A bow pulpit is an extension attached to the bow of your boat, typically made of fiberglass. The pulpit is used as a place to secure your anchor, and as a mounting position for a windlass or anchor winch.
It is also a convenient mooring location and is an excellent spot for mounting navigation lights. An attractive bow pulpit is the pinnacle of any great vessel.
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A bow pulpit, also known as an anchor pulpit, is an extension — usually made of fiberglass or wood — attached to the front of boats.
The purpose of a bow pulpit is to secure the anchor away from the deck of the boat to provide a safer, easier anchoring experience.
Mooring is also safely and effectively achieved from the anchor of a pulpit. A windlass can also be installed on a pulpit for hands-free anchoring.
Types of Pulpits
Marine bow pulpits are typically made from two materials. Wood bow pulpits are a classic material and provide a classy and elegant look. Wood bow pulpits are typically custom-made, therefore more expensive than their fiberglass counterparts.
Fiberglass is rugged, clean, and easy to maintain. It requires less maintenance than wood and is easier to install. Mounting anchors and rails to your pulpit are also easier achieved on fiberglass. Currently, Boat Outfitters carries two fiberglass bow pulpit sizes:
With intermediate mechanical and electrical skills, you can install a bow pulpit on your vessel. When installing one, make sure any preexisting hardware such as cleats and navigation lights are removed before starting installation.
Carefully measure, mark, and drill holes where mounting hardware will be placed. Using quality marine-grade fasteners, secure it to your vessel.
Attach desired lighting, cleats, and anchor management system and enjoy your new look!
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A bow pulpit is the pinnacle of your craft and helps give it an attractive complete finish. The eye-catching board is also used to store your anchor so that it can be more easily deployed, without removing it from an anchor locker.
The pulpit extends the length of your vessel and keeps the heavy anchor away from boats. This helps avoid unwanted damage caused by dragging a heavy anchor into your anchor well. Anchor cleats, navigation lights, and more can also be added as well.
Most high-quality fabricate bow pulpits are constructed from fiberglass over marine-grade plywood. This ensures a quality fit and finish and provides you with a durable product sure to protect your boat for years to come.
Solid wood — usually teak — is also a traditional material used in the construction of boat pulpits and gives a classic look to the bow of your vessel.
Anchors are heavy, bulky, and can be dangerous to bring in and out of the anchor well of your vessel. Storing an anchor away from your boat, attached to a bow pulpit, is a terrific way to protect the fragile hull of your boat.
The addition of an electric windlass to your pulpit simplifies the raising and lowering of the anchor with the push of a button and with the help of anchor rollers. The design of a bow pulpit also allows you to use a wider variety of anchor shapes and sizes.
Mud and grime from dragging an anchor rope across the deck of your boat are eliminated when a bow pulpit is used, resulting in a cleaner vessel. Bow pulpits are also a wonderful place to mount anchor cleats and navigation lights.
If your bow pulpit is damaged, it needs to be fixed or replaced. Depending on the severity of the damage, fixing it may be an option. Simple fiberglass patchwork can be used to fix fairly minor damage on fiberglass pulpits. If it is made of wood, replacing it is the easiest option as wood pulpits are harder to repair. When replacing a pulpit, purchase a comparable size as your factory-installed pulpit. Using the pre-existing holes, attach the pulpit to the bow of your vessel.
Sizing a bow pulpit to your boat could not be easier. Bow pulpits fit a variety of lengths and recommended sizes are listed in the description.
Be sure to follow recommended sizing guidelines to ensure a sleek, professional look is achieved on your vessel.
