[C320-list] full batten main

[Louis Friedman via C320-list]

curious how others put the mainsail on at the beginning of the season.
The previous owner of our boat put the full battens in as he fed the
slugs into the mast track. I've been doing that the last few years but it
seems cumbersome - thinking of putting the battens in on land, rolling
the sail up and then carrying it to the boat and sliding it in the boom
track. wondering if I'm missing something though.


Lou
s/v MissAdventure

[mark--- via C320-list]

Same thing I do, a two person task. Loose footed sail though as I have a stack pack. Open to new ideas

[John Kivel via C320-list]

As a trailer sailer, I always fed the battens in as the sail went up.
When I bought the 320 I just did the same.

Honestly it went pretty well last year, seemed pretty easy.

It was getting them OFF the boat that was a challenge.
Of course there is no room on deck to fold them, and they are too big to carry off the boat unfolded. I thought my approach was a little dangerous! Walking down a narrow finger pier with sheets dragging the ground trying to trip me.

> On May 22, 2026, at 7:38 AM, mark--- via C320-list <c320...@lists.catalina320.com> wrote:
>
> Same thing I do, a two person task. Loose footed sail though as I have a stack pack. Open to new ideas

[John Stetson via C320-list]

We went with a loose-footed main to allow greater adjustment with the
outhaul. We attach the tack then the clew to the boom, and connect the
Dutchman to the topping lift and aft-end of the boom. We take up the slack
in the topping lift to minimize monofilament tangles. It is then a
two-person job to raise the main while feeding the lugs into the track. We
tighten the topping lift and Dutchman, and then insert the battons as we
flake the sail onto the boom.




John Stetson
Morning Star Again #578

[Louis Friedman via C320-list]

that's pretty much our routine minus the loose footed main. My next
mainsail will be loose footed I think. We have a dutchman as well and I
think I don't have it adjusted quite right.
I can never get it to flake as nicely as the videos online that Dutchman
has!

--
Louis Friedman, DO, FACP
Woodbridge Medical Associates
www.woodbridgemed.com
732-634-0036

[mark--- via C320-list]

The Dutchman on my 1996 was so persnickety I went to the stack pack. Very pleased with the change

[Dave Hupe via C320-list]

I lay out my loose footed main on the forward deck inside the stays still flaked and insert my battens. Next I tie it up loosely with sail ties and shift it forward enough where I can lift up the rear end and start it into the boom track. I support the forward end of the bundle with my mail halyard hooked to a sail tie. I gradually keep moving the bundle aft onto the boom, having to untie and tie sail ties repeatedly around the boom vang and sheet blocks/rigging.  Once the whole bundle is on the boom, I connect the tack and clew and insert the mast slugs. I then connect up the topping lift/Dutchman and hoist that enough to start to take out the slack. At this point, I hoist the sail and continue to simultaneously tighten the topping lift and adjust the Dutchman.  I am able to do this alone but it is cumbersome and time-consuming (but controllable).  Obviously wind must be low and on the nose. I reverse the procedure to remove the sail. 
Dave Hupe 
1994 C320 #32

Yahoo Mail: Search, Organize, Conquer

On Fri, May 22, 2026 at 9:12 AM, Louis Friedman via C320-list<c320...@lists.catalina320.com> wrote: that's pretty much our routine minus the loose footed main.  My next

[Tim Van de Water via C320-list]

I just had my mainsail cut to make it loose footed. I put the battens back in one at a time as I raised the sail. I motored out to a mooring ball to do it so we would be into the wind. I have a Dutchman too. I just replaced the topping lift and other running rigging with the Dutchman. I can see it is going to take a bunch of trial and error to get it set up right…

Get Outlook for iOS<https://aka.ms/o0ukef>
________________________________
From: C320-list <c320-lis...@lists.catalina320.com> on behalf of Dave Hupe via C320-list <c320...@lists.catalina320.com>
Sent: Friday, May 22, 2026 8:38:26 AM
To: C320...@Catalina320.com <C320...@Catalina320.com>
Cc: Dave Hupe <hoop...@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [C320-list] full batten main

www.woodbridgemed.com<http://www.woodbridgemed.com>
732-634-0036

[Jarrett Henderson via C320-list]

How does the Dutchman system workout with a loose footed main? I would love to have a loose footed main so the feeding system could be rigged as blueprinted. Wasn’t sure how being loose footed worked out with the Dutchman system.
Sent from my iPhone

> On May 22, 2026, at 10:59 AM, Tim Van de Water via C320-list <c320...@lists.catalina320.com> wrote:
>
> I just had my mainsail cut to make it loose footed. I put the battens back in one at a time as I raised the sail. I motored out to a mooring ball to do it so we would be into the wind. I have a Dutchman too. I just replaced the topping lift and other running rigging with the Dutchman. I can see it is going to take a bunch of trial and error to get it set up right…

[Tim Van de Water via C320-list]

The pockets for the cables are sown into the main about 12 inches above the foot.

