Bend in bowsprit ?

[peterwolf]

I was about tune my rig to correct for a forward rake in my main mast, when I noticed that my bowsprit has a slight downward bend to it. If the bowsprit is supposed to be completely straight, I might start by loosening the bobstay. Does this sound reasonable? Is the bowsprit supposed to be completely straight?

[Russell]

Is the bend in the actual bowsprit? Ie, if you but a strait edge on it there is bend? The bowsprit does not match the sheer of the boat so it can look bent when it isnt. If you verified with the strait edge that it is bent, then yes, adjust the bobstay to remove the bend first.

[peterwolf]

Yes, the bowsprit does seem to arch downward when I look at it head-on. I will put it against a straight edge on to confirm.