There are two prevailing winds where (and when) we sail; dead on the nose, and dead astern. I think that I understand my choices for on the nose conditions, close hauled, and tack, tack, tack! But what can I do, beyond burning more diesel, to improve my sailing performance and reduce motoring time, when sailing dead downwind? We typically sail short handed, just two of us, and I am the only one who is even remotely concerned about sailing performance (hint - we're unlikely to be practicing too many pole jibes).
Our first boat was a First 285 (6,000 lb boat) with a 150% genoa. Our current boat is an Oceanis 34 (12,000 lb boat) with a (whopping 88 additional sf) 105% genoa. We have upgraded that, with a code zero, to 170%.
My question is; How do we get the most out of our code zero, when sailing downwind? Is there such a thing as a "simple" whisker pole rig, and jibe? Jibing the code zero, without a pole, we typically furl the code zero, jibe the mainsail, unfurl the code zero... Do I need all of the additional rigging (lifts and guys) and the accompanying learning curve that goes with a pole? Or, should I just focus on rigging and learning how to work with a mainsail preventer when sailing down wind, and forget about a whisker pole?
I was all set to order a Forespar Tri-Reacher whisker pole, and then I Googled "How to install a whisker pole"... and here I am, asking for advice, again...
Our first boat was a First 285 (6,000 lb boat) with a 150% genoa. Our current boat is an Oceanis 34 (12,000 lb boat) with a (whopping 88 additional sf) 105% genoa. We have upgraded that, with a code zero, to 170%.
My question is; How do we get the most out of our code zero, when sailing downwind? Is there such a thing as a "simple" whisker pole rig, and jibe? Jibing the code zero, without a pole, we typically furl the code zero, jibe the mainsail, unfurl the code zero... Do I need all of the additional rigging (lifts and guys) and the accompanying learning curve that goes with a pole? Or, should I just focus on rigging and learning how to work with a mainsail preventer when sailing down wind, and forget about a whisker pole?
I was all set to order a Forespar Tri-Reacher whisker pole, and then I Googled "How to install a whisker pole"... and here I am, asking for advice, again...