Anyone actually made a Bow sprit?

Theshipscat

Theshipscat

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Right up Kirstie Allsop
www.cobra-seawolf.com
There have been many a post on Bow Sprits on here in the past about them or making them but has anyone actually made one? I'm thinking of using a carbon windsurfing mast cut and inserted inside it's self several times. Will it be strong enough though for a 65m2 crusing chute? I can then create a hole through the starboard bow into the anchor locker and glass in another length of carbon tube. The bow sprit will then side in and out of this tube. Can I have some tips, pics please.
 
I have never made one but use a Selden sprit with a gennaker. The reason I am posting is to warn about strength, the bending force can be much more than you imagine. My sprit is approx 80 mm alloy tube, is only about 1.6m long and projects about 700mm. in front of the forward ring when extended and I have seen it bend when a gust hits.
 
Quandary said:
I have never made one but use a Selden sprit with a gennaker. The reason I am posting is to warn about strength, the bending force can be much more than you imagine. My sprit is approx 80 mm alloy tube, is only about 1.6m long and projects about 700mm. in front of the forward ring when extended and I have seen it bend when a gust hits.
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Thanks Quandry.
I realise there's some very strong loads on a bow sprit. I was going to use alloy scafolding tube as I have some but decided against it. I thought 4 layers of 3 mm carbon laminated should be able to cope. I don't need it to extend at much as yours maybe around 55mm 60mm. The seldon ones are jolly nice but I have a huge anchor locker and would like to keep the deck clear.
 
lenseman said:
JellieEllie did on Milestone last year if memory serves correctly? :rolleyes:
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Yeah, I came to this thread expecting some good old twelve-foot wooden bowsprit action, and it's just a bunch of triangular sailors comparing their silly little stainless-steel prodders :D ;)

Pete
 
Theshipscat said:
Shouldn't you be in the antique section???? :')
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Nah - I may have a wooden bowsprit a third as long as my hull, but the hull itself is fibreglass and not yet 20 years old. So I'm neither one thing nor the other.

The previous owner made a bumkin for the boat which is why I thought I might be able to help, but he seems to have started with a tanalised fencepost rather than carbon fibre :)

Pete
 
Theshipscat said:
Thanks Quandry.
I realise there's some very strong loads on a bow sprit. I was going to use alloy scafolding tube as I have some but decided against it. I thought 4 layers of 3 mm carbon laminated should be able to cope. I don't need it to extend at much as yours maybe around 55mm 60mm. The seldon ones are jolly nice but I have a huge anchor locker and would like to keep the deck clear.
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Should be plenty strong enough for that length. Scaffolding tube would be way over the top on your toy boat.
(Unless of course you meant 550-600mm :))
 
Mine falls into the category of not man enough for some but suits our puposes fine ie get the Code furler forward. Designed it and had it made by Swanwick Fabricators. Is removeable and has been a great success.
 
prv said:
Yeah, I came to this thread expecting some good old twelve-foot wooden bowsprit action, and it's just a bunch of triangular sailors comparing their silly little stainless-steel prodders :D ;)

Pete
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Its ok, you're right, they're wrong. Those stubby things should be called bumpkins whether at the bow or stern.
 
I'm looking at having a carbon mast made and I came across Super Spars in Fareham. They make bowsprits as standard items for dinghies but willing to do one offs, so might do something for you if you want to go this route rather than make your own. (I've no connection - just they were v helpful when I spoke to them and they seemed knowledgeable about the do's and don'ts of carbon fibre). There are several others on the web if you do a search. (I too have a wooden bowsprit - v. heavy in doug fir. It'll be the next thing for the chop after the mast).
 
bluemoongaffer said:
I'm looking at having a carbon mast made and I came across Super Spars in Fareham. They make bowsprits as standard items for dinghies but willing to do one offs, so might do something for you if you want to go this route rather than make your own. (I've no connection - just they were v helpful when I spoke to them and they seemed knowledgeable about the do's and don'ts of carbon fibre). There are several others on the web if you do a search. (I too have a wooden bowsprit - v. heavy in doug fir. It'll be the next thing for the chop after the mast).
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Thanks BMG
I'll look them up next week.
 
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