Bow anchor platform replacement.

[SVJourney]

One of our forward chocks is now at the bottom of the Panama Canal.  Most of our bow anchor platform is now at the bottom of Hiva Oa Bay.  Both were temp fixed to get us across the Pacific.  Both have now been fixed, though not without issues, in New Zealand.  Story and pics in Dana's bog at: http://www.galleywenchtales.com/2016/04/nz-expensive-lesson-in-marine-repair.html

Would love to hear about what others have done with their platforms, if they are one of the ones that have the 365s with the optional bow platform.  Ours was just rotted teak, it was just a matter of time.  I know that Good News just used a piece of fir 2X8, total cost, about $15 and it has served him fine.

Thoughts?

Wayne

[Sailorlou]

Here is my solution.

[SVJourney]

Wow,that's beautiful!
I like a lot of things about that solution.  The new pulpit allows you to do anchor work while inside the pulpit, instead of doing the lean waaaayyy over that I have to do.  I like the idea of opening up the forsail area by moving the forward stay forward too.  Esp for your cutter, but even with our ketch, I wouldn't mind moving that forward to counter some of the weather helm I must trim out. 

Nice pics and thanks!  I would love one from the top showing the anchor stowage and what are those stainless sheets up forward?


Wayne

[PeteW]

Here is what was on my boat. Extruded aluminum channel that is mounted up side down. The front is cut out and drilled for a rollers. There is a riser in the aft part. Some welding was involved in its fabrication but its simple and very solid.  It incorporates your existing chain plate and existing stainless jib stay and tack.   I added the block of wood to accommodate the Sea Tiger and then added the Sampson post.



Pete

[Sailorlou]

Moving the forestay forward to get rid of the weather helm was the most important thing.  Having the great anchor platform was an added bonus.
I can keep all sails up in 20 to 25 knots of wind with very little weather helm.  I can steer her with one finger even though she is a bit over powered.  I have no lee helm to worry about.  The actual extension is 20 inches.  There was one other guy on the east coast who did a similar change to a 365 pilot house with the same results.
Attached is a photo of the bow from above.

[S/V Deo Volente]

Moving the forestay forward to get rid of the weather helm was the most important thing.  Having the great anchor platform was an added bonus.
I can keep all sails up in 20 to 25 knots of wind with very little weather helm.  I can steer her with one finger even though she is a bit over powered.  I have no lee helm to worry about.  The actual extension is 20 inches.  There was one other guy on the east coast who did a similar change to a 365 pilot house with the same results.
Attached is a photo of the bow from above.

This may be the pilothouse you are referring to. He moved the headstay forward and had the pulpit redone, but it's the original anchor platform.

[Sailorlou]

I didn't know about the one in Minnesota.  The one I was referring to was either in Florida or the Carolina's.  Not sure which, it was over 14 years ago when I was mailed photos by the owner.  If you post a photo or a link of the boat I would know for certain.

[S/V Deo Volente]

This is Hull # 27 arriving from the East Coast the first time. It was Bellwether, That owner had the pulpit redone. It was sold a few years later and I believe it went to North Carolina. It was sold again and is back on Lake Superior as Bel Canto.


This is pilothouse Hull # 30 and shows the last variation of factory anchor platform.

[SVJourney]

Uh,,, why is that boat lying on its side in a parking lot??

Significant difference between that and the teak platform we had.  You could have the anchor up and parked and "hang ten" off the platform during a sail.

Pete,  I like the box beam construction.  We were looking at the same thing in stainless, but they wanted too much money for it.   Then the guy who built our plywood and glass platform wanted even more than that when he finished the job.  Ah well..

[PeteW]

I'd someday like to built my ketch rig out to be a cutter. I'm told there is a lot to be gained from that.  I would  do that before considering the bow sprit modification.  For the time being as they, it ain't broke.