1984 F32 Gun Mount hardware

[JohnReinagel]

I am seriously considering making an offer on a F32, but unfortunately it does not have the gun mount set up. I'm not so concerned about the spinnaker itself, just the hardware involved, which includes the pole. Does anyone know of where I might obtain one, or at the very least, be able to get the specifications for all the components in order to reproduce them? Seeing that I sail single-handed most of the time, I find this configuration to be very attractive. Thanks for any assistance that is offered.

[mike cunningham]

I retrofitted (am retrofitting) a gun mount on my F30. I purchased the system from a fellow on the board. I bought the gear more than a year ago and am just now approaching completion of the project.

The trickiest part was the reinforced pulpit upgrade. I got lucky and found a guy who was parting out an F30 with the gunmount pulpit. It was a bit of a hassle retrofitting on my boat but I managed it successfully.

I would be happy to spec. the gunmount out for you if you are unable to find a system for sale. If you were clever you could probably fab the mount and pole out of carbon and achieve a much lighter assembly. I would love to have the system in carbon. The weight of pole and mount is close to 70 pounds. That does not include the hefty plate and additional railing reinforcement in the pulpit itself.

[JohnReinagel]

Thanks Mike. It sounds like you have your work cut out for you! I wish you great success with that.

The boat I am considering already has the correct pulpit luckily as it did have the gun mount set up, so it's really just the pole and it's mount specs that I will need. I do have a small mill and lathe in my workshop, so depending on how the ends of the poles and the pole mount are, I most likely can fabricate what is needed.

If you have the original specs for the components for the F32 I would appreciate it. Of course pictures of the pole ends would be helpful, but I haven't found any of those either. From what I have been finding, I don't have high hopes for finding the parts themselves.

[rvivian]

Tapered 16' to 24' 3.5" and 4" diameter carbon fiber spinnaker poles are available.

For example: https://www.fisheriessupply.com/forte-c ... rbon-tubes

[gulfcoastsailor]

Mike ~ I would also like any specs you can provide for the gun mount DIY kit. Thanks in advance!

Rivian ~ thanks for that carbon spar info. My boat came without the assembly (but with the correct pulpit) and due to the excessive weight, I was not seriously considering reinstalling a spinnaker kit. With the news you provided, I am definitely interested once again.

[dolescs]

I'm interested in how you fabricated the 'pole' itself. I have a gunmount pulpit on my F30 but it never had the boom/pole. It is meant to have pullies on it that allow you to 'tack' it by pulling a sheet that draws the pole starbord/port via the pullies. any guidance on making one would be aweseome.

I'm selling her as well btw, she's in WA. great shape, $3k of engine work just done, dripless seal, has wind generator, two new Group27 house batteries, new companionway hatch, removed, cleaned, re-inforced anreplaced common linere-installed the diesel tank. won't have problems with that for 30 more years at least. propane stove/oven, water maker (needs filters and membrane) forced air diesel plus bulkhead propane heater, older electronics. spare main, gunmount pulpit, spinnaker for gunmount (no pole obviously) new LEDs throughout. asking 35k

[toodleoo]

Thanks Mike. It sounds like you have your work cut out for you! I wish you great success with that.

The boat I am considering already has the correct pulpit luckily as it did have the gun mount set up, so it's really just the pole and it's mount specs that I will need. I do have a small mill and lathe in my workshop, so depending on how the ends of the poles and the pole mount are, I most likely can fabricate what is needed.

If you have the original specs for the components for the F32 I would appreciate it. Of course pictures of the pole ends would be helpful, but I haven't found any of those either. From what I have been finding, I don't have high hopes for finding the parts themselves.

I am in the exact same position. Looking at a F32 with the pulpit but no Mount/Pole. Would really like to explore fabrication possibilities.

[JohnReinagel]

I was able to locate the mount and the ends of a pole. On the 32, the pole is 18' long, 4" OD. Once I remove the pole ends I can measure the pole wall thickness.

I hope the best for you in regards to the 32 you are looking at. I have found the boat to be much better than I anticipated in just about every aspect. Not having the gun mount and spinnaker set up has not been an issue, the boat is quick without it in every direction, and that includes windward (not that a spinnaker would be used to wind of course). While I do notice a difference sailing to wind compared to previously owned sloop rigs, I am still able to match most other boats as long as there is a stiff breeze or better, light winds not so much. This past Saturday afternoon in the outer harbor of Buffalo NY, the wind was from the north and all the (sail) boats obviously had to tack to get to the north end. I was gaining ground on most boats, but not working at all like all of them, simply turning the wheel is all that was needed, my heeling was much less also. Anyway, I'm confident to say you will love the boat if you decide to move forward with the purchase. Good luck.

[Nengaku]

I have a 1988 36' that had the pole but no gun mount when I bought it. All the other stuff was intact so eventually just fabricated a simple system utilizing a bit of cable, quick release clamp which attaches to the bail over the anchor, and an ATN Tacker which just happens to fit my pole perfectly. Had to drill a hole for a pin to keep it lined up. Works fine but haven't used it a lot sailing here in the SF Bay mostly singlehanded. The pole just sits on top of the pulpit.

[JohnReinagel]

That's interesting Nengaku, and I can understand not using the system as much as I thought I would since I, like you, single hand a lot, but that is the point of the system I guess. As I continue to contemplate the continuation of rebuilding my system while sailing the boat more in various conditions, I am starting to see why some people opt out of using the gun mount spinnaker altogether. With the large main sail and the wind about any direction aft, the boat moves along quite swiftly, occasionally increasing speeds when the wind is right for wing on wing. I am developing a great respect for Garry Hoyt designed boats the more I sail my F32.

This past Friday evening, I was out with a friend on Lake Erie, it was blowing about 25mph with higher gusts, full sail. We were sailing steadily at 7+ knots heeling about 25 deg. To practice I set the first reef, boat heeled less of course and no loss of speed. A short while later, again to practice, I set the second reef. Max heel afterwards was maybe 15 degs even with the 4-5' swells. We suddenly found ourselves in the middle of a club regatta so we steered in same direction as the racers, all with their full sails up, and we were keeping right up with them double reef and all. While pointing we lost a little ground but not as much as I was expecting. I know this statement is way off topic, but I like to share my new experiences with the boat, as I am that impressed with it.