Hi All: My bowsprit mod is done and posted with pix in the Mod section. If you want to get all the power you can from light winds, this is the way to go for sure. My asymetrical spinaker is really too big for the boat and I have to hoist it to the top of the mast which is dangerous on a fractional rig, but it worked sooooooo fine last weekend. It's a down wind sail for sure but I managed to get a beam reach out of it with the bowsprit 'cause I was able to get the luff fairly straight with the sheets tied off to the aft cleat. Power was phenonimal compared to just the jib. The top of the mast did flex a bit, though, and I wouldn't want to overdo it and snap it off. Any suggestions on how to stiffen things up at the top? I've seen "jumper stays" in S-F Bay on smaller fractional rigged boats but no idea where to get the stuff, or if it's worth it to put that much more weight up there.
I think next I'll try using the jib and spinie together as a cutter rig. Wish me luck!
26X bowsprit mod
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Dave Mason
- Deckhand
- Posts: 27
- Joined: Sat Jan 24, 2004 7:13 pm
- Location: Southeastern British Columbia
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richandlori
- Admiral
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- Location: Living Aboard in Morro Bay, CA
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Tom Root
- Captain
- Posts: 560
- Joined: Mon Jan 05, 2004 11:39 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Annville, PA. s/v-Great White, MacX4787A202,'09 Suzuki DF-50
Well I am glad this is working out and seems like a worthy mod! I have the material in SS as someone a few years back was leaving a local boat swap meet and had a pile of stuff he didn't want to take away, so had a free pile of stuff. Among this was several SS chainplates in the same dimensions you used! Unfortunately I am missing a swap meet today in Chula Vista! 
But for daddy's day, I am Kayaking....so all is good! With our recent purchase of an inflatable one, we now have two tandems, and a solo, so five people can yak at a time!
I knew someday I'd use the heavy duty chainplates for something! This may end up being the something they get put into service for! Where you put the cross brace I may weld just a flatbar horizontily, drill holes and put some type of composite (Plastic) wood product so I can better walk out on it. I use that stuff on all step surfaces on the boat and trailer, and it works out superbly!
Maybe I missed it, but what did you coat it with? The various brush on bedliner (pickup truck stuff) should hold up to the environment well?
As far as where it bolts to the hull, I am considering a nutplate + backing strap, setup using capnuts welded on, so the whole setup is waterproofed, yet easily removable!
Keep us informed, we Mac owners are always looking for a way to boost sail power, and this may be the ticket!
So, you said that you used another brand Assymetrical. Do you happen to have the dimensions? Using it on a broad reach and the performance you acheived sounds like the right thing to do for sure!
One thing ya gotta give Mac owners, we could be the most innovative sailors out there, and that empty canvas that Roger gave us inspires great flexability to Mod our great boat out to the extreme!
But for daddy's day, I am Kayaking....so all is good! With our recent purchase of an inflatable one, we now have two tandems, and a solo, so five people can yak at a time!
I knew someday I'd use the heavy duty chainplates for something! This may end up being the something they get put into service for! Where you put the cross brace I may weld just a flatbar horizontily, drill holes and put some type of composite (Plastic) wood product so I can better walk out on it. I use that stuff on all step surfaces on the boat and trailer, and it works out superbly!
Maybe I missed it, but what did you coat it with? The various brush on bedliner (pickup truck stuff) should hold up to the environment well?
As far as where it bolts to the hull, I am considering a nutplate + backing strap, setup using capnuts welded on, so the whole setup is waterproofed, yet easily removable!
Keep us informed, we Mac owners are always looking for a way to boost sail power, and this may be the ticket!
So, you said that you used another brand Assymetrical. Do you happen to have the dimensions? Using it on a broad reach and the performance you acheived sounds like the right thing to do for sure!
One thing ya gotta give Mac owners, we could be the most innovative sailors out there, and that empty canvas that Roger gave us inspires great flexability to Mod our great boat out to the extreme!