PocketShip.net

Hi everyone!
I am about to order my trailer and I am wondering what builders do with the bobstay while towing the boat.
Do you disconnect the bobstay? Or do you configure the winch post and snubber so that the bobstay can be left attached?
And are there advantages / disadvantages to either tactic?
Your advice would be much appreciated.
Many thanks from the UK.

My bobstay is set up as described in the manual, and I disconnect it when trailering.
It is not a good idea for the trailer's bumper to be below the bow eye, because the bow would be free to rise
up and forward while trailering, for example if you had to stop suddenly.

If I were building a Pocketship again, I might consider adding two eyes, one for the trailer and
another a few inches above it for the bobstay.

Another possibility would be to modify the trailer winch setup so that the strap passes over the rubber bumper,
but is preventing from rising any higher by some sort of fitting mounted just ahead of the bumper.

Doug

Thanks Doug. That's really helpful.

I’ve been contemplating this same question as I recently picked up my trailer (I’m converting a Precision 16 trailer) and am looking at what changes to make. That’s a good point about a low bumper; hadn’t thought of that.

I was wondering if one could have a split bumper so that the bobstay could just pass between the two sides? Or perhaps a hinged bumper that could be swung into place after the bob stay passes through?

I am thinking of placing my winch lower for a more direct pull on the bow eye.

At risk of seeming uninformed, what exactly do we mean by the 'bumper'? I'm getting confused ...

I also disconnect my bobstay. It's modestly annoying, since it means I can't tension the jib sheet until I've launched, but not bad enough that I've ever been motivated to try something else.

I forget who it was, but someone ended up dropping his winch really low so the bobstay could stay rigged. I spent some time looking at my trailer, pondering that possibility, but it just didn't seem right.

SMHolmans wrote:At risk of seeming uninformed, what exactly do we mean by the 'bumper'? I'm getting confused ...

I mean the rubber spool thing that contacts the bow of the boat just above the eye, when you winch the boat all the way forward.

Doug

Thanks Jon, Doug. I see the problem now. I think I'm going to leave the winch post as designed and disconnect the bobstay when trailering. It seems better that way.
Steve

Here is how I achieved it with mine https://photos.app.goo.gl/2aZ6yMMKAkGsv8z9A

Thanks Drew. I assume that your winch post is fully adjustable?