Replacing Chain Under Bowsprit

[sgumedic]

Has anyone ever heard of a rig going down because of a chain bob stay?

People keep saying wire is better, but the working loads and breaking loads from the sites I've looked at don't seem to be that different. I've been looking at 1/2" galvanized chain and 1/2 inch stainless steel wire, give or take. Does anyone have a site that they think would be more helpful? Or do they have recommendations on other sizes of chain/wire.


Bugeye Sailor
Annapolis, MD

[HappyMdRSailor]

Oh man.... You did good to be sure.... She is a beauty!

Thanks for the pics!



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[Scot McPherson]

Beautiful boat dude...I like bigeyes and skipjacks. These are the original sharpies.

Is that a restore or a replica? I would be very curious who the designer is...if it's a restore I'd be equally interested to find out which one she is.


I'll also go ahead and make one recommendation. Go to forums.woodenboats.com and get most of your technical advice there. I am not knocking any of the good folks here, but wooden boats is the other forum's focal point.

[Scot McPherson]

Originally Posted by sgumedic

Has anyone ever heard of a rig going down because of a chain bob stay?

People keep saying wire is better, but the working loads and breaking loads from the sites I've looked at don't seem to be that different. I've been looking at 1/2" galvanized chain and 1/2 inch stainless steel wire, give or take. Does anyone have a site that they think would be more helpful? Or do they have recommendations on other sizes of chain/wire.


Bugeye Sailor
Annapolis, MD

Dude,
Go with the chain. That's what your boat was designed to use and it will do the job as designed.

[HopCar]

You can't make the statement that cable is stronger than chain. What size cable and what size chain are we talking about? Just a quick look at the ACCO chain and Suncor Stainless shows that 1/4" G4 chain is almost twice as strong as 1/4" 316 1 X 19 stainless cable.

You can say that for a given length and strength, cable weighs less than chain. I don't think weight means much in this application.

[Orion Jim]

Not a fan of rod as a bobstay. If you happen to encounter a log or obstacles such as a dock, a bent rod may result.

I am a fan of rod. Been using it for 30 seasons now with no problems.

[sgumedic]

The boat is a 1969 Kenner Skipjack. It's a recreational version of the old work boats. Fiberglass hull. The wood on it is all trim except the bow sprit which I just had repaired because of some rot from poor previous work on it.


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[Scot McPherson]

Skipjack? It looks like a bugeye. Bugeyes are usually ketches and skipjacks are usually hugely footed mailsailed sloops.

[sgumedic]

Yup. I'm guessing some marketing guy thought skipjack would sell better than bugeye. That's why I usually don't tell people the name right away.


Bugeye Sailor
Annapolis, MD

[barnakiel]

We have wire and I do not like it. I think a pipe could be a better solution.

b.

[rognvald]

Two considerations:
1.) Your vessel is a traditional boat and the "look" is significant.
Would one use a wooden ship's wheel or baggywrinkles on a Maxi-
sled?
2.) A swaged wire that is continually underwater is more prone to
failure/crevice corrosion than a quality chain. A rod, as another
has mentioned, could distort and loose tensile strength in a
collision.
All boats are compromises. Good luck and good sailing.