Bowsprit

Murray_Fraser · 2024-04-22 12:14:34

My V800 is a 1997 build; can anyone advise what type of wood the Bowsprit is made from? The bowsprit had been varnished but is now flaking on top and needs attention; the weather has not allowed me to do this over winter so it's an afloat job. I would prefer to leave it unvarnished but of course that depends on the type of wood.

Mo_Jefferies · 2024-04-22 12:49:47

Hi Murray,
I'm pretty sure that the 'sprit on our 800 is Douglas Fir.
We find it fairly straightforward to strip and revarnish , even when afloat.
A hot air gun or nitromors, sandpaper, then oxalic acid, before varnish. Works a treat!
It's a good idea to have a "hammock" underneath to catch the debris.
Good luck!
Mo & Leo

Jonathan_Hopper · 2024-04-22 20:04:40

Keeping a decent finish on the bowsprit is essential. Epiphanes recommend 7 coats plus (first 1 or 2 thinned), but a topup coat every year or two largely keeps it in good order.

Murray_Fraser · 2024-04-23 00:28:04

Thanks Mo and Jonathan. I'm going to sand right back and redo with Epifanes. I don't like Nitromors so sanding as it's a relatively small area although getting underneath is a dinghy job.

Leon_Ferguson · 2024-04-26 12:40:16

I ignored the varnishing on mine and it rotted at the stern edge, a large chunk popped out. It didn't seem to undermine the structural integrity but to fillet a new piece in the boatwright said he'd need to remove it to cut out all the rot and epoxy a new piece in place, so I had a new one. I think it might be spruce. Looks splendid and I've got the varnish to hand.

Murray_Fraser · 2024-04-27 12:24:52

Leon, I have similar issue and am going to remove bowsprit and replace newcome haul out in September. In the meantimr i am filling holes with epoxy for summer. Any advice on removal of bowsprit from you or anyone else? Dies it sit flat on the deck or is it recessed?

Murray_Fraser · 2024-06-04 16:24:58

I thought an update on my bowsprit instructive. After further navel gazing I decided to remove my bowsprit. The unquantifiable risk of its failure just seemed too cavalier. And boy was I glad I did remove it! A new one was fashioned with expert help from a craft woodworker from kiln dried Douglas Fir, three coats of West epoxy and four coats of Epifanes. Photos attached, the new one waiting for anchor winch, chain feed and lock to be fitted. All bedded and sealed with FMC 20, epoxy and butyl tape for plugs and screws. Feeling quite chuffed!

Jonathan_Hopper · 2024-06-05 22:38:17

Murray -

Thank you for posting those photos.

Is that the underside of the bowsprit? If so, what is the rectangular recess? Was there any rot evident before you took it off?

Can you describe how you took the bowsprit off? Seeing the state of it makes me wonder if it is about time to take mine off and inspect, especially as it is rather older than yours!

What is FMC 20?

The new one looks fabulous, and the epoxy/varnish finish hopefully an enduring choice.

Murray_Fraser · 2024-06-06 16:05:59

Jonathan, yes that is the underside. The rectangular area is a cut out to accomodate the staysail backing plate. The bolts for this fitting were not long enough to go through the old bowsprit and hull. I kept the original bolts but replaced the backing plate with much thicker marine grade S/S.
I only found the rot when I started to strip the varnish at the point where the bowsprit slides into the deck coaming. There followed a series of screwdriver pokes that persuaded me to remove it!
Removal of the bowsprit was surprisingly easy; especially if you are either young and dextrous or small! I had help and two people is essential. First removed forestay and staysail stay. There were five M10 SS bolts under wood plugs that emerged below the deck - two at the aft end under the winch that emerged on the cabin side of the chain locker bulkhead, two just in front of the staysail stay and one just in front of the chain stopper, all of these emerging in the chain locker. In addition the anchor chain stopper had four bolts through the hull - hiding on right of winch in photo. Also the chain feed had three - hiding on left of winch in picture. The winch itself had four substantial bronze screws; a reminder that you should never use the winch to hold the chain, always a stopper as here or a rope snubber. The twin bow roller had eight large screws. Then a bit of lifting and wriggling et voila!
The gunge I used I have misquoted it is in fact a 3M product called 4200 FC. A black goo recomended by my carpenter friend that has the benefit of not containing silicone, can be removed without the silicone issues and is totally waterproof. Irrespective of this getting a good seal where the bowsprit pokes through the coaming is not easy and I still need to tidy it up a bit.
As a point of interest we discovered a number of issues that were frankly not up to VM quality standards and I rather suspect that this is not the original bowsprit. I have maintenance records going back to 2008 at wich time there was mention of a newly fabricated Cranse Iron. It's possible the bowsprit was damaged then? Who knows. Anyway I'm a happy boy and thinking of changing the boats name to Jouster!!

Volker_Hasenauer · 2024-09-17 17:11:34

My name is Volker and I am the new owner of Libby, a Victoria 800. I just bought her a couple of days ago and she is still on the hard in Plymouth. From my assessment (but I am not a professional) the boat is in fair condition, however the bowsprit needs to be carefully investigated. There are some soft spots from the top, the sides - not very deep, however noticeable. However I have no idea what to expect from the bottom side - this may be the critical area I am afraid about. Does anyone have a recommendation whom to contact in Plymouth for the repair works? I am not living in Plymouth and therefore it will not be easy for me doing the repair on my own.

#1 2024-04-22 12:14:34

Bowsprit

#2 2024-04-22 12:49:47

Re: Bowsprit

#3 2024-04-22 20:04:40

Re: Bowsprit

#4 2024-04-23 00:28:04

Re: Bowsprit

#5 2024-04-26 12:40:16

Re: Bowsprit

#6 2024-04-27 12:24:52

Re: Bowsprit

#7 2024-06-04 16:24:58

Re: Bowsprit

#8 2024-06-05 22:38:17

Re: Bowsprit

#9 2024-06-06 16:05:59

Re: Bowsprit

#10 2024-09-17 17:11:34

Re: Bowsprit

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