The topping lift's job is to hold the boom up. Basically to keep it out of your lap. When the sail is up, the sail can do that job, and so the topping lift is not needed during that time. On boats with rigid vangs, the vang holds the boom up, and so the topping lift is not needed for its primary designed job.
The topping lift has a secondary job on boats with the Dutchman flaking system. On these, the topping lift tautens or slackens the Dutchman guide lines. But the lines only need to be taut while the sail is [U]on the way [/U]up, or [U]on the way [/U]down. When the sail is up, the guide lines are slackened to allow the sail to shape however the skipper and the wind want it to be. Once the sail is down and nicely flaked, resting on the boom, the guide lines are slackened.
The Dutchman is a simple system, but it is effective in doing its job. It is especially effective with a new sail, because after a couple months the flaked sail will take on a "memory." From then on, it's amazing to drop the sail...just tauten the guide lines, drop the sail, and it will flake almost perfectly. Then it only takes a minute to wiggle the sail a bit for a perfect flake on the boom and to tie the sail ties on. But before you leave this task, slacken the guide lines once again.
__________________
Larry Brandt
S/V High Flight #2109
Pacific Northwest, PDX-based
2002 C-36 mkII SR/FK M35B
The key to having the Dutchman system work is proper setup. I suffered with poor performance for a while until I made the proper adjustments to the alignment and then it works great every time.
Duane Ising - Past Commodore (2011-2012)
s/v Diva Di
1999 Catalina 36 Hull #1777
Std rig; wing keel, M35B, Delta (45#)
Punta Gorda, FL
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/diva-di/
I might have further questions on this once we get the boat in and the mast up. I seem to recall that the topping lift is attached to a double set of lines that have the top ends of the nylon lines for the dutchman attached to them. So that double set of lines becomes the extension of the topping lift, meaning they would have to be tight when the sail is down. But I may be missing something in my recollection here so stand by for about a month.
I tried it, adjusted and played with it for a season. Was never happier than the day I ripped it down and went with lazy jacks. Maybe I should have persisted.
Rich
Richard & Joan Bain
PAZZO Hull#1670
1997 Catalina 36 MK11
Bayfield, Ontario
My Day Job Below
www.richardbain.com
www.bineapress.com
Richie, Your reply put a smile on my face!
I am so ready to do the same thing. I can honestly say that in the 7 years I have owned my boat I have never got my Dutchman system adjusted right!
I believe it should work, but it never really does.
Perhaps the brain trust of this fine group would do a detailed write-up on the whole process. I'm willing to try again but Lazy Jacks, now that I understand.
Bill Matley
Duncan Bay Boat Club
Cheboygan, Michigan
Lakes Huron, Michigan,
Canadian North Channel
"Spirit of Aloha" Hull #1252
I simply googled "dutchman flaking" and found the website of the inventor, where there are many manuals for installation, adjustment, etc.
Duane Ising - Past Commodore (2011-2012)
s/v Diva Di
1999 Catalina 36 Hull #1777
Std rig; wing keel, M35B, Delta (45#)
Punta Gorda, FL
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/diva-di/