Whisker poles don't float... for long

[DAVA390]

Great day, but, I always said, something learned every time out. Today was no exception.
Last night, grandson calls, available Sat., can he come over?
Hell Yeah!!! All of them know easy money to be made here, cutting grass, scrubbing boat,
etc. Always with lunch at the marina or BBQ joint and a boat ride thrown in.
Grass done, off to the marina, my carpenter/cabinetmaker buddy meets us there. We figured out mounting for new Garmin GPS, no swing arm, (more on that later).
Grandson suitably impressed with CDI roller on nearby boat similar to the one I just ordered, I got points for that.
Admiral arrives , we launched, great conditions, 5-10 knots ,not too choppy , occaisional
gusts.
Coming back in, light air, downwind, decided to try he whisker pole. I`ve only used it once before last summer.
It seemed to be working alright, Jr. is driving,(at o.o knots practically) then he let us get a little sideways. The jib backwinded, hard out to the right, must have broken the plastic clip holding the pole to the mast. I assigned the admiral to watch the pole as I scramble back into cockpit, trip on a jibsheet, bloody a knee.
Emergency start, all sails flapping, come about ,she had lost sight of it, gone.
Poor kid is still wondereing just what happened, I guess, it was a great 10 minutes and ride for him, I loved it!

 

[rgranger]

Re: whisker poles don`t float..very long.

I have some of that insulating foam used for water pipes... it is about $1 a for an 8' piece. Pre-slit. I put it around my docking pole and secured it with black zip ties. I tested it in shallow water. Floats. I then put some around my winch handle. That also floats. I've actually had to run an MOB drill to recover it last fall. Very glad I had put the foam on it.

I've also wondered why they don't fill these poles with expanding foam. Seems like a no-brainer. I guess they want to sell you a second one.

 

[DAVA390]

Re: whisker poles don`t float..very long.

Good ideas, thanks. Also gonna see if next pole can have clips for both ends, not just a tip to stick in the grommet on the sail.

 

[dscribner]

Re: whisker poles don`t float..very long.

Dave,

get some 1" backer rod, pull the pole apart and slip it into the smaller section. It won't affect the inside or out.

Don

 

[DAVA390]

Re: whisker poles don`t float..very long.

What is 1" backer rod?

 

[Scott T-Bird]

Re: whisker poles don`t float..very long.

Backer rod is used to fill gaps prior to applying caulk. It comes in various diameters, including 1". It is closed-cell polyethylene foam ... very much like a pool noodle, except it is gray and is solid, rather than having an open center. It would be a good way to add flotation.

You should be able to find it at Lowes or HD

 

[rgranger]

Backer rod is used to fill gaps prior to applying caulk.

That sounds like good stuff to know about. I may have to reevaluate how I have my boat hook set up.

r

 

[Ken Cross]

On our old Mac 26 I used to use a boat hook for a whisker pole. I drilled a hole in the handle to put a short cord through to tie it to the mast. It worked great and could still operate as a boat hook.

 

[DAVA390]

HMMMMMM...I have 2 boat hooks!!

 

[kylahi]

Why not inject expanding foam in a 1/8" hole driller in each end just side the end pieces. THe aluminum pole if kept hollow will float. The expanded foam will plug each end.

 

[DAVA390]

I think that`s another great idea. This spring I`ve learned to use the boathook when I`m in the water trying to hook up the boat to the trailer winch strap. It`s great to grab a pulpit rail to swing the bow or pull it to me.
I have 2 hooks, 1 fixed,1telescopes. I think I`ll try the foam in the fixed one as a test.

 

[Ray Bowles]

I lost one of those "floatable" winch handles one day in seas with a 1 foot chop and white caps. Color it invisible. Consider it gone.
Ray

 

[dscribner]

Expanding foam won't work for this application. It requires moisture to cure so as soon as the hole seals up and becomes watertight the stuff inside turns into sludge. But, a dab in each end of the inside tube might be enough to create an airtight chamber. Hmmmm. . .