Get Outlook for iOS<https://aka.ms/o0ukef>
________________________________

From: Jarrett Henderson <jarretth...@icloud.com>
Sent: Friday, May 22, 2026 11:11:03 AM
To: C320...@catalina320.com <C320...@catalina320.com>
Cc: Tim Van de Water <tj.van...@gmail.com>; C320...@catalina320.com <C320...@catalina320.com>

> www.woodbridgemed.com<http://www.woodbridgemed.com><http://www.woodbridgemed.com<http://www.woodbridgemed.com>>
> 732-634-0036
>

[Steven Morgan via C320-list]

I had the same question regarding how the Dutchman works with a loose footed main. I have one and I can’t get the Dutchman filament lines tight enough to flake the sail without pulling up on the bottom of the sail and Dutchman pockets along the bottom??

Thanks
Steve Morgan
C320 1995
“Salt Shaker”



> On May 22, 2026, at 1:48 PM, Jarrett Henderson via C320-list <c320...@lists.catalina320.com> wrote:
>
> How does the Dutchman system workout with a loose footed main? I would love to have a loose footed main so the feeding system could be rigged as blueprinted. Wasn’t sure how being loose footed worked out with the Dutchman system.

[Tong Yi via C320-list]

After you get it all set up. I suggest you mark the filament with a marker.
Makes easier to set up next year. Also the side of the top puck where the
filament goes in first. It’s the starboard side on mine but I always
forget.

On Fri, May 22, 2026 at 2:39 PM Tim Van de Water via C320-list <

[Jack Brennan via C320-list]

I installed two small nylon cleats on each side of the boom to tie off the fishing line after I went loose foot. Much better.

Jack Brennan
SONAS, 1998 Catalina 310




Sent from my Galaxy

[Jack Brennan via C320-list]

Correction. I installed them on one side of the boom.

Sent from my Galaxy



-------- Original message --------
From: Steven Morgan via C320-list <c320...@lists.catalina320.com>
Date: 5/22/26 3:39 PM (GMT-05:00)
To: C320...@catalina320.com
Cc: Steven Morgan <steve...@gmail.com>, C320...@catalina320.com

[Dave Hupe via C320-list]

Sounds like you don't have your outhaul tight enough.

Dave Hupe
1994 C320 #32

Yahoo Mail: Search, Organize, Conquer

On Fri, May 22, 2026 at 3:41 PM, Steven Morgan via C320-list<c320...@lists.catalina320.com> wrote: I had the same question regarding how the Dutchman works with a loose footed main.  I have one and I can’t get the Dutchman filament lines tight enough to flake the sail without pulling up on the bottom of the sail and Dutchman pockets along the bottom??

[Dave Hupe via C320-list]

Jack-
So you abandoned the Dutchman pockets on the sail bottom entirely? 

Dave Hupe
1994 C320 #32

[Troy Dunn via C320-list]

We have a stack pack, and we are loose footed. I loosen the lazy jacks so
the stack pack is a bit lower than normal and I lay the main across the
boom and then roll it down the boom. You have to roll it up this way in
the fall after cleaning to make that part a piece of cake. I then attach
the clew, insert the slugs, put the battens in one at a time (it really
doesn’t matter what order but it helps to have someone tug the other end
tight), then secure the tack and the gate. Usually take about 10 minutes.
It actually takes me longer to slide the stack pack into the boom slot
and get it properly configured with the lazy jacks. Should it? Probably
not. It would all be quicker but we have Elvström sails and they have a
funky plastic thing that holds the battens at the luff that is a bit fiddly.

