Bloody Rotten Bowsprit
Posted Under: Colvic Victor 34, DIY, Sailing, Weather, When Everything Goes Wrong
Whilst hosing our Colvic Victor 34 down after being caught out in a F7 the other week, we noticed that our bowsprit had clearly moved a few inches to port. Interesting!
We spent a day dismantling everything required to have a good look… the pulpit came off, genoa came down, forestay unattached, anchor roller platform off, and as I type this message, James is sawing the windlass off - totally corroded, bummer as it still works, but we’ll have to get a new one. Now poor Milestone has no nose!
This is what we found:
As you can clearly see, it’s totally rotten where the wooden anchor roller platform has been resting on top of it. It crumbles and is sodden where it was covered - there wasn’t any visible evidence before we removed the anchor roller platform, which is why we were totally oblivious to this before suspecting something after it shifted the other day.
James has just managed to remove the windlass, look how corroded it was!!
We’ve spoken to a couple of contacts about creating a new bowsprit, and so far so good. Even if we just replace it like for like, it should last another 29 years - but we’re thinking of putting a spacer in between the anchor roller platform and bowsprit to vastly improve the design and allow an airflow so it doesn’t rot again. We’ve also thought about a trellis-design, as you sometimes see on cockpit floors. (I don’t think I’ve ever written the word ‘trellis’ before.)
I know it’s a long shot asking for other CV34 owners as we are quite a rare bunch, but I would love to see some of Milestone’s sisters’ bowsprits. We’ve seen a few others when we were boat hunting, but don’t have any photos to refer to now except for those on brokers’ websites. And it’s much better actually talking to other owners, rather than assuming things from random photos.
Also, anyone else with similar wooden bowsprits/anchor roller platforms who’ve had problems with rot - or haven’t, as they have an effective design?
Postscript: I am informed ‘grating’ would be the correct term, not ‘trellis’. It was fun to write, though.
Reader Comments
I got a shipwright to make me a new one out of Doug Fir two years ago. He did a beatutiful job as well as replacing the teak all the way around. I am happy to discuss anything you want. I rebuilt may cv34, took four years and ashe’s been in the water now for three seasons. we all love her been to France and back, that was an epic journey. email me if you want to know more.
Blimey! That’s some rot. Hmmm. I wonder if I made a big mistake covering my bowsprit with plastic before leaving the boat in the yard. If I get through my current heartbreak and crappy feeling about life, we shall soon sea.
Great website! So nice to see the young’uns out there in a different vortex.
Hi Guys, we’ve had the same problem as you and a host of other things, still in the middle of trying to get her ship shape, the web address shows our progress, daunting at times but we keep plugging away.
http://tmb.podzone.net/Colvic_Victor/default.asp?page=boatimages&pg=13
Thanks to the above readers for your comments - interesting to see the response we have had to this post from other CV34 owners! It’s brilliant to know there are more of us out there, battling through the same problems.
Tim, James and I have looked through your gallery, and we are in awe. You have done such an amazing job and have totally transformed her. There are some things we can dream about doing to Miley, but just can’t as they’re not practical whilst we’re living aboard. Keep us updated on your progress!