Thoughts on whisker pole length for a 272

[Lou 14643]

I've just purchased a new (to me) whisker pole on eBay. It is 12'6" long, which seems a little long for my boat with a 130% jenny. I wonder if any 272 owners with similar sail can tell me their expereince with a whisker pole before I think of cutting this one down. All my research tells me that the pole should be between 100% to about 120% of the "J" dimension, which on this boat is 10'6". No, this pole is not telescoping, but rather fixed length, so I don't have the luxury of experimenting too much with length before taking saw to pole. Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[Dave K.]

Length of the foot

I remember reading somewhere that the length of the whisker pole should be the same as the foot of the sail. I guess it's obvious that it is easier to make it shorter rather than longer, so it sounds like you've got a great excuse to take the boat out!

 

[Lou 14643]

I've read the same thing Dave...

but then I also read somewhere about "...up to 120%." You're right, I should just take it out and see what looks right before making any cuts that I can't undo.

 

[mike c]

whisker pole length

the Whisker pole length is traditionall 1.5 times the length of your "J" measurement. This allows the genny to be poled out to its fullest. If you can't get a telescoping pole, having the pole even a bit longer than "J" will be better than nothing.ON my boat I only have a spin. pole (which is the same as my "J" measurement.) When I try to use it with my genny to go wing on wing, the pole doewsn't keep the sail as full as possible becasue it is not stretching out the foot of the sail. In heavy winds, this could be bad becasue the genny is too powerful this way (on my boat)

 

[Roger (Ninette Manitoba)]

most race rules will specify

Most race rules will restrict you to the J measure, but if you are cruising, you want the 150% at least. If you find that is just too long, then you can cut back to 120%, but I would not go less than 100%.

 

[Lou 14643]

Thanks Roger, Mike and Dave...

I'll give it a try as is, and then experiment with adjusting length through jury rig before any surgery. Happy sailing!

 

[NewportVic]

I just measured mine at 10 ft. collapsed.

But 12.5 is probably fine ... just don't have to extend it as much. Stronger that way and better not to buckle. Cutting it down may be a waste of time. I don't ever remember using it without a few feet of extention.Vic "Seven"