Troy Dunn
Hull #514

[jackbrennan via C320-list]

Yep. They didn't work well for me with a loose-footed main. Also, I didn't find them easy to deal with. The cleats are simple.Jack BrennanSonas, 1998 Catalina 320Sent from my Galaxy
-------- Original message --------From: Dave Hupe via C320-list <c320...@lists.catalina320.com> Date: 5/22/26 7:36 PM (GMT-05:00) To: c320...@catalina320.com Cc: Dave Hupe <hoop...@yahoo.com> Subject: Re: [C320-list] full batten main Jack-So you abandoned the Dutchman pockets on the sail bottom entirely? Dave Hupe1994 C320 #32    On Friday, May 22, 2026 at 06:19:09 PM EDT, Jack Brennan via C320-list <c320...@lists.catalina320.com> wrote:  Correction. I installed them on one side of the boom.Sent from my Galaxy-------- Original message --------From: Steven Morgan via C320-list <c320...@lists.catalina320.com>Date: 5/22/26 3:39 PM (GMT-05:00)To: C320...@catalina320.comCc: Steven Morgan <steve...@gmail.com>, C320...@catalina320.comSubject: Re: [C320-list] full batten mainI had the same question regarding how the Dutchman works with a loose footed main.  I have one and I can’t get the Dutchman filament lines tight enough to flake the sail without pulling up on the bottom of the sail and Dutchman pockets along the bottom??ThanksSteve MorganC320 1995“Salt Shaker”> On May 22, 2026, at 1:48 PM, Jarrett Henderson via C320-list <c320...@lists.catalina320.com> wrote:>> How does the Dutchman system workout with a loose footed main? I would love to have a loose footed main so the feeding system could be rigged as blueprinted. Wasn’t sure how being loose footed worked out with the Dutchman system.> Sent from my iPhone>>> On May 22, 2026, at 10:59 AM, Tim Van de Water via C320-list <c320...@lists.catalina320.com> wrote:>>>> I just had my mainsail cut to make it loose footed. I put the battens back in one at a time as I raised the sail. I motored out to a mooring ball to do it so we would be into the wind. I have a Dutchman too. I just replaced the topping lift and other running rigging with the Dutchman. I can see it is going to take a bunch of trial and error to get it set up right…>>>> Get Outlook for iOS<https://aka.ms/o0ukef>>> ________________________________>> From: C320-list <c320-lis...@lists.catalina320.com> on behalf of Dave Hupe via C320-list <c320...@lists.catalina320.com>>> Sent: Friday, May 22, 2026 8:38:26 AM>> To: C320...@Catalina320.com <C320...@Catalina320.com>>> Cc: Dave Hupe <hoop...@yahoo.com>>> Subject: Re: [C320-list] full batten main>>>> I lay out my loose footed main on the forward deck inside the stays still flaked and insert my battens. Next I tie it up loosely with sail ties and shift it forward enough where I can lift up the rear end and start it into the boom track. I support the forward end of the bundle with my mail halyard hooked to a sail tie. I gradually keep moving the bundle aft onto the boom, having to untie and tie sail ties repeatedly around the boom vang and sheet blocks/rigging.  Once the whole bundle is on the boom, I connect the tack and clew and insert the mast slugs. I then connect up the topping lift/Dutchman and hoist that enough to start to take out the slack. At this point, I hoist the sail and continue to simultaneously tighten the topping lift and adjust the Dutchman.  I am able to do this alone but it is cumbersome and time-consuming (but controllable).  Obviously wind must be low and on the nose. I reverse the procedure to remove the sail.>> Dave Hupe>> 1994 C320 #32>>>> Yahoo Mail: Search, Organize, Conquer>>>> On Fri, May 22, 2026 at 9:12 AM, Louis Friedman via C320-list<c320...@lists.catalina320.com> wrote:  that's pretty much our routine minus the loose footed main.  My next>> mainsail will be loose footed I think. We have a dutchman as well and I>> think I don't have it adjusted quite right.>> I can never get it to flake as nicely as the videos online that Dutchman>> has!>>>>> On Fri, May 22, 2026 at 8:36 AM John Stetson via C320-list <>>> c320...@lists.catalina320.com> wrote:>>>>>> We went with a loose-footed main to allow greater adjustment with the>>> outhaul. We attach the tack then the clew to the boom, and connect the>>> Dutchman to the topping lift and aft-end of the boom. We take up the slack>>> in the topping lift to minimize monofilament tangles. It is then a>>> two-person job to raise the main while feeding the lugs into the track. We>>> tighten the topping lift and Dutchman, and then insert the battons as we>>> flake the sail onto the boom.>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> John Stetson>>> Morning Star Again #578>>>>>> On Fri, May 22, 2026 at 7:39 AM mark--- via C320-list <>>> c320...@lists.catalina320.com> wrote:>>>>>>> Same thing I do, a two person task. Loose footed sail though as I have a>>>> stack pack. Open to new ideas>>>>>>>>> On May 22, 2026, at 7:12 AM, Louis Friedman via C320-list <>>>> c320...@lists.catalina320.com> wrote:>>>>>>>>>> curious how others put the mainsail on at the beginning of the season.>>>>> The  previous owner  of our boat put the full battens in as he fed the>>>>> slugs into the mast track.  I've been doing that the last few years but>>>> it>>>>> seems cumbersome - thinking of putting the battens in on land, rolling>>>>> the sail up and then carrying it to the boat and sliding it in the boom>>>>> track.  wondering if I'm missing something though.>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Lou>>>>> s/v MissAdventure>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> -->> Louis Friedman, DO, FACP>> Woodbridge Medical Associates>> www.woodbridgemed.com<http://www.woodbridgemed.com><http://www.woodbridgemed.com<http://www.woodbridgemed.com>>>> 732-634-0036>> 

