Hi Jay - I'll answer below.
"Hi Jay, I am also in the process of replacing the chain locker bulkhead and replacing my bowsprit. I also have some rot in the fore deck - probably as much as you had. Love the idea to repair from below like you did. I also would like to eliminate the deck penetrations for the samson posts by using the SS samson posts. I have talked to some people who think its critical for the samson posts to tie into the bulkhead for the strength of the rig. Do you have any comments for that?"
I'm not an engineer and all my advise needs to be carefully reviewed and followed as you wish.
IMHO the changes/additions I made on Pygmalion to the hull/deck joint plus the backing plates plus the SS bolt to the SS bowsprit plus the new bulkhead of sound 3/4 marine plywood and tabbed all around to the deck and hull is at least equal to what I had from the factory.
As I recall on Pygmalion the original wood samson posts were bolted to the wood bowsprit and poorly attached to the bulk head which was also poorly tabbed into the hull and deck.
I also posted many pics here of the project.
"I have considered tabbing the new bulkhead to the bottom of the deck which theoretically would make this a structural connection between the posts/deck/bulkhead." I agree
"Also, do you know anyone who has used the SS samson posts with a wood bowsprit?"
No - Please look at the album "Things that Break" there are several pics of wood bowsprits which have failed.
I hope this helps -
Jay
