I don't have a Dutchman, but I do have the dog-bones. You don't have to run to the sail maker to try them out either. 2 stainless rings large enough that they won't pass through the reefing/tack ring can be tied on either side and connected through the reefing/tack ring with some old halyard or similar. I like using a double overhand knot at each ring for this arrangement. You'll have to play with the length but each reef dog bone has to be at least the height of the track slides when reefed. I like mine a smig longer. I like to hook the port dog bone ring and then attach the cunningham on the stbd ring. I can take out any "slack" in the dog bone with the cunningham, then crank the halyard. You may need to ease the cunningham AS you hoist the halyard and then harden up the cunningham as a final step.
After playing with this for a while and finding the right length a sail maker can make you the "proper" done bones during the winter season. Josh Muckley S/V Sea Hawk 1989 C&C 37+ Solomons, MD Our boat came with a Dutchman flaking system that the FO said never worked. I’ve rigged it and added a mast gate to keep the luff slides in the luff track. So far, this looks promising. The main issue that I’m having is reefing the main. It does not seem that the system will work with the reef hooks. The sail flakes over the hooks and the luff slides twist. The Dutchman literature recommends using forward reef lines. They suggest installing pad eyes and cleats in the mast for the lines. First, any feedback from those of you who have Dutchman’s? If so, how do you handle reefing? Regards, *Ron* Ronald V. Ricci S/V Patriot C&C 37+ Bristol, RI ron.ri...@1968.usna.com _______________________________________________ Email address: CnC-List@cnc-list.com To change your list preferences, including unsubscribing -- go to the bottom of page at: http://cnc-list.com/mailman/listinfo/cnc-list_cnc-list.com
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