Any ideas on the type of wood for a new bowsprit?

[soul balladeer]

Hi,

I'm going to be tackling chainplates/ new standing rigging next year and have decided to replace the original bowsprit while I'm at it. Any ideas on a type of wood? ( boat is in PNW)

I was thinking kiln dried spruce or fir rather than laminating teak. Any ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Soulballadeer.

[imiloa]

A westsail across from us replaced the original bowsprit with a stainless replica. Looks good, and I'm sure it's strong enough.
I'm sure it's a custom job.

I think the original wood is an exotic called iron wood?

Just started looking into this, planning for the future.

D

[chrisray12]

When we first purchased, my thought was with a 30 year old bowsprit, it would probably need to be replaced. The previous poster is correct, Bud Taplin at Westsail Parts will make a custom Stainless 316 sprit for any boat. I spoke with him when I was doing some research and although not cheap, could be a direct replacement. You would need to retrofit your stainless sprit rails and roller mounts to match the new dimensions of the sprit. Email bud@westsail.com. I was considering doing a fiberglass sprit and never having to worry again. My idea was to use a closed cell foam mold that I would cut and sand within 1/2-5/8 inch of spec finished size and start layering alternating roving with a finished layer of carbon. The sprit would be a little heavier than wood when finished and painted but the finished product would be stronger, more durable and never have to worry again about rot.

But I was lucky and when we took the sprit off and sanded down to bare wood, it was in near perfect shape so we used interlux 2 pack paint, sealed her back up and have not worried about it since.

Another boat in Kingston WA used Sapele to make a new sprit. You can probably search to forum for images of the project.

[soul balladeer]

Thanks very much from both of you for your thoughts

Cheers

[scleary]

My 48 had a fiberglass sprit with wood inside in a couple of the structural areas, that was original. My 43 had some rot, I dug out, epoxied, and awlgripped (i just put in back on the boat last week).

I belive Apatong is the type of wood most are made from. There was a 43 for sale that was completely gone through, they laid up a new sprit from scratch. Can't recall the name at the moment, but I will find it.

I know Scout redid theirs too (41T).

Should be several folks with direct experience.

Best of luck,
Steve

[soul balladeer]

Thanks Steve.

There is a little rot on mine. I'm thinking I'll just replace it. It'll be more work of course, but I'll have the rig off , masts down etc at the time so it'll be time to make hay.

Cheers,

Shannon

[mattattama]

https://sv-moitessier.blogspot.com/2013 ... -wood.html
Replacing the Bowsprit on a HC41

[clonjers]

A lot of work.

[jonneely]

Lighter the better. What wrong with the sprit you have now?


Jon

[soul balladeer]

Hi,

There is a little rot where the bowsprit meets the bow.

I have sourced some premium 1 inch planed vertical tight grained fir for the sprit.

Fir is strong of course so once she is laminated/ sealed/ painted there should be no issues.

Thanks very much everyone.

Cheers,
Shannon

[mimoza]

How did that go?