Advice for Bosun Dinghy

[Leadoff]

Hi, hoping to reach some current or former Bosun dinghy owners for a few advices.

I bought a Bosun dinghy a few years ago in Sweden, on Gotland to be more specific. I think this is the only one around this island and the model is probably rare in sweden. Therefore I don't meet alot of Bosun owners and hope to find answers to a few questions. English is not my main language so excuse me if I don't get all boat terminology correct.

1. I got some cracks under the forward thwarts, on both sides. This one I tried to fix temporary (and not very pretty) and it cracked again. Is this common or do you think I got some issues in the hull causing movement?
2. I can't quite figure out what those are used for?


3. I attach the side stays to the chainplate further back, what are the front ones for?
4. I use to attach a downhaul for the jib on this cleat, but it is kind of flimsy. Is that what they should be used for? Should I exchange them for something sturdier? (I guess I'd have to reinforce the foredeck in that case?)


5. This is how I attach the forestay. I find it practical because I get some leverage when raising the mast alone, but I am also concerned it causes stress on the plate since some force is at the loop. There is a small crack in the plate (see picture below). Is this how it's usually done or is there a better solution? I use the starboard sheave for jib downhaul, this is my best guess for the two sheaves, is this a correct assumption?


6. Is this crack an accident waiting to happen? Should I try to fix it somehow?



7. The two pulleys were there when I bought my Bosun. The way I attach the main sheet, it could rather just be a line and no pulleys. I've seen Bosuns with a bar instead, not sure why mine does not have one. I am not quite satisfied with this setup, any suggestions for a better one?

8. I've ordered a new main sail and jib. However I missed that the jib luff should have a wire, my new jib does not have it. If I'm not misstaken the luff wire should take the most part of the forestay tension when the jib is raised? Is it cruical to ease the forestay and let the jib luff take the tension when sailing or will it work/be safe to use a jib without wire and keep some tension in the forestay?

That's all my questions for now. I'm happy for any suggestions. Thank you.

/Tobias

 

[Ian_Edwards]

Hi,
I don't know much about the Bosun sailing dinghy, so I did a Google search, using the search term - bosun sailing dinghy owners manual pdf
That came up with a detailed manual.
This is probably because it was designed by Ian Proctor as a training boat for the UK navy.
The manual looks as though it has a rigging guide which should help and lots of additional information.
There also appears to be, or has been, an owners association. However, the reference I could find to that was in 2012, so it may not exist now. It may be worth some more Internet searching to see if it still exists. The owners association will be the best bet for detailed help.
As for the GRP repairs, they look like fairly simple repairs. I'd recommend you Google West Epoxy Resins, they have really comprehensive repair manuals on line, along with useful YouTube video.
I can't really help with the crack in the SS bow fitting. But if in doubt I'd replace it or get it repaired.
I hope that helps.

 

[Leadoff]

Hi, thank you Ian I appreciate your answer. I have read the rigging guide and also done quite alot of googling. However no document or image quite reveal answers to my specific questions, I believe? And nothing beats discussing with other Bosun owners. Therefore I still hope to reach some here.

 

[oldbloke]

I too have never sailed a Bosun, however most dinghies run on the same principles. The Bosun is very robust, I seem to recall that part of the specification from the navy was that it should be capable of being dropped from a height (? 6ft)) without damage so you are unlikely to get any structural issues.
1, doesn't look serious. Grind back and repair with epoxy and Fibreglass
2, no idea, can safely be got rid of.
3, some dinghies have a forward mast step for sailing with only the mainsail, with chainplates to match. If that's not the case here, ignore or remove
4, I don't think they are for sailing, they are probably for mooring lines
5, I have never seen that fitting before, I suspect it is a one-off made for the purpose . I wouldn't worry too much about the crack, the strain is take at the front and especially by the strap running down the stem ( if there is one,).
It could be easily swapped for a standard off the shelf stem fitting to which you can easily attach a pulley if wanted
6, it's an odd place to crack, there's not much pressure there. Putting a steel plate over the top would stop it spreading past the screw heads. I would replace as above
7, not elegant but looks like it works. I would replace with a wire or just a tope (but look out for wear)
8,It is certainly normal to have a luff wire. If the jib is of normal construction it may be easy to insert a wire. A wire-less jib handed to the forestay may not set quite as well but can be easily dropped and kept under control which can be very useful if cruising. I can't see that the sailmaker would have let you order something stupid or impossible without comment