Bow pulpit cross brace removal

[newage1461]

I have an 81 H30 that came with roller furling when I bought it last year. Because of a cross brace on the pulpit, the forestay isn't connected properly to the stem, but back several inches on the horizontal part of it. This is required because the furler is blocked by the brace across the pulpit.
Now, has anyone cut the cross brace off of the pulpit for this reason, and did it provide the proper room for the furler?

 

[Darwin19229]

I have an 81 H30 that came with roller furling when I bought it last year. Because of a cross brace on the pulpit, the forestay isn't connected properly to the stem, but back several inches on the horizontal part of it. This is required because the furler is blocked by the brace across the pulpit.
Now, has anyone cut the cross brace off of the pulpit for this reason, and did it provide the proper room for the furler?

I had an H30 with a cross brace on the bow pulpit. I cut it out when I installed roller furling. I used a saber saw to cut the brace at the flat parts, then a grinding wheel followed by a polishing wheel to clean up the cuts. It did not seem to effect the strength of the bow pulpit at all. I believe the brace was meant to act as a step when going ashore over the bow.

Regards,

 

[Manny]

my 27 has the same thing, a previous owner had it cut and rewelded a little further foward and on top of the tubing to accommodate the the furler. It's not the cleanest weld job but it hasn't been an issue

 

[claskey]

I had to do the same thing on my 84 27' that was 7 years ago and no problems. if you leave the fuller mounted incorrectly it will pull up under heavey loads.

 

[cbsailor]

My 81 H27 had the same situation when I installed a roller furling. I removed the entire pulpit, reinstalled it on a jig I made to simulate the deck mounting. I then took the whole thing, jig and all, to a welder who specialized in SS and marine fabrication. He cut and removed the original cross member, moved it forward and welded it back in place. He then ground and polished the affected areas back to near perfect condition. Removal of the entire pulpit was a PITA, but it gave me the opportunity to correct several problems and rebed all the deck penetrations which cured a couple of leaks in the process.

 

[newage1461]

Sounds great guys!! I just wasn't sure if the furler would have proper clearance even with the crossbrace removed, but I was guessing that there is.. Another job for the spring..

 

[DianaOfBurlington]

The crossmember in the bow pulpit is a desirable feature as it represents a seat for the foredeck person, the lookout or the cute chick in a swimsuit (depending on how and where you sail). I need to add this to mine. But I am sorry that some many people can't fit furters because of it. Maybe you might consider moving it somehow.

I would do this as Halldp says he did his.

 

[newage1461]

This isn't the bar across the very front of the pulpit, it is back about 8" from the front. Nobodys butt is narrow enough to sit on this.

 

[Mcksailor]

My 78' h30 head the same problem with the crossmember. The top crossmember gives it noticeable sturdiness throughout the foredeck rail. Your preference though, mines still off. Thinking about welding one on farther out now, thanks.

 

[Bigjer40]

The above post is correct. Remove it and attach furler at front of bow or it will pull up and allow water to intrude. PO of my 84 H27 did not do this and mine pulled up. They covered it and surveyor did not notice. It was a $3200 repair. Cross bar removed, furler attached where its supposed to be, rot removed and I am back in business.