Bowsprit design

Discussion in 'Boat Design' started by Roland Stockham, Jul 14, 2024.

  1. Roland Stockham
    Joined: Nov 2022
    Posts: 17
    Likes: 2, Points: 3
    Location: West coast Canada, New Hazelton BC

    Roland Stockham Junior Member

    Hi, I am adding a bowsprit as part of a major refit on a new to me boat. She is very similar to a Westsail 32. I have a suitable chunk of wood that is currently 12x12 inches x 8.5ft I can cut a traditional bowsprit with a finished heel size of 5.5 inches square but there are advantages with something wider, easier to fit anchors, less complicated deck support (it is going to be fixed so can bond to the deck rather than bearing against a sampson post) plus I can use the current stemhead fitting which would have to be replaced with a square 'sprit. Is there a good reason not to go for a 12 x 3 or 4 inch board instead of a square profile?
     
  2. kapnD
    Joined: Jan 2003
    Posts: 1,395
    Likes: 472, Points: 83, Legacy Rep: 40
    Location: hawaii, usa

    kapnD Senior Member

    A picture is worth a thousand words!
     
    bajansailor likes this.
  3. rangebowdrie
    Joined: Nov 2009
    Posts: 313
    Likes: 134, Points: 43, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: Oregon

    rangebowdrie Senior Member

    You're wanting what is called a "Plank bowsprit", no harm in that, and they certainly make it easier to use various hardware contraptions.
    Whilst the thickness of stock you're contemplating should certainly take the compression loads without splitting, (assuming enough fasteners,) the weak point(s) will be how good the deck structure is at withstanding those loads.
    Without any bearing against the samson post all fasteners will be in shear, as the bowsprit should be in more-or-less pure compression, (like a properly angled spreader).
    Remember, on boats with a bowsprit the most heavily loaded wire in the entire rig will be the bobstay, depending upon its angle it might be loaded at upwards near twice the loading of the jibstay.
     
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