Running bow sprit in and out

[bobstrawson]

Most boats like yours have a general purpose "Handy Billy" or tackle used for whenever you need a purchase on a halliard or similar. They usually have a snap shackle or hook on the ends or a rope tail. If you put a pad eye on the aft end of your boom you could attach one end of the tackle to it. The other end would need to go to somewhere level with the stem. I have an eye on mine which I also use for the gybe preventer. Once you have the tackle set up, it doesn't take a minute, you can haul the boom out on your own with no trouble at all.

 

[Kukri]

Same here. Coming in is very easy; the only difficult bit is getting it the last half inch outwards to knock teh fid into place.

 

[mollyoxford]

I have a Heard 28, no rollers anywhere, but a greased up leathered patch at the top of the bitts and the securing pin underneath as a sort of small roller. I put a ring into the back end of the 'sprit through which I have spliced a loop of rope about twice hand width to give me some pull to get it started on the way in. The 'auld boot', properly applied (and lots of salty language) generally gets it all the way out.

Jumping up and down with the right timing (and more nautical language) generally allows me to free off the pin when it comes time to pull it back in.

Molly's 'sprit is about 12ft long and must weigh 40-odd kg. I am 5' 7" and weigh under 60kg. If you are bigger than me, or your boat's sprit is smaller, this may all be somewhat easier and less colourful language will be required!!

I have to do up the whisker stays each time too and mine are on turnbuckles AND some little tackles (previous owner had one snap on him hence belt and braces). I have seen a Heard with Highfield levers on the stays - quite nifty.

As somebody said yank up the bobstay chain - it makes all the difference.

Personally, having done the in-out-shake it all about thing it all last year I'd say pay up for the extra to leave it out. (sadly I couldn't get a longer spot at our pontoon). But I suppose if I wanted to be off 10 mins after getting to the boat I wouldn't have a gaffer, eh? ;-)

 

[oldfrank]

It would probably help to know the origin of the vessel - it's nice to keep things original. If you get really stuck, have a look at Excelsior LT473, an original Lowestoft sailing smack. Her bowsprit is retracted every time she enters harbour. Always been done like that so it must be right! www.excelsiortrust.co.uk

OF