Downeaster Yachts.com - Topic: DE 32 Bowsprit Mounting?

jimha on DE 32 Bowsprit Mounting?

Sun, 25 Jul 2021 15:12:44 -0400

I have a DE38 that was built in 1975. In the mid 1980's the compression post for the mast was starting to delaminate. I contacted a friend of mine who was a wooden boat builder and had him look at the problem. He said that the two pieces of wood that were used for the post were too thick and that was the reason for the delamination. The only way to fix the problem was to take a skill saw and run the blade down the seam to widen it and then make a thin piece of wood to fit in the seem glued with epoxy. That was about 35 years ago (hard to believe) and still going strong. My bowsprit is the original made by the manufacturer. I believe it is three layers of wood with the seems running horizontally. Food for thought. Good Luck

Jim

mgav451 on DE 32 Bowsprit Mounting?

Sat, 24 Jul 2021 09:11:45 -0400

I went with stainless after all said and done it was about 25l lbs more then the wood. I went way to thick. But it’s so strong I can lift the boat by it , never rot or delam or need paint. I’d never use wood.

jlynker on DE 32 Bowsprit Mounting?

Tue, 14 Apr 1925 03:52:28 -0500

Some Downeast 32's have their bowsprit raised off the deck a couple inches as it leaves the deck line. Others (mine) have the bowsprit mounted directly to the deck. Was/Is there any pertinent characteristics for the difference?

I'm building my 2nd bowsprit in 12 years. The last was laminated Doug Fir, which delaminated. The new one will be a solid piece of sitka spruce. Also, I'm pulling the anchor(s) back to rollers which will mount to the hull - to keep stress off the sprit as much as possible.

Any comments/advice welcomed.

Thanks,

John