Adding a Bowsprit on a 35.5 Legend

[Steverhnm]

Has anyone added a bowsprit to their boat? I didn't have much luck screening out the search info. I am considering adding it to provide peace of mind for the B&R rig. I recently changed my forestay out and in the process found how much the rig relies on that forestay. I consider my rig reasonably tuned, even with no backstay pressure the rig wanted to come down. I am used to rigs with lower fore and aft stays and just the one forestay leaves me a little uneasy. I think it might be nice to have a small platform on the bow to put your feet on when sitting in the dolphin seat. It also might be handy for a storm sail if needed.

 

[seadaddler]

No Need

The B&R rig is fine but only as strong as where secured and if you just have rig checked that everything is in good shape.
if you add a bowsprit what makes you sure that will be stronger than the normal rig,I have seen those extended bow decks pull up and take on water and almost sink the boat and having that extended bow tenders to be more trouble docking
or if needing to be towed just my 2cents.
Spend the $$$$ checking or up grade what you have and B&R are much stronger than you think and they have much less dimastings than standard rigs.
Nick

 

[Steverhnm]

Re: No Need

Hi Nick, yeah, I might be wringing my hands for nothing, I do that sometimes. I had the forestay swaged on the upper and did a compression (Norse? - from SECO) on the bottom. I guess its more my confidence level in the Norse fitting. Everything tells me its as strong or stronger. I guess my ultimate thought was that at some point in coming years I would like to sail it to Hawaii and would feel better with a second forestay. I guess there is always the option of putting a removable forestay that can be tacked to the deck if I was concerned. I was just wondering if others have done this.....

Thanks for your input, Steve

 

[Rick D]

Another Option

Hi Nick, yeah, I might be wringing my hands for nothing, I do that sometimes. I had the forestay swaged on the upper and did a compression (Norse? - from SECO) on the bottom. I guess its more my confidence level in the Norse fitting. Everything tells me its as strong or stronger. I guess my ultimate thought was that at some point in coming years I would like to sail it to Hawaii and would feel better with a second forestay. I guess there is always the option of putting a removable forestay that can be tacked to the deck if I was concerned. I was just wondering if others have done this..... Thanks for your input, Steve

I know someone who lost the forestay on the same rig (40.5) but the rig stayed up with the main pulling (it was the cotter pin). On a BTW note, another 40.5 did a Pacific sail and had added a furling A sail attached to the anchor roller bale. It extends out like yours. he was very happy with the arrangement but recommends a jack stay or high-tech line equivalent from the platform to the bow eye to offset the upward pull. Something to think about before shoving off and it would add some redundancy too.