Question on Southern Skimmers Bow sprit/ cultic totem

[sobarr02]

I can't help notice that SS has that enormous bowsprit with no fore sail attached and I see no forestay in photos tho' surmise there is one. Is it fair to say it is actually a horizontal gin pole for raising/ lowering the foremast? Or is it actually a large phallic themed figurehead to intimidate and cower your sailing/rowing fellow race competitors as you swiftly bear down on them from astern ? Probably not- but then it would be intimidating as a ram too. Thanks in advance for clarification. PS Thanks to you all I'as gots de cat ketch fever fo' shore now

[Charlie Jones]

It's a carbon fiber pole, for flying the assymetrical spinnaker out in front of the bow in clear air. The boat also carries a Mizzen Staysail.

Halyards for both sails serve as back stays when the sails are hoisted.

[sobarr02]

Well yes that makes a lot of sense for a competitive boat design and seems an obvious explanation which I should have thought of. Thanks for the response. However, I am emotionally attached to my ginpole theory still. Perhaps a "splitting" structure which could spread and provide some lateral stability while raising/lowering mast - just kidding. The success of the design is a proven fact now in any case, and I must say sensuously pleasing in appearance as well. Congrats to "the crew" on design, execution, and seamanship. One more win to qualify for legendary status? Mssr. Frechette makes a good point also . As constant front runner I suppose the competition only sees the stern, mizzen and a few wake bubbles.

[Ken_Potts]

Since the bowsprit isn't intimidating from the rear maybe they'll mount a swivel gun next year.

Nah... Too much weight.

On the other hand - Even if the bowsprit isn't visible from the rear I bet the spinnaker can intimidate from any angle

[Frank Hagan]

Since the bowsprit isn't intimidating from the rear maybe they'll mount a swivel gun next year.

Nah... Too much weight.

On the other hand - Even if the bowsprit isn't visible from the rear I bet the spinnaker can intimidate from any angle

I think for this race' date=' seeing the [b']back[/b] of Graham's head is intimidation enough! :twisted:

[Ken_Potts]

Then again if I was in that race and saw the back of Graham's head I'd probably say "Woo hoo! We're second!"

Then I'd blow it and celebrate by stopping for a beer.

I guess that means the only place I would have been in that position was right off the beach at Ft Desoto. I'd love to do the challenge but I think I'd only race the checkpoint closing times...

[JeffM]

Ken, that's on my Wish List, too--when I'm old enough.