What's So Bad About the Bowsprit ?

[SurferShane]

Nothing except a few extra bucks on the rego. To date they seem to NOT have included it in slip fees; they call it a H28 for a reason OK. Can get a bit hairy up there in heavy seas though I am basically caged in by the pulpit. Same point I can’t see where I would feel any more secure on a wider bow where I didn’t have anything to grab or brace as close at hand. Extends the sail area. Totally brilliant for watching dolphins swim underneath while riding the swell. Keeps the anchor from hacking chunks off the bow. Makes the boat look pretty……,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[barnakiel]

There was a reason why it was there in the XIX century and there are reasons why it is not here today. Although, many modern boats have a sprit for the kite!

I like the new sprits very much and also the old ones that could be eased and stored inboard.

I think a classic boat looks cool with the bowsprit too.

b.

[rtbates]

The bob stay just loves to saw anchor/mooring lines in two

[ReMetau]

Originally Posted by rtbates

The bob stay just loves to saw anchor/mooring lines in two

One of the reasons for an all chain rode.

When on a ball we use line from each side to the painter and have never had a problem.

We love our bowsprit.

[Eleven]

I'm surprised nobody has a traveller for the foot of the flying jib, solving the wet and narrow access issue. Folding sprits sem to genrate alot od issues but solve the biggest problem, mooring length. For Lighters and Tramp sailing boats they increased sailing ability cheaply, a commercial decision. Classic boats look right like that.

[rebel heart]

Nothing's all that bad with mine. Makes dropping the anchor a little tricky because of the bobstay (and maybe dolphin striker) down below but otherwise no big deal.

[clausont]

Originally Posted by daddle

Historically, the bowsprit is there to balance the sail plan against a full keel. Headsails working best if ahead of the keel.

This is exactly the reason that I just replaced the short bowsprit with one that brings the rig up to design specs.
You can see both the old bowsprit and new one on our blog.

[barnakiel]

Originally Posted by ReMetau

One of the reasons for an all chain rode.

When on a ball we use line from each side to the painter and have never had a problem.

We love our bowsprit.

No waterstay?

b.

[Unicorn Dreams]

Bowsprits are like everything else in sailing, it's a personal preference.
That said, we love ours for all the above reasons, especially for laying on when dolphins are riding the wake. Plus, all the technical reasons..

[SaltyMonkey]

Disadvantages:
- they rot
- they need to be maintained
- they need to be managed when anchoring
- they take up measurement for a slip $
- they can be dangerous to work on
- they can break sliding down or being hit by a megabomb wave or object

Advantages
- allow more workable sail area for a smaller mast which also equates to easier handling by limited crew.
- more sail control
- pointability
- an inner stay to keep your storm sail ready
- balance

[zeehag]

Originally Posted by sww914

I've heard that when you really need to be up there, you really don't want to be up there. Lots of water coming over the sprit with no hull to slow it down first.
I've got one, but I haven't launched the boat yet so I can't tell you how good or bad it really is yet. I like the way it holds the anchors out away from the hull so they won't bang around and they sure are pretty.

is why many choose to use a reliable furling rig for outermost sails. use the hank-on for the inner, or staysail. but even with allegedly reliable furler, one must occasionally be forced out to the end of the sprit. so donot varnish the grate or stand-on part of you rsprit if you donot wish to swim at the most inopportune moments in your life. and always tether on. never go to sprit without being tied to boat in a way you will NOT fall into drink
is hard AT BEST to regain access to deck. theonly goo thing --the soul tryin gto sleep in the master berth can hear your cries for help.
no one else will. on bow tethers need to be shorter than distance from you to overboard

[svcambria]

How else can I park a 44 foot sail plan on my 40 foot hull?
Besides, how can you be a salty dog if you haven't been out there chest deep in (cold) frothing waves struggling to pull a reluctant jib down? Believe me, you will be salty... and dog tired...
Of course, after you have done that a few times it is alright to install a really good furling unit, electric windlass, etc etc

Michael

[SkiprJohn]

They require as much mainenance as a wood mast but are shorter and easier to reach. There is all the rigging to them that needs to be maintained and there is the wood sprit itself. Just had a friend discover where his anchor roller shaft goes through the sprit has started to rot.
Because of just what I've stated above I've decided not to have one.
kind regards,

[hpeer]

Originally Posted by zeehag

is why many choose to use a reliable furling rig for outermost sails. use the hank-on for the inner, or staysail. but even with allegedly reliable furler, one must occasionally be forced out to the end of the sprit. so donot varnish the grate or stand-on part of you rsprit if you donot wish to swim at the most inopportune moments in your life. and always tether on. never go to sprit without being tied to boat in a way you will NOT fall into drink
is hard AT BEST to regain access to deck. theonly goo thing --the soul tryin gto sleep in the master berth can hear your cries for help.
no one else will. on bow tethers need to be shorter than distance from you to overboard

After having worked on the sprit for a half hour one day, then realizing I forgot to snap on I have taken to leaving a couple of safety lines on the sprit, A) to remind me to snap in and B) to remove excuses for not doing so.

I made my own safety lines so I have six or so. They are not the "best" but by having lots I use them more frequently because there is always one handy.

[Pelagic]

I can give you 2 good reasons.... perhaps 3....