What is this piece?

[MRJarret]

http://forum.woodenboat.com/images/attach/jpg.gif

Hope my meager photo effort works! It shows where bulwarks attach to each other at the bow of a 30 foot schooner - there is additional blocking on the inboard side. Does anyone have knowledge of something like this? Does it extend below the covering board and/or sheer clamp? What is the function?

Thanks,

Michael

[Ian McColgin]

Try again. My aged and feeble eyes can't make it out as a thumbnail that really is about the size of my thumbnail.

[Woxbox]

I can't make out the photo either, but the description suggests a breasthook.

[MRJarret]

Now THAT'S a clear picture! But no, not breasthooks; Thank you both for trying. They are on the pinky schooner PERSERVERANCE and run just like bulwark stanchions, same thickness, but 15 inches wide. The plans are not at all clear on this; I'm at a loss...

[dredbob]

Now THAT'S a clear picture! But no, not breasthooks; Thank you both for trying. They are on the pinky schooner PERSERVERANCE and run just like bulwark stanchions, same thickness, but 15 inches wide. The plans are not at all clear on this; I'm at a loss...

The picture didn't show up at all on my computer, but what you are describing sounds like what are called "knightheads" or "knight heads". Google on that term and see if that is what you have. Howard Chapelle's _Boatbuilding_ show these components of traditional builds, and they are common here on the Chesapeake in Skipjack and Bugeye construction.

Bob

[Don Kurylko]

Knight's Heads, if they are right forward up against the stem. Traditionally go right through the sheer clamps and part ways down the planking. There might be drawings of them in Chapelle's "Boatbuilding".

[Don Kurylko]

Great minds, and all that!

[Phil Y]

Gronicles probably. Unusual to find them there though.

[MRJarret]

Thanks again. I had explored the term "knightheads", but was unable to get past my preconception that they were more inboard, akin to "sampson post". I now understand they are for bowsprit stress relief. The woodenboat thread here:
http://forum.woodenboat.com/showthre...Viet-Nam/page8
explains A LOT!

Thank you all.

Michael

[wizbang 13]

Anchor /bowsprit reinforcement thingys. Knighthead sure sounds familiar. West Indians put em on their heavier vessels, not the race boats.They run the ground tackle right through . Even bald vessels will have them. They have different nomenclature than Father Howie.

[sailboy3]

A good view of them: