Spinnaker Pole

[Cpt. Jon]

Hello again,

I have a symetric spinnaker that I want to use next season, but I do not have a spinnaker pole. I see that you can order the end caps, but the whole poles can be quite expensive to ship due to their length. What is the suggested method to attaining a spinnaker pole? Should I just order the end caps? If so, where do I find the material to complete the pole? I don't race, but will likely go with the J measurement as the length of the pole (10' I think) and likely just aluminum.

Any suggestions are appreciate!

Jon

 

[kielboatsa]

I am in the same spot as you (owning a spinnaker sail with no hardware to use it). What other modifications are needed to use a spinnaker such as topping lift, etc.

 

[Dave Groshong]

shipping would be around $60 to Virginia, give me a call if you'd like to discuss it. Toll Free 877-932-7245 ext.116, Mon-Fri, 9-5 Pacific

 

[okawbow]

I made a spinnaker pole from cedar, by gluing 2- 10' 2x4's together to make a 3" dia. pole, tapered to 1 1/2" dia at the ends. I bought the bronze ends that slip over the tapered ends of the pole, and then are attached with screws. Seems plenty strong and lighter than you might think. Bronze rings can be lashed on for topping and down haul lines. Total cost, about $75.00 and a little time.

 

[caguy]

I am very fortunate to ha a company called Industrial Metals on my way home. They sell all kinds of metal plates and extrusions to the industries located here and in Arizona. They sell remnants for scrap prices i.e. alumuminum $1.65/lb. To them 10 ft of tubing would be considered scrap. I am sure there are similar supliers in your area. Scrap and junk yards are another good source.

 

[Tim R.]

I went down this road a few years back with my Pearson. I remember the end fittings being very expensive and the local aluminum supplier could not match the ID. I found that the best deal was to find a used one on ebay.

 

[Git-R-Done]

I've got a spinnaker pole from a Catalina 27 I'll sell you for $100. You might need to trim a few inches off to be class legal, if you're worried about that.

Cheers,
Bruce Baker
Falls Church, VA

 

[Ray T]

I was going to my sailmaker and saw a spinnaker pole in the parking lot that was due to go to Bacons. As it so happened it was the exact size I needed and I bought it for $100. Look around you never know what you will find.

 

[Seattle Scott]

I put one together after buying the pole ends

and then the tubing from these guys in Seattle http://www.onlinemetals.com/

Yep and ends were expensive, so a used pole for $100 would be great.

 

[caguy]

Check out craigslist. There is one in Denver $75. Shipping can't be that much more.
http://denver.craigslist.org/boa/979754071.html

 

[Jumpstart]

Spinnaker poles can easily be made. You can buy the ends sometimes on Ebay. Aluminum distributors generally stock tubing in 12' lengths. Match up the OD of the end fittings and ID of the pole. @-1/2" od 6061 tubing is about right. You can prime the pole and paint it if you like since the tubing won't be anodized. Also buy a bridle kit.

For your size pole, you will want 1" T-Track about 4-6'. Bolt the track to the forward section of the mast starting about 2 feet form the deck. You also will need a spinnaker car about $30 for the pin stop type. You can spend considerably more than this for a fancy car uphaul/downhaul etc if you want.

Typically, You would want a topping lift which requires a padeye about 20 feet up your mast along with a single swivel block. You will also need about a 5/16" line with snap shackle. Run the line to a swivel block at the mast base and back to a sheet stopper or cam cleat on the cabin top. You also will want a foreguy (pole downhaul). Secure a block foward to the deck with a folding padeye. Attach a swivel block with a line terminated with a carbiner. Run the line aft through a couple of padeyes along the deck at the base of the cabintop and the secure with a cam cleat on side of the cabin top aft.

Budget- $100 for the tubing
$75 for the end fittings
?? Bridle Kit
$40 for the 2 swivel Blocks
$20 for snap shackle
$12 for the carbiner
$40 for the track
$30 for the car
$20 for padeye
$20 for bulleyes
$40 for 2 cam cleats
$30 for topping lift line
$30 for downhaul line

 

[Hermit Scott]

Look in the phone book under steel or metal distributors. Call the first number you see and the guy on the other end of the line will probably not have what you are looking for but he will probably will know who the best company to call in town is.
The tube shouldn't cost more than $50 to $75. 10' lengths of 1' aluminum tubing costs like $15. It's $8 if you buy them in bulk.
I don't know what diameter you are looking for probably like 2" or so.

 

[rpwillia]

Re: I put one together after buying the pole ends

I also bought tubing from onlinemetals. You will need to make sure they know you need the full length and that shipping by truck is OK. I got the ends from West Marine off a clearance rack, and all of the block for the topping life and down haul from Garhauer. My 11' tube was $132.00 with shipping included. Ends were $32.00 ($199.00 in WM catalog), and about $200.00 for all of the other line and blocks. I have the 3" aluminum tube as I don't think 1" tube would hack it.