Help from 290/306 owners - whisker pole install

[PHitchcox]

Hopefully you don't mind a short break from Boat Babe....Forespar has just released a new whisker pole, an ADJ 7-15, replacing the ADJ 7-17. This appears to be a good match for my 290.I'm going to install a padeye on the mast and know it should placed where the whisker pole will be approximately level. Ordinarily, that would mean getting her out on the water and making measurements from there. OR...I'd like to ask whether any 290/306 owners have installed a whisker pole, and where on their mast did they mount the padeye? (i.e. inches above the deck). Or did you install a track?As far installation itself, the padeye calls for 1/4" RHMS. I was wondering if anyone has used rivets or are screws preferred? And any advice about installation is greatly appreciated.Maybe we'll get a relative consensus and can post the spec for future owners. Thanks for your help.Paul

 

[s sauer]

Track vs Pad Eyes

We had a 25 on which we mounted two cast aluminum pad eyes; one on each side j ust forward of midpoint width of the mast at the aproximate clew height when on an over the shoulder reach.My thinking was that the four screws then took very little load when the pole was perpendicular or somewhat foreward.On our 28.5; however, we installed a 4' section of track with 1/4-20 stainless flat head machine screws drilled & tapped into the mast and the stainless steel carrier car which uses push button positining on the track.Both work well; the track is a little more expense and a little more work but can later be used for a spinnaker pole and it is stronger