Bow pulpit

[wroundey]

The previous owner of my '81 CP16 made a bowsprit (not that well done) and then bought some stainless tubing and bent up a pulpit for the boat. The sprit is coming apart and the pulpit has a number of kinks in it from the bending process. I think I can handle a replacement for the sprit, but I am not sure about the pulpit. I have the original pulpit and one thought is to keep the bowsprit and use the old pulpit - but I am not sure if that would interfere with the jib. The second option is to just sail without a pulpit. Any thoughts on that one? Option 3 is to find or make a new pulpit. Sourcing some stainless tubing and a bender would be my issue there. I am open to thoughts and input on any of the three options I am considering..

Thanks

[JBC]

In thinking through your options re the bow pulpit, I would suggest determining what size jib you have.  Once bow sprits were introduced, the jib dimensions changed (to a larger jib, somewhat smaller main).  So, if you have the larger jib, then going back to the original setup (no sprit, old pulpit) might not be the best option.  A PO of a previous 16 I owned installed furling gear and the larger 110% jib that went with that...only he didn't add a sprit, instead attaching the furling drum to the original bow plate.  The length of the forestay worked for the new rig, but the foot of the sail rose up at a steep angle to the deck at the clew...just never thought it fit very well.

Don't know if that would happen in your case if you changed back to the original arrangement, but I'd check the size of the jib and perhaps (assuming it's currently tacked at the forward point of the sprit) see how the jib hangs when the tack is brought back to the original position at the tip of the bow.

[wroundey]

Taking a look at the sails, and from what I know about the previous owner, my guess is that my jib is the original jib. I know the PO added a little to the forestay to reach the end of the sprit.

[Pacman]

IMHO, the pulpit is there mainly to make the boat look like a larger yacht but the boat might actually look sleeker without it.

When I have to go onto the foredeck I hold on to the forestay for balance rather than the pulpit anyway.

I would definitely remove the poorly made pulpit and the sprit.

Then I might sail it without the original pulpit for a while to see how I liked it that way.

You could always replace the pulpit if you decide that you like the look of the boat better with it on or if you plan to sell the boat at a later date.

[skip1930]

Bow sprit;

The factory build. No extra charge for the dirt seen after the wood was removed.
Bow pulpit is up to you, but here's a view and hint for the pulpit...big feet, welded construction.
Use a backing under the deck. This boat may or may not have the fiber glassed into place plywood hard points for mounting.

skip.