One of the items on my sailing "wish list" is a whisker pole to improve the genoa's downwind performance. But alas, the budget doesn't accommodate that kind of outlay right now, so the pole has been stamped "low priority." But a recent conversation with a couple sailing buddies raised the idea of creating an adjustable one out of two lengths of Schedule 40 PVC pipe (more commonly used for plumbing lines in houses). Now I need to run it by some other parties -- that means you folks -- for additional opinions and suggestions. The way it was envisioned, you'd use one 12-foot length of 2-1/2" pipe, and a 12-foot length of 2" pipe. (The thickness of the walls on Sched. 40 PVC would allow the smaller size to nest inside the larger without any "slop.") You'd drill a series of matched-up holes about every 8 to 12 inches near the ends of the two sections, and you'd stick a clevis pin or something similar in there to set the length of the "whisker pole" at the size needed. You with me so far? What I haven't figured out yet is the end fittings. Is there some way to fabricate a DIY version of them as well, or do I somehow have to figure on stock fittings (which would drive up the cost of this little project pretty quickly)? My boat came equipped with the mast fitting for a spinnaker pole, and the spin halyard and pole lift too. Unfortunately, the previous owner, for whatever reason, kept the pole and the chute itself. Now it's up to me to figure out how to sail better downwind without having to come up with (at least for now) a couple grand for a new pole and spinnaker. I'm not looking for something perfect, just functional, till the budget picture brightens. Any thoughts, reactions, suggestions? All are appreciated. Pete s/v Crossroads (ODay 322) Little Silver, NJ
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Spinnaker pole
The fittings are in any catalog, notably West Marine. If you're getting ready to throw a spinnaker, you might try this bowsprit. It's easy to make and works wonders at keeping the main from blanketing the spin.
The fittings are in any catalog, notably West Marine. If you're getting ready to throw a spinnaker, you might try this bowsprit. It's easy to make and works wonders at keeping the main from blanketing the spin.
LOOK OUT!
A friend did what your describing. worked great untill the pvc got brittle then it exploded into shards of platic. ruined the main and jib and nearly the fordeck crew. Pvc just is no the thing use!
A friend did what your describing. worked great untill the pvc got brittle then it exploded into shards of platic. ruined the main and jib and nearly the fordeck crew. Pvc just is no the thing use!
Spinnaker pole
Most spinnaker/whiskerpole manufactures warn us of exceptionally high pressure loads incurred while polling. They always recommend going to a rating size higher than might be anticipated because of these forces. Using a plastic PVC pole may be borderline safe at best unless you're in a very small boat. In fact, it may be downright dangerous. Best be safe and get a pole specifically designed for your boat. Will last far longer than your plastic one as well.
Most spinnaker/whiskerpole manufactures warn us of exceptionally high pressure loads incurred while polling. They always recommend going to a rating size higher than might be anticipated because of these forces. Using a plastic PVC pole may be borderline safe at best unless you're in a very small boat. In fact, it may be downright dangerous. Best be safe and get a pole specifically designed for your boat. Will last far longer than your plastic one as well.
Carbon fiber--
---will probably not be in Pete's budget, but a great alternative. However, did you ever notice how many of even the largest/priciest C.F. poles shatter under extreme conditions? Still not convinced about plastic.
---will probably not be in Pete's budget, but a great alternative. However, did you ever notice how many of even the largest/priciest C.F. poles shatter under extreme conditions? Still not convinced about plastic.
If you're even thinking PVC....
....consider the health of your foredeck crew. When the first person gets seriously hurt, you'll wish you had done it right. Sure money is important, but so is not getting someone injured. Take a word of advice, DO NOT USE PVC.
....consider the health of your foredeck crew. When the first person gets seriously hurt, you'll wish you had done it right. Sure money is important, but so is not getting someone injured. Take a word of advice, DO NOT USE PVC.
Points well taken
All good points, and not to be minimized or taken lightly. I certainly don't want anything to happen to my foredeck crew (which would no doubt be me or a member of my family), or to my sails. I'm still just a bit puzzled, though. I suppose you could say that "plastic is plastic," but Schedule 40 (or better still, Sched. 80) isn't exactly your garden-variety PVC, which can be cracked by just walking on it. Sched. 40 (the rigid, not flexible type) is meant for being buried underground or encased in concrete, and has compressive and tensile strength ratings of about 7,500 and 5,000 pounds, respectively. It's meant to withstand several hundred PSI of water pressure. And, FWIW, the only reason I got this idea in my head in the first place was that I saw a DIY boater's website that described in detail how to fabricate a mast out of Sched 40 PVC. Guess I'm not ready to scuttle the idea just yet, but then again, I won't be running off to Home Depot for PVC real soon either. Pete s/v Crossroads (ODay 322) Little Silver, NJ
All good points, and not to be minimized or taken lightly. I certainly don't want anything to happen to my foredeck crew (which would no doubt be me or a member of my family), or to my sails. I'm still just a bit puzzled, though. I suppose you could say that "plastic is plastic," but Schedule 40 (or better still, Sched. 80) isn't exactly your garden-variety PVC, which can be cracked by just walking on it. Sched. 40 (the rigid, not flexible type) is meant for being buried underground or encased in concrete, and has compressive and tensile strength ratings of about 7,500 and 5,000 pounds, respectively. It's meant to withstand several hundred PSI of water pressure. And, FWIW, the only reason I got this idea in my head in the first place was that I saw a DIY boater's website that described in detail how to fabricate a mast out of Sched 40 PVC. Guess I'm not ready to scuttle the idea just yet, but then again, I won't be running off to Home Depot for PVC real soon either. Pete s/v Crossroads (ODay 322) Little Silver, NJ
Pete, those are impressive numbers.
But in your referred to applications, (underground or encased in concrete) there is no sunlight. With no UV protection it's gonna shatter after sitting on a deck.
But in your referred to applications, (underground or encased in concrete) there is no sunlight. With no UV protection it's gonna shatter after sitting on a deck.
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