Dutchman System

[Happydrv]

Being new to these I forgot to loosen the topping lift and broke all the lines. They were old so time to replace. The Catalina topping lift appears to be attached at the mast head and adjusted by blocks at the end of the boom.
Has anyone replaced their lines?
Has anyone changed to dyneema?
I assume it takes a ride up the mast to undo the topping lift to access the upper line connection points?

[jamhass]

Normally, the topping lift holding the Dutchman lines is rigged as a loop, and you adjust the lines with this loop. If yours is rigged this way, you move the Dutchman attachment blocks until you can reach them, unscrew them (having first marked where they go on the topping lift) remove them until you get to the uppermost one, then start replacing the nylon lines in the reverse order. Stay with mono nylon, no need for stronger. They broke likely due to age and UV.

[Happydrv]

Unfortunately my topping lift is a solid line from the mast head. Adjusts through some blocks at the bottom with a line to the cockpit.

[Calif.Ted]

You have a "B" system which is no longer produced, the "A" system uses an adjustable topping lift instead of fixed to the mast like yours. Only the manual for the "A: system is available currently where it addresses the B system on page 3.

You have an A System. This means the control lines are fastened to a single topping lift pennant which can be
removed with the sail. We recommend the A System only for boats with halyard style topping lifts, where the
topping lift runs over a sheave at the top of the mast, like a second main halyard. With a halyard topping lift,
you only have to connect the lower end of the topping lift pennant to the boom, hoist up the pennant, and run
the lines through the sail to install the system. To remove the sail, just lower the pennant down and remove it
with the sail. If you have a boom adjusted topping lift (the topping lift is fixed at the top of the mast), use the B
or C System, or better yet, add a halyard topping lift. Otherwise, you will have to go aloft to set up and adjust
the system, or replace the control lines.
B and C (no longer in production) Systems are for boom adjusted topping lifts (the topping lift is fixed to the
top of the mast). The Continuous Topping Lift of the B and C System works like a clothes line loop. The topping lift clamps can be moved up or down from the deck by rotating the Continuous Topping Lift, to replace the
control lines or adjust the clamp positions. The B System uses a simple jam cleat at the bottom of the Continuous Topping Lift and a regular block up top, fine for occasional adjustments or replacing the control line.

https://dutchmar.com/wp-content/uplo...alDraftpdf.pdf
Especially note it says: Otherwise, you will have to go aloft to set up and adjust
the system, or replace the control lines.