What is it called?

[wombat88]

What is the name of the metal ring that slides out along the bowsprit to which the tack of the foresail is attached ?

 

[JonA]

What is the name of the metal ring that slides out along the bowsprit to which the tack of the foresail is attached ?

Bowsprit traveler
.

 

[Hacker]

Think it is known as a jib traveller

 

[Bajansailor]

Maybe just a bowsprit traveller, like this one?
Bowsprit Travellers, with Hook

I am sure that @Kukri used to have one on his gaff cutter.

 

[Kukri]

Maybe just a bowsprit traveller, like this one?
Bowsprit Travellers, with Hook

I am sure that @Kukri used to have one on his gaff cutter.

I did indeed. That one has the type of curly wurly hook known as a pigtail, but Classic Marine also supply them with two fishplates to take a Wykeham Martin gear and that is the sort that we had.

(Insert generic “plug” for those nice people at Classic Marine, here).

If you don’t have any other travellers in the rig, and unless your boat is a lugger you probably won’t have, just call it the traveller.

 

[wombat88]

Thanks. Simple indeed, I'd gone off down the cranse iron route but knew I was wrong (if you see what I mean!)

 

[DownWest]

John Leather's Gaff Rig book?