Fitting a bowsprit

[Slow_boat]

I intend to fit a removable 4ft bowsprit to fly a small jib on and don't really want to complicate matters by having bowsprit shrouds. I accept that I will probably need a bobstay.

Would having a a square or even flat section keep the bowsprit rigid enough in moderate winds?

Any suggestions for deck fittings to slot it into?

The boat is a MacWester 26 and the jib will be about 60sq ft.

 

[Porthandbuoy]

I'm doing something similar to my Hillyard 2 1/2 tonner. I don't plan to fit shrouds either. Square or flat section makes no difference as far as I'm concerned. Mine will be 3" square at the inboard end, going round as it passes the stem and tapering to 2 1/4" at the outboard end. Spruce if I can get it, but most liely Douglas fir.

 

[Mirelle]

Should be fine. You won't need bowsprit shrouds (and I wish I didn't, either - they are a through nuiscance!).

No reason not to use a rectangular section. As you say, a bobstay would be advisable.

There are various ways of making it removable; the traditional approach is to use a fid across the bitts /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif but hinging the inboard end also works. Beware of it fouling the forehatch when retracted (DAMHIKT, as they say...) if you have it arranged to slide inboard.