|
Modifications > Bowsprit
|
|
|
 The bowsprit is sheathed in 1/4" s/s around the
outer edges and with structural cross bands across the top. The sheathing is
screwed into the wood with 1/4" wood screws and thru-bolted down through the
cross bands with 3/8" bolts. |
|
 You
can see the attachments here and the tangs built to receive the pullpit
stanchions. The turnbuckle is Hasselfors from Sweden, 316 stainless still
almost new looking after 17 years of constant exposure to sail water. The
bobstay is 5/16" diameter, one size larger than the forestay, which is the
rule with gauging bobstay size. |
|
 The
bobstay attaches to a welded tang that that also received the forestay. The
bends in the tang means that even if the welds should fail, the tang will
lock the bowsprit in place and the rig will still have continuity. Note that
the anchor platform is welded to the bowsprit as well. |
|
 At
the inboard end, the s/s surround is thru-bolted to the hull on each side. |
|
 The
bobstay attaches to the hull using part of the old tang from the stem head
fitting. It is thru-bolted with two 3/8" bolts to a reinforced glassed-in
backing plate. Note the caulking is 5200, applied in 1995 during the last
refit. It is hardened and cracked. I will use 3-M silicone this time around. |
|
 From
the Top, you can see how it attaches to the foredeck. The bowsprit is made
up of three planks, the center plank taking all the directed stress of the
rig, the two side planks providing width to walk on, and as a platform for
the pullpit and ground tackle. Notice how the pullpit mounts to the side
rails of the s/s surround.
|
|
 The
s/s cross support secures the center plank with a 1/2" thru-bolt. |
|
 You
can see the rot clearly in this shot. I broke my own rule here: Never, never
NEVER paint a wood spar. Awlgrip as you can see is not protecting the spar
as much as it is hiding the damage from me. The rot started at the glue
joint and traveled under the paint. The new bowsprit will either be natural
or coated with a clear coating. Note the Wichard eyebolt for the staysail
stay. It helps tie down the sprit to the foredeck and it attaches down
through the anchor locker to the backing plate for the bobstay chain plate
with its own turnbuckle. |
