Bow Sprit! What is it's true function?

[ilbuildit]

   OK. I hope I am calling it by the right name (Bow Sprit).

   What exactly is it's function? Is it just a decor thing on something as small as the 16? I like the look of it and do want to build my own version of one but if it does have a function I want to design that into what I build if one day I do choose to use it for what it's intention is.

   I have seen guy's furling attached to it and obviously it moves the forward stay out further and what would be the benefit of doing this too?

   Any and all reasons for the Sprit would greatly be appreciated explained to me and I am sure others as well.

Thanks in advance. Lee...

[TroyVB]

I believe that the biggest reason for the Bow Sprit is to move the center of effort of the sail forward and maybe slightly lower.  This will have an effect on the CP16, reducing weather helm.  Typically a boat that sails well balanced will have a slight weatherhelm but too much will rob from the efficiency of the rig as well as cause the helmsperson more fatigue then necessary.  I also like the fact that the anchor is stored off of the foredeck as well.

I have not sailed a CP16 without the sprit so I am only giving the technical (my two cents) rather than the experience side.  I believe that mgoller added the sprit on his 19 so he may be able to help with the actual experience.

By the way how's the wheel steering project coming?  I was impressed by your engineering and building.

[fafnir]

I am pretty sure that will also let you carry a larger head sail and it also makes it easier to use a spinnaker. 

[pelican]

I had one installed om my 16 and it seemed to improve windward performance.

They are a beautiful,and functional addition to the boat, but they stick out and they are subject to damage if the captain doesn't pay attention. They are attracted to docks and pilings.

Good sailing

[ilbuildit]

   When my youngest son is at the helm, the bow is attracted to the dock. He sometimes forgets the tiller goes in the opposite direction of the steer.


   Could anyone point me in a direction of some good photos of a sprit installed or even email me some at ilbuildit@comcast.net?


   Troy, Thanks for the complements on my steering project! It is comming along real good now. The helm is complete and bolted in and I am working on the rudder area now. I made big gains today and am comming close to finishing this. I had a time figuring out the geometry at the rudder but thanks to CAD I overcame the obstacle. Complete photos to follow.

   Lee...

[TroyVB]

Lee,

I am headed to where Sanctuary is stored this afternoon.  If all works well with the new camera and internet service I will get you some pictures by this evening.

Troy

[Gil Weiss]

I truly believe the bowsprit adds to the aesthetic beauty of the boat. ComPac added them to move the forestay forward and improve windward performance.

I keep my anchor mounted on it so it is ready to go if needed.

The bow sprit also functions as a good place to initiate keel hauling a bad crew member.

[mgoller]

Lee,
Great question.  Already a lot of good answers.
I've sailed the 16II with the sprit and it seemed to me the sprit completed the lines and aesthetics of the little cruiser.
I bought a 1983 ComPac 19 without the bow sprit and it just cried out for one. 
First I didn't like the standard interior and wanted to give it a refresh with the new upholstery galley and hull liner.  Then I wanted the later ComPac look of the big brown cove stripe and the sprit.
So, I guess my motivations were more about look, feel and aesthetic.
Having the anchor on the roller ready to deploy is big.  Having a big chunk of teak and shiny stainless up there is big.  Having a bigger headsail is..... big.  Being able to fly a asymetric spinnaker off the sprit just works better.
Handling?  I would say the boat balances really well with the bigger headsail moved slightly forward.  My 19 balances easily.  The weatherhelm is slight and easy.  Let go of the tiller and she gently and slowly turns windward.
All that said, and in retrospect I have come to really like the lines of early ComPacs a lot without the sprit. 
If I had to do it again I would do it.  But I really like early ComPac 16's without.  I think the weatherhelm thing is overblown.  They sail great as is.  If you don't like weatherhelm you can always trim the sails with the main eased until the force is lessened.
Just a note, I was able to use the same forestay, it only needs to be lengthened a third of an inch.  So it isn't that big a change anyway.
A friend of mine who sold Audio speakers told me something he told customers when asked which speakers were best - "the ones that sound the best to you."

[TroyVB]

Lee,

I just emailed the pictures of Sanctuary's sprit.   I hope they help.

[Gil Weiss]

Regarding the CP16 weatherhelm issue . . . I tamed this with a foiled rudder blade and by raking the mast forward a bit. ( loosened the side stays about 2 1/2 turns and tightened the forestay as required) Now my 16 has only a slight bit of weather helm, which is desireable.