B. RAILS, BOWSPRIT, BOOMKIN
WOODEN BOWSPRIT DELAMINATION
Regarding delamination of the bowsprit, we have seen this happen on a number of boats that
have been inspected, as the glue breaks down and lets the boards separate. If the wood is still
sound, with no signs of dry rot, then scrape off all of the varnish, and force some epoxy resin
glue (such as West System) into the gaps between the boards to fill it up. Next saturate the
bowsprit with at least two coats of the epoxy resin to seal the wood, including all of the holes for
mounting the rollers and platform. You can them varnish or paint over the resin. If you have to
replace the bowsprit, we would suggest making it out of one piece of fir, or at most two pieces
with just one vertical seam. Use epoxy resin to glue the joint, and seal the wood before
varnishing. We also have a stainless steel bowsprit available if you want to replace the whole
thing.
STAINLESS STEEL BOX BOWSPRIT
As a replacement for the wooden bowsprit for a Westsail 28 or 32, we have available a bowsprit
made from stainless steel box section tubing, with tubes welded in place for the attachment bolts
to fit through. This bowsprit is made from tubing that is 4" square, with a .120" wall, with end
plates welded on, and the eyeband welded to the end. Since it is a direct replacement for the
wooden bowsprit, you can use your existing platform, anchor rollers, staysail pedestal, and
staysail eyebolt.
WESTSAIL 32 STAINLESS STEEL PIPE BOWSPRIT
We have had a number of inquiries regarding a stainless steel tubular bowsprit for the Westsail
32 that is similar to the one on the Westsail 42, so we designed one, and it is available. The
bowsprit consists of 1-1/4" ID pipe, which is 1-5/8" OD, that is bent around and has pads that bolt
to the hull just below the rubrail with backup washers inside the hull. There is a framework of 2"
stainless angle across the bowsprit that supports the platform and the two bronze anchor rollers,
and a welded ear for the headstay and bobstay connection. A forestay chainplate is provided
that fits the same holes as the existing plate.
STAINLESS STEEL BOWSPRIT INSTALLATION
A step by step procedure on installing the stainless steel tubular frame bowsprit.
WESTSAIL 32 STAINLESS STEEL BOOMKIN
This all stainless steel boomkin mounts on the side of the hull, rather than on deck, and clears
up the stern deck area nicely. To replace the wooden boomkin, the design is a simple stainless
pipe boomkin, consisting of 1-1/4" ID pipes, which are 1-5/8" OD, and a stainless crosspiece
similar to the one on the wooden boomkin with a 4" vertical web. There are hull pads on the
ends which bolt just below the rubrail, with backup washers inside the lazarette. Tabs are welded
on the inboard side of the pipe to mount teak boards to be able to step out onto the boomkin.
W-32 STAINLESS STEEL BOOMKIN INSTALLATION
A step by step procedure on installing the stainless steel tubular frame boomkin.
WESTSAIL 32 STERN PULPIT
A very popular safety item for the Westsail 32 has been a stern pulpit. This pulpit mounts with
four baseplates to the wooden boomkin, with backup plates on the underside.
It has an
intermediate rail on each side for rigidity and safety. Loops for lifeline attachments are also
provided. The pulpit is made so that the top rail comes just even with the crosspiece, and if you
mount a wind vane on the boomkin it will be aft of the pulpit. The rail is straight across the stern
in order to clear in front of the vane. Clamps are available to attach to a 1" tube boom gallows to
run lifelines from the gallows to the pulpit. A fixed upper rail from the pulpit to the boom gallows
is also available.
WESTSAIL 28 STERN PULPIT
We have designed and built a stern pulpit to fit the Westsail 28. This pulpit mounts with two
baseplates on the aft portion of the caprail, and the other two legs on the stainless steel boomkin
pipe. These aft legs have a saddle welded to the ends to fit over the boomkin pipe, and they can
be fastened with hose clamps, or by drilling into the boomkin pipes and bolting.
MAINSHEET HOOP AND FIDDLE BLOCK
A hoop is available that mounts on the boomkin of the Westsail 28 or 32 that comes up over
the tiller, with a strap welded on to handle the mainsheet block. The block is a fiddle block, with
becket, and a set of cam jaws to easily handle the mainsheet.
LONG DOUBLE RAIL BOW PULPIT
A long double rail bow pulpit is available to replace the original short single rail pulpit. This
pulpit mounts in the same place as the original, however the aft end extends back to nearly the
end of the platform. There is an inter-mediate rail for added strength and security. Loops are
welded to the ends to attach to the lifelines.
BRACED MAST RAILS OR MAST PULPITS
A safety item that has been very popular are mast pulpits, or safety rails alongside the mast.
We have designed a version with three legs for additional rigidity and made from 1-1/4" OD
stainless steel tubing. The fore and aft legs mount alongside the mast, and the third leg mounts
outboard of the handrail in line with the mast. Tabs are welded on if you want to add a teak bar
with hooks or belaying pins. The rails fit equally well on all of the Westsail line of boats.
BOOM GALLOWS
Boom gallows frames are available for all of the Westsail boats, made to the original Westsail
drawings, and to some new designs that have been done. The most popular boom gallows
frame was of 1" OD stainless steel tubing, with ears welded to the top rail to hold a teak bar, and
a brace fore and aft on each leg, with round base plates. The 1-3/4" thick teak bar drops into
the pocket formed by the welded ears, and 1/4" bolts hold it in place. Loops are welded on the
frame to attach lifelines on the W-28 and W-32 versions. This type of gallows frame is also
available made with 1-1/4" OD stainless steel tubing.
PULPITS, RAILS, STANCHIONS AND LIFELINES
A discussion of stanchions, lifelines, bow and stern pulpits for the boats, with suggestions for
checking on the possible failure points.
WESTSAIL SERVICE MANUAL TOPICS
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