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Dutchman Mainsail Cover

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afterglow	Dutchman Mainsail Cover		Lead	[-]
Posts: 56 05/16/06 08:58:31	Tags : None The former owner of our boat (#328, a pullman 2-cabin) did not repair the Dutchman monofilament lines between the topping lift and the boom when they broke. Then, he replaced his "Dutchman" mainsail cover with a "standard" cover, with no openings for the Dutchman lines to pass through. We are repairing the Dutchman and thought it would be an easy matter to get some local canvas shop to add a couple of zippers to the existing mainsail cover to accommodate the lines. But, it seems that everyone is so busy this time of year that no one wants to take on this "little" job. Then I got to thinking. It seems to me that with the Dutchman in place, the mainsail -- which now is flaked over the boom and hangs down each side of it -- will now assume a position that is mostly above the boom. If this is the case, then it sounds like the existing mainsail cover, even with zippers added to accommodate the Dutchman lines, may not fit the repaired Dutchman. Can someone give me an idea of what a Dutchman mainsail cover looks like so that I can decide whether my existing cover can be re-tailored to fit the repaired Dutchman?
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yorkrose	Re: Dutchman Mainsail Cover	#1	[url]	[-]
Posts: 275 05/16/06 10:19:21	There should be virtually no difference in the flaked position or shape of the mainsail with or without the Dutchman system. The correct adjustment of the strings is just at the point where the pockets start to lift. If the pockets are fully upright, thereby lifting the sail, the strings are too tight. Regards, Gene Fuller Yorkshire Rose, C42 #870
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peterw	Mainsail Cover	#2	[url]	[-]
Posts: 105 05/16/06 10:24:23	Hello Afterglow I had the dutchman system on my old Catalina and the mainsail cover was no different from an ordinary cover. There was enough slack in the Dutchman lines to curl from underneath the mainsail cover sides without any problem - which makes your observation correct. Incidentally I replaced the Dutchman lines with ordinary monofilament lines from Home Depot intended for weed whackers. They lasted just as long as the "genuine" lines and were a heck of a lot cheaper. Peter C'est la Vie Hull#746
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jerrygagerman	Re: Mainsail Cover	#3	[url]	[-]
Posts: 74 05/16/06 14:07:33	Hi Afterglow, Our mainsail cover came direct from Catalina when we purchased our 42 in 1993. We have maintained the Dutchman system, and are really happy with it. The mainsail cover merely has two slits where the monofilament lines exit the mainsail. The slits are held closed by velcro along the length of each slit. In addition, there are twist locks (same as on the bottom of the mainsail cover) at the top and bottom of each slit. Other than the slits, the cover looks like any other mainsail cover. IMHO, zippers add unnecessary complication to the setup. Jerry Gagerman C-42 #431 2 cabin pullman Current Sea
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ragtime	Dutchman	#4	[url]	[-]
Posts: 138 05/16/06 15:26:56	Here's a little information if you need to replace the Dutchman Control lines. The instructions for replacing and adjusting them are on the Dutchman website at www.mvbinfo.com/dp_02_SF.html The control lines for the C42 are just 500lb monofilament leader line. You can get it a fishing supply houses in 100yd reels for about $35. Better yet, you can get a replacement kit from Dutchman for $20. You need 110 feet for the C42. The procedure for line replacement is a little different depending on the type of topping lift. My 1989 Mk1 has a continuous loop topping lift which makes the replacement from deck level very easy. I think later models using a different arrangement and may require dropping the topping lift or using a bosun chair to get to the connectors on the topping lift. I replaced the control lines on my boat last month. It took about an hour. Gerry "Ragtime" C42 #108
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do335	Re: Dutchman Mainsail Cover	#5	[url]	[-]
Posts: 257 05/16/06 15:38:19	I agree with Peter, you don't need a special cover. Slack off the dutchman lines a little bit and the monofilament will come out bottom of mainsail cover and wrap around up to the dutchman topping lift line. My boat came with the dutchman slits in the mainsail cover and it is just more hassle to get the cover on and off. I'm thinking of loosening the dutchman topping lift enough so I can put all of the monofilament line under the cover so the monofilament doesn't get dirt on it. Right now the monofilament lines attrack air polution and rub it on the mainsail leaving a mess. Steve 642-2f TESA
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tomca	Re: Dutchman Mainsail Cover	#6	[url]	[-]
Posts: 80 05/16/06 17:41:48	For those of you with the dutchman system which end of the topping lift is permanently secured? On our boat the end at the top of the mast is secured permanently while the end at the boom is adjustable. Is this the proper rigging for the dutchman or is it reversed? Tom Maxwell #766
