Pics of h260 gin pole & using PVC pipe to protect pole

[Davenport]

I paid for sailboatowners com $250 h260 gin pole 97 inches, for my mast which seems to be from US Star / J star company . Gin pole shapes do vary between mast makers.

I wanted to mention a way to protect a gin pole. It came in PVC sleeve pipe to protect it. Worrying about bending it and scratching it, I kept the shipping sleeve and added a thicker 2nd PVC pipe I by luck already have. Nested this way should protect it from bending and scratches. SO THIS 2 PVC PIPE SYSTEM SEEMS GOOD TO PROTECT GIN POLES. The pole is so long it is hard to store safely on boat, wow it is long. I will include some photos further below of the pole end to show how this one was cut. - D

 

[Davenport]

More pole pics

 

[Davenport]

Pics of cut end of gin pole... Poles can vary between mast companies

 

[Davenport]

More pics of cut end of gin pole... I forgot to see if the thick big PVC will slide over the wires if I jam them together away from pole, but seems nope the wire is too short and clamps too thick... See cut end of pole in pics below

 

[Davenport]

Maybe duplicate pics....

 

[Davenport]

Keep PVC on when lifting but more strength? ? ALL THESE PIPES ADD SOME STRENGTH IF KEPT ON WHILE LIFTING, IF THIS CAN BE ARRANGED. But to lift we need the wires exposed and the nonwire end of gin pole to slide like 3 inches into mast, so during the lift the PVC can't be kept on if PVC is LONGER than the gin pole. By dumb luck my thick PVC pipe is shorter, and the shipping sleeve can be cut 3 more inches, so maybe I will try this. SOMEONE ELSE LONG AGO MENTIONED SLIDING A PLASTIC PLUMBING PIPE INSIDE GIN POLE FOR MORE STRENGTH, that also can be done. But don't make gin pole so strong you bend the mast if it is stuck. . . . . Here now is some pics trying to show INSIDE DIAMETER of the pole, if want to slide something inside. Is there a foam that can be dripped in to expand and add strength?? Hmmm. - D

 

[Davenport]

The gin pole reaches from front of cabin to the mast pole in middle of table. Wow it's long

 

[Davenport]

Old other pics

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

I wouldn’t want the added weight on the pole this creates.

 

[cephius (Dave)]

The gin pole holds the lifting line at the correct angle to improve lifting the mast. There should be no bending forces on it. As for length, it should span the distance from the mast step to the forestay anchor on the very tip of the bow. Why the concerns about scratching it? Store the gin pole on the trailer while sailing.

 

[Davenport]

I don't have trailer to store gin pole, this h260 has been in ocean water for decade which yes is unusual. I do think any scratch or dent weakens gin pole so better to overprotect it.