Dartsailer 38

[jitait]

Anyone know anything about these Dutch Motor Sailers?

Specifically does anyone know about the mast raising lowering system?

A friend and I are considering buying one, and we might want to use it in canals without full height passage. The current and previous owners have never used the system so can't advise.

[barnakiel]

Good boats. Tabernacle mast to deck link. Very easy to lower. Very common in Dutch craft.

Go for it.

b.

[jitait]

Thanks!

And is it easy to raise?

There doesn't seem to be an A-frame or anything, and the main mast looks very big to push up through the first bit.

They say to use the anchor windlass, but the pull looks much too flat to start the main mast from the stowed down position.

[barnakiel]

It is, when the boat is set so (original rig design).

Remember not all boats that were built with lowering mast as an option ever lowered their masts. Some owners do it daily, others maybe never.

Observe at least the following:

- is she a ketch, if so, do you have to lower the mizzen too?

- is there a furler jib on the main mast?

- has any heavy gear been added to the masts (radar domes, etc)?

- is the rigging original layout, or modified (a fixed triatic???)?

Mind the designer had it all right. You do not need a frame with mizzen and tabernacles (the main mast lowers fore unless the tabernacle is gated at the back) BUT now and then inventive owners/riggers can 'adjust' things making it more difficult to lower the masts.

Ask the owner for a demonstration. After all, they will know best how it is done on their specific boat.

By design, it was very easy on the Dutch boats.

Cheers,
b.

[Whangaparaoa]

Hi:

For the past couple of years I've owned (probably) the only Dartsailer 38 in New Zealand. Lovely boat.

The riggers used the tabernacle system when replacing the rigging recently rather than lifting out the masts. The mizzen was easy for them to lower using the triatic halyard.

For safety, the mainmast was lowered (aft) with the assistance of the forklift used in the marina for launching & recovery of runabouts. I think the normal method for lowering the main is to use a (stayed) spinnaker pole initially rigged horizontal & pointing forward to give the necessary levers. There is a video on YouTube somewhere showing the mainmast on a classic wooden ketch in the US being lowered in that way. Jib furling system is an added complication if you have one, but not insurmountable, I would say.

Alternatively - ask a Dutchman!!

Definitely too much hardware hanging over the stern for extended cruising under low bridges on Dutch waterways. I have a picture somewhere with both masts lowered. If you're interested, let me know & I'll find it and post it.

Good luck!!