Running Bowsprits

[drlang]

Hi All

I would like to know how practical a running bowsprit can be. I could save some money by using a smaller slip.

Is there any help out there?

[Ian McColgin]

Running bowsprits are finastkind for boats designed with that in mind. Two essentialls:

If the sprit runs back, there must be deck space - no hatch or cabin in the way. Often the sprit is set at an angle so it goes on one side of the stem and the outer end ends up centered when fully extended. That way, coming back on an angle, it clears the fore hatch or cabin or whatever. If it's hinged to swing up, the top of the cranse needs to be openable.

And the rig must be suitably low stress, like the traditional low angle luff you see on some gaff rigs and not the highly tensioned high aspect modern style.

G'luck