Bowsprit Bobstay and Turnbuckle ?

[wroundey]

Having built my new bowsprit, I need to install a bobstay and turnbuckle. My question is - what size wire and turnbuckle are people using for this? How big is the load that I need to expect to carry?

[skip1930]

Marine wire rope [wire rigging page 945 West Marine catalog.]

1 x 19 stainless wire 5/32" would be over kill at 2,800 lb. about a $1.75 a foot

After my dolphin cable parted I brought the pieces to Great Lake Yacht Service in Sturgeon Bay and had them make a new cable with ends. Took about 1/2 an hour and $70 [no turnbuckle, similar to factory supplied cable]

Took a little doing to install it from a dinghy and a screw driver to twist up a Sta-Set line to pull the bow sprit down enough to install the pin in the tang and bow sprit of my CP-19.

skip.

[Salty19]

Bill, like skip said you want  1x 19, 5/32" wire.  Turnbuckle would be 5/16", but I would definitely not order it unless you have the threaded fitting in hand already, or order the stay as a set.

I have an extra bobstay from a 19.  Maybe, just maybe it would fit your 16?  Measure the distance you need, pin to pin, and let me know.
I can measure mine. If it will fit, it's yours.  Afterall, you are a fellow CLR guy, and we take care of our own!

You could also use some Amsteel line for this as a temporary bobstay to get you out on the water while you figure out a long term solution. Just be aware this line, while VERY strong, does elongate a bit after it's tightened own.  So you may (almost certainly) will have to retie knots after the first use.

Personally, I would measure the pin to pin distance and have a stay made as a set so everything will fit without piecemealing it.  West Marine has a big rigging shop and their prices are not horrible.

[wroundey]

Salty, thanks for the offer. I will measure me distance this weekend and get back to you.

[wroundey]

Salty,
I have two bow eyes to make use of ( one factory and one added by the PO). So I have. My choice of 19.75" or 33". What is the length of your bobstay?

[capt_nemo]

wroundey,

Recommend you seriously consider SS Chain for your Bobstay with SS shackle on the lower bow eye end and SS turnbuckle on the higher outer end. Chain doesn't trap or retain water and dries quickly when wet. The potential ultimate failure from internal corrosion of SS wire is almost totally eliminated by using chain. There are some sizes of SS Chain available in small Hardware Store chains like Ace and possibly the larger ones in your area. Adjust the length with a hack saw!

Here's what mine looks like. I'm quite pleased with both looks and performance!



capt_nemo

[wroundey]

I had been thinking about chain as an option. What size chain are you using? Do you have any problems with then chain rubbing/bouncing on the bow chock when launching or retrieving?

[capt_nemo]

wroundey,

My SS chain is approx. 3/16" in diameter and is more than adequate. Yes, the chain does touch and rub a little on the trailer bow chock when launching and retrieving but it isn't a problem. Just make sure that the strap goes OVER the roller and hooks on to the bow eye when retrieving and that the trailer bow chock winds up UNDER the bow eye on the boat! It takes a little maneuvering but is worth it.

capt_nemo

[wroundey]

What size turnbuckle? 1/4, 5/16, 3/8?

[Salty19]

Wroundey,

My bobstay is 29 1/4 long max with 1 1/4 adjustment on each end of the turnbuckle (2 1/2 possible shorter length total).  So it doesn't sound like it will work.

[kickingbug1]

    cant wait to see the bowsprit in july will.

[capt_nemo]

wroundey,

My turnbuckle is slightly less than ¼", but spec'd to carry the expected load. Also have two wire whisker stays that are angled DOWN to the chainplates port and starboard to assist in counteracting the load on the forestay.

capt_nemo

[skip1930]

Since the steel 'tang' that any size turnbuckle is attached to is much thinner, I'd guess the tang would fail before other fasteners.

Steel generally is good for loads of 10,000 lb times the thickness in decimal inches, divided by four.

skip.