[Dave Hupe via C320-list]

Sorry ......correction .... I don't  have a loose footed main ... the foot has the bolt rope that I slide gradually into the boom slot per my procedure below.
Dave Hupe 

Yahoo Mail: Search, Organize, Conquer

On Fri, May 22, 2026 at 9:38 AM, Dave Hupe<hoop...@yahoo.com> wrote: I lay out my loose footed main on the forward deck inside the stays still flaked and insert my battens. Next I tie it up loosely with sail ties and shift it forward enough where I can lift up the rear end and start it into the boom track. I support the forward end of the bundle with my mail halyard hooked to a sail tie. I gradually keep moving the bundle aft onto the boom, having to untie and tie sail ties repeatedly around the boom vang and sheet blocks/rigging.  Once the whole bundle is on the boom, I connect the tack and clew and insert the mast slugs. I then connect up the topping lift/Dutchman and hoist that enough to start to take out the slack. At this point, I hoist the sail and continue to simultaneously tighten the topping lift and adjust the Dutchman.  I am able to do this alone but it is cumbersome and time-consuming (but controllable).  Obviously wind must be low and on the nose. I reverse the procedure to remove the sail. 

[Tim Van de Water via C320-list]

I just bent on the mail that I had cut during other repairs. I have made a first pass at reconfiguring the Dutchman, but it still needs adjusting. Will let you known if the pockets on the sail don’t work.

Get Outlook for iOS<https://aka.ms/o0ukef>
________________________________
From: C320-list <c320-lis...@lists.catalina320.com> on behalf of Dave Hupe via C320-list <c320...@lists.catalina320.com>

Sent: Friday, May 22, 2026 9:02:28 PM

To: C320...@Catalina320.com <C320...@Catalina320.com>
Cc: Dave Hupe <hoop...@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [C320-list] full batten main

www.woodbridgemed.com<http://www.woodbridgemed.com>
732-634-0036

[Steven Morgan via C320-list]

Great idea!!
Thanks
Steve



> On May 22, 2026, at 6:18 PM, Jack Brennan via C320-list <c320...@lists.catalina320.com> wrote:
>
> Correction. I installed them on one side of the boom.

[surprise thompson87.com via C320-list]

I have a Dutchman system with loose-footed main with full battens. It works just fine as long as you keep the outhaul snug when dropping the sail. I use the main halyard to support the boom when in the slip so that I can slack the Dutchman, which prevents having the nylon lines putting stress on the sail when it is not in use. I used to have a mainsail cover that had cutouts with zippers for the dutchman lines, but this allowed water and dirt into the cover so I replaced it with a solid cover. This means I need to leave the Dutchman topping lift very slack when the sail is put away, so that the nylon lines can come out the bottom of the cover instead. I take up the slack by tying a knot at the end of the boom so that the topping lift doesn't whip around too much. An alternative to that would be the Dutchman option to have a topping lift loop with a block and cleat.

BTW, when I replaced the mainsail the sailmaker recommended a three line Dutchman, rather than the two line one on the original main. He said that is what Dutchman recommends for a sail of the size of a 320. I haven't noticed much of a difference in performance.

T. Scott Thompson
Catalina 320 “Surprise,” #653 (1999)
surp...@thompson87.com

[bruceheyman via C320-list]

I have an extra long line for the topping lift that comes all the way back through an extra clutch on the cabin top.  I lower the toping lift far enough that I can get all of the Nylon monofilament lines under the sail ties and under the sail cover.   While they claim the lines are UV-protected I find that they last so much longer by getting them out of the sun.  My topping lift is so long that I can then simply make a simple overhand knot at the back of the boom on one of the beckets.  This way I can still use the topping lift to get the boom up and out of our way.
BruceSomerset 2000 San Pedro, CA