Bobstay replacement

[Doublebecket]

As far as I know, my bobstay is the original that came with the boat and from the looks of it, it is definitely in need of replacement. My question is will my bow spirit be ok if I simply just remove the bobstay to take to my local rigging shop? I was thinking of taking my jib halyard to a fitting on the bow of the boat to share some of the load that the headstay is exerting on the bow spirit.

Has anyone replaced their bobstay themselves? If so, what method did you do to remove it and support the spirit?

[Jim Walsh]

What size boat? Are you on an exposed mooring? Are you in a protected slip? How long will the bobstay be removed? Were I in a protected slip and the replacement was on the same day I wouldn't hesitate to do a quick changeover. Why not just provide the rigger with the necessary measurements and leave your existing bobstay in place while the replacement is made up?

[Klem]

Jim has given you good advice. Ideally, you should do the swap on a nice calm day in a protected area provided that the mast will be up. If you carefully measure the length, diameter and clevis pin diameters, you can have someone make up a new one without providing the old.

Regardless, you will need some support for the mast when you undo the bobstay. You might get away with simply loosening the turnbuckle on it and putting the bowsprit in bending but I would definitely not recommend it. On our boat, there isn't a good attachment point for a halyard forward which kind of complicates things. When we replaced the bowsprit, we looped a line under the bow and let it catch on the lower bobstay fitting to keep it from sliding up. We were still able to get the bobstay off even with this line there. We then attached a halyard to this and tensioned it up. We also ran a second halyard as a safety to a deck cleat but the angle on this isn't nearly as good and the deck is not particularly strong in this direction.

[Doublebecket]

I guess I should of mentioned that its a Cape Dory 30 and I'll be tied up at my marina. I thought about just taking measurements but thought it would be easier if I just take the piece to the rigger to ensure I get exactly what I need. I would have the piece off the boat for approximately two hours.

Good Advice from both of you, I believe I will just take precise measurements and have it made by the shop.

[sgbernd]

I replaced mine (CD28 is very similar) in the slip a few years ago. First I ordered the replacement made up so it was ready to install as that took a week or so.

Measure the exact length, wire diameter, lh or rh threads, thread pitch, etc. and take that information to your favourite rigging shop. Record the exact length between attachments to the bob stay and write it down because that is the distance you are going to reset when completed. While you are at it, hit the turnbuckle with some penetrating oil and a drop on the fore and aft turnbuckles would be a good idea as well.

When you get the new one, mark the turnbuckle settings on the fore and aft stays so you can return them to the original location. Masking tape works good.

First, release the back stay about as much as you can to relieve the tension on the forestay, then attach the jib halyard to the cleats normally used for the anchor line or your dock lines and tension it with with the halyard winch so the forestay is now slack but the aft stay is under some tension. You may need to back off the forestay a bit more to relieve all tension on the bobstay.

Replacing the bobstay is easy but a bit challenging as your fittings will attempt to leap suicidally into the water, given half a chance. Work slowly and carefully to prevent any escapes. After fitting the replacement, return the distance between the attachments to the exact position you measured previously, re-tension the fore and aft stays to their previous locations, replace the retaining rings in the turnbuckles, return the halyard to it's home, and call it good.

[Doublebecket]

Thank you everyone for your advice. I ended up buying a length of wire and some norstay compression fittings and fabricating everything at the dock. It was my first time working with these fittings, but it was straight forward and took about an hour. Definitely inspired me to tackle replacing all my rigging in the not so distant future.

[Jim Walsh]

My bobstay is the original supplied by Navtech which is still in business in Guilford, Ct.. I closely inspect it each spring before launching and when I swim around the boat I usually hang onto it for a good look at it and the underside of the bowsprit for any issues. After 31 seasons I'd be inclined to see what they would charge for a replacement, if the need arose, but I'd feel perfectly safe making up my own as you did. I replaced all my standing rigging myself a few years ago and it was a nice leisurely winter project. I used Sta-Lok fittings and would probably use them again because I have confidence in their product after a few years of flawless performance on the job.