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ragtime	Dutchman	#7	[url]	[-]
Posts: 138 05/16/06 18:08:04	Tom, There are three types of Dutchman Systems. Type A is for halyard topping lifts and type B and C are for boom controlled topping lifts. My Hull #108 has a continuous loop topping lift that passes through a block at the top of the mast. The lower end goes to "jam" fitting that is connected a line that passes through the boom to a cam cleat in the boom at the mast end. The idea of the continuous line is to allow you to service the control line connectors from the deck by rotating the topping lift line like a clothesline. Take a look at the Dutchman website. It describes all three systems. Gerry Ragtime C42 #108
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yorkrose	Re: Dutchman	#8	[url]	[-]
Posts: 275 05/16/06 18:59:06	Tom, Two configurations have been used by Catalina for the Dutchman "A" system. One version has the topping lift fixed at the mast head, with an adjustment at the end of the boom. The other version has the topping lift fixed at the end of the boom, with an adjustable halyard rigged through the top of the mast. Our boat has the latter, but I believe many earlier boats have the version with the topping lift fixed at the mast head. There is essentially no difference in the operation of the sail flaking system for these type "A" systems. The primary difference is in the convenience of removing the sail and Dutchman. Regards, Gene Fuller Yorkshire Rose, C42 #870
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tomca	Re: Dutchman Mainsail Cover	#9	[url]	[-]
Posts: 80 05/16/06 21:20:24	If i currently have the dutchman fastened to the mast head and the adjusting line in the boom, is there any way that I can change it so that the adjusting line is at the mast head? Is there an extra sheeve at the mast head to allow for running a topping lift? If I can recall correctly I currently have no extra exit hole for the topping lift, where have later model 42's run their topping lifts if they have done it the way I am discribing? Tom Maxwell #766
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peter	same	#10	[url]	[-]
Posts: 257 05/18/06 03:27:03	Just redid my dutchman as follows: Block at mast head, small snatch block (dingy snatch block) at boom end attached to continuous feed line. This allows easy dutchman replacement or lowering whole dutchaman lines for placement under sail cover. I use an extra 18" line to keep dutchman at right alignment. Line is attached to boom end and where continuos feed line line connects to each other.
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cathyinct	redoing my fixed topping lift and new sailcover	#11	[url]	[-]
Posts: 310 05/18/06 17:03:22	I have a 1997 boat and we just replaced the sailcover. Our canvas maker actually made the entire cover last fall and now that we have the dutchman system up, she is taking exact measurements she could not in the fall and is cutting the two zipper opening and will add the elkhide for the monofiliments. I hated our Dutchman..... because half of the beauty of the system was not being utilized...... the abiltiy to just pull the entire sail off the boom with the monofiliments still intact. I hate each year screwing the round clamps -- so we need to get a rigger to give us a "real" topping lift and we will place a shackle up there to get us that benefit. I do feel that having the Dutchman system in the sail facilitates getting the sail hoisted. It seems less "heavy" to lift to me. Good luck with your sailcover. Cathy in CT
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do335	Re: redoing my fixed topping lift and new sailcover	#12	[url]	[-]
Posts: 257 05/18/06 21:52:46	My 642 first came with the topping lift attached at the top. This required you to climb the mast if you wanted to replace a monofilament that broke at the top. Kinda dumb if you ask me. I replaced it with a topping lift adjustable at both ends. The topping lift uses the aft, port masthead sheave at the top. On my boat there is three slots in the mast on the port side. One for the jib halyard and two labeled spinnaker halyard. I now use the extra spinnaker halyard slot as the exit for the dutchman topping lift. The topping lift line coming out the spinnaker halyard slot is cleated to a cleat on port side of mast. Works great. Steve 642-2f TESA
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jeffneedle	Re: Dutchman Mainsail Cover	#13	[url]	[-]
Posts: 8 05/22/06 16:55:46	I had my sail cover cut to accommodate the dutchman, and it works just fine - no problem.
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cathyinct	new sailcover with zippers cut after total cover made	#14	[url]	[-]
Posts: 310 05/22/06 17:55:27	My sailmaker just completed our new sailcover. It was made without the zippers cut into it for the Dutchman until a proper measurment was made this Spring..... since we took the sails off prior to her seeing it. She had no problem cutting, putting the zippers in and doing the elkhide covers where the monofiliment go. FYI Cathy in CT
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