Have become quite interested in using a whisker pole to hold the jib out when coastal sailing virtually dead downwind, I haven't tried it yet on my current boat, slightly complicated as I cant connect the inboard end of a pole to the front of the mast, because main is lashed to the mast. But that's ok, I think I have that worked out.
Have seen a few utube vids where pole is completely independent ie it is set, then a additional single longer line is used like a jib sheet, normal jib sheets are still left on loose. longer line can be dumped & can resume sailing with shorter lines at any time, while pole remains set, seems like a good idea.
My small jib, which I take down in over 22kts is about 2900mm from luff to clew, so would a pole about 3200mm be good (I have an old spinnaker pole, I suppose that would be ok?
What do others do, any other thoughts on using a whisker pole?
cheers

I think regardless of whether one is racing or cruising, a couple of poles are worth having on board.

A spinnaker pole is useful for spinnakers, large headsails, raising and lowering masts and as a crane jib for dinghies or cargo or even a spare boom.

A whisker pole, if you can store it easily, can be equally as useful.

An idea I have been thinking about is lighter windsurfer masts for use as spinnaker and whisker poles.

Does anybody have thoughts or experience on that????

I use a Windsurfer mast. Made SS fittings for each end. I use the jumper strut rings on each side of the mast for the inboard end. The rings are about 2 feet off the deck. Light and easy to use. I have a topping lift but don't always use it.

Thanks Ramona. Do you have any pics perchance of the end fittings??

I use one alot on my Etchells, simply a scaled down kite pole with normal ends. You can get away with not end for ending the pole and use an internal end like this

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rumblefish said..
I use one alot on my Etchells, simply a scaled down kite pole with normal ends. You can get away with not end for ending the pole and use an internal end like this

Internal??? Surely those would be fitted over the pole rather than in it??

I always laugh at the size of the kite poles that come with some old racer/cruisers!
first thing I do is chuck them out order x2 www.whitworths.com.au/spin-pl-end-rf-50mm?q=80655
and 3.5 meters of aluminium tube to suit. Apparently I could only buy the tube in 8 meter lengths so half went to my mate and half to me.

i connect the end to the bowline of the jib sheet and then tie a bowline onto the jib sheet with my preventer line and flick it up to the pole end and then pull the preventer line forward to my bow cleat. Works for me.

I use a made up whisker pole, as the spinnaker pole on my Swarbrick s20 is too long. I made up the length measured from pole to mast attachment right angled to clew tight jib, so allows some forward movement of pole to put belly into the jib when straight downwind. Efficiency of whisker pole relates to the no.1 jib, if using no.2 I have to consider longer jib sheets as getting too tight. So unless I carry several sizes of whisker pole I only goose-wing with the no.1....Tend to use this with J&M club racing, or when big wind and rookie crew !! BrianGF

A question Southace,

Why do you have that port jib sheet coming inboard over the safety wire?

Cause thats where it stays when I dump the pole.i can't see myself changing the sheeting angle for a downwind run with homemade pizza and rum to be consumed.

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cisco said..

rumblefish said..
I use one alot on my Etchells, simply a scaled down kite pole with normal ends. You can get away with not end for ending the pole and use an internal end like this

Internal??? Surely those would be fitted over the pole rather than in it??

Sorry, yes they are external!!!

Small boats use a pole with a blunt spike to do through the eye on the clew and one of these, can be easier than trying to clip on normal pole ends.

With mine I just use the spinnaker pole with the sheet running through it (the same as you do with a spinnaker brace) and supporat the pole with the spinnaker topping lift

Regards Don

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Donk107 said..
With mine I just use the spinnaker pole with the sheet running through it (the same as you do with a spinnaker brace) and supporat the pole with the spinnaker topping lift

Regards Don

I do the same basically but use a lazy sheet on the pole so I can gybe or tack the boat without having to go forward to the pole. Pole stays set.

I use a swimming pool scoop adjustable aluminium pole, with spinnaker pole ends. With the adjustable length, it fills many roles, including strut for mast raising, push/pull boat hook, as well as jib pole for different size jibs.

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cisco said..

Thanks Ramona. Do you have any pics perchance of the end fittings??

I'm on the road to Queensland and don't have photos on this laptop. Basically they are dinghy SS fittings I have welded bits to to fit the mast ends.

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Ramona said..


I'm on the road to Queensland .

You better drop in for a chin wag. We have a spare double bedroom.