Does this suffice as a chainplate for the Jib and forestay on an Eclipse? There is no traditional through hull chainplate, on this which is merely lag bolted into the teak bowsprit. This seems insufficient to me. Anyone have any experience with this on their boat? I attached an image but have thus far been unable to import images to this site.
Further examination reveals--inconspicuously--that the forestay is intended to be secured to the port side plate of the anchor roller system. There are two holes drilled in that plate which is welded to a diagonal stainless steel tube that is then connected to a chainplate on the stem. A roundabout method of providing a sturdy place to handle that load.
Quote from: Bewildered on November 19, 2025, 08:35:08 PMFurther examination reveals--inconspicuously--that the forestay is intended to be secured to the port side plate of the anchor roller system. There are two holes drilled in that plate which is welded to a diagonal stainless steel tube that is then connected to a chainplate on the stem. A roundabout method of providing a sturdy place to handle that load.
It sounds like you got things squared away - I am going to look at my Legacy to see how this is set-up; I wonder if it's similar to the Eclipse design.
Btw, to add pictures to your post, I made this quick video to demonstrate how to do it using the drag-n-drop method (only certain file formats are allowed and there are size limitations as well -- I also learned that .jpeg files won't work, but if you take out the "e" and leave it as .jpg, you're good-to-go):
I'd add couple of additional notes to your useful post. If you're replying to a message you won't get the drag and drop box unless you hit "Reply" to the original message. The default is "Quick Reply", and you won't get the box to drop files to. Secondly, another format that won't post is the Apple iPhone default photo format, .heic. Readily converted to other formats, but .heic won't post here. I haven't investigated this further, but it may be as simple as 4 digit file types don't fly. Png does, I haven't tried .tiff.
No need to have file sizes over 600-800 KB, just creates storage issues for the host.
Thanks Bruce! I went through the process of converting to the recommended file formats but still no luck. Kind of clunky compared to simple drag and drop methods that are common. I will try your suggestions when I muster up enough patience to try again.
Quote from: Bewildered on November 20, 2025, 09:41:33 PMThanks Bruce! I went through the process of converting to the recommended file formats but still no luck. Kind of clunky compared to simple drag and drop methods that are common. I will try your suggestions when I muster up enough patience to try again.
Curious, did you happen to give it a shot using the drag and drop method I showed in the video I made for you? I'm wondering if that approach would work since you started the thread? All the best, ~ Chelle
Yeah, as Chelle says you get a drag and drop box as shown in her video when you start a new thread. For subsequent messages in the thread, you have to click "reply" under the preceding message to get the box (it's highlighted!). The default is "quick reply", and you don't get a box.
Perhaps this may help: There is a forum location called "CPYOA Forum (not boat) Help". In this location, you may find "New procedure for adding Photos: Attaching Photos to your posts".
You may find it helpful but YMMV.
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This is my first post on the CPYOA forum. Hopefully, I have done so appropriately and successfully. This weekend, I may have time to fill out all of the fields in the bio section (when I find it).
I love to work on boats more than sail them, but sailing is a close second. Just finishing a refit on my 20+year old hull, and hope to launch Syzygy some time this Spring.
Time and weather take their toll on all of us, but the fundamental structures of a Com-Pac yacht have proven to be solid and sound. More about all of that in a separate post (and pictures if I can master the art of the upload)...
Final note, it has been a pleasure, over the past few years to learn from such an experienced group of compassionate individuals. Thank you, all!
Pat-Rik
Syzygy, Eclipse Hull #5 Vancouver, WA
Bewildered: (You have asked some very good questions to-date)
Just throwing this out there: the diagonal stainless steel tube is called a "bobstay". It is a common component of many a sailing vessel: sometimes chain, sometimes cable, sometimes plate, and sometimes a tube. It is there to resist the "moment" (engineering term)imposed on the pulpit by the forestay, but basically the lever arm that is created that resists the pull of the forestay on the chain pulpit. Without the bobstay, the pulpit structure would need to be substantially larger and consequentially heavier in an inappropriate location (high and forward).
Regards,
Pat-Rik
Good stuff! My next challenge is it to sort out the correct reeving of the traveler lines. The boat came with an obviously mangled mess and the available, posted instructions are not sufficiently clear on how it is done. Any help is appreciated.
I can get photos of the traveler lines if you still need assistance
That would be much appreciated. There are several approaches available and I would like to see what others are doing to form a basis.
Can't figure out how to attach a pic to a reply so created a new thread.
Here is your boat which was the Clara Mae when she was moored on Biscayne Bay at Coconut Grove. She was named after my mother since my wife was not wanting the naming after her. The owner between us seems to have painted her topsides navy blue which does look nice in your picture.
Wish I could remember better. The way I recollect, one of the holes you mentioned is indeed for the forestay, the second for the spinnaker. That second one may not be present on Eclipse SLs that did not come with a spinnaker. The plastic cleats on the bowrail are for the spinnaker. A decade since I deployed it, but maybe I used the bow cleat for the spinnaker tack line and ran it through the anchor roller to the spinnaker, and the plastic cleats for the ATN spinnaker sock? Or did I use one of the plastic cleats for the spinnaker tack line? Maybe I tried both ways? With the foresail rolled up whenever the spinnaker went up. Com-Pac designed the spinnaker to use a block that might still be on the bowsprit which is why there are two holes? There are blocks low down on the back of the arch for the spinnaker. These might have been part of the traveler confusion because they are near enough to the traveler setup but not part of it?
Hey! Thanks for the photos and the info on your former boat. I was the one who painted the hull and bottom. I've always loved the Red, White and Blue combo. The previous owner Nelson, donated the boat to the local community sailing center and I bought it from them. He apparently did not do much work on it. The boat has suffered a good deal of neglect, particularly the teak. I am in the process of redoing basically everything that needs to be fixed or updated. Someone, perhaps you, put a lot of effort and expense into the boat as it is quite well equipped. I would love to hear any other details you would like to share. I love that little boat and intend to get it up to spiffy, seamanlike condition. Having a ball working on it!
I always liked navy blue topsides so that looks great. I also enjoyed working on her and doing enhancements. I am really happy to see her in good hands.
When he bought her Nelson said he would donate her to that cause since he volunteered with them. I am sorry to hear he did not have her longer. At least he had her long enough to have that apparently very nice lift built.
Only thing I can think of is that I released the MMSI number, and the NMEA stuff on the radio was working so if you have not already you can get that going again. I guess that involves the chartplotter still going too, to get the GPS information to the radio.