Hi all
Still playing with the idea of a 4 meter whisker pole to pole out my genoa and a mate of mine gave me a short jockey pole with these on either end (with or without a topping lift)
Is there any reason why I cant put them on the end of a 4 meter piece of tube and use them to do the job
Any thoughts would be appreciated
Regards Don
Hi Don,
Looks like a good score, I see no reason at all.
Just make sure you align them the right way around before you rivet them (don't ask me why I would mention that)
Hi all
Thanks for the feedback
The only decision I need to make now is how to attach the topping lift to it
On my spinnaker pole I have a dyneema bridle top and bottom for the topping lift and down haul but for this one I am wondering whether to just attach the topping lift to the centre of the pole as the only downward load on the outer end of the pole will be the tension on the sheet
The other alternatives are a bridle the same as my spinnaker pole of attach the topping lift to the outer end only
What are everyone's thoughts on this
When it blows the Genoa clew tend to want to lift but during races with it poled out I am normally on the foredeck so I figure I can keep the pole down and forward
Regards Don
The pool scoop handle is quite a lot larger in diameter than the paint brush handle. I have used mine as a gin pole under quite a large load. The standard spinnaker pole fittings also match the diameter. And yes, it needs the bridle to avoid bending.
Yep, rig it with normal bridles for topping lift and kicker. If it gets a bit fresh, the topper will stop the pole going in if someone lets go of the jib sheet, and the kicker will stop your pole smashing into your sidestay if the beak goes in the water..
A bit of shot cord round the pole to slip the bridle rings through for the light stuff when you couldnt be bothered with toppers and kickers.
Will spinnaker line stopper balls work with that reaching strut ? Seem easier to get in a tangle compared to a normal pole.
A
Course it will work. I use a large strong bamboo pole with cleats at each end. Works exceptionally well. Don't be afraid to Try stuff.
Hi all
I finally got my finger out and bought a 4 meter length of 50mm internal 2mm alloy tube to make the pole out of and some 3mm spectraspeed to make a top bridle that goes from end to end with a ring in the middle
I intend to have the jaws on the mast ring end face upwards like a spinnaker pole but in two minds over which way to face the outer end jaws
I know that when it blows the clew on the sail wants to lift so i will probably face it jaws down to hold the sheet in the pole which is what Forespar recommend for their whisker poles in this article www.forespar.com/whiskerPoleSeminar.shtml when using conventional pole ends and i suppose the only risk i have is that the sheet might drop out of the open outer end when it is light
A 4.2 meter is going to be a big bugger to deal with on the foredeck of a 8.45 meter boat but i n the article it says the pole should be the length of the foot of the sail and i reckon my genoa is probably around 4500 on the foot I will see what happens
Any thoughts on the outer end up or down would be appreciated
Regards Don
The philosophy of mine - as a single-hander is to set up everything the way it would work "by itself" if possible, with the least interference or need of control and adjustment.
Following the above philosophy the pole ends l would recommend to be snap type close jaws.
The up and down-haul lines with a bridle are not just fancy bits hanging off the pole but one of the most important ways of pole control. Dynema is highly recommended for this, regardless of costs. My up-haul runs over a jam cleat on the mast and gives me perfect control of the - much longer than your pole at 5.35m - whisker pole on an 8.7m yacht with a sail-foot of 6.35m.
You might regret the decision of a short 4m pole. Starting at 5.5m and cutting it down as needed might have been a better option.
I hope it works.
I guess it comes down to the boat design. The East Coast 31 has moulded pole holders in the deck on each side. I tend to think that Peter Cole designed the pole dimensions for spinnakers, not for headsails, but generally they work well for us. Because I can, I carry 2 poles, a lightweight whisker and a heavier spinnaker pole.
The holders take a 4.2m pole + beaks, so about 4.4m. According to saildata, the J number is 4.15m, so my 150% #1 headsail foot is approx 6.30m. I find that it has a fair bit of belly when on the pole, so is only useful dead down wind in a very light breeze. Another 300mm would probably suit it.
The 135% #2 @ 5.6m foot fits on the pole much better, so is our choice for anything stronger than a drifter downwind.
I finally got my finger out and took the pole that ended up at 4.2 meters out for a try today and it works beautifully
The only issue is where to store a 4.2 meter pol;e on a 8.4 meter boat but is sits along the deck attached to the toe rail pretty well
This is the pole compared to the 3.6 spinnaker pole out on ther river today
Regards Don