Added an homemade bowsprit on my etchell

[Fred from montreal]

Hi guys, i have an old etchell i'm mainly solo sailing and i just added a bowsprit to fit a brand new 55m asymetrical spinnaker with topmast halyard.

I know its a pretty extreme makeover but i will be using the asymetrical in low wind only (10knt max)

I installed side wire on top of the mast to support it, reinforced the deck with fiberglass and fitted a metal plate under the hull to take the lift load.  I also have 3 points of attachment on deck with plates to spread the side load with 3/8 bolts.

Any opinions on the subject?  Please dont be shy, i know its pretty unusual ;o)

 

[Sail4beer]

With the length and beam of that fine boat, you could have probably skipped the sprit, but I think you’ll have fun and you overbuilt/ overkilled the buildout, so it should be fine. 

 

[Boathavn]

Travail de qualité !

 

[Parma]

You can put a Barbie (tm) out on the end of it.

 

[Fred from montreal]

You can put a Barbie (tm) out on the end of it.

I don't understand what you mean?

 

[Talchotali]

You can put a Barbie (tm) out on the end of it [as a bowsprit].

Here is one for sale that I find quite disarming -

 

[Fred from montreal]

With the length and beam of that fine boat, you could have probably skipped the sprit, but I think you’ll have fun and you overbuilt/ overkilled the buildout, so it should be fine. 

Thanks, overkill was the goal

 

[Monkey]

Although going synthetic would be a better solution, I’ll offer a suggestion that doesn’t cost anything. Take the bobstay off and turn it around. There’s no reason to be dragging that big turnbuckle through the water. 

 

[Boathavn]

Hey Fred, what is the other boat on the trailer?

 

[KnockedDown]

Always surprised when I see “Etchell”. Even my autocorrect tries to fix it. 

 

[Marty Gingras]

I installed side wire on top of the mast to support it...

Would you explain or show that?

Take the bobstay off and turn it around. There’s no reason to be dragging that big turnbuckle through the water. 

This.

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

But how will you anchor?  :lol:

 

[Marty Gingras]

...brand new 55m asymetrical spinnaker...

If I read you right, that's the size of a J-105 code zero --- which seems kind of gigantic for an Etchells.  Did I read you right?

 

[Frank White]

We discovered that a J-70 spin fits our Columbia 5.5 meter perfectly. No mods, other than a tack line needed. 

 

[Fred from montreal]

Here is one for sale that I find quite disarming -

View attachment 509872

I'll pass on this one but its a funny idea

 

[221J]

Flying a spinnaker from a sprit makes the sail more stable because it is further from the main. Worth the effort. 

 

[Fred from montreal]

Although going synthetic would be a better solution, I’ll offer a suggestion that doesn’t cost anything. Take the bobstay off and turn it around. There’s no reason to be dragging that big turnbuckle through the water. 

Although going synthetic would be a better solution, I’ll offer a suggestion that doesn’t cost anything. Take the bobstay off and turn it around. There’s no reason to be dragging that big turnbuckle through the water. 

It'a good suggestion, tought about it but i was afraid the sail got stuck on the turnbuckle (could have rig taped it)

Still it attaches itself a little higher than the floating line and i sail flat water

 

[Fred from montreal]

Flying a spinnaker from a sprit makes the sail more stable because it is further from the main. Worth the effort. 

We discovered that a J-70 spin fits our Columbia 5.5 meter perfectly. No mods, other than a tack line needed. 

View attachment 509878

Tought about it but having the sail on top of the mast and 7 feet further make a much bigger sail.  Was a lot of work still to install.

 

[Fred from montreal]

If I read you right, that's the size of a J-105 code zero --- which seems kind of gigantic for an Etchells.  Did I read you right?

I don't know the boat but j 105 but 50m makes 592 sqft and the symetrical spi is little less than 400 sqft