper/velcro in the mainsail cover anyway if one could afford it and a quality job could be done. Anything that makes your life easier in boating is a plus. Even if it only save a minute or two of your time..;-)
have the slits in the mainsail cover. And everything works fine. Just raise and lower the adjustable continuous line to the Dutchman. Once mine is adjusted for the season I never have a problem at all . I am satisfied with the Dutchman. With that said, I probably would get the zipper/velcro in the mainsail cover anyway if one could afford it and a quality job could be done. Anything that makes your life easier in boating is a plus. Even if it only save a minute or two of your time..;-)
Dohp! Don't have to go out the back?
I have the same Dutchman with the continuous line. I never thought to just slack them a little and run out the bottom of the sail cover- I have always brought them all the way down and run out the back. Dohp! I have noticed that the Dutchman is sensitive. If the lines are slightly out of adjustment, due to me not putting them up to the proper spot with appropriate tension, the mainsale doesn't fall into place. (Its close, but some days its just perfect). I suppose that's one reason to set it right and leave it alone.
I have the same Dutchman with the continuous line. I never thought to just slack them a little and run out the bottom of the sail cover- I have always brought them all the way down and run out the back. Dohp! I have noticed that the Dutchman is sensitive. If the lines are slightly out of adjustment, due to me not putting them up to the proper spot with appropriate tension, the mainsale doesn't fall into place. (Its close, but some days its just perfect). I suppose that's one reason to set it right and leave it alone.
FYI
Here is the actual scoop on the Dutchman System. http://images.sailnet.com/dutchman/sailflaking/installinfo.htm
Here is the actual scoop on the Dutchman System. http://images.sailnet.com/dutchman/sailflaking/installinfo.htm
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