Selden sprit

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May 6, 2005
35
Hunter fractional Port Sanilac, MI
I was looking at the Selden sprit that appears to be combined with a bow anchor roller. Anyone have experience with this mod? Particularly wondering about mounting considerations. Thank you,
 
Jun 7, 2007
515
Hunter 320 Williamsburg
Try this instead...

Here’s an easy-to-make bowsprit, seats in the anchor locker. This will throw the spin ahead of the main, less blanketing. Tack line and 2 sheets permanently deployed for quick setup. (Note that the link here has 2 pages of pix and directions.) Typo correction: Eyelet should be 3/8 inch.
 
Jun 30, 2004
446
Hunter 340 St Andrews Bay
From the archives

This was a topic sometime ago..and true to form Bill 'O posted a reply about his homemade kit. Think he is proud of it? So maybe someone will buy the Selden kit, put it on and race Deadline. I really think the Selden kit is nice looking and reasonably priced for the quality. (not that yours isn't quality Bill.
 
Sep 24, 1999
1,511
Hunter H46LE Sausalito
deja vu

I asked this same question a while back, and received pretty much the same non-answers. The problem may be that the product is so new that none of the writers on this web have yet installed it. Gentlemen, I believe what's being sought here is a product review, not a do-it-yourself alternative. Is there anyone out there who has installed the SELDON sprit? If so, a few of us who are considering the purchase of one would greatly appreciate your review.
 
Feb 24, 2004
190
Hunter 290 Portland, Maine
Forespar too

We'll keep hoping someone will buy and try out these bowsprits. In case you weren't aware, Forespar has a version too. Paul
 
Jun 2, 2007
404
Beneteau First 375 Slidell, LA
I have a Selden sprit

But it has nothing to do with an anchor roller. Post back if you are interested.
 
B

Bob V

Is the anchor roller strong enough for this use?

I have seen this type of arrangement before but never so nicely built. I have always wondered what kind of loads are being transferred to the anchor roller and whether or not there is any risk of damaging the roller. The direction of force is up and forward which is not the direction that the roller was designed for. I have heard of anchor rollers being damaged by anchoring without transferring the strain to cleats outside of the roller. It was stated in those threads that the roller is only designed to withstand the kind of loads that result from deploying and retrieving the anchor. I noticed in the drawing of the Banana Sprit that it is rated for up to 12 knots of wind. That is not much wind and I guess it would depend on the size of your sail. I'm not claiming to know the answer but I wonder if there is risk of damage to the boat. Also why is 12 knots the highest wind recommended for the Banana Sprit? Of course the manufaturer of the sprit can't tell you what your anchor roller can take. Bob V
 
May 6, 2005
35
Hunter fractional Port Sanilac, MI
Concerned about loads and mounting

Sandy, you said you have the Selden sprit. They show a mounting configuration that includes a detail for the sprit tube to go through which is a part of a bow roller setup. Did you mount the brackets in line with the centerline of the boat or at some angle? Did you include some additional reinforcement under the deck for the mounting hardware? Thank you,
 
Mar 20, 2004
1,743
Hunter 356 and 216 Portland, ME
Sandy, details please!

HI Sandy, how well does it work? can you give us details on the installation? Thanks Chuck H356 WWW.Escape
 
S

Sandy Stone

What I have

Is a sort of hoop-shaped bracket that the pole slides thru at the forward end. There is no anchor roller. The aft end of the pole has a sort of catch that latches onto either of two folding padeyes mounted to the deck, so the pole can be either extended or retracted. The tack line for the asymmetrical passes thru the center of the pole. Both the hoop and the padeyes are mounted with backing plates, and need them. When the chute collapses and then refills in a breeze, the shock load is very impressive. I mounted the pole to one side of the headstay, at a slight angle so when it is extended the tack fitting is on centerline. On my boat, a Pearson 32, the pole was a tight squeeze between the headstay and the bow pulpit. I used a 3" pole, so I was limited to a 30" extension beyond the bow. To go out farther I would have needed a larger diameter pole, and there really wasn't room. I love having the asymmetrical, in fact we just came back from using it in a race. I think the pole helps as far as getting the tack of the sail down, and out in front of the main. It also allows the chute to be bigger. It's still not like having a J-Boat type sprit, because you have to go on the bow to deploy it, and you can't move it under load. Also, when the pole is in place it obstructs the bow anchor locker. All things considered, I'm happy with it, but I'm kind of a cruiser-racer. A pure cruiser might not think the tradeoffs are worth it.
 
Mar 20, 2004
1,743
Hunter 356 and 216 Portland, ME
Thanks, Sandy

I'm in the same category, an ex-racer turned cruiser who can't break the habit! I was wondering if just gaining 30" of extension was enough to make a noticeable difference in performance-given furled jib and about 10' between my tack point on the anchor roller and the mast.
 

Tom S

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Feb 4, 2004
172
Catalina 36mkII Stamford, CT
Alan, Slick set up

Is that a whisker pole you are using as a sprit? Did you make a customer "ring" for the mid section at the bow of the boat? Is there any tie down at the end of the sprit to low on the bow of the boat to counteract any upward loads? Is your Genny roller drum below the deck?
 
S

Sandy Stone

Chuck

It's a tough call. I would say 30" is about at the break-even point for the amount of trouble you're going through. The main benefit is the increased size of the chute, plus the fact that 30" gives you just enough clearance in front of the headstay to do inside jibes. I kind of like that, since the lazy spinnaker sheet is now captive and can't ride under the boat.
 

Alan

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Jun 2, 2004
4,174
Hunter 35.5 LI, NY
Tom

No, neither a whisker pole nor a spinnaker pole could ever stand the side loading. This is a custom made 4" X 8' pole with 1/4" wall. The bow fitting I designed and built. The inboard end is a standard spinnaker pole fitting. Nobody makes a bow pole retainer that articulates. My design allows the inboard end to swivel to the side for storing on the toe rail.(see pics) I had designed a support for the tip loading in higher winds but after running the numbers I found it wasn't needed. Yes the furling drum is below deck which makes it easier to place the sprit but it could just as well be done with an above deck drum.
 

Tom S

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Feb 4, 2004
172
Catalina 36mkII Stamford, CT
Al, Very nice

I have to figure out what I can fit on my bow.
 

Alan

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Jun 2, 2004
4,174
Hunter 35.5 LI, NY
Chuck

30" certainly will make a difference in not only the size of your kite but will allow you sail much deeper before the main blankets the kite. This is the real benefit of the sprit. Particularly in light air, once you build speed you can fall off and continue on a deeper course whereas without it downwind progress is much slower requiring many more jibes.
 
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