replacing wooden bowsprit

[ChattingLil]

further to my recent post about the slack bobstay, I now realise I used the wrong words. I said the bob stay had gone slack, but now know the bobstay is the one underneath that counteracts the forestay. What has gone slack is one of the stay that runs laterally - whisker something?

Anyhoo. After Dom's advice, we had someone up the mast to ensure nothing gone squiffy up there and all ok. However, still left with mystery over slackening stay. Can't find any reason for it.

What we do know now though, is that we need to thnk about replacing the bowsprit, which is beginning to show signs of rot and has splits in it. It was not a good piece of wood in the first place (very knotty).

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?220719-Bowsprit-spruce-or-douglas-fir

saw this thread and it more or less concurs what what our local boat builders says, but wondered if anyone else has anything to add. Or any recommendations on where to go to find the wood i need. The bowsprit is about 2.5m longer and c.15x15cm

thanks!

 

[TQA]

saw this thread and it more or less concurs what what our local boat builders says, but wondered if anyone else has anything to add. Or any recommendations on where to go to find the wood i need. The bowsprit is about 2.5m longer and c.15x15cm

thanks!

15 X 15 BY 2.4 m is a pretty common fence post size. It might be worth looking at what is in stock at your local fencing supplier.

 

[Woodlouse]

These guys are probably your best bet for Douglas fir and Spruce these days. I brought a couple of lengths off them a year or so ago and the quality was absolutely exceptional.

http://www.stonesmarinetimber.com/index.html

 

[Pye_End]

Anyhoo. After Dom's advice, we had someone up the mast to ensure nothing gone squiffy up there and all ok. However, still left with mystery over slackening stay. Can't find any reason for it.

If the spar is past its best, has the cranse iron moved, or does it have a cap over the end?

 

[npf1]

Mine was replaced with several sitka spruce planks which were laminted together, then shaped, then sheathed in glass. The number of fixing holes was also reduced and each hole epoxied then redrilled. Still seems as good as new eleven years on.

 

[Woodlouse]

Mine was replaced with several sitka spruce planks which were laminted together, then shaped, then sheathed in glass. The number of fixing holes was also reduced and each hole epoxied then redrilled. Still seems as good as new eleven years on.

That all seems rather excessive. Most traditional wooden spars last several decades without going to such lengths. My bowsprit, made out of a length of unsawn tree trunk is still sound after 25 years.

 

[pmagowan]

Lamination will give you a more stable bit of wood. You can make it with scrap bits and perhaps even the still good heart of the old bowsprit.

 

[bluemoongaffer]

I think a solid, single piece of Douglas fir should be fine for this length of sprit. Robbins (Bristol) will send you a piece by carrier. Fairly straightforward to turn into a round sprit. If you want one making, Collars have been excellent for me for a mast and might be persuaded to make a sprit hollow to save weight, if you want to bring inboard frequently.

Or, you could do this: half of an old (Carbon fibre) windsurfer mast with an outer sheathing of flexi ply epoxied in place around the outside. Looks the part, 1/3 of the weight. Has worked well for me for 2 or 3 years now.

 

[npf1]

this is one an 53 ft LoD 30 ton boat, with a hefty head sail load (furling gennaker & 2 genoas), so was taking no chances.