Last year I bought a Dutchman
boom brake and had the opportunity to use it several times. But I can't seem to get it to
work as a brake - it is either a preventer (meaning solid lock or it is too loose to brake anything). Here's my setup
I've got a 46 sq. meter (approx. 500 sq ft)
mainsail. so I'm using 12mm line through the brake. I've affixed the one end to my port side
shroud turnbuckle, from there up through the Dutchman (attached midboom at the same eye as the rodkicker), down to a block attached to the starboard side
shroud turnbuckle, then back to the
cockpit where it goes through a locking block.
So it seems no matter how I adjust the tension on the Dutchman (handle) it won't seem to
work correctly as a brake. If I tighten it up completely and then put the line on a
winch and tighten the line, it acts as a preventer.
Any ideas? I've tried using 16mm line- but that simply won't fit through the Dutchman (and Dutchman says use 12mm). I tried calling Dutchman for
advice but wasn't too impressed with their (lack of) help.
carsten