Pensacola FL Sailing Blog - sailingnightwatch

The stem head has 2 bolts that hold it on. Even with them removed, the fitting had to be sawed off and the wood drilled and chiseled out. The shape looks like an engineer spent some time figuring out all the stresses it would have to endure. The 4 planks where epoxied together and then shaped. It does sound easy, but it was a bear. There are no straight surfaces. Every side tapers to the stem head. That means everything is measured from the centerlines. I enjoyed the layout challenge, but I do not believe my contractor shared my enthusiasm.

Reinstallation was basically the reverse of its removal. A few minor adjustments and it was good to go. We did add a washout groove under the bowsprit right as it goes through the hole in the bow. We also coated the entire bowsprit with epoxy and varnish. The laminate joints on the old bowsprit were broke apart when I bought the boat. After a year and a half, the new joints have split apart in a couple places. Probably why there are 3 large bolts and backing plates through the laminate. If it would fail again, I would look at having a heavy mast extrusion made in it’s place.