Bent Spinnaker pole

[FourPoints]

Last sail of the season this weekend, brought the boat up to Stratford where it is going to be hauled out for winter storage. Conditions were strong but ideal for late season. Clear sunny sky, wasn't too cold as long as we were wearing our foul weather gear, and we were heading DDW with 12kts apperant. It was just the 2 of us onboard, but I decided I wanted to launch the spinnaker anyway. I have flown it with just Jen and I a number of times, and most of them before I got the spinnaker sock, but this was probably the most wind I've done so in.

I did all the foredeck work, got the chute hauled up in the sock, pole rigged and everything was looking good so with Jen at the helm I raised the sock and we took off. I went back to the cockpit and started to adjust the sheets when we got hit by a wave on the stern quarter (we had been going dead down wind with the waves directly on the stern). Since I hadn't yet gotten the chute trimmed correctly it was pretty hard to manage and we ended up rounding up, and now in 15-16 kts of wind and 3ft swells on the beam. I somehow released the windward sheet in a moment of complete mental lapse, when I should have been releasing the leward sheet, which I did two or 3 seconds later, but not before the pole was free to fly forward and against the forestay where it promptly bent under the force of the still inflated chute.

I don't think it's safe to use a bent pole, but I also don't want to get a whole new pole as the end caps and everything else is still in great condition (the pole is only 2 years old). I either need to straighten the pole (also not sure if that's safe) or I need to replace it.

Does anyone know if it is safe to straighten and reuse, or if not, a source for the tubing so I can get a new tube and still reuse the rest of the hardware?

 

[RichH]

If the pole is bent near the ends, it can be straightened safely. Best way to do this is to take to a 'boiler shop' or a shop that is set up to bend large tubing where they will place it in a 'forming/bending tool' and straighten the 'smooth kink'. If the pole is 'hard kinked' (creased) then get a new aluminum section, remount the end jaws, etc. The good news is that most aluminum spinnaker poles are made from 'common' aluminum dimensioned tubing.

Bends, etc. in or more near the 'center' of the length would make the pole very vulnerable for 'buckling failure' .... and should have the 'tube' replaced.

 

[Todd Smith]

Well, they always warned me that doing that might damage the forestay, better check it if you haven't.

Anyway, here is a sailing store source for spinnaker pole blanks.
http://www.apsltd.com/c-811-aluminumblanks.aspx

You might be able to get a better deal from a metal supplier, but make sure you find the right thickness and type. I have no idea how what those should be.

And next time, EASE the sheet, don't just cast it off.

 

[Alex Dare]

Yup, if it's just a little ding, probably ok. Bent, it will need to be replaced. The tubing is available from Forespar. You might also try Dwyer. You should be able to reuse all the fittings.

 

[Ted]

Can you post a photo to give us a better idea of the extent of damage? You can order a replacement pole (minus the end fittings) from West Marine. There prices are a little higher than many other sources but the shipping is free if you pick it up from one of their retail stores. Shipping a spinnaker pole will be very costly otherwise. I built a new pole last season and explored many options. Metal suppliers can order the proper size but it will be raw aluminum and you really should have an anodized finish to prevent corrosion.

 

[FourPoints]

I didn't take any photos, and the boat is getting hauled today, it will probably be next week before I can get a photo due to thanksgiving this weekend. The bend (not kink) is about 2/3 of the way to the end, and maybe 10 -15 degrees. The pole is from Z-Spar, I could probably get a new piece from them, but they have to ship that freight so the shipping is nearly as much as the tubing.

I did quickly look at the forestay for damage, but have not done a full inspection yet, however I don't beleive there is.

 

[tommays]

If its not a weird size you can get a piece from a place like Yard metals which has a place in CT


Hitting the headstay hard enough to bend the pole would lower my faith in the headstays lifespan

 

[Seattle Scott]

I built up a pole after getting the tube form these guys. They are in Seattle but also only have a store in Ohio http://www.onlinemetals.com/merchant.cfm?pid=4740&step=4&showunits=inches&id=71&top_cat=0

 

[FourPoints]

Not sure how much it matters, but it didn't "hit" the headstay hard, it swing into the headstay as the windward sheet was inadvertently allowed to loosen (many things happening at once, didn't notice it was slipping on the winch), and the chute was still full, so it came to "rest" against the forestay, with the sail still full and pulling against it. so it was not bent by a sudden impact, but a continued side force after it came against a relatively immovable object, the headstay.

I'll take some pictures as soon as I get back up to the boat and post them.

 

[Alan]

I have to ask this, why did you not just release the sheet instead of the guy? With no pole on the sheet the sail would have simply flown out to leeward like a flag allowing you time to correct the problem and continue on your way with an intact pole. Dumping the guy to allow the pole to hit the forestay and bend the pole could have easily severed the stay and brought your rig down. The gods are giving you an opportunity to replace your forestay and you should consider that, particularly if it is ten or more years old.

 

[kloudie1]

I am with Rich on this one, Ya can probably find an exact replacement at a local shop that handles aluminum tubing.. Shipping one is outrageous, and, as you note, would cost as much as the tube itself.. Match OD and thickness and alloy, and it will be fine..

 

[rpwillia]

Used the same guys.

I built up a pole after getting the tube form these guys. They are in Seattle but also only have a store in Ohio http://www.onlinemetals.com/merchant.cfm?pid=4740&step=4&showunits=inches&id=71&top_cat=0

NT

 

[FourPoints]

I have to ask this, why did you not just release the sheet instead of the guy? With no pole on the sheet the sail would have simply flown out to leeward like a flag allowing you time to correct the problem and continue on your way with an intact pole.

It wasn't intentional. I had the end off the self tailor to put another wrap on it when Jen got scared at the helm after a large wake hitting on the stern quarter rolled us 20 deg. So I had to take the tiller in my left while I held the sheet / Guy in my right. In this situation I was unable to prevent the round up that was already starting when she vacated the helm. With everything happening at the time I wasn't able to stop the line from somewhat slowly paying out over the winch, and by the time I could do anything the pole was already on the forestay.

 

[Alan]

I can understand and sympathize that things can happen all at once but I think you would have sustained no damage had you released the sheet instead of the guy. The guy could then have been eased under control.
As for your pole, a 10 or 15 degree bend is not excessive and can probably be straightened with little or no ill effect. Talk to your local muffler shop. Many have tube bending equipment that could easily handle this job.

 

[PaulK]

Aluminum tubing of the sort you'll need will not be difficult to find in Fairfield County. You might even find some at Vulcan metals in Stamford, where they'd sell it to you by the pound. We got our 316 stainless stanchion material there, along with bimini arches and ss grabrails. I would not trust a bent & restraightened pole. When it goes the next time, it won't be in such benign conditions, and someone could get hurt. The most difficult part of this will likely be getting the old fittings off the bent pole.

 

[DianaOfBurlington]

How big is the pole? I have a 3"-dia. 16' piece from Forespar that never got used for a project. Right now it is holding up my winter cover but has never been used for anything else, only stored. It may have duct tape goo on it; that's all. Do get in touch if you want it.

This thing was $409 in the last WM catalogue. I won't be asking anything close to that for it.

BTW I can bring it to you or meet you halfway with it. Don't pay for shipping (I called them and Forespar estimated over $200 to ship a new one from CA).